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THE REBEL FREE 4 ALL FILM CHALLENGE EVENT
Observations and a lesson for us all -  by Kimber Leigh - Special to The Glendale Daily Planet

Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.
POLLACK TEMPE CINEMAS, Tempe, AZ, United States

EDIT, EDIT, and EDIT IT AGAIN!

 

Originally, this article was to be a general observation at the Rebel Free 4 All Challenge in August 2011.  However, after attending this festival, I decided to write something a bit outside of the box that would serve the reader in a more  informative way.

 

There were many interesting films screened.  Two in particular are a lesson for any new comer to the film industry.  I will explain why later in this article.  Directors of both films could have given up on the film because of critical feedback from judges and other film industry people who viewed the film before the audience screening.

 

Critical feedback is important especially to a new filmmaker.  Much of the film can be fixed in the editing process.  For instance, does the film tell a story?  Are there sound issues?  Is there missing footage and no time or resources to reshoot?  Are there scenes in the film that don't belong there?  Two films selected to screen at the festival faced some of these real film making challenges.

 

One of the films that showed at the Rebel Free 4 All Challenge was, Director Klor Rowland's Film, "Bloody Mother Trucker".  This film was shot two years ago and just recently screened.  Why the large space of time between shooting and this screening?   The story faced some real issues with storytelling in its original form.  But Rowland did not give up, even with some very critical feedback from others.  Rowland knew the importance of getting the job done once it was started.  Rowland himself, was involved in a film.  It never left the can due to some sound issues.  He decided, not to let an issue stop his film.

 

Instead of spending more money and having to use more of the actor's time and talent, he took the edit "bull" by the horns and put his creative genius to work.  Rowland put in hours upon hours with countless edits.  He was able to tell his story visually and balancing the film's visual story with the right amount of dialog.  Because of his persistence and being open to feedback Rowland, after spending more than a year on his project in the edit bay, found the right combination to take the audience on a blood bath journey into the minds of an organized family of organ thieves.  Being in the audience, I say he did a wonderful job of not letting his film fail.  I was engaged and entertained.

 

Another example of a re-edit (to make sure that a film gets to see the light of day) was "Betsy Boone's Big Bad Day", directed by Russel Williams.  This particular film follows a very different path.  It was originally shot for a 48 Hour Film Challenge.  As all versed filmmakers know, a 48 Hour Challenge can bring some real life issues.  This film had some editing issues due to the time constraints and was rejected at a local film festival in Arizona.

 

Williams could have given up.  He did not.  He holds his talent and the actor's and crew's time in high regard and decided to attack the editing issues in a very unique and interesting way.  Williams is a professor at the prestigious Art Institute of Phoenix.  As a homework assignment to his students, he gave them the film and asked six of them to do an edit that they thought best served the film.  After viewing all six edits, Williams chose one that struck him. That particular edit choice made the cut for the Rebel Free 4 All Challenge.  The film was well received by the audience and Arizona Film Critics.

 

This article is written for those films out there that were also rejected or given up on due to lost footage or sound issues.  Filmmaking is an art and should be approached as one.  If you have a film that has issues, the best advice would be to consult with someone who has met these same obstacles.  There is always a way to fix some of these problems in the editing process by being creative.  Also, be open-minded to criticism that is constructive. You make movies for audiences, not for judges or for critics.  Let the audience decide your film's fate.  To get the very best feedback on your film, show it to a small audience that has no ties to the film.  Ask them for their best input.  Do not take the feedback personally, but rather learn from it.

 

Never give up on a film that you spent valuable time and money on.  I have personally seen so many very talented filmmakers do this.  There is always a way to complete a project that was started with good talent whose intent is to make a good film and share that good film with the audience that it deserves.  Sometimes forgoing an ego issue will get a film to its final destination.  So get your film ready for takeoff and give it some gas and get it to its deserved home, which is the BIG SILVER SCREEN!

 

At the Pollack Theatre in Tempe, Rebel Free 4 All Challenge, 2011. In the photo from left to right are Dakota Raffaele, Dave Karhl, Layla Raffaele and Sally Ann Francis. Photo by Naomi Raffaele.

