The independent film & video monthly

578 Pages·1994·46.6 MB·English

by  Foundation for Independent Video and Film (U.S.)

www.aivf.org
I I I
I
FILM &VIDEO MONTHLY
s
/
jF\^
* *
16mm
g Up with
Intermediates
ital
$4.95 us $6.95can
DP
1 of the Trade
;s
48-Hour Film Project
H
74<,70"801
^
D 2004
1
how
has technology
digital
DlhBC r 01
Jl
1 y
—
.
E200
JAN. 30 - FEB. 2004 SAN FRANCISCO MARRIOTT
1
,
The conference that unites independent innovators in film, video, games, music, web,
technology, media policy and the artstotackle this question. DI2004 events will include:
TheSecretLifeofIndies:ADigitalStatusReport- IndiesoftheWorld, Unite?Rethinking Community-
Ted Hope,producer,American Splendor; MarkDecena, Alyce Myatt, Multimedia Editor, OneWorldTV; Howard
Director, Dopamine Rheingold,author,"SmartMobs:TheNextSocial Revolution";
NewMoneyForNewArt- RubyLerner, CEO, Creative SanfordRosenberg, President, Media ResearchAssociates
Capital;JohnJohnson, ExecutiveDirector, EyebeamAtelier WhoOwnsThis? ACreativeAlternativetoIntellectual
*PlayingtheVideo Game-Will Wright, ElectronicArts, Property-SivaVaidhyanathan, NYU,author, "Copyrights
andCopywrongs"; GlennBrown, ExecutiveDirector,
creator"SimCity"; Mitzi McGilvray, Executive Producer,
creativecommons.com
Tapwave
WhoseStandards? TheImpactofDigitalDistribution I MassMediaorMyMedia? Federal Regulationsand
onCinemaandTelevision-John Boland, KQED; Robert the Future- Nolan Bowie, KennedySchool ofGovernment,
Hoffman,Technicolor; GaryMeyer, BalboaTheatre&Co- Harvard University;JeffChester, ExecutiveDirector,
CenterforDigital Democracy
founderLandmarkTheaters; Rich Mizer, Digital Ventures
Diversified Inc., SMPTE;JamesCantor, Institutefor *CreatingaWinning Pitch-workshopsonfilm,video,
Global Futures music, game&web
Register at www.digitalindies.com
Co-hosts: MediaSponsor:
tVS KQED«'"M":ts AK. b o O
c GUARDIAN
contents
January/February 2004 | Volume 27 Number 1 | www.aivf.org
Features
44 SHOOTINGUPWITH16MM
How one filmmaker became convinced that
16mm is the perfect format for short films.
[by Gadi Harel]
46
DIGnALINTERMEDIATES
Independents are discovering the pros and
cons of digital mastering-no longerjust
for cartoonish sci-fi orspecial effects.
[by Paul Boutin]
50 THEMEDIUMISTHEMAKER
The cinematographers and directors ofXX/XY,
The Shape of Things and Blue Vinylreveal
low-budget techniques for compelling visuals.
[by Elizabeth Angell]
54 48HOURPICTUREPEOPLE
The 48 Hour Film Project inspires creativity
and turns out challenging films.
[by Derek Loosvelt]
Photos: A scenefrom Gadi Harel'sfilm Nights Like These,
about adissatisfied shadow, was shot on 16mm (Emily
Lemole); this archival photo was digitally remastered to cre-
ate a scene in Nanette Burnstein and Brett Morgen's 2002
Sundance hit, The KidStays in the Picture (Edgeworx);
directorofphotography Uta Briesewitz, here on location in
Baltimore, helped conceptualizeand createthe unique
visualsforfilms Session 9, XX/XYand HBO's The Wire
(Boots Shelton).
Page5 photos: Sam Chen's animatedfilm Eternal Gazeis
based onthe lifeofSwisssculptorAlberto Giacometti (Sam
Chen);Jason DaSilva's Lest We Forgetwasfunded bythe
Paul Robeson Fund (Jason DaSilva);Todd Stephens' Gypsy
83 isaboutaStevie Nicksfan whofollowsherdream (Small
Planet Pictures);the shortfilm Sockitto Mescreened atthe
2003 S.N.O.B. Film Festival (AnnaChristopher).
On theCover: Aportraitfrom Sam Chen'sanimated biopic
aboutSwiss sculptorAlbertoGiacometti (Sam Chen).
