Author Archives: danny alegi

LISTENED TO A SCREENPLAY PODCAST LATELY?

This podcast help new writers press launch their pin-ball into play. After a short personal intro, the useful interview with the creative network Stage32 begins.

The interview is with Richard Botto, head of stage32.com, mighty-popular online hangout for productive writers:

So If you:
are a writer with Hollywood ambition looking for a network
I suggest listening to at least part of this 55 minute podcast

It’s the next best for a screenplay writers, after moving to Los Angeles.

The entire podcast series can be found on iTunes and on www.sellingyourscreenplay.com

if you prefer full engagement the Youtube show is here:

Which online script coverage do you use? [part 1]

Today we start a ride thru script services online, sites that offer feedback and written notes on formatted, completed screenplays. There is a fee to pay, but in this case, it’s lower than the average.

On top of that, Script Analytics offers a proprietary coverage system that you are probably curious to try out. So am I.

8 tips for spontaneous performance from Ken Loach

There are as many acting methods out there as there are personal journeys through the craft of story and film. As Ken Loach shares in this video, you get to a method by trial and error until something seems to work and make sense. To get performance that plays as “real”, Ken resorts to techniques familiar to many indie makers: follow the story, not the budget, play the scene not the plot… and more.

This previous text comes from the Berlinale 2013 and the awesome award-winning blog Mentorless.com

Enjoy!

Screen Shot 2014-03-13 at 11.56.55 AM
ken loach

REMEMBER THE GIFT TROJAN HORSE ?

I love “Fitzcarraldo” (by Werner Herzog, with Klaus Kinsky), a story about mad vision in the Amazon forest. And yet, the making-of film “Burden Of Dreams” (by Les Blanc) completes the movie organically, not only as a Blue-Ray added value. The same I can say about “Apocalypse Now” and its making-of film “Heart Of Darkness”.

Independent films can tell their making-of story as an organic making-of doc as well. The story of a movie starts with idea, and journeys thru development, Kickstarter / Indiegogo campaigns, etcetera.

The image that comes to mind is the Trojan Gift Horse, full of power within, and only in appearance a predictable offering.

Once inside the gates, the movie-horse can open and reveal hidden content.trojanhorse-gif

4 GOOD REASONS TO CHANGE A MOVIE TITLE

trojanhorse-gif

While I was blog-posting about an indie documentary which is still in the making, the filmmakers told me they had changed the title.

WHY CAN THAT HAPPEN?

1. You change a title because you can. When you make a truly independent film, you own it. You owe no lip-service to anyone, and no one owns your imagination, you can come up with your own title. MAke it free, make it unique, make it awesome. COMMENTS WELCOME: WHAT is YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE TITLE EVER?

2. A GOOD TITLE GETS YOU INTO FESTIVALS
From my experience organizing festivals, I know Good titles get noticed and watched first, before juries get tired, overwhelmed.
.
3. ABC comes before RTS in the ALPHABET.
Use a title that will end up on top (or bottom) of a list, but not in the middle. Special characters are ben better #HashtagTitle comes before “A Good Title” Worth changing for.

4. IF YOUR TITLE INCLUDES A TRADEMARKED NAME or BRAND, better to change it now. TIP: more Pirate is to leave the original title, get the publicity-making reaction before the fine, then find an even better, legal title.

Russian American filmmakers Kirill Mikhanovsky made an indie feature film in Brazil entitled “Dreams of Fish” and – before going to the Cannes Festival – changed the name to “Ana”. No problem. “Ana” won the award for best young director.

NEXT POST: REMEMBER THE GIFT TROJAN HORSE

“Notes on A wire” birdsong by R.B. Smart (click “Post”)

This piece makes you both think and let go while you try to capture some big Why? and its Answer! in total wonder. Reminds me – in principle, not sound – of John Cage’s nation of “Chance Operations”, making art film music with found material.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=267029866807388

birdsong

UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO Doc Next Network wants YOU

Doc Next Network is calling on media makers, social activists and critical thinkers: take a stand and share your views on Radical Democracy for Europe on video!

How can we create an open and inclusive European society?

Submit your media works to our video challenge and win €2500! Deadline for entries is April 13.

Read up call

Here are some more reference and inspiration links.

YOUTH CINEMA
DOCMOB.NET
NUFFGLOBAL
NUFF.NO