Recap - 2011 Kickoff
2011 Kickoff: Educated, Inspired & Ready To Work
WIFTA’s 2011 kick off event was it proved to be! New and seasoned actors, editors, designers, producers, directors, sound mixers, script supervisors, talent agents, writers and union representatives mingled as they awaited the main event: Insider tips from four of Atlanta’s most knowledgeable production industry vets. For a snippet of what the evening’s speakers shared with the audience…
Will Packer, Co-Owner / Co-Producer at Rainforest Films
Will Packer, being one of the most prominent independent film producers in Hotlanta and Hollywood, shared advice on how to stay encouraged while trying to “make it” in an industry that is light on kudos and heavy complaints. His advice in a nutshell:
Use what’s uniquely you. Figure out what you have that no one else does, and use that to get where you want to be.
Be you own #1 fan. Hollywood is notorious for telling people “No” or “You’re not good enough.” It would be easy to believe them, but don’t. Instead, believe in yourself; know that you are the best at what you do and keep trying it…whatever it is.
Embrace failure. The failures you experience can be opportunities to learn what you need to succeed…if you let them.
Make no excuses. Yes, the odds are against you when you’re new to Hollywoodundefinedespecially if you are a woman or ethnic minority. And? Accept it and don’t let it stop you. It’s no excuse.
Kat Phillips, Director / Producer / Owner at Kat Scratch Films
Kat Phillips, an award-winning, no-nonsense director and producer, used the 2011 WIFTA kickoff to share an array tips for filmmakers in the making. She shared a truckload of advice, far too much to include here. Here are four highlights:
Act like an entrepreneur. A movie is a product. If you want it to be a good product and if you want it to sell, you have to think of it as such. So, plan out your strategy for its success. Be tight-fisted with money but don’t cut corners too sharply. Above all, protect yourself and your project by making sure you do everything legally.
Be in “the know.” Who’s buying what? Who is the next “big thing” going to be? How are films distributed today? What’s does a “good deal” really include? Who’s who in town and what or who do they know that can help you? In short, stick your nose into everything you can!
Aim high. The best isn’t as hard to get as you may think. So, strive to recruit the very best talent you can findundefinedbehind the scenes and in front of the camera. You will be surprised with what you can attain when you reach for it.
Learn from all mistakes. Never make the same mistake twice. When you learn about others’ mistakes, don’t make their mistakes either!
Allison Wise Melissa Goodman
Assistant Executive Director, SAG / AFTRA Atlanta Executive Director, SAG Atlanta
[Union is not a four-letter word. That was part of SAG Atlanta Executive Director Melissa Goodman’s opening message when she took over the microphone. Her goal: To let the film / TV / media production community know that working with SAG on a project won’t make things more challenging. In fact, she spoke about how having SAG and AFTRA on a filmmaker’s team could actually help. Three key benefits of partnering with SAG and / or AFTRA that she mentioned include:
More opportunities. Being able to tout your project as a SAG or AFTRA production increases the presumed professionalism of your project in the eyes of potential investors and distributors.
Skilled Talent: Working under SAG or AFTRA agreements gives you access to a more seasoned population of actors.
Learning the Ropes: The process of producing a SAG or AFTRA project introduces you to industry-standard contracts and production practices, making you that much more ready to work on larger productions.
She ended her talk, reassuring the audience that the SAG / AFTRA doors aren’t just open for actors; they are open for TV / filmmakers too. Did I mention that she helped Will Packer to get his first SAG film on the right track? Well, she did…and look at him know! Just think: That could be you in a few years.
2011 Oscar Party: WIFTA Celebrates the Oscars
The 200+ attendees of the WIFTA Oscar Party & Networking event really got the star treatment this year. The event, which took place at Studio Movie Grill in Alpharetta, gave local celebrities and celebs-to-be the opportunity to stroll the red carpet, sample wine and network with local power players. Celebrity hosts Terri Vaughn and Roger Bobb added an extra element of fun as they posed mind-bending trivia questions to the audience, with the winners taking home Oscar night prizes of their own.
Short Films Long On Entertainment
They laughed. Some jumped in surprise. Others’ eyes welled with tears. However, everyone undoubtedly walked away with a newfound or rejuvenated consciousness about social issues pecking at their minds. That, in a nutshell, was the collective experience of attendees of the 6th Annual WIFTA / WIFTI Short Film Festival. WIFTA, which was one of nine WIFT chapters hosting a film festival, showcased nine films:
· He Gave It To Me, directed by Star Clark
· Family Bible, directed by Bobby Huntley II
· Break That Stereotype, directed by HaJ
· The Diary of A Girl Who Committed Suicide, directed by Andre Jones
· Leger Probleme (Little Inconveniences), directed by Helene Flo Montreal
· The Sound Of Poetry, directed by Henderson Maddox
· Picking Up Feets, directed by Debrianna Mansini
· Space Available, directed by Kathilynn Phillips
· Hungry For Love, directed by Ruckus Skye
If you missed seeing any of the films, be on the look out for them. Many of the filmmakers have offers to screen at other festivals.
