The Bureau of Creative Works Spotlights 12 Indie Filmmakers—Including ATLFF Alum!
The BUREAU of CREATIVE WORKS is a year long film experiment with 12 independent filmmakers, including ATLFF award-winner Leah Myerhoff. Check out the Kickstarter campaign!
12 independent filmmakers, 12 original short films.
The BUREAU of CREATIVE WORKS is a year long film experiment. We will give 12 independent filmmakers a small budget to produce 12 original short films. In joining The BUREAU, you become an integral part of a community of film-enthusiasts, and, most importantly, a community that doesn't simply curate the hard-work of artists after-the-fact, but instead, directly contributes to the earliest stages of creative work.
As filmmakers and film enthusiasts, we share a responsibility to not only create and encourage quality films, but to provide a sustainable environment where filmmakers will feel supported and have access to the tools that they need to experiment and share their stories.
Quality films don't happen in a vacuum, they require a supportive and collaborative environment.
One of the 12 filmmakers is ATLFF '14 Narrative Feature Jury Award-winner Leah Myerhoff ("I Believe in Unicorns"). Two more spots are open in the BUREAU, maybe they can be Atlanta filmmakers!
ATLFF '15 Feature "Breathe" Opens Today!
"Breathe" opens today in Atlanta!
Didn't catch Melanie Laurent's César Award-nominee at the festival this year? Worry not—"Breathe" ("Respire"), her French-directed feature, opens today at Lefont Theaters in Sandy Springs.
ATLFF '10 Film "Alley Pat: The Music Is Recorded" to air on PBA starting this Weekend
ATLFF '10 Audience Award winner "Alley Pat: The Music is Recorded" airs on PBA30 starting this weekend!
Winner of the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival Audience Award, "Alley Pat: The Music Is Recorded” is airing on public television this weekend, much to the delight of the Atlanta film and radio community. The documentary, directed by Tom Roche, celebrates the life of James ‘Alley Pat’ Patrick and highlights the golden age for rhythm and blues radio in Atlanta, as well as the friendships and bonds of the famous disc jockey.
Inducted as a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2013, Alley Pat began his career as a disc jockey in 1951. He quickly gained recognition and was nicknamed 'Mouth of the South' for his spirited talks on live radio, addressing social civil matters, and coining his sign-off catch phrase, 'the music is recorded'—indicative of an era when DJs were required to specify 'live' or 'recorded.' Though he passed away this past June at age 95, his memory carries on as the longest surviving member of America’s first black-owned radio station, Atlanta’s WERD-AM.
This Weekend! Michael Lucker is Here to Guide You and Your Screenplay
Through the two 7-hour workshops this Saturday and Sunday (October 17-18), Michael Lucker starts students off with the initial idea, taking them step-by-step through to the first sale, aided with his own personal experience. ATLFF/ATLFS members get 20% off registration!
A word, a sentence, a paragraph, a story; how does one turn it into a screenplay? At this weekend's Screenwriter School, the talented Michael Lucker— in association with the Atlanta Film Society and Emory University—shapes talent in a two-day workshop, covering all aspects of the craft of screenwriting.
From the shortest 30-second commercials to narrative feature films, the seasoned Lucker—known for his work with Paramount, Disney, Dreamworks, Fox, and Universal—teaches students what is needed to make it in the film industry. Lucker's titles include “Vampire in Brooklyn,” “Home on the Range,” and Academy Award-nominated “Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron.”
Through the two 7-hour workshops, Lucker starts students off with the initial idea, taking them step-by-step through to the first sale, aided with his own personal experience. Not only will participants learn how to generate screenplays in a professional environment, Lucker promises a weekend of creativity and fun, providing an outlet for questions and discussion.
ATLFF/ATLFS members get 10% off registration! Not a member? Become one today!
Cinemás Series Tracks Current Events
Georgia headlines point to this weekend's Cinemás Film Series at the Rialto Center for the Arts. Join us for a celebration of Latin American Heritage Month!
Our first ever Cinemás Film Series has been planned for months, but Georgia headlines confirm that this weekend's Latin American Heritage Month cinema celebration has its finger on the pulse.
Click for more information.
“Vandals struck the Atlanta Streetcars overnight, spray painting them with giant graffiti tags. According to a report from CBS46, three of the streetcars were vandalized as they sat in the maintenance barn on Auburn Avenue underneath the Downtown Connector.”
Watch the trailer for "Los Hongos," a drama about two young street artists in Cali, Colombia playing Saturday, October 10th at 5pm:
Click for more information.
“On Monday, Here to Serve Restaurants (Noche, Twist, Coast, Prime, Shucks, Smash) made a brief announcement via its website confirming reports that its multiple Atlanta concepts were closing en masse.”
