Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

Welcome, Pekka, and good luck with your project. You might want to
read a couple of conferences we've done in here: Selling in the
International Marketplace and Fundraising for Docs, in particular.

My name is Margarita Levasseur. I just wrote my first treatment
with the help of a friend with whom I am collaborating with for a
television magazine/documentary series. I am intersted in knowing
where, or how, I can get names of people to contact and also how to
get funding. Any help and guidance I can get would be very much
appreciated.

welcome, margarita. that's a very general question, so it's hard to
answer. lots of good books on the subject. go directly to morrie
warshawski and carol dean's conference here on Fundraising for Docs.

Hi, my name is Lucy and I discovered D-Word through the Shooting
People network in the UK, that I'm also a member of. I'm a
photographer with a very broad professional experience across Europe
including film stills and AV production for installations. I'm
interested in forums like this more generally because film
documentary seems a far more vibrant area than its photographic
equivalent (though at heart the issues are similar?), and because I'm
working towards collaborations with filmmakers in community projects.

And that's all I can think to say right now!

Welcome to The D-Word Forum, Lucy. Are you based in the UK?

Hi Ben, yes I am UK based (I try to travel as much as possible
though). And thanks for the welcome!

Hello, I'm a London based documentary film maker, I've come here to
look for tips on the perfect pitch. I've got a meeting with a
production company tomorrow and I want to make sure I've done
everything I can to reveal the excitement in my idea. I'm dead into
it but I'm entry level and learning, any advice is always
appreciated, glad I stumbled across this site, it looks great at
first glance.
best
EJ

Welcome, Emma. There are lots of articles with pitching tips out
there if you serach Google. The main thing to communicate is your
passion for the idea and confidence that you can do it really well.
That's what others pick up on and want to be part of.

I've been googling all day when not scribing! Great advice, thanks
Doug, I'll remember to bubble over with passion tomorrow, they won't
know what's hit them!
tc
EJ

well, controlled passion, ej. don't jump their bones ;-)

Hi I'm Joe Mondello. Starting on Act Three of my life and coming full
circle back to film (my college major) after 30 years.

Professionally I have been in graphic arts for 20 years doing everything
(I was the manager) from typography on Mergenthaler VIPs to all aspects
of conventional slide production, co-founded and ran a small arts
charity and documented lots of our work and the work of two other
charities. Just about to produce and shoot a 15-20 minute doc on the
work of a charity in Concord, MA. I am based in Manhattan.

welcome to d-word and act 3, joe. lots of luck.

Thanks Doug, nice to be here.

Welcome, all!

Tips on the perfect pitch can also be found in our special
conferences, THE INTERNATIONAL PITCHING FORUM {LINK NOT IMPORTED} and MEET
COMMISSIONING EDITORS {LINK NOT IMPORTED}

Hello everyone. My name is Andrew, I'm a firefighter for the city
of Sherman, Texas and I also make documentary films. I live a
humble life yet aspire to change a few hearts with the incredible
tool that film brings to the world.

I just finished my first doc film entitled, "Subtle Voices: Cries
from Colombia". It is a story about the complicated struggles of
the Colombian people. It's available on www.amazon.com.

Anyway, I look forward to the message boards here. What's your
background Doug and what are you working on now?

not nearly as heroic as yours, andrew. my new film is called "51
birch street" and you can read about it at: www.51birchstreet.com.

this is the public discussion area. we'd love to have you join the
professional community. there's one more registration step to go:
www.d-word.com/community/join

I think I hung out here 10 or so years ago. I have 32 years in
film/video. Started with Charles Eames, went on to Hollywood, and
moved to Montana and spent 9 years working on my basically self
funded doc "The Story of the Bitterroot". It looks at the plant and
its relationship to the Native Americabns who vererate it. I have it
showing in 5 states on PBS, and selling in maybe 50 museums, visitor
centers, and book stores. I did this on my own, as I could not find a
real distributor. I do have it in 6 national catalogs...but they
provide disappointing sales.

well, we've only been here for 6 years, stephen, but time flies.
especially when you self-distribute, right? anyway, welcome (back)!

ATTENTION: DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT VENEZUELA.

Hi my name is Ionee, I am a part of Dharma Films, an Independent
Production Company that works in South America.
We do all kinds of social documentaries and we are now in Venezuela.
We are open to work with other documentarians. Contact us.
We are in need of financing and we can do all kinds of socumentaries
about Venezuela (the people, the cities, the turistic attractions,
the native people, the oil, the social issues, Politics, the
history, Hugo Chavez.)
It would be a pleasure to work with you.

Sincerely,

Ionee Waterhouse
Independent Producer


011 58 416 2165818
dharmafilms@gmail.com
Caracas, Venezuela

welcome, ionee.

