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Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum but I'm very excited to have found a helpful forum. I am currently studying journalism at the University of Wyoming and I have a passion for film which I hope to turn into a career someday. This summer I was finally presented with an opportunity that I've been waiting for, which is to work for a film production company. I currently intern for Burning Torch Productions (http://www.markpedrifilms.com/work.html) out of Laramie, WY and we are working on a documentary called "Energy, Oh Energy," which is about trying to find the best energy using only the facts we get from experts and industry professionals. Working for this production company has finally given me the inspiration I was looking for and experience I know I will need in this industry. If anyone has any film advice, I'd be grateful to hear it!

Thanks everyone!

In reply to Kali Holloway's post on Fri 17 Jun 2011 :

Hey Kali! Welcome to D-word. Wanted to mention how fantastic it was working with you on xoxosms – and let folks know how skilled you are with ghostwriting interviews, social media strategy and outreach for busy and frazzled doc filmmakers!

Welcome Kali and Bridget. Great to have you both here with us. Bridget, easier to give advice if you have specific questions. Feel free to ask them in the Mentoring Room topic.

Hello Everyone,

My name is Nick Bygon and while I am new to the film world I have an extensive background in art. You can view my artwork on my flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/nickbygon My main interest in film came after I researched the spectatorship or audience relation to paintings over time. The conclusion I came to was that at one point in time individuals viewed paintings for extensive intervals of time where they would contemplate its deeper meanings but in the 21st century you are lucky if you can even get someone to look at a painting. In the 21st century films had adopted that space in time, at least for most individuals and because of that I changed my major. My goal is to speak to people in the hopes of engaging them about the pressing issues that are at stake in our day to day activities.

One thing that I am struggling with and hope to get some feedback and guidance from all of you is what should I major in? I have a 4.0gpa and have a good list of resume items to transfer from my community college but I am not certain what programs are the best to take. I have seen that a lot of documentary film makers majored in english, philosophy or journalism and I just want to pick the best programs and the best schools to apply to and any help with that process would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Nick Bygon

Hello, again, I was away from this site for a while. Here I am again.

I am storyteller living in LA, I write, I produce, I direct and sometimes I do camera and edition as well. Not new for anyone of us here that has multiple hats.

I have a doc short accepted to be screen at La short films and I am looking for help in advices about transfer. I need to give them a HD cam copy. Is a 3.25 minutes short, I wonder where can I do it that in an affordable rate. I am based on LA but I am in Maine for the following 2 weeks Maybe I can send the short on the web to someone that can make the proper tape in other location. Help!!!

Thanks
Florencia

Hello, My name is Joe. I have always been very into films, especially documentary films. I never thought I would be one to actually create one, but after some major issues came about in my life I thought it was something worth documenting. My sister who after a long bout with pancreatic cancer decided to use the death with dignity law available in Oregon. I was with her thru this process, and was asked to film it. However after reviewing the footage and its personal nature, I have been struggling with how to move forward. I have no professional film experience and no ties with anyone who does. All I have is some very powerful and personal footage of something I think should be shared. So figured some guidance with some people who have dealt with making documentaries of a personal nature would be helpful. Sorry for the long winded introduction.

Well, now what?

Hello folks. I live in Brooklyn with my wife, three kids, two birds, and one freak dog named Smudge. We have a documentary production company, New Animal Productions (note – our site hasn't been updated for some time and I blame Smudge).

We're working on our latest film and should be finished, scratch that, it WILL be finished in August. In fact the edit dungeon beckons.

over and out

Seth Skundrick

Greetings, Seth, Joe, Florencia and Nick.

Nick, hard to advise you on a major. But there are some schools with renowned doc programs, like Stanford, Duke and Temple, as well as up and comers like the School of Visual Arts in NYC.

Florencia, D-Worder Eli Brown can probably help you out.

Joe, as someone who's made personal docs, I can say firsthand they're very difficult to pull off successfully (especially without any filmmaking experience). And you have the further problem that there's a great new doc on the subject, HOW TO DIE IN OREGON, that was at Sundance and has gotten a lot of attention. However, if you're really intent on making it, this might help.

Now back to the dungeon one and all ;-)

Hey everybody, my name's Aaron and I live in San Francisco. I have a long time background with computers, software development, and video production. During the day, I design and make software for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), but in my spare time I'm trying to make a feature-length documentary about Peak Oil, The Postmodern Condition, and how we need to change the way we address problems in order to coherently address our current energy crisis. I'd like to work on this documentary full-time, but until I secure funding I can't quit my day job.

This is my first feature-length anything and I'm planning on distributing my documentary entirely online. I am also creating an iPhone app that viewers can download after watching the film that will help them take action to reduce their energy consumption and encourage local and sustainable living.

I have a strong editing background using Final Cut Pro, and I think I'm the only one that's really excited about Final Cut Pro X :D

I'd love to meet people that are more experienced with filmmaking, and more specifically, the logistical aspects of putting together a documentary (funding, booking interviews, acquiring licensing rights for music, etc.). I'd also like to meet some great writers!

cheers,
-aaron

Welcome to The D-Word, Aaron. I'm sure you've seen A Crude Awakening and are going to do something different?