January/February 2004 The Independent 3
|
myth:
SAG has too many restrictions.
SAG understands that low budget filmmakers don't have the same
resources that the studios have, and will work with you so that you
can make the film you want to make and still protect the actors.
To find out more about how easy it is to work
with professional actors visit: www.sagindie.org
or call 323-549-6064
contents
Upfront
7 EDITOR'SLETTER
9 LETTERSTOTHEEDrTOR
1 1 NEWS Rhode Island'sfilmmaker-friendly
Revival House; the "Bush in 30 Seconds" ad
contest; The Film Festival Channel.
[byAlyssa Worsham]
15 FIRSTPERSON Looking beyond standard
social interest funding plans.
[by Alyce Myatt]
17 PROFILEMarc Johnson's Colorvision series
showcases multicultural films and directors.
[byChristine Schomer]
2.1 PROFILESam Chen's Eternal Gaze animates
we sculptorAlberto Giacometti.
glest [by Neil Kendricks]
25 HELDREPORTDetroit, Michigan slowly
becomes fertile ground for indie filmmakers.
[by Matthew Miller]
"orget
FUNDERFAQThe Paul Robeson Fund.
[by Jason Guerrasio]
DOCDOCTORWhen to fly solo and when to
enlist help; thoughts on the "digital revolution."
[by Fernanda Rossi]
35 ONVIEW Gypsy 83's obsession with Stevie
Nicks; plus otherworkto watch for.
[byJason Guerrasio]
SITESEEING Locus Novus's unconventional tales.
[by Leslie Harpold]
42 FESTIVALCIRCUIT New Hampshire's S.N.O.B.
Festthrows open its doors.
[by Rebecca Rule]
Departments
POLICY The FCC Showdown.
[by Matt Dunne]
58 TECHNOLOGYAaton's Cantar &A-Minima.
[by Greg Gilpatrick]
80 THELISTSome of ourfavorite shots.
[by Jessica McDowell]
Listings
SO
FESTIVALS
65 FILMS/TAPESWANTED
63
NOTICES
72 CLASSIFIEDS
AIVF
75 AIVFNEWSANDEVENTS
78 SALONS
January/February 2004 The Independent 5
|
ttielndependent
IFILMH.VIDEOMONTHLY
Publisher:Elizabeth Peters
|[email protected]]
Editor-in-Chief:RebeccaCarroll
[[email protected]]
ManagingEditor:ShanaLiebman
([email protected]]
StaffWriter:JasonGuerrasio
|[email protected]]
DesignDirector:SuzyFlood
[[email protected]]
ProductionAssociate:JoshuaSanchez
[[email protected]]
Editorial Interns:JessicaMcDowell;
PhilipPissas;AlyssaWorsham
[[email protected];[email protected]@aiv1.org]
ContributingEditors:
PatAufderheide,MaudKersnowski,BoMehrad,
CaraMertes,RobertL.Seigel,Esq.
Proofreader:SusanFreel
[[email protected]]
AdvertisingDirector:LauraD.Davis
[phone]x225;[[email protected]]
AdvertisingRepresentative:VeronicaShea
[phone]x232;[[email protected]]
ClassifiedAdvertising:JamesIsrael
[phone]x241;[[email protected]]
NationalDistribution:
IngramPeriodicals(800)627-6247
POSTMASTER:Sendaddresschangesto:
TheIndependentRm&VideoMonth)/,304HudsonSt.,
6fl.,NewYork,NY10013
TheIndependentRimiVideoMonthl/(ISSN1077-8918)ispublishedmonth-
ly (except combined issues January/FebruaryandJuly/August) bythe
FoundationforIndependentVideoandFilm(FIVF),a501(c)(3)dedicated
TheWyoming Film Office would liketo host the premiere ofyour totheadvancementofmediaartsandartists.Subscriptiontothemaga-
zineisincludedinannualmembershipdues($55/yrindividual;$35/yrstu-
next independentfilm atthe RialtoTheatre in Casper,WY. With dent; $100/yr nonprofit/school; $150/yr business/industry) paid to the
AssociationofIndependentVideoandFilmmakers(AIVF),thenationalpro-
our pristine scenery,financial incentives and small towns full of fessionalassociationofindividualsinvolvedinmovingimagemedia.Library
subscriptionsare$75/yr.Contact:AIVF,304HudsonSt.,6fl.,NewYork,NY
character,Wyoming offers endless options for yourfilm project. 10013,[phone];fax:[phone];[email protected].
