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 ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). 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 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ASAP and indicate which PA position you are interested in.  Thank you.

We would like to invite you to the last Asian American FilmLab meeting for 2006. It's been a great year, thank you all. This last meeting will be all about *Feature Film Production*, featuring James Bai, Eric Byler, Karin Chien, Stann Nakazono, and Greg Pak. See program information below. Don't miss this! AAFILMLAB FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION PANEL Tuesday, December 5th @ 7:00 p.m. 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor Since this will be a very popular program, please follow the RSVP guidelines. RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Feature Film Panel RSVP In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name (No other text is necessary) Only ONE RSVP per email, no "guests" or +1's allowed. If you would like a friend or colleague to attend, they must RSVP for themselves. Attendence is on a first come, first served basis. Only fifty (50) slots are available. We will be accepting a suggested donation of $5 per person to help pay for food and drinks. 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees arrive 7:00 - 7:05 - Introduce Panel members 7:05 - 7:45 - Feature Film Production Discussion 1) Provide practical advice for filmmakers interested in their first feature 2) Share any lessons learned from their own feature projects 3) Advice on scriptwriting/fundraising/preproduction/production/post - (in brief) 4) Thoughts on the future of Asian American films including the Asian American Market 7:45 - 8:30 - Question and Answer 8:30 - 9:30 - Networking Mixer with Food and Wine About our Panel: JAMES BAI Born in Columbia, Missouri and raised in Southern California, James Bai studied business management as an undergraduate while playing lead guitar in various rock bands dating back to jr. high. It was as an accountant that he made his first film, a short animation on 10 stacks of Post-Its(c) called *Bonin': A Dog's Life*. After confirmation from his younger brother, who at that time was attending NYU's undergraduate film program, that the short was indeed as funny as he thought, James applied to graduate film schools and was accepted by Columbia University. It was there that he spent 4 years developing his quirky and and intense visual story-telling style. His student short films went on to garner numerous awards while screening internationally and broadcasting domestically. After graduating, a calling to go "into the shed" caught hold of James and he spent the next 6 months in Alaska, where he taught himself to play the piano by ear at a nearby church, as research for his new film. James returned to New York City, and settled in the borough of Brooklyn where he embarked on the production of the mesmerizing tale of *Puzzlehead*. *Puzzlehead* made its world premiere at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival and was the grand prize winner at the Scienceplusfiction Film Festival. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1842522/ ERIC BYLER Bi-racial writer-director was nominated for an Independant Spirit Award in 2003 for his first feature CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES, which also earned nominations for producer Marc Ambrose and actress Jacqueline Kim. Eric's second feature AMERICANese was purchased for theatrical distribution by IFC Films, after premiering at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March of 2006 where it won the Audience Award, and Special Jury Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast. Eric directed the Asian American TV Pilot MY LIFE DISORIENTED which premieres on PBS on Dec. 26th, and has a CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES sequel called TRE in post production. In 1995, Eric's student film KENJI'S FAITH premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won six other festival awards, and was nominated for a Student Academy Award. Eric's father is of European descent and his mother is Chinese American. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0818611/ KARIN CHIEN Karin Chien is an independent film producer based in New York City and Los Angeles. Ms. Chien recently wrapped post-production on UNDOING, which premiered at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival, and is currently in post-production on FOLLOWING ROSA, which filmed in the Philippines in Fall 2005. Ms. Chien also produced THE MOTEL (winner of the Sundance/NHK Filmmakers Award, the Humanitas Prize, and 3 Best Narrative Feature Film Festival Awards), currently in theatrical release by Palm Pictures. Ms. Chien has produced the feature-length films MVP, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and ROBOT STORIES, winner of 35 film festival awards and self-distributed theatrically to over 50 cities nationwide. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0157313/ STANN NAKAZONO Stann Nakazono is a sansei (third-generation Japanese-American) filmmaker who has been making films since high school (his Super-8 short, Life of a Samurai, got an A+ in an Asian American Studies class). He shot, produced, directed and edited the 1984 documentary short, E-Z Rock: Asian American Breakdancer, the story of a breakdancing 14-year-old who is at odds with his traditional Asian father. It won critical acclaim at Asian American film festivals in New York and in Los Angeles. In 1997, he produced his first feature film, Hang Your Dog in the Wind, which had its world premiere at the '97 Slumdance Experience (which he co-founded) at Park City, Utah, the alternative to the alternative of the Sundance Film Festival. Hang Your Dog in the Wind was featured in other film festivals in New York, Chicago, Orlando and Europe. It won the Special Jury Prize at the 1997 Florida Film Festival. After co-directing his independently-funded feature film, Much Adobo About Nothing , he produced the acclaimed live action/animated short An I Within, which won the Best Cinematography Award at the 1999 Florida Film Festival, Special Achievement Award at the USA Film Festival and Best American Short at the L.A. Short Film Festival. http://www.traaxproduction.com/index.html GREG PAK Greg Pak is an award-winning writer and director whose feature film, "Robot Stories,"starring Tamlyn Tomita and Sab Shimono, played in 75 festivals, won 35 awards, screened theatrically across the country, and is now available on DVD from Kino International. Pak's feature screenplay "Rio Chino" won the Pipedream Screenwriting Award at the IFP Market and a Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship. Pak wrote the screenplay for the feature film "MVP," which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Pak is now writing comic books. Projects include "Incredible Hulk" and "X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong" for Marvel and "Battlestar Galactica" for Dynamite. http://www.pakbuzz.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0657062/

