« RedGorilla Music Fest Is Now Accepting Entries | Main | Confederation Centre Art Sunday February 17 »
February 14, 2008
IMAC Enews - February 14th - Happy Valentines!
Happy Valentines!
1/IMAC Coordinator/ED Leaving
Mille Clarkes (myself) is moving on... IMAC has been a wonderful experience, but being around so much artistic activity has inspired me to pursue some artistic goals of my own. I will be in my position here at the co-op until the beginning of March. Thank you to all who made these past years stimulating and rewarding. There is a real community on PEI of filmmakers and media artists, and I am excited to see and participate in its growth. I intend to remain an active member of this community.
Please see job description below if you are interested in applying for the position of IMAC Executive Director (formally know as Coordinator).
a.. Please email or hand in a resume to IMAC by Friday February 22nd.
b.. Only those short-listed will be contacted for an interview.
c.. Interviews to be held February 27/28th.
IMAC Executive Director - Job Description
The IMAC Executive Director is responsible for the daily operations of the cooperative. He or she will provide the face of the cooperative. The Executive Director is also responsible for main grant-writing activities, the organization of workshops and special events, assisting in the coordination of special projects, communications with the membership and the board, and assisting members in their dealings with the cooperative. The ED should have experience in and love for the arts community, and be able to generate new ideas for cultural programming.
The IMAC Executive Director hours are currently: 24 hrs. per week at $13/hour
The IMAC Executive Director's duties include (but are not limited to):
a.. Daily engagement with the membership.
b.. Constant communications with the board, committees and membership by way of meetings and the regular Enewsletter amongst others.
c.. Constant communications and promotions with the community, press, and other related organizations and individuals.
d.. Assisting members in direction of projects and funding proposals.
e.. The generation and execution of programming: workshop organization, special project organization, event organization.
f.. All main grant-writing applications and final reporting.
Skills Required:
a.. Excellent communication skills; verbal, written, inter-personal
b.. Excellent organizational skills
c.. Grant-writing experience
d.. PC-based word processing/spread sheet software skills
e.. General bookkeeping skills/ budgeting skills
f.. Experience in the arts community/ arts organizations (preferably media-arts related)
2/Workshops Abound!
There are many elements involved in making a film or video, many variables to consider; each one as important as the next. The only way to learn is to do! Work in a hands-on environment with experienced technicians in a community of media artists on some of the most fundamental filmmaking components. The film and video camera and lighting workshops are already over but coming up is: sound recording, lighting techniques and cinematography.
To Register Call - 892-3131 or Email www.islandmedia.pe.ca
Space is Limited so Register today!
Sound Saavy - Sound Recording Techniques - with Dave Ward - Level One and Two
Some say that what we hear makes up for half of what we see, meaning bad sound can make a video or film look awful! Learn how to record proper sound in a variety of settings using a variety of mics and recording set-ups.
(A three session course.)
-Fri Feb 15 from 6-9pm
-Sat Feb 16 from 10am-3pm
-Third date to be determined
-Friday's session is at IMAC - Top Floor of The Guild (Richmond St. entrance)
-Saturday's session is at the Kier Gallery - Above Brennan's (132 Richmond St.)
-$30 members/ $36 non-members
Cinemaniacs - Advanced Cinematography Workshop - with Ali Reggab - Level Two
For all who are aware that using a light in just the right way can make all the difference. For those who have a specific aesthetic vision in mind, but don't quite know how to translate it to the screen - this course is for you! Join Ali Reggab, a professional cinematographer and DOP from Toronto who has worked on a number of feature-length films and a host of other productions. It is suggested that the all participants attend the Let There Be Light - Lighting Techniques course as a pre-requisite - or the equivalent experience.
(A two session course.)
