Help Us Raise #40Kin40days to Bring Filmmakers to Atlanta for ATLFF '16!
It is our 3rd year running a Kickstarter campaign, but its our 40th birthday, so we have to do it bigger than ever! Help us raise money for our travel budget so that all filmmakers can attend next year's festival.
It is our 3rd year running a Kickstarter campaign, but its our 40th birthday, so we have to do it bigger than ever! Help us raise money for our travel budget so that all filmmakers can attend next year's festival.
We need #40Kin40days to meet our goal, or we don't get a dime of it. This is an ambitious goal, but you have helped us drastically exceed our goal in the last two years, so we are confident that by December 15, we will be on our way to a successful 40th ATLFF!
Memberships to the Atlanta Film Society are tied to Atlanta Film Festival passes, so if you buy a pass through the Kickstarter campaign, you get membership to ATLFS through December 31, 2016. If you had a pass to ATLFF '15, your membership expires at the end of this year, so renew now by purchasing through Kickstarter!
You can also become one of our Founding Patrons by giving at levels from $1,000 to $10,000.
Please visit, give and share this link: atlantafilmfestival.com/fund
The PA Academy with Linda Burns will Prepare You For You First Work On-Set
In association with GPP and PC&E, we are pleased to present the Fall 2015 edition of The PA Academy with Linda Burns! Get expert training in this two-day bootcamp.
Georgia Production Partnership, in association with the Atlanta Film Society and Production Consultants & Equipment (PC&E), are proud to present The PA Academy.
CLASS DETAILS
What: (2) 12-Hour Workshop Days (see below)
When: November 14-15, 2015 | 8AM to 8PM
Location: PC&E (Overflow parking along DeFoor Hills Rd)
Cost: $150 Non-Members | $120 GPP & ATLFF Members
Registration Deadline: November 12, at Midnight
Catered hot lunch and craft services provided. Space LIMITED.
CLASS SYNOPSIS
This two day, bootcamp-style Production Assistant workshop is perfect for those just starting their career as a PA as well as those looking to advance their knowledge of what it takes to succeed as an office or on set production assistant working on commercials, industrials, music videos, independent films, television series and studio features.
Training includes, but is not limited to:
- Production Terminology and Paperwork
- Film Crew Titles & Job Descriptions
- Production Assistant Duties & Responsibilities
- Set Etiquette » Dos & Don'ts
- How a Typical Set Day Proceeds (on music videos, commercials, feature films, etc.)
- Locking Up the Set, Distribution, and Petty Cash
- Walkie Protocol, Terminology & Sign Out
- Setting Up Video Village, Extras Holding, and Supporting Your AD Team
We discuss must have PA gear and kits, provide hands-on equipment training, and share resume tips and where to find experience as well as paid work. Learn how successful office and set PAs as well as DGA assistant directors got into the business, what they look for when they hire PAs, their tips for success, and how to avoid their pet peeves. This bootcamp simulates a typical day on set to prepare new PAs for their first job, and more experienced PAs the knowledge and training they need to up their skills and compete in the fast paced and growing Georgia film industry. All students who finish the two day workshop are listed on the GPP member only website database, and offered internship and paid work opportunities for at least two years through a secret FB page that only these students and Producer Linda Burns can access for networking and mentorship.
The PA Academy is a bi-annual fundraiser for GPP and ATLFF, supporting GPP’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the industry as well as providing continuing educational opportunities and outreach to the community through ATLFF’s year round programming. To learn more - www.ThePAAcademy.org.
Price includes hot lunch & craft services.
INSTRUCTOR
Producer Linda Burns runs the PA Academy with the volunteer assistance of Georgia’s best DGA ADs, and Office and Set PAs working full-time in the industry. Former PA Academy attendees return to the workshop to share how they got their start, what’s been successful for them, and how the PA Academy helped jump start their careers. Additionally, Linda invites crew members from other departments to speak to the group, to show the range of job opportunities the film business offers, and the different paths people take to successful careers in the industry. Each workshop offers a fresh and unique perspective to the students, with an ever-changing group of instructors and guest speakers.
TESTIMONIALS
I have never attended a workshop that was more thorough and comprehensive. Your sharing of your knowledge and experience was invaluable. Each speaker brought another facet of the movie business into focus. I learned more about the industry and movie making process in two days than in years of research.
– Kim
I just want to say thank you for a very informative and exciting PA Academy. I really appreciate you and your guests for giving me a better understanding about being a PA and how the film production process works. Your candor and honestly made me laugh and help me forget about the discomfort in my knees (from all that standing).
– Nathan
I find being on set is a lot of hard work and always long hours but I genuinely enjoy myself every single time.The PA Academy was an invaluable stepping stone for me so, a million times, thank you.
– Krystle
Thanks to the connections I made at the PA Academy I got my first job in the industry.