We are proud to present our third workshop of this year. Many thanks to our Directors, Natalie Kim, Son Tran and Matte Chi and our adventurous Actors who participated in our script reading last month. We would like our monthly meetings to be a place where actors, writers, directors, and others can come to re-connect with the rest of the world. Too often we are in our own bubble and it's only through collaboration can anything be accomplished, especially for film and theater. Our next meeting will be a doozie. For the first hour we will focus on Acting Managers. Makalina Abalos from Jadin Wong Talent Management will be joining us. This will be a great opportunity to get to know their group and for them to get to know you if you are not represented or are looking to change managers. For the second hour we will hang out and network as we have done in the past, but this time will will be announcing the new AAFL management team and give you an opportunity to get to know us and vice versa. *AAFilmLab Actor Series Part II: The Acting Manager* Tuesday, October. 24th @ 7:00 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor Please follow the RSVP guidelines. RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Acting Manager Workshop In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name Only ONE RSVP per email, no "guests" or +1's allowed. If you would like a friend or colleague to attend, they must RSVP for themselves. Attendence is on a first come, first served basis. Only forty (40) slots are available. PLEASE BRING 2 COPIES OF YOUR HEADSHOT TO THE WORKSHOP; one for the AAFilmLab, the other for Makelina. She is very interested in finding new talent. 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees Arrive 7:00 - 7:15 - AAFilmLab Questions 7:15 - 8:00 - Open Q & A 8:00 - 9:00 - AAFL Management Team Intro's and Mingling, Networking, Drinking, Snacking During the Acting Manager workshop we aim to addresses the following: 1. Current status of the Asian American actor 2. Agent vs. Manager, also the working relationship 3. Commercial vs. Legit work; why don't I get sent out on more legit things? 4. What can I do to best work with my manager and vice versa 5. How do I get represented if I don't have representation? We will have a suggested donation of $5.00/person to help us with administrative costs for this workshop. Thanks for your support! Makalina has worked at Babrara Claman Casting, BCI Casting, ASI (Talent Payment), Godlove, Serow and Sindlinger Casting (now Godlove Casting). She has freelanced as an agent for her performing company submitting her entertainers for special projects. As a performer, she has toured nationally and internationally, appeared on television, movies and film. She is the Talent Associate at Jadin Wong Management and has been since the summer of 2004. Jadin Wong manages over 700 Asian clients including actors, models and singers. Jadin Wong Talent Management represents all Asian and minority clients. Clients Jadin nurtured or placed including Bai Ling (Star Trek 2005), David Henry Hwang (M Butterfly) , John Lone, Joan Chen (The Last Emperor), B.D. Wong, Welly Yang, Ford Models Jade and other Hollywood and Broadway Asian American actors, singers and dancers. For more info visit http://www.jadinwongmanagement.com