-Tues./Wed. March 4/5 from 6-10pm
-At The Guild Performance Hall - (Richmond St. entrance)
-$35 members/ $42 non-members
Coming Up Later in the year... Workshops in:
-Non-Linear Editing (Levels One and Two)
-Post-Sound Engineering (Levels One and Two)
Please Note:
a.. if there are skills you would like to learn, and workshops you'd like to see offered through IMAC.. PLEASE LET US KNOW!
b.. remember that IMAC can help in facilitating mentorship.. If there are skills you need to learn or equipment you need to familiarize yourself with we can hook you up with another member that has those skills.
c.. Bill Harrington, our Technical Director is here at the co-op Monday and Friday mornings to help in any way he can with technical questions. Please call 892-3131 or email imacequip@pei.aibn.com to schedule an appointment.
3/PEI Screenwriter's Bootcamp
The Second Annual Screenwriter's Bootcamp is gearing up for June 2-6, 2008.
The Bootcamp is a 5-day retreat-style workshop that will gather 12 emerging and mid-career Maritime screenwriters together under the mentorship of industry professional screenwriters Tom Shoebridge and Alex Epstein.
To apply, submit a 5 pg. outline (soft and hard copies) by March 21st 2008 to IMAC.
For more info. go to www.islandmedia.pe.ca or email Louise Lalonde at youthinkyoucanwrite@yahoo.ca
These workshops will give emerging and/or mid-career Canadian creators:
a.. a rare opportunity for "one-on-one" high-caliber mentoring on developing an idea and a full treatment;
b.. feedback on their scriptwriting abilities;
c.. a chance to pitch to industry producers and broadcasters;
d.. instruction in preparing a development budget;
e.. networking opportunities;
f.. a chance to analyze Canadian films and television programming;
g.. total immersion in their craft;
h.. social interaction with other writers; and
i.. a respite from the daily grind.
The Screenwriter's Bootcamp is presented in collaboration withTelefilm Canada.
Other sponsors include: TechPEI and The Superchannel.
4/PEI Catwalk
The PEI Catwalk - Fashion and Video initiative is well under way. Teams of fashion designers, experienced and novice have been working on fashion challenges put forth by The Green Man Vintage and Vinyl store. The fashion challenge will culminate in a grand fashion runway event in late March.
Where does IMAC come in? Four IMAC members: Donnalee Downes, Bob Stanley, Pete Murphy, and Jeremy Larter are currently working on videos to be projected during the runway show. The videos are all based on the theme 'The Body as Canvas' and cover genres from experimental, to documentary, to drama. Keep your eyes open for PEI Catwalk dates and times.
5/IMAC Winter Production
The IMAC Winter Production is slowly gathering steam. Bill Harrington is putting the final touches on a short script with the working title 'Do You Remember?'. New IMAC member Gordon Gammie has signed up as Producer for the shoot and over the next month and a half, he'll be compiling a crew and talent for the shoot. If you're interested in being involved as a crew member - contact IMAC to sign up!
6/IMAC Production Grants
The 2007/08 IMAC Production Fund is now officially used up!
The latest grants were given to:
a.. Jason Arsenault - pre-production grant for a feature documentary 'Uranium City'.
b.. Joey Weale - production grant for super-8 short film 'Home Guard'
Other 2007/08 Production Grants are:
a.. Judith Scherer - Dance on Top of a Mountain
b.. Dave Bennett - The Quiet Ones
c.. Joscelynne Bordeaux - Mysterious to Seymour (IMAC Summer Production)
d.. Richie Mitchell - The Danks Music Video
e.. Adam Perry - Shoelace
f.. Emery McAskill - Tripping
g.. Bob Stanley - Biking for Breakfast
h.. Gavin Keen - In Association with Pablo Pete Productions
i.. Rachel Hicken - Digital Diversity
j.. Patrick Ledwell - Think Like a Fish
k.. Sam MacDonald - Bootcamp Documentary
The 2008/09 IMAC Production Fund will be open to receive grant applications in April 2008. There are no deadlines for IMAC Grant applications but you must be a Producer Member in good standing to apply. Applications are assessed by the IMAC Production Committee.
