Asian Cinema Fund has three grants for Asian filmmakers

“The Asian Cinema Fund is a new initiative that aims to help creative, talented Asian Filmmakers realize their artistic vision. To this end, ACF is extending its support in the following three categories: Script Development Fund, Post-Production Fund and Asian Network of Documentary (AND) fund.

Find out more about grants and funding in the grants and funding category.

To purchase a download of the Funding Your Dream Documentary seminar, click here.

Female Eye Film Festival Open For Film and Script Entries

Film Entry information

All films MUST be directed by a woman. All genres accepted. Script Development Program is open to both men and women (screenwriter entry forms available ).

Awards are presented for Best Feature, Best of Show; Best Short, Best, Documentary, Best Animation, Best Experimental, Best Foreign Feature and Best Debut Filmmaker (all films are eligible for Best of Show). An Honorary Director Award is also presented annually.

EARLY DEADLINE: June 30th, 2011, $50.00 (postmarked)

REGULAR DEADLINE: Aug. 31st, 2011: $65.00 (postmarked)

EXTENDED DEADLINE: Oct. 31st, 2011: $75.00 (postmarked)

IN COMPETITION: $100.00 Final Deadline Oct. 31st, 2011

Script Entry Information

Script Reading Workshop & the Good to Go is comprised of two programs, The Script Reading Workshop and the Good To Go. The Script Reading Workshop is a competitive program whereby professional actors read select scenes from screenplay and/or teleplays followed by feedback from industry guests. Script Reading Awards are presented for “Best Screenplay”, “Industry Choice Award” & “Crowd Pleaser” (audience choice award)

Good To Go is a by invitation industry event for writers with feature screenplays, teleplays or MOW’s that isgood to go into production. Good To Go Awards are presented for “Best Low Budget Feature”, “Best Script” and “Best Fresh Voice”.

EARLY DEADLINE: June 30th, 2011, $50.00 (postmarked)

REGULAR DEADLINE: Aug. 31st, 2011: $65.00 (postmarked)

EXTENDED DEADLINE: Oct. 31st, 2011: $75.00 (postmarked)

Click Here for general information about the Female Eye Film Festival.

 

 

“In” Script Cut Sheet to quickly tally duration

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit your time tally needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

                        

This is my favorite tally sheet because it is so quick and easy. It let’s me know how much time is going “INTO” my segment, show or video.  I use it a lot for discussion series where the graphic packages and music are standard on every show.  The “in time” is subtracted from the “out time” to give the duration of the clip. All the clip run times are added up to give the total duration of the show.

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit your time tally needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

                        

Script Sample and Template

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit any scripting needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

                        

Here is the basic format that I use for most longer scripts or for scripts where I need to communicate a lot of graphic/sound direction. In this script I only indicated the “in” time codes for each bite. I often indicate the “out” time code as well.  Check out the In Cut Sheet and Out Cut Sheet templates to see how to easily tally run times. 

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit any scripting needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

                        

“Out” Script Cut Sheet To Quickly Tally Duration

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit your time tally needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

This is a sample Excel cut sheet that can be used to tally up how much time you are TAKING OUT OF  the show.  I use this template if I have a long discussion that the editor will be chopping down. I use this instead of scripts  for panel discussion style show that don’t require a lot of graphics. It is also helpful for recutting existing programs.  I use it to get a quick sense of how long a show is going to be. Then, I give graphic and other notes at the bottom of the document or later on in the editing process.

Here is how it works.

1. The “Out Time” gets automatically subtracted from the “In Time” to give the duration of what is being removed.
2. Everything in the duration column gets subtracked from the total lenght the of the master clip.
3. I put the target time just so I remember what is the actual length that I am trying to meet

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit any scheduling needs. Purchase will be emailed to you.

                        

Field Etiquette

Field shoots are always hectic.  A lot has to go on at the same time in order capture the best footage to make the best show possible.  The audio, visuals, crew, talent, paperwork, set pieces, wardrobes, scripts, equipment and any number of other things all need attention.  It is easy to forget to do something small that could have a big impact on the production. 

