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Bright

I think one of the best things about Bright Box is its name. Bright. Something bright is exactly what Winchester needs. A new light, a new space…something unique. Bright Box is completely that, and a little something more.

 

Its location is perfect. It resides in the middle of the downtown-walking mall in Winchester, VA. The famous walking mall was renovated earlier this year, making it more striking than ever. Fountains, trees, new sidewalks, and new entrances make this location not only populated by locals, but also picturesque.

 

Bright Box has just signed on to be one of Skyline’s locations! We are so excited about this. This location is progressive and ultimately perfect for this event. So why Bright Box, you ask? It holds a space predominantly used for performances that can hold up to 230 people. It also has remarkable acoustics. Bright Box also has a lounge area that can be used for people to relax before and after film screenings. It is a beautiful space that reflects art and performance, which are two themes Skyline is all about.

 

I spoke with Josh Huff, Head of Booking and Events for Bright Box last week about Bright Box and Skyline Indie Film Festival. He said, “ Here at Bright Box, we pride ourselves in hosting a variety of innovative and high-quality performances aimed at enhancing and promoting life and the arts in Winchester. The Skyline Indie Film Festival is one notable example of this ongoing enhancement. Bright Box and the Winchester Book Gallery are delighted to support such an important contribution to the Winchester community. The Skyline Indie Film Festival specifically promotes a locally underserved artistic medium and showcases many incredibly talented artists, including the directors, screenwriters, and actors to be highlighted this September. We can’t wait to see you there.”

 

Josh’s enthusiasm and appreciation of local events is one of the main reasons that Skyline is going to be such a success. Bright Box and all of our locations are helping to bring the community together to honor the arts, enjoy film, and foster the indie spirit.

 

Learn more about Bright Box at http://brightboxwinchester.com/.

Why Do You Love Film?

Film, to me, has always been something more than just pictures on a television screen. I have always had an emotional connection (borderline obsession) with movies. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been the nerd who researched the movie before seeing it, read all about it on numerous film blogs, and immediately bought the most expensive DVD just to watch the special features. Film commentaries, behind the scenes, and the blooper reel have always been prominent in my life. It might sound silly, but it has always been a passion of mine.

While promoting the Skyline Indie Film Festival, I wanted to ask people one simple question, “Why do you love film?” The answers I received were pretty incredible.

“Movies allow you to escape into another person’s life and experience situations you wouldn’t normally experience.” –Thomas, Winchester

“As someone who routinely goes on Lord of the Rings (extended editions) binges, I think it’s fair to say that I love movies. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why I love film. One big factor that is underrated and often trivialized is escapism. Sometimes a movie comes along that creates such a realistic world that I just want to escape into it over and over. Epic settings and great characters to fill them are a key factor for me, and contribute to the escapism (ex. The Shire in Lord of the Rings, Gotham City in the Dark Knight trilogy, or the dream world in Inception).” –Matt, Gainesville

“Film by its nature is communicative. It is a storytelling medium that has this unique blend of narrative and technological elements. It is at its strongest when it captures the smallest moments of our humanity, in my humble view. Sure it can be bombastic and loud and there’s a place for that too because at the end of the day, we filmmakers are all storytellers out here saying ‘this is my take’ on something. From my experience though, it is in the quiet moments where film strikes best; in the nuances of a single shot. Indie films are really community building exercises. Telling stories in this medium is a collaborative enterprise and usually the ones made on the cheap are more honest and spiritually rewarding experience both to produce and view. “ –Joey, Baton Rouge

“There is nowhere better to lose yourself than in film. You can be a character in any country in any time period. For two hours you can forget who you are and be who you dream.” –Alex, Baltimore

“I watch films for the subtle moments that, though often fleeting, offer the most telling glimpses into the human condition.” –Jake, Winchester

Now, it’s my turn. If I really think about it, the reason I love film isn’t tangible, it’s the way it makes me feel. Its like when you read a great book, you enter a world that is separate from where you are, but you relate to the characters and get lost in the pages. It makes you happy or sad. It makes you laugh and also cry. Movies do that, but more directly. A good film resonates with you and doesn’t leave your system right away. I’ve always said, “I know I’ve seen a good movie when I’m still talking about it the next week.” Some of the greatest films I’ve seen have never left my heart and soul, and I hope they never do.

So if you love film and care about it as deeply as we do, come out and support independent filmmakers at the Skyline Indie Film Festival September 13-15!

Havin’ a Vine Time

Have you gotten addicted to Vine yet? Well, I have and I must say, its such a fun toy for any film fan. Its quirky, short, and hilarious. Six seconds doesn’t really seem like enough time to tell a story or even complete a sentence, but Vine somehow does it.

Vine has exploded. This Twitter owned phenomenon just continues to grow and become more popular. News outlets, celebrities, and just the average funny guy are downloading and actively posting on every social media outlet. It’s a way for people to express themselves and in addition Vine accomplishes something that other social media sites lack. Its clever. To make a great Vine takes a certain type of mind. You have to be quick about it, as stated previously your limit is a sparse six seconds.