Hello everyone,

My name is Clayton Green and I just graduated with a 2nd Associates
degree. I obtained the first one in Information Technology
Mulitmedia in 2004 and finished up a degree in Film at Full Sail
Real World Education this past Dec. 16th 2005. I am lucky enough to
have off until Jan. 30th where I will be going back to complete a
Bachelors in film. I plan to use my off tiem for research when I can.

I am glad to find this forum and it's community that is linked to
it. I have a passion for films and Documentaries. I have only
finished one documentary that was about twenty minutes long but come
Feb. of 2006 I am buying a Panasonic HD cam that I plan to go hog
wild with.

I have many ideas in mind that would collect the interests of the
younger adults but I am still searching to find worthy topics that
might make a difference to those who watch it.

Well, I just wrote a lot I guess. Thank you for having me and I look
forward to conversing with all of you, learning what I can as well.

Clayton

glad you found us, clayton. welcome.

Hi folks, I plan on posting several questions and comments in various
forums around here in the next several months because I've got a
documentary project started and I'll want lots of advice. About a
year ago I thought I had a project nearly off the ground but at nearly
the last minute my subjects deemed themselves "too important" and my
experience . . . well, too inexperienced. So I introduced myself then
(Nov. of 04) and posted for a few months, but then when my project
fell apart I took a long hiatus from D-word. Now that I'm back it
seemed appropriate to make another short introduction.

To wit: I studied Film and English in college, have a day job very
far removed from filmmaking (though I am a criminal investigator, and
investigations are a bit like doc making--lots of interviews and then
a big showy bundle of info and evidence to go to court.) I am working
on a few narrative fiction projects but I'm always on the lookout for
a compelling doc idea, and in this case I found one next door. My
good friends and neighbors are in the process of starting a Montessori
school, and my family and I have been big supporters of the project
(we'll send our children when it opens) and after a bit of
conversation and e-mail, it looks like I'm going to film some
interviews and cover some meetings and dig into their journey as they
birth their school. They're open and excited for it, and I am too.
So that's me, my project, and now I will go post some questions in
some of the more specific forums.

(And by the way: the reception, support, and outright loving welcome
that I recieved on this site last year was absolutely amazing, and I'm
thrilled to be back here with a project to discuss. I've read through
hundreds of posts in various discussions on this forum, and I am
continually amazed at how supportive and nurturing this community is.
Nowhere on the internet and rarely in the real world have I found a
group of people so willing to give freely and compassionately of
themselves. It is truly so unique and nice that I felt compelled to
comment on it. Thank you.)

aw, shucks, i'm blushing, marc. good to have you back and good luck
with what sounds like an interesting project. so much of the success
of a doc comes from access, and it sounds like you have that solved.

peace 'n love back at ya, asar. welcome aboard.

Hi, I'm a New York based filmmaker. I also work for a production
company that is trying to branch out from doing primarily long form
journalistic documentaries to include some educational/industrial
work. I'm trying to do some research on those markets- are they
growing, are there numbers available on sales, etc. Has anyone seen
such information? Thanks so much.

hmm, wouldn't even know where to start. time to google and see what
happens, i guess. but welcome here, for all your doc needs.

thanks so much for the welcome.

i've been googling like mad, and thus far to no avail

as someone who did that work for 25+ years I'd say you're a bit late
to the game. It's all moved to the web. These days most is 2-3 minute
pieces done for websites - and done very cheaply.

did you do more educational stuff for schools or more
industrial/corporate work?

I did mostly corporate though also did a series of programs for schools.
The educational stuff for schools was all under 4 minutes tied to text
books. The longest was 4 minutes that covered WWII and the Holocaust.
It's educational support and when classes are 20 minutes long you
don't have time to do more than flash cards.

Corporate stuff was generally 8-15 minutes. Long was 20.

Are there big companies that specialize in corporate stuff that I
could look to for information?

The Jack Mortons of the world are pretty much gone. There are a few
large players - companies with a 100 people or so scattered around the
country in specialized markets. The only larger ones are the guys
doing meetings and incentive travel.

Hello everyone. I'm new in town. I'm working as an assistant editor
on a doc. that just moved up here. I'm excited to be here and looking
to do good work. I'm from Austin and am very interested in music/
concert/musician documentaries. Also, live video for shows too. I work
with both Avid and FCP focusing on work with HD.

Currently, we are looking for an empty space to set-up in. The sooner
the better. Something in Manhattan, with internet access, and 24/7
access. If anyone knows anything please let me know. Thanks guys and
good luck!! CB

Welcome Chris. Keep in mind "here" is everywhere in D-Word, not just
New York...although there are numerous New York members who could
probably make recommendations on space.

Hello everyone. I am in Tennessee, and I am just starting my first
documentary. I have done some historical biographies before. I like
historical documentation, and I will be doing a short documentary
about a local historic business and building. I believe the business
will be going on, but the building will be coming down to make way for
condos in the near future. I am hoping that this experience will lead
to more documentaries in the future. I found this website while I was
doing a search for documentary release forms. I am sure I will be
able to learn a lot from this forum. Thanks, Tara

glad you found us, tara. good luck with your project. if you're
anywhere near nashville, i'll be coming down your way for the festival
in april.