– Alex
Linda Burns’ PA Academy gave me an internship opportunity that developed my career with the camera department as a consistently working 2nd AC. The workshop is educational and serves to prepare individuals to work on set, whether it is the film, television, or commercial industry. I recommend Linda’s courses to anyone wanting to expand their interests in the field of production.
– Chad
I've worked four jobs now in the office and on-set and I am IN LOVE with PA work and production life in general. Every time I set foot on-set PA's with more experience than me are asking questions and looking to me to take the lead because of all the knowledge and materials you gave us! Everyone on the crew is always shocked at how green I actually am. I cannot thank you enough for this head start, I finally found my niche in this world and can't wait to see where I end up!
– Lauren
The PA Academy was a good starting point for me. It gave me a roadmap with the guidance of industry folks sharing their expertise in different departments. The accessibility to resources and job leads was/is great! I don’t think I would have gotten that same exposure under one roof anywhere else. What I appreciated the most was the no-nonsense and realistic approach to the nature of this industry. Linda Burns and her panel of industry experts gave us what we needed to hear, not what we wanted to hear. There are many people who enter the industry for the wrong reasons. The PA Academy does not promise you a job nor a glamorous tv/film life, but it gives you a sense of direction and it’s up to you to make it happen.
– Marge
Linda, you’ve got some excellent people there. David and Luke were both incredibly helpful on set and off. I’d use both of them again in a heartbeat and recommend them to others. Luke was particularly helpful lending a hand with equipment returns and helping to keep one of our skeleton units on schedule. David was also always right there to help. Neither were ever sitting around or on their phones so kudos to your training!
– Producer
The DP and I were having a conversation at wrap about how great Cate and Vince were throughout the shoot, when my production designer mentioned how helpful Marge was and to ‘thank Linda.’ Ryan was very helpful as well. Really good group all around. We got off to a pretty rocky start and it was a long shoot (on a music video, you say?) but they kept on trucking with a smile. Thanks for sending them our way!
– Producer
The PAs that I got from Linda for Star Trek: First Frontier are the most amazing PAs I’ve EVER had on set.
– Producer
Space is limited and The PA Academy will fill up!
CANCELLATION POLICY:
(all dates are by midnight)
- By November 7th: 100% Refund
- By November 10th: 75% Refund
- By November 12th: 50% Refund
- No refunds after November 12th.
BECOME AN ATLFS MEMBER
Interested in registering for the PA Academy at a discount? Become a member of the Atlanta Film Society today and, in addition to your member discount on this class, you'll also receive year-round benefits such as: invitations to advanced screenings, free tickets to special ATLFS screenings at The Plaza Theatre, a 20% discount on year-round screenings, events, and workshops, and much more!
Plus, every membership comes with access to our annual 10-day film festival -- being held in the spring of 2016!
For more details regarding our membership and festival badge/card options, with a full list of year-round membership benefits, please click here. If you purchase a membership to receive a discount to the PA Academy, please email jessica@atlantafilmfestival.com to receive your discount code.
Tickets on Sale Now for the 4th Annual Georgia Entertainment Gala
Tickets are on sale now for the Georgia Entertainment Gala, an award show honoring and celebrating individuals who have made an impact in Georgia’s entertainment industry.
With nearly 1,500 attendees, The Georgia Entertainment Gala is a one of a kind award show honoring and celebrating individuals who have made an impact in Georgia’s entertainment industry. From indie to feature film to music and television, the gala brings together the industry’s most influential individuals both on and off the screen. The gala highlights and features many of Georgia's own talented artists and musicians and in the process allows them the opportunity to share the stage with world-class celebrities.
Saturday, February 6th
5:30PM
Check out Paris On Ponce's Cirque du Freak Halloween Extravaganza!
Paris on Ponce is throwing an incredible Halloween party on Friday, October 30th!
If you've been to the Atlanta Film Festival's opening night party in recent years, then you already know about the amazing space that is Paris on Ponce. And you also know how good of a party space it is. And you also know it opens up onto the beltline. Now can you imagine Atlanta's best Halloween party there?
The theme is 1920's French Circus Sideshow. The Haunted House is already scaring us with 200 meters of terror, the locally made short horror/gore films are coming in (Top prize is a private party for the winner in Le Maison Rouge!), "Nosferatu" will be showing in the beltline area. A costume contest and a DJ will take us into the night, and generous bartenders will take care of the rest. So bring your best, lovelies, tickets are limited!
Don't miss this one! Get your tickets now!
Friday, October 30th
9PM - 1AM
Atlanta Film Festival Announces New Organization Name for Year-Round Identity as Atlanta Film Society
The Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to announce a new name to reflect its year-round nature—the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS). The ten-day Atlanta Film Festival will still take place every spring, but the organization will operate as the Atlanta Film Society going forward.
The Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to announce a new name to reflect its year-round nature—the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS). The ten-day Atlanta Film Festival will still take place every spring, but the organization will operate as the Atlanta Film Society going forward.
Originally founded as the IMAGE, Inc. (Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc., Inc.) in 1976, ATLFS has endured several name changes in the last four decades in order to convey its year-round service to the filmmaking and film-loving community while reflecting connection to its flagship program.
“This name change represents who we are right now and paves the way for where we want to go,” said ATLFS Executive Director Christopher Escobar. “The change from ‘Festival’ to ‘Society’ better depicts the work and effort showcased all year long through screenings, classes, events and special programs. It clarifies that we are only part of the greater Atlanta film community and reinforces our plan to serve this community in a bigger way.”
For years, the organization has operated several year-round programs under the Atlanta Film Festival moniker, such as the Airport Shorts program, which screens select short films on 15 screens throughout Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s new International Terminal; Eat, Drink & B-Indie, a monthly film-themed networking and educational mixer at Manuel’s Tavern; Film Festival Collective, an XFINITY Video On Demand channel that showcases short films from several prestigious film festivals across the country; the Filmmaker-in-Residence program, which supports accomplished Atlanta-based festival alumni in a three-year residency; and New Mavericks, a year-round screening and networking program spotlighting female filmmakers from Atlanta and beyond.
Among the most important details of the ATLFS announcement is the A/V Toolbank—a new equipment rentals program that provides audio/visual and presentation equipment for local groups and organizations seeking to host screenings or events. Operating as an arm of the nonprofit ATLFS, the A/V Toolbank borrows the spirit of the Atlanta Toolbank, but the focus on audio/visual equipment makes it the first resource of its kind in Metro Atlanta. This program provides high-quality equipment and technical expertise at competitive rates, creates additional support for the Atlanta Film Society and extends significant equipment discounts to other Metro area nonprofit arts organizations.
“The A/V Toolbank is a crucial facet of ATLFS,” Escobar continued. “We’ve been working with organizations like WonderRoot, GSU Student Film Festival and The Goat Farm Arts Center and aided events like Elevate, Flux Projects and Art on the Beltline while piloting this program. This announcement allows us to formalize the resource and make it more widely available.”
As with any nonprofit, the Atlanta Film Society relies heavily on the support of members and sponsors. For several years, year-round memberships have focused solely on the benefits they provide directly to members—with festival passes at the core—ranging in price from $50 to $750. In conjunction with this new identity, ATLFS has established patron levels ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 to enable community impact and maintain a focus on membership benefits.
Atlanta Celebrates Photography to Screen IMBA MEANS SING
Thursday, October 29th from 6-9pm, this empowering documentary screens alongside two powerful photo exhibits as part of the Atlanta Celebrates Photography festival.
The smash hit documentary IMBA MEANS SING screens in Atlanta once again! If you've missed it thus far, it's not too late....
"IMBA MEANS SING is the story of one little boy who is a big star. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Moses and his family lack enough resources for him to even attend the first grade. We follow Moses as he works for an education and spreads the magic of his African childhood.
The film is an intimate character portrait, stunningly shot and told through Moses’ perspective on his one shot journey from poverty towards his dream of becoming a pilot."
Atlanta Celebrates Photography presents IMBA MEANS SING at ATLFF venue Gallery L1 from 6-9pm on Thursday, October 29th. Ticket cost includes entry to both photography exhibits and a Q&A with the filmmakers!
Learn more about IMBA MEANS SING and RSVP here.
Sixteen ATLFF '15 Films Now On Demand!
Look no further for your next movie night selection!
We love when our selections find a wider audience! Whether you missed it at the 2015 festival or saw it, loved it, and want to share it with friends (who must come with you to the 40th annual festival in April), you can now catch sixteen feature films across various platforms like iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, and Vimeo.
Highlights include Blood, Sweat, and Beer, the dynamic craft beer documentary we paired with a sold out afterparty; Breathe (Respire), Mélanie Laurent's dreamy drama and two-time César-award nominee; God Bless the Child, winner of the ATLFF 2015 Narrative Jury Prize; Masculinity/Femininity, Russell Sheaffer's experimental documentary that questions our gender-normative society; and The Sisterhood of Night, the mysterious teen drama that announced our New Mavericks program.
And for the first time, you can find the complete list in one place. Bookmark atlantafilmfestival.com/ondemand; we'll update the list as it grows! No more "What should we watch tonight?" Atlanta Film Festival has you covered.
Lights, Camera & Action with Kathy Berardi
This Saturday's workshop will help you navigate the collaborative effort on your next short film. Reserve your seat!
So you want to make a short film. You've written the story and learned what it takes to produce—now it's time to champion the power of a collaborative effort!