It is a humorous way to be informed and to respect the art of film. Now, you might be thinking, “how is 6 seconds a film?” This question is answered once you watch a great Vine video. It leaves you waiting, but then it starts over again. It is a circle in which the audience can always watch its favorite part again. Infinite.

So, how does this relate to the Skyline Indie Film Fest? Vine users obviously love social media and all things film related. Indie films tend to be off the beaten path, and that’s the sort of crowd that Vine embraces. Clever, quirky and eager to discover.

So I urge you to download Vine. If you aren’t feeling confident in your own Vine video yet, never fear. Watching Vines are just as entertaining. And while we do not have a Vine category, come out and support Indie films at the Skyline Indie Film Festival for inspiration and wonder.

Entry Fees and the “Us and Them” Mentality

Below you’ll find a dated article about film festival submission fees and a well-constructed argument of reasons to not pay entry fees. This sentiment still rings loudly today among filmmakers, as I’ve recently found out. I’d like to take a moment to relay our submission process and entry fee protocol here at Skyline Indie Film Fest. And for anyone for whom this was previously unclear, please note that the following is our process and if it was relayed to any filmmaker by anyone, including myself, as otherwise, I apologize.

We take submissions from filmmakers the world over. Local filmmakers do not get special exemption and must pay the fees. Established filmmakers do not get special exemption and must pay the fees. No one gets into this festival because they are the mutual friend of anyone involved with the festival. My screeners and judges are anonymous until the festival lineup is announced. Period.

Occasionally a filmmaker requires a screening fee and it can be arranged that the entry fee to the festival is waived in exchange for the filmmakers screening fee also being waived. This is simple economics in the festival’s best interest.

We charge the $25 entry fee to subsidize the time, energy, postage, and other resources which, as festival time approaches, become considerable. From getting the films from screening committee to the judges, legal documents, rental equipment, car service, volunteer coordination, deposits on venues, travel, hotel, food and more. All of this must be paid for in advance and potential sponsors are weary with solicitations that come almost daily so frankly, there is little money to be had from sponsors. The festival will recoup some expenses from ticket sales but that revenue also has to be split with the venue in most cases.

As the director of Skyline Indie Film Fest, I do not screen the films as a rule. The festival committee screens and votes on each film and majority rules. If they rule in favor, congratulations, you’re an official selection of our festival and your film will now be sent the judges. The judges will critique each official selection by the criteria prescribed at www.skylineindiefilmfest.org/rules/ and relay to me their thoughts on each. This is as simple and streamlined as it gets. We request the films come to us on a disc but have allowed links to the films hosted on various sites to accommodate the filmmaker and reduce postage. We’ve allowed electronic payment via Pay Pal so international submissions do not have to exchange local currency for dollars or buy checks. We do what we can to get the programming but we can’t give the festival away. At least not now. When this festival gets traction and can afford to do so, we will gladly drop the entry fee. But for now, if $25 dollars is too much for you to spend, I wish you well and good luck in the future, may your film be successful.

In closing, I am fully aware at the potential to make a profit from an upstart film festival is dismal for the festival itself. But I labor on and entrap my friends and family to assist me and make demands on their time and the time of other like minded film enthusiasts. We want to see the films! We respect your time, effort, and expense as a filmmaker and would expect a little appreciation in return. Only by working together and not as “us and them” can we bring audiences to the films and thereby foster the indie spirit.

http://kr7productions.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/why-i-will-never-pay-a-film-festival-submission-fee-again-unless-i-do/

Thank you.

The Importance of Film Festivals - Part II: The Audience

Filmmakers bring life, culture, and art to our eager eyes, and as the audience we have a very important job. To respond. To spread the word. To gush and talk about our emotions that surfaced during the film.

As a complete movie freak, I am a proud audience member. The audience, in fact is the most important element, especially for indie and perhaps not “mainstream” films. The mainstream films, well most of them, are great. Crowd pleasers and tear jerkers. But film festivals bring out the best aspects about film. In a film festival, boundaries are broken and the rawness of film comes out.

We are showcasing a wide range of films throughout this festival. At first it was centered on short films, but that didn’t last long. Once features, animated films, and every genre started to pile up, we decided to make it a broader spectrum. This is not only a positive for the festival, its incredible news for our audience. Now we can branch out and focus on gathering all types of movie lovers.

So, how to branch out? The fundamental question seems to have an obvious answer, but its not that simple. Reaching out to “movie-lovers” isn’t the only area to focus on, especially in an area like Winchester, Virginia. Winchester is known for its local and “small-town” atmosphere. Winchester is a place where people tend to stay, due to family ties, its natural southern beauty, and the closeness of Washington D.C. It becomes a getaway from the noisy and traffic filled Northern Virginia. But why would this community be interested in a Film Festival?