What festival? I am in Knoxville. I have located a group here in
Knoxville called Tiptoe which stands for Tennessee Independent
Production and Talent Organization East. It is a local nonprofit.
They meet once a month, so I will be going to my first meeting Jan.
31. I am sure I will find out about different festivals and more
about the industry. There is a Secret City Film Festival in nearby
Oak Ridge TN. I believe that occurs during late summer. I have met
with the local film commissiioner here, and that was an eye opening
experience. One thing that he told me is that I need to make sure I
get all rights to my documentary. Would that be called an
"assignment of copyright" contract. I have been searching for what I
might need, but I have not found it yet. Could you possibly lead me
in the right direction. I have an initial meeting with the owner of
the building next Thursday. The film commissioner also told me that
when I finish the production, I need to send the master copy to
myself registered mail. When I receive it...he said not to open it
but to put it in a safe deposit box unopened and leave it there. He
said that would help with the copyright. Anyway, sorry to go on for
so long....just thought I would share that info.

Tara - that person misunderstood your question about copyright. When
you complete a film (not write a script which is somewhat applies to
his/her answer) simply put a copyright notice (c)2006 Tara Bush in the
end credits. You can protect yourself further by registering the film
with the US copyright office - go to their website - fill out the one
page form - send in a copy of the film/dvd/vhs with the fee ($30).
There are separate legal issues regarding permissions to make a film
about someone or a business entity. There are good books available
about making documentary films and the issues involved.

i meant the nashville film festival, tara.

Thank you. I am reading one right now written by Barry Hampe called
"Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos." It has been a big
help. I will keep on reading and looking into other books.

Hi ,

I am a recent grad of the stanford doc program, now living in San
Francisco, and finally getting around to joining D-word officially.
It's comforting to find so many people who share my obsession with
documentaries! I'm working as a freelance camera person (I own a
DVX100A) and editor around the bay area. Right now i'm working on
editing a propaganda piece about equity and scoail justice at SF State
University. I'm also working on distributing my most recent short doc
, Radio Grito, about a spanish- language radio show for migrant
farmworkers and their families in the CA valley. I'm in the
development stages of a piece about a mobile hospital truck and boat
in Ecuador that serves remote indigenous communities. .. Other recent
projects include a 16mm short doc that I did the cinematography for,
Under the Rollercoaster (directed by Lila Place), about a Coney Island
woman who used to actually live under a rollercoaster - this film will
be at Slamdance next week, and I'll be there from the 19th-26th if
anyone is around. It would be great to meet other d-worders in the
non-virtual world sometime...

thanks, and I look forward to be a part of d-word..

mike

welcome, mike. also noticed you posting in the community. good to
have you leap right in.

Hi...I wasn't sure where to post this, but in my researching, I came
across a couple of helpful DVD's. I purchased them off of the Vasst
website. "Lighting it Right" by Victor Milt - this really has helped
me with the creative aspect of lighting and took away some of my fears
of lighting. It has loads of different techniques and tips and
inexpensive lights to create whether you are on a strict budget or
not. Also, I purchased "Understanding Copyright and What You Need to
Know." This DVD covers all different aspects of copyright and has
included forms for use. Just wanted to share this information for
those who are just starting out like me. There is so much to learn!

You should also check out Ty Ford's little book about location audio
that written for non-technical people.
http://home.comcast.net/%7Etyreeford/AudioBootcamp.html

Thanks!! I will check it out.

Hi.
I too am unsure where to post this...i have begun work on my first documentary as a director/
producer running up a few bills to do so. My need right now is funding in order to continue the
project so we have created a 5 minute "trailer" or "teaser" that gives some idea what we are
documenting as well as written synopsis and budget sheet (as would be required from something
like the Sundance Doc completion funds foundation)...my question is: where do you begin
showing something like this to potential commisioning editors? Do they just appear at festivals?
Do they accept solicitations for funding requests from nut-jobs such as myself?

michael, there are a few events each year that present good
opportunities to meet commissioning editors. one is the ifp market in
ny. another is sunny side of the doc, in marseille.

a better one is the toronto documentary forum on may 3 & 4, which is
part of hot docs. it's a two-day pitching forum, and you still have
time to apply as an observer. all the top ce's are there and there's
ample opportunity to meet with them briefly and introduce yourself
during the breaks and lunches. if you have your sample with you on
dvd, they may just take it back with them. or, if you mail it to them
later, presumably it's already on their radar.

there's also the original pitching forum in amsterdam, as part of
idfa. these events are expensive, of course, but kind of the price of
doing business when it comes to raising gobs of funding for your doc.

One note - Sunny Side is no longer in Marseille. This summer it will
be in La Rochelle on the Atlantic Ocean coast of France. June 27th to
30th.
You can fly or take a train from Paris.