7/Masterclass March Shoots
The Island Media Arts Co-op's Masterclass is well under way. There are five PEI filmmakers participanting in the Masterclass. Jeremy Larter, Louise Lalonde, Trisha Clarkin, Patrick Ledwell, and Dennis Trainor are all working on their own individual film and video projects. The genres of these works span documentary, animation, and short dramatic films. The idea behind the Masterclass is to get serious independent Island filmmakers into a stream-lined training program that provides them with insight, structure, and support. It seems to be working! The Masterclass began in November of 2007 and since then the Island filmmakers have been mentored by film experts from on and off Island, and by one another!
Two of the projects are short dramas to be shot on film. Jeremy Larter's dramatic comedy, Bitter Regret Man, is scheduled to be shot over the first weekend of March. Mr. Larter is bringing in a professional Cinematographer from Toronto, Ali Reggab, to work the camera. Other key crew will be selected from within PEI's local industry and media arts community. With a professional cinematographer on set, the hope is that all involved will be able to learn from the intense process of an independent film shoot - where every frame counts. This film will be shot on 35mm. Louise Lalonde's film short with the working title of Looking for Mister Right to be shot on 16mm., is scheduled for shooting over the last weekend of March. Ms. Lalonde is bringing in Cinematographer Becky Parsons from Halifax to the shoot. Again, by brining in outside expertise, the local portion of the crew will be able to learn by her example. Ms. Lalonde intends her crew to be comprised of as many women in the key roles as possible, thus creating opportunities for female filmmakers.
All of the five projects will be completed in the early Summer of 2008. They will be screened at a premiere screening hosted by IMAC, and then on to festivals and broadcasters across the country. If the Masterclass becomes an annual initiative, PEI stands to see the creation of many more beautiful works of cinematic art, and the development of an inspired community of locally based filmmakers with a few credits under their belts.
For more info. go to www.islandmedia.pe.ca
Other News:
1/Canada Council Releases Action Plan for 2008-11
The Canada Council for the Arts today released its Action Plan for the next three years, including plans for the distribution of $31.5 million in new funding in 2008-09.
In July 2007, the federal government announced an ongoing $30 million increase to the Council's parliamentary appropriation, bringing the government's annual investment in the Council to over $180 million. The announcement followed one-time increases to the Council's funding of $20 million in 2006-2007 and $30 million in 2007-2008. The Council has also increased its funding for arts project grants by $1.5 million on a permanent basis, which brings the total amount of new ongoing funding to $31.5 million.
The Canada Council's Action Plan cites specific strategies and activities aligned with the five broad directions in its Strategic Plan, which was released in October. The Strategic Plan committed the Canada Council to five specific directions:
a.. Reinforcing the Council's commitment to individual artists, working alone or collaboratively, as the core of artistic practice in Canada;
b.. Broadening the Council's commitment to arts organizations to strengthen their capacity to underpin artistic practices in all parts of the country;
c.. Enhancing the Council's leadership role in promoting equity as a critical priority in fulfilling Canada's artistic aspirations.
d.. Making partnerships with other organizations a key element in the Council's approach to advancing its mandate; and
e.. Enhancing the Canada Council's capacity to support the arts and implement change by strengthening its structure, staffing and services.
Both the Strategic Plan and the Action Plan were informed by more than six months of consultations with over 1,700 artists, arts organizations, other funders and members of the general public across Canada. The Action Plan itself was developed through an extensive participatory process, whereby workgroups made up of Canada Council staff developed priorities and strategies for each of the five strategic directions.
"The allocation of our new resources is driven by the priorities that were established in the Strategic Plan, which in turn was informed by the largest consultation in the Canada Council's history," said Canada Council Director Robert Sirman. "We are investing these funds as strategically as possible in pursuit of our ultimate goal: that Canada have a rich and vigorous creative life that stimulates the imagination and gives Canadians the means to share their spirit and vision with one another and the world."