Kathy Berardi's workshop series grand finale is this Saturday at the Lovett School from 12-3:30pm. This class will give guidance regarding how to effectively work with a film’s director in a collaborative effort, and how to be selective about the projects you work on depending on the director’s attitude, openness to total team involvement, and commitment to completing a high-quality film. Specifically, attendees of class #4 will learn the following steps it takes to successfully direct a short film:
➤ Important directing decisions and preparations to make ahead of starting a short film
➤ How to recruit and select key creative team members who will deliver on the vision you intend for your film
➤ When to be strategic and practical; and when to set boundaries to allow for artistic and visual creative time in every phase of the production
➤ When and how to take constructive feedback from team members and outside, credible sources for the ultimate benefit of the short film
➤ How to balance artistic vision with budgetary limitations
This workshop is only $50; ATLFF Members get 20% off!
Not a member yet? Why not?
Tomorrow! Eat, Drink, & B-Animated
This month's Eat, Drink & B-Indie presented by Stella Artois panel is an homage to International Animation Day!
International Animation Day is October 28th, and we're bringing the fun to you a week early! This month's Eat, Drink, & B-Indie presented by Stella Artois will bring you a varied panel from the local animation industry. Join us at Manuel's Tavern tomorrow night from 7:30 to 9:30pm to hear from illustrators, lip-sync specialists, animation executives, and more.
The first 40 (age appropriate) attendees will receive a drink ticket for a free Stella Artois!
Check out ASIFA-Atlanta for more information on their International Animation Day celebration! Their showcase this year focuses on diversity, disability inclusion, and a return to the roots of ASIFA: promoting peace through animation.
THIS WEEKEND! Intro to the Film Business and Resume Classes Will Get Your Started in the Industry
On Saturday, October 17th, frequent ATLFF collaborator and long-time Atlanta producer Linda Burns will teach two classes guaranteed to help you kick-start your film career—Intro to the Film Business and Creating a Proper Film Resume. ATLFF members save 20%!
On Saturday, October 17th, frequent ATLFF collaborator and long-time Atlanta producer Linda Burns will teach two classes guaranteed to help you kick-start your film career. We are joining forces with Georgia Production Partnership to offer these courses—Intro to the Film Business from 9:00AM to 12:00PM and Creating a Proper Film Resume from 12:30PM to 2:30PM.
If you are curious about all of the basics of a film set—duties, roles, language, timelines, etc.—then Intro to the Film Business is perfect for you! Get equipped for your first day on the job. Serious about entering into the PA field or any other line of work in the film industry? You'll need a great resume! Linda Burns is known for her resume expertise and she is willing to sit down for a couple of hours and teach you everything she knows—including how to translate your real world work experience into related film experience.
Registration for these classes is separate, but they will be held back-to-back in the same location.
Intro to the Film Business
Saturday, October 17th, 9:00AM - 12:00 PM
Location: The Lovett School » Fuqua Center's Blackbox Theatre (4075 Paces Ferry Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30327)
Interested in a career in the growing Georgia film industry, but don't know where to start or fit in? This class walks you through the basic duties, responsibilities, and hierarchy of each department working on a film set, introduces you to basic production lingo, and offers advise on how your past work experience, hobbies, or natural abilities may be a transitioning entry point. Long hours, a strong work ethic, and a good attitude are needed to survive as a freelancer, and this class can help you determine whether you have the ability, talent, and discipline to succeed in this industry.
Price: $65 General Admission | $50 ATLFF/GPP Member Admission
Creating a Proper Film Resume
Saturday, October 17th, 12:30PM - 2:30 PM
Location: The Lovett School » Fuqua Center's Blackbox Theatre (4075 Paces Ferry Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30327)
Wonder why you send in your resume but don't get a call?Learn how to structure a resume correctly, whether you have experience or not. Learn how to translate your real world work experience into related film experience. Learn where to get experience, how build your resume with solid credits, trade favors and network. See if you have what it takes to get a job in the film business, and what department might best suit your innate skills. BRING your CURRENT RESUME to WORKSHOP in the class.
Price: $50 General Admission | $40 ATLFF/GPP Member Admission
ATLFF members already received an email with instructions on how to get a discounted rate for these classes. Not yet a member but want a discounted price plus admission to the 2016 festival and other year-round perks? See below! Memberships start at $50.
Interested in registering for these classes at a discount? Become a member of the Atlanta Film Festival today and, in addition to your member discount on these classes, you'll also receive year-round benefits such as: invitations to advanced screenings, free tickets to special ATLFF screenings at The Plaza Theatre, a 20% discount on year-round screenings, events, and workshops, and much more!
Plus, every membership comes with access to our annual 10-day film festival -- being held in 2016 on April 1 through April 10!
For more details regarding our membership and festival badge/card options, with a full list of year-round membership benefits, please click here. If you purchase a membership to receive a discount to these classes, please email jessica@atlantafilmfestival.com to receive your discount code.
