ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXAberystwyth arts entrepreneur networking event?
6 years, 10 months ago - Vasco de Sousa
I'm not very good at setting up a networking event, but anyway.
If I were to set up one in Aberystwyth, where would be a good location? We don't have much money, so I was thinking of meeting in Treehouse (restaurant) or somewhere like that. Just kind of informal, like the business breakfast club.
Is there anyone on this list who'd like to run it? Or, at least who can give advice on what to do to get people to hear about it?
I don't want this to be another short films club. I'm looking at attracting potential investors, producers, full time filmmakers, co-producers, students, potential clients, and people who are serious about making their living from film. Not looking at employee types really, although all wisdom is welcome, but it's more for entrepreneurs.
Also, at getting to know people, before working together, I think sometimes that helps to see what kind of project to make.
We can discuss projects, exchange advice, meet old co-workers again, etc. Email or PM me with a time and location (preferable during the school day. much quieter time, for one.) Then, maybe we can list it under the events tab. I would also be interested in theatre people, radio, music, anyone who has team-based projects or likes to join teams.
If you've set ups successful events, which led to teams being assembled, let me know. Or, maybe there's already one happening that I don't know about?
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6 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna
What's the word I'm looking for Vasco? Snob?
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran
Why snob Allan? Whilst there's long been something of a tribal sub culture within the Aberystwyth film and TV scene, I used to know it well, which along with other Welsh Institutionalised activities we used to refer to as the 'Tafia'; I don't think Vasco's scheme is unreasonably nepotistic or elitist. Why must one organise a mutual development project that includes participants that are inappropriate? Such inapropriate participation dilutes the focus and purpose of intent. Personally I don't much favour these clubs for several well learned reasons but Vasco's proposal is not a public sector thing, there's no politically correct imperitive or presumption. Everyone is free to start thier own club with whatever membership criteria they want for good practical reasons that are not at all snobbish .
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - Vasco de Sousa
Allan, it's about the attitude and expectations. I don't want people going in with the false expectations because I don't have money to hire them just yet.
If you want to come along, curmudgeons are welcome too.
:)
As I said, all wisdom is welcome. But, as for short film, part time filmmakers, really, I'm not interested in self publishing. That would just invite people who want to sell their short courses.
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - Vasco de Sousa SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna
I just your post smacked a little of elitism but if you say otherwise OK. What do I know anyway.
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - Vasco de Sousa
I don't think of professionals as elites. Just having a different set of interests. There are DIY shops that cater to amateurs, which professionals sometimes shop at, and shops for professional builders, which self-builders can sometimes go to if they know what they are doing.
That said, your feedback gives pause to me to look at it again before advertising locally. I certainly don't mean to exclude anybody, just to try and shift the focus toward money-earning films rather than hobbyist output.
(I'll certainly work with hobbyists or for them, but I don't have another day job to pay for my writing and filmmaking, so my concerns are different from theirs.)
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - Vasco de Sousa SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran
Film making is either a hobby or a business. It's either something that's financially viable or an expensive passtime. But it doesn't necessarily follow that viable opportunities are paid for upfront, either as an employee or under some other auspices. Moguls might have pots of money to speculate with, minnows need to be truly entrepreneurial. Most viable films, of any genre, require a budget that most of us us would regard as a lot of money. So it's either linked to a significant source of funds from the outset or it has to be developed to a point that can attract those funds
Our members here are mostly split between those who just want or need payed work and those willing to invest themselves, up to whatever limit they deem appropriate, in a project that they believe to have sone degree of potential. Unless one has established oneself as a successful 'sub contractor' it's the later option that provides the best option of moving out of the proverbial artist garret. It's only for Walter Mittys who can actually do stuff though.
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran SHOW
6 years, 10 months ago - Angela Peters
Hi Vasco, happy to chat on Skype at some point if you want. I've been running the UK Actors Tweetup for 8 years now and it's a networking platform of some description, and it has lead to paid collaborations between writers and directors, producers, actors getting hired etc. We don't typically get the investor types (except those who've spoken as my guests before) but I do know a thing or two about running a successful event month after month, and now the TweetFest Film Festival (4th year) that goes with it.
Happy to offer ideas, throw ideas around, be a sounding board etc. Can't run it as I'm London based, but could put feelers out within my own network to see if there's anyone your way who might want to get involved.
Either way, I think it's a grand idea. Go forth and make stuff happen or someone else will do so instead (I think anyway).
Response from 6 years, 10 months ago - Angela Peters SHOW