Professional Development

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

WHAT AUDIENCES WANT

Presented by Alex Stolz, Senior Executive, Distribution & Exhibition, UK Film Council

14 November 0930–1030 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

How do audiences make their film-going decisions? How can you judge how commercial a film is likely to be? And what you need to know about YOUR film if you want it to find an audience. Alex Stolz, who grew up in Cornwall, manages the £4m UK Film Council’s P&A Fund, which backs 20+ films annually for wider distribution, as well as the newly launched Digital Innovation Fund for long-lead audience development strategies online.

DOGBITE PRACTICAL DROP-IN WORKSHOP

14 November 1030–1600 UCF Woodlane Refectory

Dogbite is a Cornwall-based film crew with a wide range of national and international experience in film and television, including the BBC, ITV, C4 and Sky. The core crew: John Crooks (cameraman/gaffer), Morgan Lowndes (DoP/steadicam), Luke Power (sound recordist). The guys will be based in the refectory during the Festival, with some of the tools of their trade on display. Come on over, introduce yourself, say hello. They don’t bite!

THE ART OF SOUND

Presented by Shelley O’Brien, principal lecturer in screen studies at Sheffield Hallam University.

14 November 1045–1215 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

Or, how to ensure you’ll never hear films in quite the same way again. As film music expert Kathryn Kalinak says, ‘Film music is a stimulus that we hear but, by and large, fail to listen to.’ The same can be said for film sound. This presentation will consider the relationship between image and sound in cinema. Extracts from a selection of key examples will be used to explore the importance of sound, and how it helps to shape our experience of a film. Examples will include Apocalypse Now, The Exorcist, The Haunting, The Godfather and Once Upon a Time in the West. Shelley O’Brien’s academic interests include horror cinema, film music and film sound, and Japanese cinema and television. She is currently researching ‘The Synergistic Practices of the Japanese Media Industries,’ and is writing a book chapter called ‘Killer Priests in Giallo Movies and Beyond,’ for a collection entitled Roman Catholicism in Fantastic Film.

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FILM NOIR – BUT WERE TOO SCARED TO ASK

Presented by Ralph Willett, former Senior Fellow in American film studies at the University of Hull.

14 November 1230–1330 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

Film noir has received more critical attention than almost any cinematic phenomenon. Ralph Willett will endeavour to steer a path through the thickets of commentary looking at its origins, preoccupations, visual style, even its politics. Specifically he will focus upon Double Indemnity (1944) and The Big Sleep (1946), including clips in glowing black and white!

A frequent visiting professor in the US, Ralph Willett taught American Film and Drama and brought film into a number of ‘period’ courses, e.g., the 1930s. He’s written a number of academic articles on American cinema, and his booklet The Open Cage: American Film 1935-1960 was published in Germany in 1980.

ADOBE MEDIA AND DESIGN SOFTWARE SEMINAR

Presented by Michael O’Neill, senior business development manager at Adobe for Creative DV and Flash Media.

14 November 1330–1445 UCF Woodlane Seminar A

Not your average brick of clay and straw. Michael O’Neill will discuss a range of software suites and equipment that will appeal to anyone interested in media and design. Topics will include Mocha AE Motion Tracking, Tapeless workflows with REDONE, Integrated workflows with Autodesk 3D, After Effects and Flash. There will also be an opportunity to win some software! Space will be limited. Once you buy your ticket for this event, please also contact Miranda Adams at DPN: miranda@digitalpeninsula.com.

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS & OTHER TRUE TALES OF EVERYDAY CRAZINESS

Presented by writer and documentary filmmaker Jon Ronson.

14 November 1515–1630 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

You’ve heard about the book, tonight you’ll see the film (a Cornwall premiere). Cardiff-born Jon Ronson is one of Britain’s best-known writers. Author, journalist, documentary filmmaker and radio presenter, Jon’s books, Them: Adventures with Extremists and The Men Who Stare at Goats, are international booksellers. This afternoon Jon will be relating the real story behind those men who stared at goats and their bizarre belief systems. For your convenience, he will happily sign books directly after the talk, courtesy of Falmouth Bookseller.

‘'Few more earnest investigative journalists would have had the brilliant bloody-mindedness to get what [Ronson] has got, and hardly any would have the wit to present it with as much clarity.’ – Observer

COSTUME DESIGN FOR FILM

Presented by Pam Verran, a professional costume designer for theatre, film and performance.