Watch the trailer for "Finding Gaston"—a documentary about the Chef who created and popularized Peruvian cuisine, playing Saturday, October 10th at 7:30pm:
Click for more information.
“After more than a thousand performances by a total of more than 40 musicians, Cuba’s legendary Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® is bidding the road farewell. One of the Rialto’s all-time most popular groups will fill the venue with their native Havana’s joyful, rhythmic, brassy Latin jazz sounds – son montunos, danzon, cha cha cha, and boleros – once again, one last time.”
Watch the trailer for "Buena Vista Social Club"—a documentary about the conception of a renowned Cuban musician collective, playing Sunday, October 11th at 5:30pm:
And there you have it! Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts has all these and more this weekend—and tickets are only $6.50.
A Message From Kathy Berardi on This Saturday's Class
Kathy Berardi wasn't always a short film production extraordinaire. See what she learned and why she wants to pay it forward this Saturday in part three of a four-part series.
"When I produced my first comedic short film in August 2007, I was taking on a bigger feat than I could possibly imagine. For one, my focus up until then had been on screenwriting at the UCLA School of Theater Film & Television. I found myself falling into the producer role as I had previous corporate experience in project management and pretty savvy organizational skills. What I didn’t have, however, was experience with making a short, nor did I make it a point to invest in any course on actual short filmmaking.
So, when the director asked me to line up resources like a “grip” and a “gaffer” and to get estimates on a “gennie” (film crew lingo for “generator”) in addition to helping line-up casting, get sponsors, and balance the budget, I wondered: a) just what these foreign sounding resources and equipment were and b) how these assignments had anything to do with creative storytelling, which, as a producer, I assumed my role would be since I was also a co-writer on the script.
These things were just the tip of the iceberg. The calamities that befell both me and the production—caused by relying on too many low-budget or no-budget “favors"—were immense. Combined with my sheer inexperience, these aspects made the production itself as laughable as the subject matter should have been.
What I learned from that crash-and-burn experience in attempting to make a short film that, ultimately, never saw the light of a post-production day, let alone the lofty screens of a film festival, was invaluable to me. I later went on to produce professional-grade short narrative films that won awards and helped establish my film career. These were completed with Emmy Award-winning crews, budgets that were larger than the cost of a starter house in the metro Atlanta real estate market, and by obtaining support from major sponsors like the Director’s Guild of America, Panavision, and Kodak. While I have since stopped grieving the loss of that first project, I use those hard lessons from it to help me instruct aspiring filmmakers in those key areas in which I should’ve better prepared myself.
"My quest is to save future first-time filmmakers from the lost energy, time, money and resources that I squandered in my first production. In truth, that first painful production actually was an achievement for me in that it was my first lesson in short filmmaking. I advise my students that learning from others’ experiences before making their own films is of foremost importance. I also recommend starting with low-budget or no-budget films. Use friends and family as volunteer cast members, shoot with a smart phone, and download inexpensive or free editing programs and apps to get the final version produced. The goals of your early short films should be to learn the process and the key roles and responsibilities of all involved. Have several of your own low-budget films underway and volunteer to work on others’ short film sets (which differ significantly from features and television). Only then should you invest your time and money or that of others into producing a short film of substance. It will provide the gateway to your filmmaking career.
If you sincerely strive to make to get noticed as up and coming Hollywood talent with your next short film, I’d love nothing more than to guide you in the best and proven practices used by the industry’s top professionals. Join me for the “PRODUCING YOUR SHORT FILM--Someone's Got to Do it & Why It Should Be You” this Saturday, October 10 from 12:00-3:30."
Members get 20% off this crucial workshop! Not yet a member? It's never too late.
The Rialto Helps Us Present The Cinemás Film Series THIS Weekend!
Our film series celebrating the wealth and diversity of Latin American culture starts next weekend! Tickets available now (Only $6.50!) and ATLFF members can get in free!
Next Saturday and Sunday, October 10th and 11th, the Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to announce the first ever Cinemás Film Series at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts. Featuring films from Colombia, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela, Cinemás will showcase cultural and cinematic diversity within the Latin American community during National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th through October 15th).
Saturday October 10, 2015 - 5:00PM
LOS HONGOS
directed by Oscar Ruiz Navia
Colombia, 2014, Spanish, 103 minutes
Every night after work, Roberto makes graffiti on different walls of his neighborhood on the east of Cali. One day he loses his job because he steals several cans of paint, using them to create a large mural on the lot next to his house. Without a dime to help his mother, he crosses the city looking for Eduardo, another young graffiti artist, who studies fine arts and is having a difficult time since his parents divorced and his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Both penniless, the boys move aimlessly through the city, expressing themselves with through their art, creating images on walls along the way, making statements, while sharing memories and experiences.