There are many answers to this unapologetic question, the first starting with the word “local.” As a person who was born and raised in Winchester, Virginia I know as well as anyone how much of a small town it is. People love participating in the local festivals, the shows, and the night-life. So that’s our first target audience member; the local Winchester supporter.

The next audience member centers on the word, “artsy.” Shenandoah University has blossomed over the past 10 years bringing in international artists, new students, and creating more and more riveting live performances. The students and faculty of Shenandoah University understand the arts and therefore understand the importance of a film festival.

The final audience member is a little complicated. The final audience member is someone who doesn’t necessarily like film, or rather doesn’t know anything about it. The last audience member is the one we have to convince. Maybe they’ve been to a couple movies at the Alamo, but never experienced true film. They feel like they need inspiration and don’t exactly know where to find it. When trying to work on programming you need to also think about programming the public. This simply means that programming directly influences the frame of the audience.

A film festival takes work, but the outcome is not only beautiful, but groundbreaking for the audience. Has a film ever brought you to tears, made you laugh until your ribs hurts, or seriously made you think about things you may have been hiding away in your consciousness? If so, please join us at the Skyline Indie Film Festival and help us foster the indie spirit.

Films Rolling In!

I’ve really stepped up my invites for the festival participation this week. I’ve sent dozens of emails directly to filmmakers, producers, directors, film societies, artist communities, and McSweeney’s Wholphin. No merge email here, a real life “I saw your trailer and I think your film would be great for our festival.” and I’m getting great response. Many emailed me back instantly, a few called, and the submission form is taking a beating, which is a good thing! We’ve scheduled a screening of the first five shorts with the festival programmers for this weekend and by early next week the judges should have in their hot little hands the first “OFFICIAL SELECTIONS” from the 1st Annual Skyline Indie Film Fest.

…I’m quite excited…

The Importance of Film Festivals – Part I: Filmmakers

With so many film festivals in existence and more and more coming online daily how do you decide where to spend you efforts? Do you go niche market? Is it worth it to submit to an unknown, brand new festival? Depending on who you are and how you participate in the indie film world, the answer varies.

For the filmmakers, festivals present a significant way to market their film at a reasonable rate. There are opportunities to network within the industry. Get feedback from audiences and judges. Share tips and information on topics from technical aspects of filming to location hints. Introductions are made and collaborations born. Shopping films on the festival circuit can be both grueling and very satisfying and the grind can take its toll. But the passion and fortitude of the filmmaker is without refute and the time, energy, and effort they put into not only telling their story but tirelessly working to bring it to audiences on the festival circuit is greatly appreciated by festival directors, other filmmakers, and especially the audiences.

To the filmmakers, thank you for your work, your story and your art. We the audience love you for it.

To the audience, support these cinematic artists. Seek them out at festival receptions and Q&A sessions, say hello and thank you. Let them know their efforts are appreciated, important and entertaining.

It’s a two-way street, the filmmakers need an audience and the audience needs the filmmakers.

Welcome!

We’ve spent the last year building a team, drumming up support, introducing ourselves to filmmakers and spreading the word for our Festival in the global indie markets. It hasn’t been easy but it is paying off. We are going to have a great weekend in September when we screen all the official selections to the Festival as determined by our panel of screeners. Prior to the screening weekend the official selections will be sent to our judges, which we are excited to say, should all be in attendance for the Festival awards ceremony!

Awards you say? Why yes! Skyline Indie Film Fest is a competitive festival. Prizes will be provided to the winners as sponsors come on board and will go home with a trophy and a Festival credential from the Skyline Indie Film Fest.

Filmmakers, please visit the Rules page and read the submission guidelines and judging criteria. I hope then you’ll privilege us by submitting your film via the Submit page where you can provide all the information about yourself, the film, submit your info and you can even pay online if you so choose.

Potential Sponsors and Donors, you can visit our Become a Sponsor page and see our sponsor levels and join us in fostering the indie spirit. The sponsor levels are simply guidelines and if you wish to donate some other amount we thank you. What do you get in return? The world will know that you support independent thinking and artistry, that you are willing to invest in the future of cinema, the knowledge that your sponsorship or donation will help us nurture the indie film culture, and thousands of impressions for your business, organization, foundation, or charity because that is important, too.

Audience members, we love you! We are you! We’re not movie makers, we’re simply movie lovers! We’ve created this festival out of a desire to see creative, intelligent, opinionated, stimulating, and entertaining films that we may not otherwise have an opportunity to view. Spread the word and join us in September. Full auditoriums at the Festival venues will ensure our success, draw attention to our little festival and allow us to extend our reach.

We are very excited and proud of what we’ve accomplished to date and we hope you’re getting excited, too. So please, take few minutes and click around the site, visit our social sites, send us suggestions, if you’re willing you can volunteer to help, or if you’re really interested talk to us about a staff position in the Festival, and spread the word.

This is going to be fun!

Brian