I asked some of my production buddies for their most important dos and don’ts while in the field.  Here is what we came up with:

• Use a checklist to help keep track of what needs to get done.
• Label the tapes (with the date) as soon as you are done with each tape.
• Pay equal attention to the audio as you do the video.
• Turn off your cell phone while the cameras are on. You don’t want to be the one person whose phone rings or vibrates during the shoot.  Even phones on silent mode and affect audio quality.
• Always record “one more” for safety.  It is sometimes hard to tell if a take is good during the intensity of a shoot. An extra take will increase your changes for getting just what you need.
• Don’t forget bars and tone.  Yes, your editor really does use these things to help ensure that the color and sound of your footage is legal.
• Don’t forget room tone.  Your editor will love you.
• Bring water and healthy snacks.
• Put a lunch break in the schedule. Crews like to see that. Yes, schedules are tight but if your crew sees that you are considering their food and hydration needs, they will work that much harder for you.
• Be on time. Promptness is the first thing to consider if you want to be hired back again.
• Bring extra copies of every document.  Scripts, schedules, releases and log sheets often get lost in the shuffle.
• Bring pens.  You can never have enough.
• Come with more tapes or hard drive space than needed.
• Be prepared. The most important field work starts before you hit the field.
• Relax and have fun! This is TV not brain surgery.

Writer’s Block in San Francisco

I am currently on a shoot in San Francisco.  I’m primarily here to conduct interviews and tape B-roll for a series of short videos.  In an effort to complete another project due at the end of the week, I am writing scripts in my “downtime.”

I have nothing against San Francisco, but I am jet lagged, miss my family, had to change rooms at 2:30 in the morning because of water dripping from the ceiling onto my bed and, if I may be blunt, my gastronomic system is a little backed up.  None of this has put me in the mood to come up with pithy and energetic host script copy.  So what to do?

I’ve devised a few tactics over the years to help me continue writing even when I really don’t want to.  A deadline is a deadline. So it’s handy to have a cadre of tricks to help bust through that block when necessary.

• Dance to fast music – This is my number one, go-to block buster.  I put on one song with a driving beat, sing loudly and dance passionately.  For me, this is a shortcut to meeting my muse because I totally leave the writing behind for 5-minutes and come back refreshed and energized.
• Take a chore break – If I am at home, I find it helpful to work on rhythmic activities like washing dishes or folding clothes while my sub-conscious works on the work. I almost always come up with an exciting breakthrough this way.  If I am in an office, I might clean my desk or do some filing, anything to keep my hands busy but my mind free.
• Walk away from the writing – Get out and take a walk.  This is another way to get the blood pumping and the words flowing.
• Go over the top – Write wild and crazy, over the top stuff.  Try alliterations or some rapping and rhyming. It’s fun and you just might come up with ideas that make the final draft.
• Check out a list of clichés – If I am having difficulty with a subject matter, I often look up a list of clichés on the internet.  Yes they are staid but they can also be entertaining. And even better yet, they can help me get a grasp on concepts in a focused and fun way.
• Get help – I have a couple of producer friends that I can call or email with a problem section and they help me work it out with a fresh eye.  I do the same for them. It’s kind of like having a writing elf.  And let’s face it, two heads are better than one.

In this particular San Francisco block, I’ve elected to write something else, something that I know would flow – this blog. It’s been fun and I’m feeling ramped up to continue the writing-for-hire.  If you have any other tricks let me know. I’ll post them and maybe try them next time. Happy writing!

“In” Cut Sheet Template To Quickly Tally Script Length

Look for other templates and samples in Templates Category.

You can purchase this downloadable Cut Sheet template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit any scheduling needs.

                        

Orders will be emailed to you.

This is a sample Excel cut sheet that can be used to tally up how much time you are PUTTING INTO  the show.  It is a helpful way to communicate with the editor what clips you want to put into the show and in what order. I use this instead of scripts  for panel discussion style show that don’t require a lot of graphics. It is also helpful for recutting existing programs.  I use it to get a quick sense of how long a show is going to be. Then, I give graphic and other notes at the bottom of the document or later on in the editing process.

Here is how it works.

1. The “In Time” gets automatically subtracted from the “Out Time” to give the duration of the clip.
2. Everything in the duration column gets added up to a final sum in the “Total Time” box.
3. I put the target time just so I remember what is the actual length that I am trying to meet.

You can purchase a downloadable template for ONLY $0.99!

This template can be changed to fit any scheduling needs.

                        

Orders will be emailed to you.