PeriodicalPostagepaidatNewYork,NewYork
To ve^uest- yoiAv Wyovniv^ Rim Pvo^ucHoh lv\cev\Hve andatadditionalmailingoffices.
PrintedintheUSAbyCadmusSpecialtyPublications
Pvo^v^un Ca^A, ccWrc\dv fUe Wyoming Rlw O-P-Pice.
W
C^l 800-458-6657 Publication of TheIndependentismadepossiblein
part with public funds from the New York State
CouncilontheArts,astateagency,andtheNational
Ov VlslVwww.wyomingfilm.org EndowmentfortheArts,afederalagency.
MMM1WM7 PublicationofanyadinTheIndependentdoesnotconstituteanendorsement
AIVF/FIVFarenotresponsibleforanyclaimsmadeinanad.Allcontentsare
copyrightoftheFoundationforIndependentVideoandFilm,Inc.Reprints
requirewrittenpermissionandacknowledgementofthearticle'sprevious
appearanceinTheIndependent. TheIndependentisindexedintheAlternative
PressIndexandisamemberoftheIndependentPressAssociation.
AIVF/FIVFstaff:ElizabethPeters,executivedirector;AlexanderSpencer,
deputydirector;SoniaMalta,programdirector;PriscillaGrim,membership
andadvocacydirector;JamesIsrael,BoMehrad,informationservicesasso-
early 02.01.04 ciates; Greg Gilpatrick, technology consultant; Cynthia Carrion, Joseph
Colista, Catherine Gulacsy interns; AIVF/FIVF legal counsel: Robert I.
Freedman,Esq.,Cowan,DeBaets,Abrahams&Sheppard.
final 03.15.04
AIVF/FIVF Boards of Directors: Angela Alston, Liz Canner,
AnnedelCastillo,PaulEspinosa,KyleHenry,VivianKleiman*.ReggieLife,
NEW FOR 2004 Jim McKay", Elizabeth Peters (ex officio), Gail Silva", Sharan Sklar*.
ValerieSoe*,SimonTarr,RahdiTaylor,YolandaThomas,JimVincent,Jane
SCREENWRITING COMPETITION Wagner*,BartWeiss.TDTFBoardolDirectorsonly.
www.aviff.com ©
Foundation forIndependentVideo& Film, Inc. 2004
Visit TheIndependentonlineat:www.aivf.org
6 The Independent January/February 2004
|
spacious account ofthe relationship Global,
Editor's between a filmmaker and his or her
Letter DP, and how both can be defined by Total
Dear Readers, the medium they choose to work in.
If it's January, Independent media field consultant overag
you're likely at Alyce Myatt gives us bleeding-heart
Sundance, get- public policy and media-minded lib-
tingreadyto go eral artists reason to live, and to
to Sundance, or makemoredocumentaries.And film-
just back from maker Gadi Harel gives guileless,
Sundance. And, frontline testimonyon shootingwith
more than like- 16mm—the good, the bad, and the
ly, so amI. With thatin mind, as Iwas weightlessness.
putting together this, our yearly Christine Schomer, a freelance
January/February double issue, I writerand television producer, as well
thought to myself: What would I like as a founder and former executive
to read whileI'mwaitingforthe shut- director ofthe Newport International
tle into Park Cityafterflying into Salt Film Festival, profiles Marc Henry
Lake City International Airport at an Johnson, the tall, dark, and persistent
impossible hour? Or standing in an force behind the recently premiered
endlesslineatEccles? Orwaitingfora American Public Television series
table at the ever and always over- Colorvision. While San Diego-based
crowded Morning Ray/Evening Star journalist Neil Kendricks profiles ani-
Cafe—which, in my opinion, ifnot for mator Sam Chen and his animation
the huevos rancheros, might not be cumobsessionwith theSwisssculptor
worth the wait at all. Or just kicking Alberto Giacometti.