 

At the after party for the Rebel Free 4 All Challenge. In the photo from left to right are Janie Barnes, Michael Harrelson, Heather Viti Taylor, Kimber Leigh, Klor Rowland, and Diane Dresback. Photo by Kimber Leigh

 

 

The festival is not only a great venue to enjoy indie cinema, but an incredible opportunity to meet and socialize with people in our community that write films, direct films, act in films, or just have a passion for the art and science of general filmmaking. - FILMSTOCK

 

FILMSTOCK! THE SECOND COMING!
Observations on an interesting evening by Kimber Leigh - Special to   Glendale Daily Planet

Saturday April 9th 700pm
PICTURE SHOW - PARADISE VALLEY
4550 E Cactus Rd Ste 168 Phoenix AZ 85032

The Second Coming of.......

FILMSTOCK! Yes... This Festival has been reborn! New Venue -  New Format!

 

From the moment you stepped foot in the theatre, for the FILMSTOCK SPRING FILM FESTIVAL, 2011, you could feel something new and fresh in the air  just as you do on the first day of Spring! 

You could see paparazzi from afar and a Red Carpet Style that is new to Phoenix Film Shorts Festivals. 

 

As you enter the theatre you are greeted like a VIP from Jeremy Clayton, Ryan Pierson, and James Lee. 

 

Their style and gratitude for the filmmakers, talent, and crew in Phoenix is unprecedented. After you are greeted your picture is taken behind the Filmstock backdrop with curious onlookers watching the buzz take place.

In another area of the lobby, James Lee was entertaining the crowd in waiting with the film game, "Are you smarter than a filmmaker?" He somehow found his way in my direction and asked me if I wanted to play.

James A. Lee - Photo by Bobby Shook

 

I

I informed him, I am definitely not smarter than a 5th Grader, and certainly not smarter than a filmmaker. Hence, I did not win the prize money that was being given away to those who answered correctly. It was awesome to see him engage the audience from outside the theatre as well as inside.

Once inside, you are greeted again by, Ryan Pierson, to escort you to your VIP seats. The area was roped off and yes, there were some VIP'S. Dana Skvarek, Director of Crusaders was in the audience with the lovely Sarah Lovell. The  theatre had a plush feel to it as the venue has been changed to THE PICTURE SHOW, in Paradise Valley Mall, inside, by the food court. 

From the moment you take your seats, your experience has already been one of complete magic as you anticipate what is about to play before you on the silver screen.

There were 9 films that showed. I had a few favorites.. first was the short, but very touching story of, Holding Lost, Written and Directed by Rory Pierce, Produced by, Robin Cote and Dp was Richard Foredyce. My all time favorite film as well as everyone else's in the audience was a film called, "The Broken Heart of Gnocci Bolognese" -  Katherine Vondy was the director, and Johanna Parker was the star. This film swept the awards. It was a film out of California and was entirely entertaining, starting off with the title. After the title screened and the audience chuckled a bit, it turned out to be a feel good film containing a very unique message. This film went on to win, BEST OF FEST, BEST ACTOR, and AN AUDIENCE CHOICE.

 

As the evening ended with the awards ceremony, the night came to a close. As you exited the theatre there many new faces in the crowd. I get the feel that alot more of the audience were not so much the people connected to the films that were made as it were people who enjoy Independent film. Word is getting out there, that this is a viable community of talented and ever growing filmmakers who love what they do. 

The next Filmstock will be held In July for their summer venue. I do encourage everyone to come out and see just how hot this venue really is, because once inside, they will turn up the heat once more to entertain like no other! 

 

The acting twins, Dakota and Layla Raffaele  - Photo by Bobby Shook

 

 

The festival is not only a great venue to enjoy indie cinema, but an incredible opportunity to meet and socialize with people in our community that write films, direct films, act in films, or just have a passion for the art and science of general filmmaking. - FILMSTOCK

 

FILMSTOCK... THE END?

FILMSTOCK SPETEMBER 2, 2010 

FILMSTOCK... THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK?
Observations on an interesting evening by Kimber Leigh - Special to   Glendale Daily Planet