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News for Filmmakers From the IDA (International Documentary Association)

by admin on January 11, 2012

One organization worth checking out and joining for any filmmaker interested in making documentaries is the IDA (International Documentary Association) located in Los Angeles.  A non-profit, the IDA acts as an advocate for filmmakers, can assist with fiscal sponsorship, and offers a number of services and educational programs (mostly located in LA and New York).  One such event sponsored by DOC U called Understanding Fair Use is coming up on January 30th inLos Angeles and it is sure to be of great help to indie filmmakers.  Anyone planning to utilize the Fair Use Doctrine as part of a project should be aware of how it works and about the changes that have been created by recent legislation.  First of all, The Fair Use Doctrine allows for copyrighted materials to be used without permission or payment so long as certain conditions are met, but often times filmmakers are not sure which circumstances allow for its use or how it is determined.  In addition, recently passed legislation such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act could impact exemptions and usage for documentary filmmakers.  

DOC U has assembled a knowledgeable and impressive panel of experts in the field to help identify and explain the legal intricacies.  Moderator Eddie Schmidt will be joined by Michael Donaldson of Donaldson & Callif, Russell Hickey of AXIS PRO Insurance and documentary producer and distributor Mitchell Block for a close up look at The Fair Use Doctrine and how it affects filmmaking.  More information is available at http://doc-u-jan-30.eventbrite.com/.   IDA Individual Members get a $5.00 discount off the ticket price. 

In other news this week from the IDA the organization has partnered with Sungevity and is offering a special opportunity for filmmakers who wish to go solar.  Sungevity will give you $750 and match that amount in a donation to the International Documentary Association if you decide to utilize the company’s services now.  The company offers a free iQuote option for those who are unsure if this is the right choice for their home or location so you can check it out without having to book an appointment.  More information about the special $0 down solar lease that is currently available and how it will benefit the IDA can be found at http://sungevity.org/international-documentary-association.

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002 Independent Film Partners Jeremy Settles and Rob McClurg Rock!

by admin on December 2, 2010

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Jeremy Settles

Show Notes From Segment 1 – This Filmmakers Notebook Radio Podcast features Filmmaker Jeremy Settles, Tattoo Artist Rob McClurg and the host of Las Vegas Is Talking John Donovan. Jeremy and Rob were generous enough to let us do the show at their amazing Got Films/Sikink Artist Studio in Las Vegas .We were fascinated with the Special Effects projects being designed in the warehouse area where we were and the tattoos being done just outside in the outer office, but on occasion you might hear background noise, so please forgive any “sound effects” we may have picked up during the podcast. 

Jeremy began his career as an extra on the set of “The Stand” and decided to utilize his time by speaking to the crew and “doing research” while on set.  A non traditionalist, he started making short films at 16 and didn’t have the opportunity to attend film school.  He is self taught and learned everything “on the job”.  Special Effects have always been of particular interest, which at one point led young Jeremy to a brush with the law. Rob started out as a musician and then began tattooing at 17 in Panama City , Florida .  A “Rock Star” in the field back then, he opened his first studio in Orlando at 23.  His experiences led him to create Project MDR (Modern Day Renaissance), a vehicle for artists who work in multiple mediums.  Find out how a comment about his being a Modern Renaissance Man during an interview led to the growth of a movement.   Creating more jobs and opportunities within the artistic community is a goal and passion for both these men.   If you want to learn, be part of a creative team and share your knowledge you might be a candidate for Project MDR.  To find out more about that and Rob and Jeremy just hit the play button and listen.

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Part 2 of the Q&A With Openfilm’s Get It Made Winner Val Lauren

November 14, 2010

Here is the second part of a Q&A with Filmmaker Val Lauren, who  was the first recipient of Openfilm’s Get It Made Competition.  Val won the grand prize for his short “HELP”, about a son desperate to save his dying mother.  Born and raised in Los Angeles, he began his acting career on the stage before landing roles [...]

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Looking for Links to Filmmaking Resources?

August 14, 2010

When I set up the Filmmakers Notebook blog I started a page with various resources I’d found on the internet for filmmakers and screenwriters.  Recently during a conversation with an acquaintance I discovered that even though he reads all of my new posts, he’d never visited the Resource Page until a few weeks ago.  Because [...]

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Film Short: Upcoming Documentary Programs with Mitchell Block

February 17, 2010

On Saturday February 27th and Sunday February 28th Mitchell Block, executive producer and co-creator of the Emmy Award winning Carrier,  will once again be offering his two amazing seminars: Financing and Producing Documentary Programs and the Documentary Tune- Up.  Last April I made the trip to Santa Monica and signed up for day one with Mitchell and [...]

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Risky Business with Entertainment Attorney Mark Litwak

February 14, 2010

If you are a filmmaker looking for valuable legal information online,  subscribe to Attorney Mark Litwak’s Entertainment Law Resources Newsletter.   Each issue features an article written by Mark focusing on a particular aspect of the law.  The latest piece entitled “Distributing Your Indie Film” offers tips for leveraging deals and improving terms when negotiating.  The newsletter also gives details about Litwak’s one day [...]

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Film Short: Oscar Time at the Writers Store

February 10, 2010

This time of year reflects the festive air of a holiday season for the creative community with the Academy Awards looming ahead on March 7th.   A few lucky winners will be going home that night with special gifts of gold, but in the meantime the Writers Store is having a little pre-celebration of its own.      Now in their [...]

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The Importance of Contingencies in Film Marketing

February 7, 2010

The film short I’m co-producing “Accused” is now in post production and during the editing process I’ve been putting together a marketing plan for promotion, audience building and defining our goals for the project.  One thing that has become apparent to me is the need for structuring a “things to do list” in such a [...]

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Film Short: February Events for Filmmakers

February 2, 2010

Now that the hiatus of the holiday season is over and we’re full speed ahead into the new year, it’s time to spread the word about upcoming events again.  Below is a list of courses, workshops and conferences being held during the month of February, which should pique the interest of filmmakers.  The Incentives Office Symposium – [...]

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Enter the New World of Film Distribution with Thomas Mai

January 31, 2010

One of the new voices speaking out and being heard about “New World” film marketing and distribution business models belongs to Festival Darlings founder Thomas Mai, who will soon be relocating from Brazil and setting up shop in Los Angeles.  A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation to chat with him on Skype about a couple of [...]

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