From celluloid to digital, film industry in transition
What: Independent Film Making Workshops
Where: Rainbow Theatre
When: Dec. 7 & 8, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Want to make movies? Or better still, make movies people want to watch? The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is offering budding directors and producers the chance to get up close and personal with independent filmmakers who have successfully created their own digital feature films. A series of workshops will run in between film showings, allowing the pros to share their technical, financial and artistic hurdles and highlights.
Festival director, Shauna Hardy, said aspiring movie-makers would be crazy to miss it.
"We expect people will walk away with insights and answers on how to best approach the shoot and post-production of their DV feature," Hardy said.
The WFF teamed up with Vancouver’s Digital Film Group (DFG), who specialize in video to 35mm film transfers, to present the unique industry-oriented series. Vice-President of DFG and presenter at the workshops, Patti-Jo Wiese, said be prepared to be inspired.
"We’re bringing together some of Canada’s leading independent filmmakers who are breaking ground in the world of digital filmmaking," Wiese said.
Here is a rundown of the workshops, to be held in the Rainbow Theatre, and the digital masters who’ll be attending:
Friday, Dec. 6, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Hands On Digital Cinematography:
Directors of Photography (DPs) will have the chance to interact with colleagues and technology-makers in an intimate, informal setting. Four DPs of award-winning digital features will discuss formats, cameras, transfers and the new landscape of digital post-production. Participants will learn from their first-hand experiences about the limits, challenges and benefits of video, and how to get the best results with the blow up to 35mm. Feature film clips from Mini DV to 24PHD transferred to 35mm film will be screened and discussed. Panelists include:• Bob Aschmann, DP of "Various Positions" (Sony/ Panavision 24P HD), Winner 2002 Prix de Montreal, Montreal Festival du Monde
• James Tocher, DP/President, Digital Film Group, "Croon" (24PHD), "Back at the Bar" (NTSC DVC pro 50), "Evirati" (NTSC JVC D-9), 2001 Leo Award for Best Cinematography
• Jonathan Benny, DP of "Hitler & Christ " (Canon XL-1), "No More Monkeys", "The Outdoorsmen"
• Nettie Wild, Director/DP of "FIX - The Story of an Addicted City" (Sony PD 150), Most Popular Canadian Film, 2002 Vancouver International Film Festival
• Norman Cohn, DP/Producer of "Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner" (Sony Digibeta 700), 2001 Cannes Camera D'OR, 6 Genie Awards, Best Canadian Feature Film Toronto 2001
• Pascal Prevost, Visual Effects for "Carrie" the mini-series, DP of "Don't Eat the Neighbours" (24P HD) HBO Series
Saturday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
The Digital Middle: Above & Below the Line Talk About Digital Filmmaking:
Find out how shooting digitally is really different, where the cost savings are, which digital tools are the best fit for your story, actors and budget, screening digitally and video-to-film transfers, and how the role of the DP changes on a digital shoot. This is a workshop for producers or directors to meet and talk with peers on technical issues that impact the bottom line. Three digital filmmaking teams will be on hand representing features shot on Mini DV, Standard Definition Video and 24PHD. This is a rare opportunity to learn from the mistakes and successes of others, and to discover what is possible through an impressive screening of International Digital Films projected both digitally and on 35mm film. Panelists include:• James Tocher, Digital Cinematographer/President, Digital Film Group
• Jonathan Benny, Digital Cinematographer, DP of "Hitler & Christ" (Canon XL-1), "No More Monkeys", "The Outdoorsmen"
• Karen Powell / Ori Kowarsky, Producer / Director of "Various Positions" (24P HD), Winner 2002 Prix de Montreal, Montreal Festival du Monde
• Lynn Stopkewich / Jessica Fraser, Director / Producer of "Lilith on Top" (many digital formats), SXSW Film Festival, 2001 Toronto Film Festival, 2001 Berlin Film Festival
• Mort Ransen, Director/ Producer of "Bastards" (Mini DV PD150), "Margaret's Museum"
• Norm Cohn, Producer/ DP of "Atanarjuat-The Fast Runner" (Standard Def - DVW 700), 2001 Cannes Camera D'OR, 6 Genie Awards, Best Canadian Feature Film Toronto 2001
• Peter Rowe, Filmmaker, Director/ Producer of "Treasure Island," Ontario Chair of Directors Guild of Canada
The forum finishes with an Adventure Filmmaking Panel on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Millennium Place. This is a unique opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to meet and learn from some of the best adventure filmmakers the business about capturing adrenaline and action on film. Panelists include:
• Bjorn Enga, Director/Producer, Radical Films Inc. "Kranked Series," Co-Director "Kranked III," Director "Search for the Holey Trail"
• Peter Rowe, Filmmaker, Director/ Producer of "Treasure Island," Ontario Chair, Directors Guild of Canada
• Tom Erickson, action sport photographer turned filmmaker, Matchstick Productions
Filmmaker Forum details and registration forms are available online at whistlerfilmfestival.com or by calling 604-938-3200. It costs $60 for the Digital Cinematography workshop, $30 for The Digital Middle, and $20 for the Adventure Filmmaking Panel.
