July Newsletter

English Scott’s Festival Update SCOTT A PARTI SURFIN’… Il sera de retour en août. G-Tech Corner Êtes-vous dejà inscrit à la compétition de G-Technology, ‘Driven Creativity Competition’? Les cinéastes en herbe et les professionnels de l’industrie peuvent avoir leur travail unique reconnu et récompensé en s’ inscrivant à la compétition “Driven Creativity” de G-Technology. L’inscription... Read More

Interview with independent Film Producer Preston Clay Reed

English Français As part of G-Technology’s ongoing support for the ECU community, we’ll be bringing you regular exclusive interviews from filmmakers and producers in the field, sharing top hints and tips. Let’s kick off with Preston Clay Reed – an independent film producer and member of the bi-coastal, American based production company, Fretboard Pictures LLC. His film The Magician was shortlisted at the European Independent Film Festival (ECU). He’s a G-Technology... Read More

ÉCU’s Secret Tip #4: If you’ve got it, flaunt it!

English Français By Claire Leonard Once your script is written or even your film made, the party over, and the hangover cleared you need to set about the task of getting your film seen and, hopefully, loved.  Yes, there is Cannes, but there is so much more to the French film festival scene than those 10 days in May. Get involved in festivals and events that allow you to promote your work.  Competitions and festivals worth a look include www.scenarioaulongcourt.com and... Read More

Life in a Day. One World, 24 Hours, 6 Billion Perspectives.

English Français An Historic Cinematic Experiment On Saturday 24th July, filmmakers all over the World are invited to capture a glimpse of the World through their eyes.  The most “compelling and distinctive” footage will be edited together into an experimental documentary film directed by Ridley Scott and Kevin MacDonald. The project is called “Life in a Day” and aims to create a record of one day in the life of the planet’s population. What’s more, if your contribution... Read More

Secret Tip #3: Pitch to lots of Producers

English Français By Claire Leonard Okay, so we’d all like to be a lone maverick filmmaker, like Shane Carruth: writer, director, producer, actor and musical composer of the brilliant $7000-budget movie Primer which went on to win Sundance in 2004. But in reality your creative flair for scriptwriting and even direction will go miles further once you have a good Producer on board, who can take care of the nuts and bolts that will hold it all together. It is the producer... Read More

Secret Tips Part 2: The Best Things in Life are Free.

English Even if you are enviably multi-talented, with numerous strings to your filmmaking bow, you are still likely to need to enlist the help of others in your project. Whether you want to find quality actors for key roles, or assemble technical crew, there are ways and means of tapping into a wealth of talent – if you know where to look. Secret Tips Part 2: The Best Things in Life are Free. Share and Share Alike. It’s never been easier to find like-minded people who want... Read More

La Creme de la Creme. A Smorgasbord of Tasty Cinematic Treats.

English By Claire Leonard ‘Les Nuits en Or’ is, to my mind, an unmissable event in the European cinematic calendar.   It offers a sumptuous feast of short film treasures from around the globe, handpicked by the people at César. Every year in May and June, it travels throughout Europe, before climaxing in Paris. This year the closing night screening was held at the Max Linder Cinema in the 9th arrondissement. I was lucky enough not only to go and watch the 9 fantastic... Read More

MPS Live Action Short Film Program at SVA

English The one-year degree program in which students earn a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) features an intensive studio-based approach to short, narrative film production. Led by industry professionals, the program emphasizes the creative, critical and technical skills essential to the working filmmaker in today’s marketplace. The program is chaired by award-winning television and film director and longtime SVA faculty member, Bob Giraldi. “Many established and successful... Read More

ÉCU Secret Tips: For Independent Filmmaking in France

English Français By Claire Leonard Secret Tip Number 1 of 5: It’s a cliché I know, but there’s something about Paris that makes it a veritable cauldron of bubbling creative juices.  Talk to just about anyone from barmen to bankers and soon enough you’ll discover their second life as artist, musician, writer, poet, dancer or photographer.  Which is why, when I started looking into the independent filmmaking scene in France I didn’t have to look terribly far to get... Read More

ÉCU partnership with Naperville Independent Film Festival

English ÉCU is happy to announce our new partnership with Naperville Independent Film Festival The mission of the Naperville Independent Film Festival is to promote, encourage, and inspire local and international filmmakers, future filmmakers, and those passionate about the film industry, while encouraging cultural tourism and film industry development in and around Naperville, Illinois.  Read More