Eli Stone- ABC pilot

Character: Dr. Chen- Male, Asian- American From 38 to 50. An Asian acupuncturist, complete with a Chinese accent, he treats the central character Eli after Eli begins having some bizarre hallucinations. After Eli confesses he's been diagnosed with a brain lesion, Dr. Chen DROPS HIS ZEN ACT AND ACCENT and reveals that he's just a surfer dude at heart who got in the acupuncture game with a fake identity because no one would come to an American acupuncturist named Frank Lebokowski. Formerly a philosophy student at Berkeley, Dr. Chen has some surprisingly astute spiritual insights on the cause of Eli's delusions. Series regular

Please send submissions ASAP TO:

Rosalie Joseph
ABC Casting
157 Columbus Ave.
2nd floor
NYC, NY 10023
Please write on envelope: DR. CHEN

CALLING ALL ACTORS: AAFILMLAB SCRIPT READING Tuesday, September 26th @ 6:30 p.m. 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor FREE Please RSVP, and If you're interested in reading for a particular role please send us a Head / Resume attached to your email plus the role(s) you'd like to read. RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Script Reading In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name *Script Reading* 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees Arrive 7:00 - 7:35 - Introductions 7:35 - 9:00 - Script Reading Begins 9:00 - 10:00 - Chill We thank the writers for allowing the Workshop to read their work. The writers are incredibly excited to be able to have actors come and read their scripts. We're asking all actors who are looking for projects or want to come and flex their skills for a few hours with fellow Asian American actors and filmmakers to come and read. We will be reading from the following scripts: TITLE: "Tripping" - Son Tran SYNOPSIS: Tripping is loosely based on a true story about four good friends who find themselves on a road trip no gas, no luck and even less common sense. CHARACTERS: Sean - Vietnamese, mid 20's, average build, has a quick wit and and even quicker tongue. He isn't as loud as the others but is sense of humour is dry and cutting. Radu - Romanian, mid 20's, tall and broad shouldered, is loud and enthusiastic in his conversations, a little juvenile but is a stickler for following rules. Tony - Italian, late 20s, not as outgoing as Radu but also not afraid to engage his friends, around strangers he is polite and considerate if not outright shy. Ted - Chinese, mid 20s, he is the most aggressive of the group and is focussed on networking, getting ahead and making money, not afraid to bend the rules if it suits him. TITLE: "Felix Awards" - Natalie Kim SYNOPSIS In the spirt of "Waiting for Gelfman", "Felix Awards" is a quirky comedy which introduces us to Grace Park, a 24 year old financial analyst moonlighting as an actor. She works in student films to field her passion while she maintains her Park Avenue lifestyle. She tells herself that performing is not practical and only does it "for fun". Things change dramatically when Grace is nominated for a Felix Award, the awards given to the best Student Films. Suddenly Grace's notion of doing acting just for fun is tested. Should she listen to her boyfriend, Eddie, who tells her that she has no chance whatsoever? Should she listen to the talent agent who has over 26 years of experience who says she has no talent whatsoever? OTHER CHARACTERS Eddie Agent Director of documentary (within the documentary) Student Film students (3 or 4) Gina Marcesso A List actor Security Guard TITLE: AAFilmLab Mockumentary Series - Matte Chi Episode 1: Casting the Podcast SYNOPSIS New York City. Splitting time between their workaday jobs and at night, attending a small workshop, a ragtag group of Asian American Actors and Filmmakers try to make their way in the big city. Bereft of any grand ideas, the workshop decides to chase fame by producing a podcast series online. CHARACTERS The Clueless Director The Soft Spoken Assistant Director The Bulldog Producer The Artistic Art Director The Colorblind DP / Gaffer The Hungry Key Grip The Skinny Sound Guy Auditioning Actors Auditioning Actresses *This Workshop Produced series is always looking for new characters to develop into the storyline. In other words, we're looking for real actors to fold into the story for the future. So come and make your mark.