Under the Action Plan, the Canada Council will, in 2008-09:
a.. Invest an additional $4.9 million in grants and services to individual artists, including a $700,000 increase in payments to authors through the Public Lending Right Commission.
b.. Invest an additional $20.1 million in operating grants, project grants and services to arts organizations, including theatre, dance, and opera companies, orchestras and music ensembles, art museums, galleries and artist-run centres, media arts production and dissemination organizations, book and arts magazine publishers, national arts service organizations and integrated arts (multidisciplinary) organizations.
c.. Invest an additional $1.9 million in grants and services aimed at promoting equity, including specific initiatives earmarked to benefit Aboriginal, culturally diverse and official language minority artists and arts organizations (in addition to funding for these artists and organizations through the Council's other programs).
d.. Invest an additional $831,077 in partnership initiatives involving arts funders at other levels of government or other types of organizations within and outside the arts; and
e.. Invest more than $3.6 million in the Council's internal capacity to support the arts, including increased staffing, research, program evaluation and communications.
Other highlights of the Action Plan include:
a.. Increased support for the promotion of Canada Council prizes, in an effort to enhance public awareness of the work and achievements of outstanding Canadian artists.
b.. An increase of more than $1.4 million for international touring and dissemination by Canadian arts organizations.
c.. Improved access by artists, including young artists, to professional development and networking through a portal on the Canada Council's web site.
d.. Research initiatives, in partnership with national arts service organizations, provincial and territorial arts funders and cultural policy experts, to better "map" Canada's arts infrastructure in order to develop a deeper understanding of the evolving national arts ecology and to identify regional needs and opportunities.
The full text of the Action Plan is available on the Canada Council's web site at
http://www.canadacouncil.ca/aboutus/strat_plan/oz128473072035695788.htm.
Media contact: Donna Balkan 613-566-4305 or 1 800 263-5588, ext. 4134
E-mail: donna.balkan@canadacouncil.ca
Heather McAfee 613-566-4414 or 1 800 263-5588, ext. 4523
E-mail: heather.mcafee@canadacouncil.ca
Visit our website at www.canadacouncil.ca
2/Edmonton Women's Film Society - Call for Submissions
The Edmonton Women's Film Society is a not for profit organization that was formed in 2004 with a mandate to showcase film that was made by women, for women, thereby creating a voice for women through the art of film. On May 3 -5, 2008 we will be hosting our third Annual Film Festival entitled 'Reel Femme '08' and we are currently calling for feminist film. The theme is open and the cut-off date is March 31, 2008. Our address is: 16727 - 81 Ave., Edmonton , Alberta ( T5R 3P8). Please direct any inquiries to www.ewfs.ca .
3/8th Annual Bicycle Film Festival - Call for Submissions
The BFF is looking for films with a strong theme or character of bicycles. This includes all mediums and styles such as animation, experimental, narrative, documentary and music videos. The BFF is held in over 15 cities around the world including Tokyo, New York City, Los Angeles, Milano and London. In 2007 the BFF was attended by up to 100,000 people. It is a celebration through film, art and music. The BFF has been fortunate to have included the works of well known artists including Jonas Mekas, Michel Gondry, Mike Mills and Jorgen Leth. They showcase the emerging artist as well.
DEADLINE: February 19, 2008
Info: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com
4/Independent Exposure 2008 (San Francisco, USA + Worldwide) - Call for Submissions
Independent Exposure 2008 is currently considering short video, film and digital-media submissions of 15 minutes or less and are seeking narrative, humorous, dramatic, animation, documentary, experimental, alternative, avant-garde, ambient, music videos, and underground works of all genres, formats, and styles. Of specific interest are those films demonstrating artistic presentation and storytelling. For full program information, rules, selection criteria, prizes, and how to submit, please consult the website.
DEADLINE: February 29, 2008
Info: www.independentexposure.com/festivals/independent_exposure/2008_call.html
5/Vitesse LumiPre Festival (Quebec City) - Call for Submissions
The Vitesse LumiPre Festival is preparing it's 10th edition and is inviting the sci-fi/fantasy filmmakers to submit their video(s).