back in the condo, gearing up for a San Francisco writer and graphic
long night ofnetworking, needle-nos- designer, Leslie Harpold, gives us a
ing,rubber-necking,andgeneral,over- tour of the ultra rad and cerebrally
all carousing? A good read, that's challenging experimental website
what. This way, for those ofyou not LocusNovus.com.
going to Sundance or picking up the And finally, I'm especiallydelighted
issue while it's still on the stands in tointroducethefirstofaseriesofarti-
February, there's no love lost. It's cles on media policy that will appear
still a good read; we're not mad at over the course ofthe next five issues,
you for forgetting to read us in writtenbyMattDunne,Vermontstate
January; and you don't have to feel senator and founder of the Vermont
left out. This issue is also about, in Film Commission.
vague terms, technology. I'd also like to take this opportuni-
IwillbethefirsttoadmitthatIknow ty to invite and encourage letters to Pay only $168 for a full year of
little to nothing about technology- the editor. The sum, as they say, is Varietyand with your subscription
filmorotherwise. Luckily,Iknowsome only as good as its parts, and each of you will receive 24/7 access to
really smart people and great writers you who read The Independent is an Variety.com and bi-monthly issues
who do. Slate technology columnist integral part of this magazine's sum. of VLife
Paul Boutinwrote asmashingpiece on Already in the short time I've been
To take advantage ofthis offer
the digital intermediate phenomenon, here, the feedback I've received from
somehow making the whole thing readers has been insightful, hearten- log on to: www.subnow.com/
wv/membership and click on
sound terribly appealing, interesting, ing, and completelyvaluable. AIVF or call:
cool, and useful. Boutin's article made
1-866-MY VARIETY
mewanttobeafilmmaker. Thanks foryoursupport,
Freelance writer Elizabeth Angell RebeccaCarroll,
and mention The Independent.
takes a close look at three visually Editor-in-Chief
provocative films and offers a clear, [email protected] (newsubscriptionsonly)
January/February 2004 The Independent 7
|
Hollywood's Backyard
In
WEST
Santa
Moni
Holly
f
j
The 24th Annual
American Market
Film
25 February - 3 March 2004 / Santa Monica
The Reporter DD Dolby ^afi fest 2004 *nC ?<lU Ofrc
-•Comet
ff?
C'iniKimon FromSalLgnSoftwareInc
www.americanfilmmarket.com j attendee/buyer info: [email protected] /310-446-1095 Strategic Partners
phone: [phone] / fax. [phone] exhibitorinfo: [email protected] / 310-446-1027
e-mail: [email protected] I sponsorshipinfo: [email protected] / 310-446-1020
Letters to the Editor
READERS RESPOND TO PAST ISSUES
www.downtownavid.com
DearEditor, offended and aghast. We imagemakers 212.614.7304
I am a documentary filmmaker and have a responsibilityto challenge stereo-
screenwriter,amemberofAIVF, anedi- types notreinforce them. As afilmmak- Avid Meridien & 7.2 Systems
tor at Vogue, former Senior Editor of er, ajournalist who has focused on the Avid XpressDV • FinalCutPro
Film Comment, andJewish. Forthe first representation ofminorities in the film
time in mylifeI feelcompelled towrite and media for Vibe, Rolling Stone, and 1:1 • Film Composer • 3D FX
a letter to the editor to express how numerous other publications, and a Full-TimeTechnical Support
insulting and offensive I found your humanbeing,Iamappalledand,frankly, 24-Hour Access
November 2003 cover. I must clarify speechless, at your magazine's unaware-
that I am not offended by The Hebrew ness and irresponsibility. For what it
Hammeritself; its subject, content, and is worth, my coworkers at Vogue echo
I
contextareclear. Ialso understandthat mysentiments. Eli
The Hebrew Hammer is a film reflected Sincerely,
in your magazine's contents. But the MadameGlicksman
image you have chosen from the film
and your cover design—a prominent DearMarlaine Glicksman,
Jewishstar(echoedbytwoothersinthe Weappreciateyourtakingthetimetolet
background) adjacent to the large text usknowhowyoufeltaboutthecoverof
MONEY MATTERS plays into one of ourNovemberissue.Andyouarecorrect POST
the world's oldest and most degrading; thatas arepresentative ofimagemakers, AUDIO & VIDEO
£tegrated services for
stereotypes ofJewish people. As some- TheIndependenthas asignificant respon- Dependent proje_cts
one who represents imagemakers for a sibilitytobeawareoftheimageswepres-
magazinethatrepresentsimagemakers, ent,aswellasthemessagestheseimages -?