If you know any actors that fit this description, please forward them this casting call. In search of:

“A very smart 35 - 45 year old Chinese accupuncturist with a strong Chinese accent that he’s putting on for effect. He has to be a VERY good actor, because it’s a lead.”

Actors please email your headshot and resume to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with subject heading:  ABC Accupuncturist.  Any emails without this subject heading will be deleted and not considered. Thanks for your help!

Tuesday, August 29th @ 6:30 p.m.
19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor
$5 at the door to pay for food and drinks.

Since this will be a very popular program, please follow the RSVP guidelines.

RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Acting Workshop
In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name

Only ONE RSVP per email, no "guests" or +1's allowed. If you would like a friend or colleague to attend, they must RSVP for themselves. Attendence is on a first come, first served basis. Only forty (40) slots are available. PLEASE BRING 2 COPIES OF YOUR HEADSHOT TO THE WORKSHOP

*Auditioning Workshop for the Actor*

6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees Arrive
7:00 - 7:35 - Introduce Marci Phillips
7:35 - 8:15 - Marci shares her experience as CD
Addresses the following:

1. Audition preparation
   
2. Common pitfalls/mistakes actors make
   
3. What CDs are most looking for when auditioning actors
   
4. Current status of the Asian American actor
   
5. Union vs. Non-Union, Agent vs. Manager
   
6. ABC Casting initiatives
   

8:15 - 9:00 - Question and Answer
9:00 - 10:00 - Networking Mixer with Food and Wine

Marci is the Executive Director of Primetime Casting for ABC Entertainment and is responsible for their New York comedy casting. Along with her associates, Marci casts for all ABC and Touchstone pilots (comedies and dramas), new series regulars, TV movies and alternative series. Marci previously worked for Steven Bochco Productions and MGM Studios. She cast the independent film "Let It Snow" which was featured at Sundance and co-produced the musical comedy "Moo! The Twisted Tale of Dinky Farms" at MTS. Marci has been an active member of the Advisory Board for The Aspen Comedy Festival for the last eight years. For the past 3 years, she has supported the Asian American Film Shootout Competition by judging the Best Actor/Actress categories.

A national cable network television show is looking for extras. We are seeking Asian-American women between the ages of 18 and 25 who can pass for high school aged students. (that's what you will be playing)

If you do not fit the description, please DO NOT apply.

This is an all day, non-paying job but will look great on resume and will definitely be lots of fun!
Craft service provided.

Please email a picture and resume to: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Make sure to include a phone number where you can be reached!

More details to follow if you fit the criteria.

The AAFilmab, MTV World, and Asian CineVision is proud to announce the winners of the 3rd Annual 72 Hour Film Shooutout!!. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for inspiring all of us here at the AAFilmLab.

GRAND JURY AWARDS

GRAND JURY AWARD
Team: Cat Rat Dog
Film: Goodnight Mr. Lee
Members: Peter Chin and John C. Kim

1ST RUNNER UP
Team: Melt Papaya
Film: Pandamania
Members: Jessica Chung and Chris Tsou

2ND RUNNER UP
Team: Kerjen
Film: Stinky T
Members: Peter Wang, Heland Lee, and Jackson Loo

