Thanks to Linda, Natalie and John for sharing their scripts with us last Tuesday.  Hopefully will see them progress into films soon.  Now, on to our next meeting!  Remember, we meet every other Tuesday. 

One our our active members, Son Tran, recommended a Screening of our films.  A great idea and long overdue.  If you have a film you have completed or are working on, and want to test it with the group, please participate in this next meeting.  Rough cuts, trailers, commercial work, completed shorts etc. are all accepted.  The only requirement is that the film have been completed no more than one year ago.  An important aspect that we have neglected somehat is the ‘workshop’ aspect of our meetings, meaning constructive criticism for each other regarding the work.  This won’t be about seeing the film, we all clap, then on to the next.  This will be more about what we liked and what we thought needed help in all aspects including story, production, performances....

Anyone who wants to screen their film for the group, please email with “Film Screening” in the Subject line.  Include the Title, Type (short, feature etc.), Format (Film, DV), and Run Time.  Anyone interested WILL get screened, however depending on volume of submissions may have to spread over a few meetings.

Please email us ASAP to help us with planning the Feb. 13th meeting.  Being the eve of Valentines Day, I can’t promise that those films dealing with love, lust and heartache won’t get priority.  : )

The first running of the AAFL Writer X Project
commenced January 30, 2007 with the announcement of
Writer X story theme and constraints. AAFL member
Kaushik Shridharani is the Executive Producer of this
iteration.

Members submitting a script treatment or screenplay in
the story competition portion of the Writer X project
should:

1. Incorporate this theme: “Taking back what has
already been given,” or some close variant. The
interpretation is up to you! The less literal is
likely to be more interesting.

2. Include at least one female character, as lead or
co-lead.

3. Target a film length of 6-10 minutes.

Submissions are due on 27 February 2006.

FAQ:

Q: What is the cost?
There is no entry fee.

Q: Who decides the winner? What other factors are
involved in the selection?
A: The Executive Producer will make the ultimate
decision and may consult with non-participants. One
other significant factor in the selection process will
be its “producability” as a low-budget film. In other
words, smaller casts, fewer locations, fewer special
effects are all better.

Q: How “Asian-American” should the submission be?
The degree to which the story or characters are Asian
or Asian-American will NOT be a factor in this
iteration of the Writer X project.

Q: What form do I submit in? Does it need to be
properly formatted?
A: Submissions may be either the form of a script
treatment or screenplay. Keep in mind that the story
will proceed through a script development process.
What is most important is that the story should be
completely though.

Q: Who owns the story? Will the writer be compensated?
A: The writer retains ownership of his or her story or
screenplay. However, by submitting an entry, the
writer agrees to permit the production of a film based
on his or her story or screenplay without any
compensation beyond the appropriate credit.

Q: What if I have other questions:
A: Any other questions about the first running of the
Writer X projecct can be directed to Kaushik
Shridharani (). Please mention
“Writer X” in the subject header.

About the Writer X Project

The “Writer X Project” is a collaboration between AAFL
and a member who will be Executive Producer of a short
film project that seeks a writer. The Executive
Producer commits to the film’s prompt production. AAFL
hosts a competition among members for the winning
script treatment or screenplay as well as a workshop
during that script’s development. The winning writer
gets an opportunity to gain a writing credit as well
as experience the script development process.

The Executive Producer in this first run of Writer X
is member Kaushik Shridharani, who will also act as
the film’s Director and Producer.

Any member who wishes to make a commitment as the
Executive Producer in the next running of the Writer X
Project should send an email to
with “Next Writer X Project” in the header.

Call For Entries: Asian American International Film Festival

30TH ASIAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Now accepting entries!

Deadline (postmarked): Feb 9, 2007

Calling all filmmakers of Asian descent! The 30th AAIFF — running from July 19-28, 2007 — is now accepting film and video works, for both features and shorts. Narrative, documentary, new media, animation, experimental, music video—we consider all. We accept works produced, written and/or directed by media makers of Asian descent from any nationality. Deadline is Feb 9, 2007 (postmarked).

Submit your film online here, http://www.withoutabox.com/login/5751

Or you can also download the entry form here, http://www.asiancinevision.org/pdf/07AAIFF_CFE.pdf.

Founded in 1978, the AAIFF is proudly known as the “First Home to Asian American Cinema.” It was the nation’s first festival dedicated to screening works by media artists of Asian descent and, 30 years later, the festival continues to be a leading showcase for Asian and Asian American film and video.

The festival has many showcase categories, including Features, Shorts, Screenplay, Music Video, Works-in-Progress and For Youth By Youth. The call for entries for Screenplay, Music Video, Works-in-Progress and For Youth By Youth will go out later in February 2007. Watch http://www.asiancinevision.org/festival.html for updates.

For more about the festival and call for entries, go to http://www.asiancinevision.org/festival.html#cfe

Looking for 1 general PA, 1 Director’s Assistant for three day shoot
Jan 26-28 for a mostly night shoot.  Also looking for 1 lighting team
electrician/grip/gaffer type.  The project is a short film based on a
Chinese horror fable called Aunt Tigress.

Director is a working television producer and director with credits in
MTV, A&E, ABC, VH1 etc.  No pay but will provide recommendation &
references if all goes well.  Meals and transportation provided.  Must
have good attitude, be smart and flexible.  Ideally, the lighting PA
will have some experience with lighting equipment and be interested in
cinematography.  This will be a great experience for someone who’s
starting out or looking to get into the
film/tv industry or want to work with great people and have great fun!

Please email resume and at least 2 references to
ASAP and indicate which PA position you are interested in.  Thank you.