In reply to Ben Kempas's post on Tue 28 Jun 2011 :
Thanks Ben! I have seen A Crude Awakening and I loved it. However, a lot has changed since it came out in 2006. In addition to that, I want to directly address the the subject of The Postmodern Condition and how it affects the way people address the problem of peak oil.

I also want to make a point of not appealing to sensationalism, while still making the subject matter approachable and interesting. I feel most films that address peak oil try to sensationalize it so it sounds like the world is ending, when in reality, we are transitioning to a much simpler form of living. Michael Ruppert's Collapse is a good example of a film that I feel was overtly trying to communicate a catastrophic message.

While we do have very serious problems to address, we need to address those issues in a holistic and rational way as fear will only bring chaos.

Good morning all, Scott Stead here, avid doc watcher and enthusiast, organizer of www.documentaryclub.org or www.docclub.org, screener for AFI Silverdocs, one time musical doc editor.

I've been in TV for 13 years and gravitating toward the technical side, hoping and trying feverishly to get back to a creative place. I am currently a broadcast engineer at CNN and do a lot of web videos and live streaming on the side to stay sharp. I have a strong editing background and I've done just about every job in television from writing and producing to audio, graphics, shooting and field engineering.

I'm looking forward to meeting more of you, contributing to the conversation and ultimately I really do hope to work on some films.

Regards,
Scott

Welcome, Scott. Upgraded you to professional status since you obviously qualify – and it's easier than giving you instructions on how to do it.

Hey Doug – thanks so much. Loved 51 Birch Street. Glad to be getting involved in here finally. Ran into some friends at Silverdocs that definitely get a lot of the group and decided it was time. I also keep tuned in on Doculink. Lots of great resources.

Thanks again and looking forward to the conversation.

Cheers,
Scott

In reply to Doug Block's post on Mon 27 Jun 2011 :

Yes we had actually watched it together. It was one of the reasons we decided to move forward with the project. Things are actually getting rolling with it now though, Will keep you all posted as it goes forward. Thanks for link. I greatly value your opinions on the subject. I very much enjoyed "51 birch st" and "The kids grow up". To make two docs about such personal info, AND make them good, is no easy task. Thanks again.

Hello All,
My name is Andy. I'm pretty good with DSLRs, final cut, and generally getting stuff together. I graduated last December from Georgia State with a major in film/video and minor in history. I'm looking to get a documentary web series about living in Atlanta then and now – kind of like a super-localized travel show with an emphasis on culture and history. That's my main focus but I always have other ideas on the back burner.

I'm slowly building my gear. I have a rebel t2i and some vintage lenses. It was hard to lose the access to university equipment, but I was hired by the university upon graduation – so I'm trying to find a way to get my hands on the stuff again.

I'd love to hear from fellow doc enthusiasts from the south – AND EVERYWHERE ELSE!
Get in touch with me at:
tadeloach (at) gmail dot com

Welcome, Andy. While you don't have a lot of professional experience, I'd still recommend you register for professional status here, which will give you access to all 50 discussion topics.

Hello Everyone,
so great to be here and to have found this great page through my documentary friend Line. I am a documentary film maker based in Berlin.
I am so much looking for new ideas in: how produce films and I am so tired of hearing... „this is not possible“. I have the feeling that D-Word is an enthusiastic community of people who want to bring projects further and who love what they are doing.
I have been directing 3 one hour documentaries. The last one was „Shosholoza Express“ which successfully ran on many festival around the world.
I grew up in South Africa that shaped my later life as a documentary film maker a lot.

Further I am very interested in the whole crowd funding topic, where I also started a new project on, called „Restless“. A film about my generation of women turning 30! Please check it http://www.indiegogo.com/RESTLESS.

I am looking forward to share lots of ideas with the community.
My contact: info(at)beamoeller-film.com
www.beamoeller-film.com

Bea

Welcome to The D-Word, Beatrice. As luck would have it, I'll be in Berlin from July 17 to 23. Showing my last two docs at Arsenal on the 17th and 18th (with my ZDF/Arte commissioning editors doing Q&A's with me) and speaking at AG Dok on the 20th. So hopefully I'll get to meet you in person.

howdy everyone,
i'm a DIY documentary filmmaker and just started production on a social issue documentary about higher education reform [www.elephantoncampus.com].

peace out,
mike

Hello Dough
how great. Would be good to meet you in person. Will make sure that I am there. Ohterwise, if you have time, we can meet for a coffee. Let me know: info(at)beamoeller-film.com
Regards
Beatrice

Hi Michael, welcome.....I will check out your website, sounds interesting!

I thought I would re-introduce myself briefly, since I haven't been around in over a year.

My name is Jason Caminiti, I made a Documentary a number of years ago called Pawtucket Rising (www.pawtucketrising.info) which played on RIPBS. You can view the entire doc on my page through Vimeo.

Currently, I have been thinking about working on a documentary that I had the idea for during my work on Pawtucket Rising. Unfortunately, now that I have made a documentary, I know what work really needs to go into it. This makes me extremely worried about starting a new project. But, I figured I'd come here for some encouragement and comiseration.

Hope to see you all in the forums!

DON'T DO IT, JASON! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Welcome back and remember that procrastinating on The D-Word is almost as good as actually making a documentary. And much less expensive. Good luck!

Lol! Thanks for the sage words of advice. BTW. I've been wanting to see your new doc, is it still making the circuit, or is it out on DVD yet?