DEADLINE: March 1, 2008
Info: www.vitesselumiere.org
6/New Forms Festival 2008: Mosaics (Vancouver) - Call for Submissions
NF08: Mosaics will examine the wide array of works that are found within Media Arts. Works for the festival should examine relations of cross-cultural media - through video, sound, electronic music, internet, print, and writing. A mosaic has traditionally referred to art which takes pieces of a part to create a whole. The word has been used in multiple references across literature, media, science, software, video, and religion to describe different constellations of this phenomena. In recent years many political scientists and economists have discussed the equalizing effects of the internet on global culture. In addition to film, music and visuals and installation art series, NF08 will be creating shared media pieces connected via the internet and wireless performance. These pieces will have the ability to become part of a larger discourse on all platforms including audio, video, textual, design, locative, and performance. NF will be looking for applications that incorporate artists' personal work associated with the festivals current programming as well as proposals incorporating this greater participatory project. Programming includes installation, electronic music (techno, dub, live performance, a/v), presentations and film. NF is always looking to expand its partnerships in the local community as well, and is open to new opportunities with ARC's, Galleries and Collectives.
DEADLINE: March 1, 2008
Info: 2007.newformsfestival.com/submissions
7/Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series (New York City, USA) - Call for Submissions
Rooftop Films is currently accepting submissions for the 2008 Summer Series. In June 2008 they will begin celebrating their 12th year of bringing the best underground films in the world outdoors and to the rooftops of New York. Submit your films and videos now and participate in one of the most unforgettable, unique, filmmaker-friendly, independent film events in the world!
DEADLINE: March 1, 2008 Info: www.rooftopfilms.com/submit.html
8/Ed Video's 2008/2009 Programming Year (Guelph) - Call for Submissions
Ed Video Media Arts Centre in Guelph, Ontario is inviting submissions by artists and curators for the upcoming programming season of September 2008 - September 2009. The annual Exhibition and Screening series presents regional, national and international video-based media art work. They encourage a strong curatorial and artistic practice that is challenging, stimulating, and provocative. Both emerging and established artists/curators should apply, and they are interested in all genres of media arts - experimental, narrative, documentary, feature, installation and inter-disciplinary. Their aim is to also ensure that their presentations address the interests of a diverse audience, are relevant in the local and national media art community, and support the development of their producing members. Fees according to the guidelines established by CAR/FAC.
DEADLINE: March 3, 2008
Info: www.edvideo.org/edvideo/features/submissions
9/Video Pool 2008 / 2009 (Winnipeg) - Call for Submissions
Video Pool invites submissions pertaining to the theme Resistance for the 2008/09 programming season. Resistance is a movement, a position, an attitude, and a measure. It is an individual or collective response. It can be political, or it can relate to physical properties of the known universe. It concerns citizens. It concerns artists. It concerns that which is local as well as that which is global. It is about forces, agency, strategy, play, and subversion. It is an argument. It seeks change, or it fights to stay the same. It mobilizes. It is unconscious. It is a side effect. It is intentional and affirmative. Video Pool's 2008/09 programming season will include two programs specifically focused on new media performance and single channel film and video that resist conventional thinking and/or assumptions about what constitute video and new media art practices, and possibly the environs within which they take are expected to place. Please send submissions to: Programming Committee, c/o Video Pool Media Arts Centre, #300 - 100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3 Canada.
DEADLINE: March 21, 2008
Info: Milena Placentile, Programming Coordinator (204) 949 9134 #1 - vpprogramming@videopool.org
_________________________________________________________________________
Mille Clarkes
IMAC Executive Director
Island Media Arts Co-operative
Box 2726
115 Richmond St. 3rd Flr.
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 8C3
Ph/Fx: (902) 892-3131
imac@pei.aibn.com
www.islandmedia.pe.ca
Posted by kier at February 14, 2008 4:41 PM