FIVE DAYS plus FORUM FEVER (Last one)

With only five days to go, Opening Night is quickly approaching the SKFF office's front door. Final preparations are being made for the week, with the bells being polished and the whistles being cleaned. 

For your festival news fix, here are a few tidbits of forum info:  


DISTRIBUTING AND MARKETING SHORT FILMS
Presented by Open Channel and Shaun Miller Lawyers 

So you've spent years developing a film that you're finally happy with: the writing is snappy, the acting is powerful, the shots are spliced expertly, and the score is compelling. All there's left to do is show people your masterpiece. Simple? Only if handled in the right way...
     Shaun Miller moderates a panel of marketing and distribution experts who'll guide the forum's audience through the journey to get your film out there. The panel includes Steph McKenna -- Roadshow Films, Simon Britton -- MediaWaveTV, Katherine Thornton -- Sharmill Films, and Jannine Barnes -- Happening Films.

Forum Hall12.30 to 2pm -- Saturday, May 26th  

FOCUS ON EDITING 
Presented by the Australian Screen Editors Guild 


The standard of its editing can make or break a film, and knowledge of how to master this complex craft truly is powerful for any editor, producer or director. Each panelist will exhibit a piece of their work and deconstruct the elements which make the scene effective, due to its editing. The panel of editors includes Megan Voevedin (Into the Sun from 2012's Top 100, The Accident), Cameron Nugent (Spider Walk from 2012's Top 100, The Honeymoon) and Sasha Dylan Bell (Lemonade Stand from 2012's Top 100, December Boys).

Forum Hall 
2.15 to 3.15pm -- Saturday, May 26th 




ACT. WRITE. DIRECT. 
Those who do it all. 


Damian Walshe-Howling. Matilda Brown. Damon Gameau.
What do they all have in common?

They've all made the leap from in front to behind the camera. Learn how they did it in their forum, where the actor-writer-directors talk about the differences and similarities between directing and acting.

Damian Walshe-Howling's acting credits include Underbelly and The Secret Life of Us -- he's directed/written 2012 Top 100 film Suspended.

Matilda Brown's acting credits include Offspring and The Chaser -- her directing and writing credits include short films How Things Work and (2012 Top 100 film) Am I Okay.

Matilda Brown

Damon Gameau's acting credits include Balibo and Love My Way -- he directed TropFest winning short film Animal Beatbox.  

Damian Walshe-Howling

Damon Gameau

Moderated by Festival Director and occasional actor, Paul Harris (Love and Other Catastrophes and Dogs in Space).

FORUM FEVER: Part 3

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SHOOT 

Forum talk at last year's SKFF



Digital Pictures presents a panel of leading assistant editors, data wranglers, colourists and post gurus who will dispense golden advice for your future projects in the digital era.

'Ten Things...' will be held at Forum Hall from 8pm to 9.30pm -- Friday, May 25

CAMERA TALK
With cinematographer John Brawley



John Brawley

Discover how you can make the most of the 'large sensor' revolution with this enlightening forum presented by Lemac and hosted by award-winning cinematographer John Brawley (TV's Offspring and the upcoming reboot series of Puberty Blues among other productions).

A range of cameras -- including: the new Sony F65 and Red's Epic camera -- will be discussed in depth and demonstrated along with talks about the future impact of cameras like the Canon 5D mk II will make on the forever-evolving film and TV industries.  

'Camera Talk' will be held at Forum Hall from 10am to 11.30am -- Saturday, May 26
Lemac will also have a desk at SKFF's 'Industry Open Day' at The Astor Theatre -- Saturday, May 26

For more information about Lemac and Digital Pictures, check out the websites linked below:
http://www.digitalpictures.com.au/
http://www.lemac.com.au/

FORUM FEVER: Part 1

In 2011 SKFF asked filmmaking enthusiasts what they'd like to see more of at the Festival. The overwhelming response to this question was MORE FORUMS! So the wonderful program developers answered with double the forums - which address subjects from music video production to pitching to editing and beyond.

The first in the series is 'Pitch Clinic'...  

It's a well-known fact that pitching an idea to funding bodies or production companies can be very intimidating. To guide film practitioners through the process of pitching, from emerging talents to established auteurs, the Pitch Clinic's panel of industry experts will assess five shortlisted pitches and give feedback. 

If you've got an idea for a film project, we encourage you to submit a one page outline to the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University, email: ESP@vu.edu.au

Wednesday, May 23  

6pm to 7.30pm 

  

Program is OUT!!!

That's right. The program for the St Kilda Film Festival was officially launched at last night's Film Buff's Trivia and is ready for your perusal. Highlights of 2012's stellar line-up include the much-mentioned Australia's Top 100 Short Films, SoundKilda Music Video Competition, Cork Film Festival showcase, Annecy animation showcase, Industry Open Day, and Blaze of Glory. The festival kicks off in 19 days and 6 hours (according to the clever countdown thing on the website) with all the bells and whistles of Opening Night which will give audiences a tantilising teaser of the standard of film fare to come. World premieres for Suspended, Am I Okay and Bonny Doon on the night will surely bring an air of antici...pation and the mysterious compere will shock and delight (maybe not shock) throughout the evening... All for $30!! Definitely one of the best things to do on a Tuesday night!