Saturday October 10, 2015 - 7:30PM
FINDING GASTON
directed by Julia Patricia Perez
Peru, 2014, Spanish, 80 minutes
Can a cook change his country through his food? FINDING GASTON follows acclaimed chef Gaston Acurio, largely credited with creating and popularizing Peruvian cuisine, to discover the stories, the inspirations and the dreams behind the man who has taken his cuisine outside the kitchen on a mission to change his country with his food. Join this culinary journey into the world of Peruvian cuisine and discover the power of food in Peru—and around the world.
Sunday October 11, 2015 - 3:00PM
PELO MALO
directed by Mariana Rondón
Venezuela, 2013, Spanish, 93 mintues
A nine-year-old boy’s preening obsession with straightening his hair elicits a tidal wave of homophobic panic in his hard-working mother.
Sunday October 11, 2015 - 5:30PM
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
directed by Wim Wenders
Cuba/Germany, 1999, Spanish/English, 105 minutes
This documentary by lauded German filmmaker Wim Wenders follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel to Cuba and assemble a group of the country’s finest musicians to record an album. Among the artists included in the project are singer Ibrahim Ferrer and pianist Rubén González, who are both interviewed and featured in studio footage. Eventually the ensemble travels to the United States to perform in front of rapt audiences.
A limited number of free tickets for each film are available for ATLFF members (check your inboxes for directions). Click here for more information on the film series or the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club's farewell concert at the Rialto.
Producing Your Short Film: Why It Should Be You
Think you have what it takes to produce a short film? Kathy Berardi agrees! Learn why on Saturday, October 10th at The Lovett School.
We're approaching Step 3 of 4 in Kathy Berardi's series of Short Film Workshops! Saturday, October 10th, from 12pm-3:30pm, join fellow filmmakers in all stages on their journeys from idea to completion. Read Kathy's thoughts on what makes you valuable as your own producer:
"If you’re a writer with sound organizational skills, you should seek out the opportunity to learn and lead and be one of the producers on the film as well. If you’re a lead actor or director whose name and reputation are riding on the film, you should definitely be involved in a key producing capacity on the film. If you’re strictly a well-organized, go-getter producer looking to deliver an amazing short film, partnering with talented writers, actors and directors is the key way to landing future positions and projects."
Kathy's led two successful, dynamic workshops already this fall, but you're not too late for the last two! Snatch this opportunity to learn from the best and advance your dream.
And did you know Members get 20% off?
SATURDAY: Ready to Shoot Your Film? Learn the Fundamentals of Production from Film Master Linda Burns
Tomorrow, October 3rd, Linda Burns offers a coveted course on the basics of indie production. Take your relationship with your project to the next level and reserve a space today! ATLFF members save $30 (20%)!
"I read scripts, provide coverage and develop projects. I breakdown, budget, schedule, pitch, propose, close, negotiate, spend, reconcile, research, network, strategize, market, collaborate, consult, wheel, deal and deliver. I face challenges, solve puzzles and plan ahead. From script to screen, digital to film, union to non-union, large to small, I do it all! Always on time. Always on budget."
Whether you’re stepping up and producing your first film, production managing or ADing an indie, or looking to step up your game on the next one, this class is for you. From pre-production to post, this class walks you through the basics of production on an indie film.
Topics include but are not limited to: What should be completed before pre-production? What’s the first step of pre-production? What paperwork and contracts are necessary? What is a breakdown and schedule? How do I properly budget? How does product placement work? When should I consider a union contract? How do I find good cast and crew? Is insurance necessary? What kinds do I need? How do I keep the set safe? What’s involved with shooting on location? What are the priorities of production? How do I keep things moving on time and on budget? How do I track tax incentive spends? What are the daily priorities? What does post production entail?"
This Production Basics of Indie Filmmaking workshop is part of the Atlanta Film Festival's year-round slate of programming curated and presented to our Atlanta audience in service of our mission: to lead the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. Linda's five-hour intensive will show you what it takes to bring your project to the next level. Admission is $150, but members receive a $30 discount!
Monsterama Starts Tomorrow!
Monsterama Con is October 2nd-4th! Keep an eye out for your discount code, ATLFF Members....
What's Monsterama, you ask?
"Monsterama is an Atlanta convention that celebrates the fantastic in film, literature, and art. It takes place at the Marriott Perimeter Center, from October 2-4, 2015. The convention will feature celebrity, artist, and author guests, screenings, programming on film, literature, and art, as well as other fan related events and panels."
Sounds good to us! And guess what? ATLFF Members get a discount! Check your inboxes for the code, or become a member, quick! Still not convinced? Well...
Have fun out there, monsters. You deserve it!