you have firsthand convey. When we
awareness of the chose the Hebrew
power of the visual Hammer shot for the
image—especiallyinits cover, we had no
juxtaposition with intention ofperpetu-
text—and it is incon- ating any stereotypes.
ceivableinthisdayand Instead, the cover, like
age there could be all of our covers, is a
such an oversight, or link to one ofthe fea-
such a conscious tures about funding
choice for cover. Only independent film and
through some search- is captioned on page 3.
ing through your This article focuses on
pages does the reader the financial produc-
discover that the tion of The Hebrew
image on your cover Hammer, a film that
relates to an article in your magazine consciously exploits Jewish stereotypes
(yourTOC never mentions TheHebrew usingcartoonishfigures.Ourassociation CITYSOUND
Hammer, and leaves one guessing why ofan absurdistJewish gangster and the \^
I I _l PRODUCTIONS
this film was even chosen to represent words "MoneyMatters" were playing on
your publication) and how, and only theironiesinthefilm.However,wedeeply www.citysound.com
then does this "visual pun" become regretthatthisoffendedyouandwewel-
212.477.3250
(barely) apparent. Had your cover comeyourfeedback.
played/preyed upon any other minority Sincerely,
stereotype, I would have been equally TheIndependent 636 BROADWAY, NYC
January/February 2004 The Independent 9
|
—
11>\ ovef ^00 l*-OK\tSj of foofc^ae, tkefe w*~jt\ f cl
jLk\ale dfopo\Aj G-i^wwhe-fe. -£~*».<f /\™^/ wl^i^ Sector fc*^eft t^au,-
SONY Don't tell BennettMiller that tape is tape. "When I did my first documentary
seven years ago on mini-DV tape, there was quite a bit of dropout," Miller
says. "Almostevery tape had some problem on it, even if itwas just a couple
of tiny pixels."
Millershot his latest projecton Sony1 DigitalMaster"
SONY
DVCAM. DV so& tape, designed for all mini-DV and DVCAM"
BeccrCMode RecordMode &MJ camcorders. "We justthrewthese tapes in plastic
184 276 bags in an RV where it was 100 degrees.
40 We schlepped the tapes around for months.
min 315m/1,033ft «*
1L, Therewasn'ta singledropoutanywhere."
40 60
60 mm mm DigitalMaster tape is unique. It's the only
professional videotape with not one but two
active magnetic layers. You'll get90% fewer
errors than with consumer DV tape. That's
MasteringQualityTapeforDV/DVCAM™
especially important ifyour recordings are
DualLayerfor50%fewerdropouts MasteringQualitylapelotCN/OVCM*-, exposed to adverse conditions like smoke,
and90%fewererrorsthanDVtape Duallayertot50%tewerdropouts dust, humidity or temperature changes.
andW/»teneterrorsthanDVtape
115 And fewer errors today mean fewer
dropouts tomorrow. Says Bennett Miller,
Standard Cassette ^rte W\n\Cassette "It's just reliability, stability, consistency
and no headaches."
2f.9uq9iq c9a2G#6 r'V*:.>.t'a- fliUI C928GffG
9QUnaqi90ros\^°S4L6tMO8LLgrSjUoO°L43S«{eUiS.UqiQoAbo{n9j^e6 fe, ngruwq)3r0s,A'«(61M0161a6wU0/12«*ft«fSWU>DtAoJ3n*p*
•juaon*\\(KJ9b6\o\.DAXDACVW
©2003SonyElectronic*loc Alngnisreserved Reoroducfioninwholecrinportwithoutwinenpermission>scfohibtfed Featuresandspecificationsarewbiec*tochar»gewithoutnonceSonyDigitalMasterondDVCAMoretrodemoniso(Sony
Emmyisoregisteredtrode/narkoJATAS/NATAS