Will update soon!

Cheery regards,

Copywriter2000

Ticketing and program details are available at  http://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/2012/flipbook.html

Roger Corman: King of the B’s

If you’re a mainstream movie fanatic, you might be surprised to find out that one of the most influential people in Hollywood is the prolific master of B-movies, Roger Corman.

‘Who? What? Why?’ asks a man wearing a ketchup-stained Transformers t-shirt. Well, Transformers fan, Corman is one of the great pioneers of modern cinema. Without his groundbreaking efforts in guerrilla filmmaking and expansion of genre pictures into adult territory, the first blockbusters – Jaws and Star Wars – might have been made differently, or not exist at all.

In a career spanning over 50 years, Corman has produced and/or directed around 400 films, including a series of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations, the ‘first LSD movie’ The Trip, and a bikie movie starring Nancy Sinatra and Peter Fonda (Wild Angels). His influence on directors such as Martin Scorsese helped bring counter-culture into the light, and out of the shadows of post-war US conservatism.

Another indelible mark he made on the cinematic landscape was his distribution of art house films to the American masses through his small studio ‘New World Pictures’. Akira Kurasawa and Ingmar Bergman (among others) finally gained exposure and the potential of art house was recognised by other industry movers and shakers. 

But it wasn’t all subtle and arty cinemaaahh. Exploitation films of every variety, brimming with sexual liberation and advocating civil rights, were produced by Corman – a fact not lost on Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who recently paid homage to the legend in their ‘Grind House’ double feature. 

 ‘Corman At Ya’ is the late night showcase of Corman’s very best bits – a collation of ‘B’ cinema in ‘A’ form. Compiled by Mark Hartley (director of brilliant ‘Ozploitation’ documentary Not Quite Hollywood) and Jamie Blanks (who recently remade the classic Aussie thriller Long Weekend), trailer after trailer will inspire you to raid garage sales in search for trashy treasure. 

For some interesting facts about Corman’s impact on modern Hollywood, check out this link: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/roger-corman/all/1

What? Corman At Ya!

When? Friday 25^th of May – 11pm 

Where? The Astor Theatre

Check the St Kilda Film Festival website for updates on ticketing information in early May!

News Update?!!?

Hilarious and interesting feature articles are coming, but for the meantime here are a few bits of St Kilda Film Festival-related news…

‘The Palace’ Victory

Congratulations to one of this year’s Top 100 films ‘The Palace’, which has won big at the South Australian Screen Awards, taking home four awards including Best Short Film and Best Director for Anthony Maras. The 1970s Cyprus-set drama is an intense short about home invasion and confronting enemy forces face-to-face and will surely be a highlight of this year’s program. Intrigued to see what all the buzz is about…

Campfire Inspiration

Campfire Film Festival is to be held on May 12^th at ACMI. With an emphasis on philosophy and spirituality it’s aimed at high school students, teachers and film practitioners alike. Featured films include an anti-bullying animation and Chris Lilley-style mockumentary.

For those who are hungry for a taste of festival atmosphere before SKFF, check out the website at http://www.campfire.org.au/cff2012

Oscar Loves Emily

Earlier in the week, Festival director Paul Harris got an exciting email informing us here at SKFF HQ, that Top 100 short film ‘Emily’ is up for a Student Academy Award (Oscar Junior). Although not as renowned as its older brother, Oscar Junior has helped launch the careers of industry greats Spike Lee and Robert Zemeckis.

We congratulate director Ben Matthews and look forward to him and all other filmmakers in competition for the Top 100. It’s going to be tough to separate all the strong entries this year.

Finally…

The trailer is finished and is simply beautiful. Be among the first and see it below ;D

Lots of Kind Cheers and Sincere Regards

<Insert Witty Pseudonym>

LE TRAILER: 

Hello Strangers!

With just over a month until the festival begins, SKFF HQ is in countdown mode. Tickets have arrived, fresh from the printers (some with almost dangerous points); the laborious process of resizing film stills for the website is (almost) done; Paul Harris is organising a special, late-night B-movie event; a beautiful animated trailer is in development (trust me, I’ve had a sneak peak and it’s spellbinding); and the judges have started watching their way through the Top 100.

Next week, a feature article about the aforementioned B-movie event (centered around filmmaking legend Roger Corman) will be ready for your perusal, so watch out for that!    

Much Love, 

The Occasionally Absent Intern

Happy Friday Everyone!

It’s the end of another week at St Kilda Film Festival HQ and what a week it has been! The Top 100 Short Films in Australia list has been finalised; the logistics of Opening Night are being fine-tuned; exciting speakers for the filmmaker development program are already doing their vocal warm-ups; sponsorship and marketing plans and deals are in the final stages of negotiation; and I got to finally speak one-on-one with Paul Harris, the festival director.

