We (Shooting People) have gotten together with Rooftop Films, Cinereach and IndiePix to bring you some really great filmmaking panels before the screening of Persona Non Grata at Rooftop Films this Saturday, June 13th. This is part of the Rooftop Films 4-day Panorama Weekend which runs from Wednesday to Saturday this week with fantastic films screening each night: www.rooftopfilms.com

Panel Schedule:

5:00-6:00pm

Message vs. Craft: The Art of Effective “Issue” Storytelling

When a filmmaker takes on a topic related to social justice or human rights it is often with the hope of influencing public opinion and inspiring action. To achieve that, a film must reach and engage the right audience, in the right numbers. It must also portray the human impact of the issue or problem persuasively. How does a “social issue” filmmaker balance the need to educate with the public’s desire to be entertained? How does he/she move past preaching to the choir and make a film that can become a catalyst for real change? This panel will provide advice on the above from documentary and fiction filmmakers including Justin Schein (No Impact Man), Fabio Wuytack (Persona Non Grata) and Paola Mendoza (Entre Nos), whose work successfully walks the issue/entertainment line. Leah Sapin of Arts Engine (which specializes in production and outreach for socially relevant films), and New York magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri will join the discussion, to be moderated by Lina Srivastava.

Panelists include: Lina Srivastava (consultant to non profit media companies working for social change) – moderator   Justin Schein (Co-director of No Impact Man) Fabio Wuytack (Director of Persona Non Grata) Bilge Ebiri  (film critic from New York magazine) Leah Sapin (Arts Engine) Paola Mendoza (Director of Entre Nos)

6:30-7:30pm

Filmmaking Strategy: Tips, Tools and Wisdom to Help You Make the Right Decisions For Your Film

Filmmakers have to be both artists and strategists to get their films made and seen and this is the case now more than ever as changes in funding and distribution force filmmakers to shoulder more of the crucial decisions on their own. This panel will help you learn how to be the best advocate for your film by asking all the tough questions that you will have to ask along the way. For example: How much work (and what work) do you need to achieve on your own before approaching a funder? And how can you tailor your pitch to communicate your vision to a foundation vs. an equity investor? What other funding options are there? How do you balance traditional outreach to festivals, sales agents, broadcasters, and distributors with the need to also create your own fan base? Which distribution deals do you accept? How do know when a deal is a good deal? How do you hope for the best but plan for the worst?

Panelists include: Adella Ladjevardi (Cinereach) Janet Brown (Cinetic) Liz Ogilvie (B-Side) Tia Lessin (Co-Director of Trouble the Water) Andy Bichlbaum (Co-Director of The Yes Men Fix The World) Simon Kilmurry (P.O.V.)

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009

Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory Address: 232 3rd St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn) Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.

Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location

5:00PM: Panel discussion: “Message vs. Craft,” outside in courtyard

6:30PM: Panel discussion: “Filmmaking Strategy,” outside in courtyard

7:30PM – 9:00PM: Reception in courtyard including free sangria courtesy of Carlo Rossi

8:30PM: Live music presented by Sound Fix Records

9:00PM: Film

The film is the US premiere of Persona Non Grata, directed by Fabio Wuytack. Prosecuted as a rebel. Banned as a priest. Committed as an artist. Loved as a father. An inspiring documentary—co-funded by the Rooftop Filmmaker Fund—about the filmmaker’s father, Franz Wuytack, a radical left-wing Belgian missionary in the slums of Venezuela in the 1960s. With a new liberal movement sweeping Latin America, and people like Wuytack needing to continue the fight for social justice in the US and around the world, this film is crucially relevant today.

It’s going to be a wonderful night! Get tickets at www.rooftopfilms.com

It has been a week of panels for me. Yesterday I moderated a panel on distribution at the Evil City Film Fest. The panels took place in the basement of Fontana’s Bar in the Lower East Side and it felt like we should have been doing karaoke and burlesque rather than talking about film but the small crowd was really into it and I highly recommend moderating after drinking margaritas! The panels started with one on blogging with a fantastic line-up: S.T. VanAirsdale from The Reeler, Karina Longworth from Spout, Pamela Cohn from Still in Motion, and Mike Tully from Boredom at its Boredest. These people are all great writers with the gift of the gab so it was a rowdy and fun panel.

Danielle DiGiamcomo moderating with aplomb – Stu VanAirsdale, Karina Longworth, Pamela Cohn and Mike Tully

The panel on distribution also had a really great line-up: Susan Buice and Arin Crumley directors of Four Eyed Monsters, Leah Meyerhoff director of Team Queen and Twitch and really on it with her website and mailing list, Danielle DiGiacomo of distributor IndiePix, Billy Saleebey director of Rolling, and Jerry Rapp director of Mojave Phone Booth. These directors are smart and savvy about distribution and marketing and are clear that things are changing and changing fast. Filmmakers need to stay on top of the game to find their audience and get their work out there. They are also very aware of the power of the Web as a vital tool in this revolution – and they share their resources and experiences so check out their websites to find out more. I learned about TubeMogul, a great site for easily uploading your films to the top video sharing sites and then tracking who is watching your work and how. Analytics are so important when you’re trying to keep track of what is having an impact and where, although I have to admit that I haven’t really gotten my head around all the available web-analytic tools yet and I’m very suspicious of the accuracy of many of them.

Leah Meyerhoff, Danielle DiGiacomo, and Pamela Cohn

Earlier last week I participated in a panel at the Foundation Center – How You Can Afford to Be an Artist: Ideas for Creating a Sustainable Career. I am often surprised by the lack of communication between filmmakers and other artistic pursuits and it was really great to sit on a panel with people doing such amazing things for the arts in NYC because at the end of the day we are all going to be so much stronger if we partner up and share resources as we fight the good fight to allow creativity to flourish in a city where it can sometimes (often?) feel impossible to be an artist/independent filmmaker. The Foundation Center offers lots of free events and it is definitely worth looking into what might be useful for you. And please check out the organizations of my fellow panelists who inspired me so much with their passion and the incredible things they are doing:

Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas is a non-profit organization that serves a national community of artists and arts organizations. Our programs and services facilitate the creation of art by offering vital support to the artists who produce it. We help artists and arts organizations function more effectively as businesses by providing access to funding, healthcare, education, and more, all in a context that honors their individuality and independent spirit. By nurturing today’s talented but underrepresented voices, we hope to foster a dynamic and diverse cultural landscape of tomorrow.

Chashama

Since 1995, chashama, a non-profit arts organization has provided opportunities for performing and visual artists by awarding grants, producing shows and providing subsidized studio, rehearsal and performance space.

Materials for the Arts

Materials for the Arts, NYC helps artists realize their visions, provides students with a richer educational experience, and furnishes businesses with a simple and efficient way to enhance the cultural life of their city while promoting environmental awareness and reuse.

Rock on.