THE TOP 15

1818Sawtelle
Draw

A2 Films
The Editor

Cat Rat Dog
Goodnight Mr. Lee

Freshrock Filmworks
The Leak

Infrastructure DV
The Last Game

Inspirasian
One Chinese Dude

JESK
Seize the Day

K & A Productions
Girls Night Out

Kerjen
Stinky T

Melt Papaya
Pandamania

Super Seiko
To Be

Tea Bag
Mao Got Your Tongue

Team Reflex
OCD + ESQ = 8C

The Moonlighters
The Final Countdown

The Sleepy Panda
The Greatest Game Ever Played

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

 

BEST ACTOR
Chiko Lai
Film: Rest Stop
Team: Pretty Sweet

BEST ACTRESS
Diana Chang
Film: Rest Stop
Team: Pretty Sweet

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
“The Panda” played by Noel Santos and Chris Tsou
Film: Pandamania
Team: Melt Papaya

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
Carlos Misenas
Film: The Last Game
Team: Infrastructure DV

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Chin and John C. Kim
Film: Goodnight Mr. Lee
Team: Cat Rat Dog

BEST EDITING
Peter Chin, John C. Kim, and Wei Ling Chang
Film: Goodnight Mr. Lee
Team: Cat Rat Dog

BEST STORY/WRITING
Jessica Chung and Chris Tsou
film: Pandamania
Team: Melt Papaya

MOST ORIGINAL FILM
Seiko Higuma
Film:To Be
Team: Super Seiko

Judging is now underway and will be finalized within the week!  We know it’s been a long break, but get ready because we have two important events coming your way.  The Wrap Party at MTV hosted by Suchin Pak in Times Square and also the Top 15 Screening at the New York Asian American International Film Festival.  See details below.

Shootout Wrap Party - Wednesday, July 12th,  6 - 8 p.m.
MTV in Times Square, 1515 Broadway 7th Floor

Please RSVP to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Teams are limited to 4 guests total (this may change based on RSVPs), identify your team within your email.  First come, first serve, only those that RSVP and receive email confirmation will be admitted.

6 - 7 p.m. We mingle at MTV
7 - 8 p.m. Awards and annoucements

TOP 15 WINNERS
Top 15 finalists that will be screened at the 29th Annual Asian American International Film Festival will be announced.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Individual awards for Best Story, Director, Cinematographer & more will be announced. Each award will be followed by a 30 second clip of the winning film.

TEAMS: Please elect one team member to receive the Individual award. In order to expedite the evening, there will be no speeches from the individual award winners.
 
GRAND JURY AWARDS
We will then announce the 2nd runner up, 1st runner up, and the winner of the Grand Jury Award for the 3rd Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout. The top three films will be played in entirety.

TEAMS: The whole winning team can come up to receive the award.  Please be considerate and appoint one person to speak on behalf of your team.  Limit speech to 30 seconds please.

Top 15 Shorts Program - Sunday, July 16th, 1:00 p.m.
29th Annual Asian American International Film Festival
The Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)

“In the third annual 72 HR FILM SHOOTOUT, winning teams showcase shorts written, shot, edited and produced in 72 hours around a central theme. Did pressure and time constraints get to them? Followed by Q&A.”

It is a rare opportunity to have your film shown on the Big Screen.  Don’t miss it!  Get your tix at:
72 Hour Shootout Shorts Program-Asian American Film Festival

The 72 Hours is up!  We rejoice with you all.  We cry with you too.  As previous contestants, we know the highs and lows of this competition, and want to congratulate you all on just being a part of it.  Remember, the films you created exist beyond the limitations of this competition, and have joined the larger cause of expression through independent Asian American Film.  We eagerly await all of your submissions!


SAVE THE DATES!

Wednesday, July 12th- Wrap Party at MTV, Times Square, NYC
  »Grand Jury Awards Top 3 Films
  »Announcement of Top 15 Films
  »Announcement of Individual Awards


Sunday, July 16th - Screening of Top 15 at Asian American International Film Festival, NYC


If you can’t make it to NYC for the Wrap Party, don’t worry, competition results will be posted simultaneously on this website!