14 November 1515–1645 UCF Woodlane Seminar A

Forget what your mother told you: it’s not who you are, it’s what you wear! This informative and hands-on look at costumes and their design and construction will include an overview of the profession itself, the work involved, the hours and environment, and the necessary skills and interests for success. Pam Verran will discuss the role of the costume designer (including research, design and preparing costumes), who makes up the ‘costume department,’ and how costume figures in pre-production, budgets, research, working with the director, the camera, set designer and lighting. Samples of contemporary and period costume, fabrics and styles will be on hand. Based in Falmouth, Pam studied textiles at Cornwall College and costume interpretation at the London College of Fashion. Her specialist area includes corsetry and the Victorian period.

THE GLAMOROUS WORLD OF FILMMAKING or, READING TRAVELODGE 11.47pm – NO DINNER.

Presented by Christopher Slade, executive producer at broadcast and communications agency Twofour, with offices in London, Plymouth and Philadelphia

15 November 1030–1200 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

Reflections on the trials and tribulations of making ideas of pure, earth-shattering genius a reality. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Christopher Slade will touch on late-night driving, garage forecourt cuisine, bribery and avoiding legal action if possible. Geared towards aspiring and experienced filmmakers everywhere. Not recommended for the reality-averse.

STUNT FIGHTING FOR THE CAMERA

Presented by David Greeves, professional choreographer, performer, stunt fighter and rigger.

15 November 1215–1515 UCF Woodlane Seminar A

Kung-faux fighting, anyone? This Cornwall Film Festival first-time offering will give participants a professional opportunity to learn specialist techniques in stunt fighting and other movements specifically geared towards filmmaking. Loose clothing requested; kneepads useful but not essential; fluids highly recommended. This is a physical activity that requires a high degree of concentration and commitment. All activities will be supervised and structured with safety in mind, although participants are forewarned of the risk of bodily contact and possible injury.  A native of Redruth, David Greeves has been trained in hand-to-hand and weapons combat. He is an accredited stunt fighter and fight choreographer. Space is limited to 16 participants, who will be taught in pairs.

STRICTLY COME FILMMAKING: MAKING THE LEAP FROM SHORTS TO FEATURES

Panel discussion featuring Rebecca Mark-Lawson of Lifesize Pictures

15 November 1215–1415 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

Cinematic thrills and spills? You bet. Glitz and glamour? Not so much. Making the leap from shorts to features is notoriously difficult and fraught with disappointment. How can filmmakers open doors with their shorts to make the transition as easy as possible? What do feature-film commissioners seek in shorts when searching for new talent? How can your next short prove that you’re ready to make a feature? With the aid of clips from shorts whose filmmakers were later funded to make features, the panel will interpret why these shorts made the grade with direction of talent, grasp of narrative, visual style, and more. Clips will include the work of Simon Ellis as well as Andrea Arnold, whose short Wasp preceded her award-winning feature Red Road.

Since 2006, Rebecca has been commissioning for Cinema Extreme, whose main criterion is directors’ ability to handle longer form narrative. She will offer insights into commissioners’ standards at the UK Film Council, Film4 and more.

• Pippa Best – Script consultant
• Rebecca Mark-Lawson – Lifesize Pictures
• Mary Davies – Industry consultant
• Mark Jenkin – Cornwall-based writer & director
• Anna Misiak – UCF lecturer in film studies (moderator)

RED HD CAMERA WORKSHOP

Presented by professional director of photography Simon Weekes.

15 November 1430–1600 UCF Woodlane Lecture Theatre

Get RED, get set, go! If you’re interested in shooting in HD and would like to know the capabilities of the RED camera, then this event is for you. This session will be led by Simon Weekes, a director of photography with experience in using a multitude of production and camera techniques, whether it’s on the edge of a mountain or the edge of a stage. Accompanied by practical demonstrations and a chance to take a closer look at the camera, Simon will discuss why this equipment makes sense to producers and cameramen alike and how it is part of the changing industry (can you say digital acquisition?). Simply put, Simon can’t wait to share with you why he loves using ‘the Red.’ Space will be limited. Once you buy your ticket for this event, please also contact Miranda Adams at DPN: miranda@digitalpeninsula.com.

DOGBITE TECHNICAL HANDS-ON SESSION

15 November 1300–1600 UCF Woodlane Refectory

Today, Dogbite’s film crew offers a chance to get hands-on and limitlessly ‘techie’ with some of the tools used in modern film production. This session will cover a selection of filming equipment, including HDV cameras and 35mm lenses, sound kit, film and television lighting, steadicam and jimmy jib kits. A great opportunity to really talk in technical details with all three guys – who are sure to be in a fine mood after a Sunday-morning lie-in.