Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

I would like to pitch a project and am also seeking finishing funds
for a project I am currently working on. Is there an appropriate way
to do this?

Not really, Rosalyn. You can join The D-Word Community - www.d-
word.com/join - and get feedback and advice, but we don't pitch here.
I suggest you read the current CE conference for info on how they wish
to be approached.

I worked for twenty-two years as a current affairs journalist with
Irish Television,RTE, and, since leaving in 1999, I have been
making international documentaries, most of them broadcast on
RTE. Please see my website, www.anynewsinc.com for further
information.

My most recent production is 'Congo, Heart of Africa' made from
material accumulated during ten weeks travelling alone in the
Democratic Rebpubic of Congo (DRC). It tells the story of the
forgotten war in DRC where 4 million have died over the past five
years, more than in any other conflict since WW2. Seven
neighbouring African countries have been involved in a vicious
scramble for Congo's wealth - gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt,
coltan, tea, coffee, timber, tobacco, oil - with US,EU and
international companies in close attendance.

This 34 min documentary was broadcast on RTE on 18 Dec
2003.

Jerry, welcome to The D-Word. Make sure to join The D-Word Community
as well. More info at <www.d-word.com/community/>, and join at
<www.d-word.com>. It's free but, unlike The D-Word Forum, it won't be
automatic this time.

Hi there, another new film maker on the big block. Educating via
entertainment is my thing. Currently working on an Irish project I
shot in August last year. Looking for funding to polish the
project. So glad to have found film to express the passion!

Delighted that you found us, Johanna. Welcome.

For funding tips, be sure to read last week's conference with
commissioning editors in Europe, as well as the one we had last year
with Jan Rofekamp.

So this is what you d-word people do all day...!

Having come to filmmaking through the back door - bet you've never
heard a law degree being referred to as that before! - it would be
great to hear from anyone with experience of pitching and producing
their first project - oh and tips of getting funded would be great
too!

cheers, s.

Welcome, Sarah. I suggest you read some of the conferences that are
archived here. Start with The International Pitching Forum {LINK NOT IMPORTED} for
pitching advice, then proceed to the recent Meet Commissioning Editors
in Europe {LINK NOT IMPORTED} for funding advice. And read Jan Rofekamp's
conference, after that... if you dare.

Welcome Sarah!

Everyone - when you introduce yourselves, please tell us where you
are based. (Sarah is in London.)

Hi D-Worders!

I'm Joe Mondello a former Cinema Studies Student from NYU
circa the late 60s and early 70s getting back to what turns
me on (groovy huh? ;) )

Just signed up for a Documentary pre-production course
at NYU and our prof recommended this website.

I look forward to participating here.

Thanks,
JM

Welcome to The D-Word Forum, Joe!

Thanks, Ben.

Are there any geographical "sub-groups" here?
I'd love to meet more folks in the NYC area.

Not in this forum, Joe. I suggest you join two great organizations,
AIVF - www.aivf.org - and DocuClub - www.docuclub.org. They hold lots
of events where you can meet other NY doc makers.

But welcome to our groovy little virtual shindig.

Thanks for the info Doug. Appreciate it.

I'm new--- Steve Olpin. I have been doing this for about 15 years. Now I mostly
do action sports with a documentary style rather than most in my world that do
it with action and music. I have had a docmentary short at Sundance about 10
years ago but have not been back(i've tired--no luck) i'm kind of loosing
interest in film festivals ----but that's is another story---they are sometimes like
high school parties it cool if you invited but now worries if not. ---I not sure how
to do this group i would love to chit chat with peers. I have finally found peers
in Action sports in surf skat snow and moto but never really found a
community in documentary---hope this works out. I shoot video and film and
cut on final cut pro. I own all my own gear and share a edit suite with a brilliant
filmmaker Tim Irwin---I could go on but I will stop and try to figure how to work
inside this group.
thank you,
Steve Olpin
SOLPIN FILMS INC

Actually, the chit chat is in the community area, which you've
already applied for, Steve. Instructions will soon be arriving via
email.

hi, my name's matt osborne, i'm 22 and currently living in Perth, Western Australia,
originally from tasmania, australia. I've recently completed an action sports video and
am about to start a university degree in film and television, specializing in
documentary. I write, shoot, edit and produce and am eager to learn from some
seasoned professionals and maybe even share a bit of young inexperienced
knowledge. My only problem is i might have one to many ideas floating around in my
head???

matt osborne
neige productions and unrest media

Thanks for the intro, Matt. Welcome.

Wow, there's a lot of documentary filmmakers out there!

My name is Anthony. New to the outreach side of documentary work and
beginning to learn video editing for future projects tucked away in
my head. Based out of Waltham, MA (right outside Boston).

And you haven't even seen how many folks we have behind the gated
walls of the community, Anthony. This forum is just the tip of the
iceburg! Anyway, glad you found us.

Greetings to all,

Like many here, I am a novice. It's a career change for me.
I had a big corporate job, and after having a "what am I doing?"
moment, walked away. I've started at the bottom and have
worked successfully on productions of other peoples projects:
I'm lucky to have connected with some very talented filmmakers.
It's kind of like a modestly paid film school for me. While I am
enjoying learning technical skills, I have yet to help craft content.
I know the best way to do this is to make a film. I have some
ideas about this, and I'm looking for a community that I can
contribute to, and learn from along the way.

So here I am.

Kevin

And we're glad you found us, Kevin. Welcome. The Albert
Maysles/Susan Froemke conference {LINK NOT IMPORTED} is one in particular you might
want to read.

Thanks, I'll give it a look.

Kevin

Hi, Doug and everybody!

I am currently based in Kyoto, Japan. My interest is in socio-
cultural issues. I am editing what I shot in Mexico initially and
figure out what I will need to shoot when I go there this year.

Kyoto is beautiful and has lots of interesing things. But documentary
filmmaking is not its strongest point. It's really great that Doug
created such a supportive environment for documentary filmmakers. Now
I can be connected to people with whom I used to hung out, while I am
in this ancient city. Thank you.

Hey, glad to hear from you, Nanako. Want to tell us a bit more about
the film you're making? And if you have any professional experience,
or at least are completing your first film, please register for the
community: www.d-word.com/community/join.