THIS YEAR’S THEME IS…

OBSESSIVE/COMPULSIVE

PLUS: Music Challenge

Every team is required to incorporate music into their film.  Examples include an original score, characters whistling a tune, or a music video.  Although musical creativity will not be a component of judging, it is a required element that the organizers would like filmmakers to utilize to enhance the narrative of their film as it relates to the theme.

>>DOWNLOAD THE HANDY SUBMISSION CHECKLIST & THEME DOCUMENT!!!

* * *
Weekend contact (Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 12-6:00pm): Tana 917.881.8031


* * *

A Note About Techniques Used in Film Music
Music is often used in films to involve an audience emotionally. Members of the audience can follow the story line as the visuals unfold, and can understand the emotions of the characters. However, as Brown (1994) says, it is the combination of the visuals with music that makes the viewers feel those emotions. For example, when watching Psycho we not only attribute fear to the unfortunate heroine when we watch her murder; we also feel fear, a sensation heightened by the visual impact of the camera work and the shocking musical accompaniment. Indeed, Brown (1994) writes that a critic for Time magazine objected violently to this scene because he considered it gruesome and far too explicit. On closer examination of the film, though, the portrayal of the murder does not actually show the knife entering the victim’s body. What causes the horror is the combination of Herrman’s score and Hitchcock’s macabre genius in editing the camera shots.

Music is used in two modes within films: diagetic and non-diagetic. Diagetic music is music which occurs within the narrative of the film. It is attributable to some source seen in the film, such as a radio, a record player, a musical instrument, a juke box or an orchestra in a concert hall. The characters of the film can hear this music. Non-diagetic music is music which is not part of the narrative, not attributable to a source in the film, and is unheard by characters in the film. This type of music is usually used to add affective colour to the film, and play on the emotions of the audience. It can be used to cue the audiences to feel uneasy; to build up tension; to flag an approaching disaster or to signal a love affair. Some composers, such as Korngold (composer of the music for the 1940 film ``Sea Hawk’‘) associated particular characters with a non-diagetic musical theme, in the leitmotivic style (see below) most commonly attributed to Wagnerian Opera. This type of music is, for the most part, used to cue events in the narrative, although non-diagetic music playing at a counterpoint to the narrative can achieve interesting results.

http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~judyr/ghostwriter/music/paper/node7.html

 

 

>>Go to the 3rd Annual Film Shootout Film Site for the lowdown on this year's competition!!!

THE GOAL: WRITE, SHOOT AND EDIT A SHORT FILM IN 72 HOURS

Here's the stuff you'll need to take part in this competition.

• 2006 Official Rules
  
• Official Entry Form and Team Roster (PDF 112KB)
  
• Team Leader Affirmation (PDF 94KB)
  
• Participant Agreement for each Team Member/Leader (PDF 24KB)
  NOTE: All team members(including the team leader) must sign this agreement for your entry to be valid. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification. Team Member Agreements are due upon film submission. Team Leader Agreements must be mailed and postmarked by June 9, 2006.
  
• Parent/Guardian Release (PDF 32KB)- MUST be filled for each team members under 18.

Please read the official rules carefully. Please also note that the maximum length of your finished film is 6 minutes. There is no minimum length required.

THE FIRST STEP:
SUBMIT AN ENTRY FORM, TEAM ROSTER, AND THE NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE AS DETERMINED BELOW.

2006 ENTRY FEES
Below are the non-refundable entry fees for a group application
postmarked and submitted by:

EARLY REGISTRATION - $100
POSTMARKED BY: May 12, 2006

GENERAL REGISTRATION - $150
POSTMARKED BY: June 2, 2006

LATE REGISTRATION - $200 $150
MUST ARRIVE BY: June 8, 2006

Complete all forms and mail to:

Asian CineVision, Inc.
133 West 19th Street, Suite 300
New York, NY 10011

Make Check Payable to: Asian CineVision, Inc.

Questions?: Email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)