Paul Harris is a film buff. I might be stating the obvious, but I’m being serious. He is freakishly fit, in the filmic sense – hence the name of his radio show, Film Buffs Forecast, on Triple R. Over his years of experience in the local film industry, he has been an exhibitor of films, member of the AFI, programmer at MIFF, and radio broadcaster extraordinaire. All of these roles have afforded him the opportunity to convey his wide knowledge of cinema and to understand the nature of the often unpredictable beast that is Australian cinema. 

The St Kilda Film Festival is Harris’ baby, and he is as enthusiastic as ever about the festival. He describes it as a unique Melbourne institution because it is a “community-based festival” which is targeted at people who are very ‘into’ film culture. He also sets apart the SKFF from other Melbourne film festivals, because this festival is “focused on shorts” and showcases such a diverse range of local talent.

One thing that has Harris particularly excited for this year’s festival are the venues. The famous 3000-seat Palais Theatre is the location for St Kilda Film Festival Opening Night – a splendid setting for a night of cinematic diversity and Industry mingling. The Palais opened as picture theatre originally and has been used for many purposes since, but to have SKFF in its cavernous space annually is a fond nod to the past.

Post-Opening Night, the 75-year-old Astor Theatre will be the primary venue for screenings.  This cinema has the biggest cinema screen in the Southern Hemisphere and will allow newcomer filmmakers to see their works on a truly ‘big screen’.  New projection technology also allows the films to be exhibited in near IMAX quality, allowing an experience trumping prior festivals.

He describes the audiences for the SKFF not unlike those at comedy clubs – ready to judge critically, but with an open mind.  With the festival’s emphasis placed on short film, Paul Harris has some handy tips on short film making for future auteurs and cinephiles alike:

-          The shorter, the more commercially viable – therefore the more attractive to media outlets

-          Think of your short film as being a person on the street in a crowded city, trying to get noticed. In order to stand out, you need to have something different about the way the film looks and seems. If it’s immediately ‘something else’, you’re probably on the right track.

-          A short film doesn’t need to be technically brilliant – what it needs is to be engaging. It doesn’t matter how much you’ve spent on your production, it’s the idea and the way in which that’s presented, that matters.

-          If it’s your first attempt at short film, consider starting with an autobiographical work. Much like the rule of writing (write what you know), make something that reflects your life and world. It will be more empathetic and believable.

-          Remember that short films are a training ground from which your filmic style naturally emerges. David Michôd’s Animal Kingdom didn’t come out of nowhere; he worked on his style for years through short film making.

The excitement in Harris’s voice is palpable and contagious (especially when talking about the screen at The Astor). I’ll be talking to him as the festival approaches about the program highlights we can expect. As for now, I should be off. I’ve got to catch a train.

Cheers,

Mr. Intern

  

  

Good Morning (just)!

'Long time no post' I hear you say. Don't judge me... I've been busy *cough*.

As the (actual) staff have been tapping/calling/negotiating/pulling hair out, this little intern has been reading cute film blogs - one of which I'm linking below. There's unique and inspirational content for animation connoiseurs especially.

A properly written article about the festival preparation from the Festival Director's perspective is coming midweek.

Here's the link to Short of the Week blog :)  http://www.shortoftheweek.com/

Previous Festival Photos

SKFF 2012 - Cinematic wonder inside the Palais

SKFF 2012 - Film folk gathered in celebration of Australian film

Antici... pation

Good Afternoon!

With just over two months to go, the preparation for the St Kilda Film Festival 2012 is fully underway and excitement (anxiety) for opening night is quickly building in the office. Paul (Festival Director), Adele, Jake, Amber, Angus, Annie, Sophie, Malcolm, Anthoula and Paul (other Paul - sponsorship guy) are the dynamic team at the heart of SKFF. Each has an area of expertise to contribute, from production management to marketing to programming, that I'll investigate in the coming week(s).

The 'Top 100 Short Films' list is being finalised, the 'International Programme' is being fine-tuned and the choice of seating for Opening Night is being heatedly debated. The main energy sources for staff are sushi and strong coffee - a winning combination in any scenario. The harsh fluorescent office lights don't distract from the wonderful array of shorts being scrutinised by staff.

Most recently (at noon today), a team of graphic designers spoiled the staff for choice with an eclectic range of St Kilda Film Festival artwork which will be prevalent on the festival website, Facebook, Twitter, and on this little ol' blog in the coming week (I speculate).  So follow and comment on the upcoming material! I assure you it will be sufficiently urbane (with a trimming of grunge). You WILL want to buy the t-shirt!

Lots of love Kind Regards,

Internbot186

Welcome!!

Oh, how lovely of you stop by!

Welcome to the 2012 St Kilda Film Festival blog, the 'personal' side of the festival where all the behind-the-scenes theatrics are revealed in explicit detail (well, partially anyway). During the lead-up and festival itself, this blog will be flooded with all kinds of trivia, attempts at humour and interviews with glamorous film folk.

Visit us at the Twitter and Facebook links for vital information... all the FUN stuff will be coming to the blog!

Cheers,

Anonymous Intern