Documentary

Has the Drive to Fund "Social Issue" Docs Affected Their Form?

cristina — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Over the past few years, I've had the pleasure of attending a number of film festivals and conferences, some with a press pass blogging for The Independent, some as a filmmaker; and each time I watch films, attend panel discussions, and most importantly, speak to documentary filmmakers to learn about their creative practice and the realities of producing.

Film-Friendly State: Shooting in Illinois

cristina — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

In her role as managing director of the Illinois Film Office, Betsy Steinberg spends a lot of time talking with filmmakers on both coasts and overseas. “In Chicago, and around the state, the abundance of looks is never-ending,” she says. “Every filmmaker says it is the most under-photgraphed place in the movies.”

10 to Watch in 2010... Plus Five Runners-Up

cristina — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Choosing The Independent's 10 to Watch is like trying to predict the future, or the stock market, or the weather in New England. The films on this list are in all stages of production and the filmmakers range from seasoned professionals to debut artists. So you might wonder how we named this particular group. How, exactly, does one go about predicting what 2010 has in store?

How Funders are Like Crushes and Other Sundance Morsels

erin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Editor's note: Below is just a sampling of Shechter's Sundance account. For the whole enchilada, visit her blog.

Hello from Sundance!

Economic Turmoil in Film

cristina — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Pink slips and foreclosure notices. A few years ago, they seemed like some distant reality, something other people faced, people we didn’t know. Increasingly, though, the threat of job loss and foreclosure touches us all in some way. If we aren’t personally facing these issues, a family member, friend, or neighbor likely is.

Film-Friendly State: Shooting in Utah

cristina — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

From New Hampshire’s “no filming permits” policy to Michigan’s 42 percent tax credit, states are fighting to stay competitive with low-cost international filming locations — and each other. For filmmakers, this means a slew of incentive programs that might make financing your next film a bit easier.

Doc Highlights from the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma

erin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

You may want to check out part one, which offers a festival overview with a focus on its narrative features.

From Journalist to Documentarian – Five Tips for a Better Documentary

cristina — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Two-time Emmy Award winner June Cross has written, produced, or edited about a dozen documentaries in a career that spans more than three decades. She is also an associate professor of Journalism at Columbia University, where she teaches graduate-level courses in reporting and documentary film.

Doc Doctor's Story Strategies: Is Narration a Storytelling Red Flag?

cristina — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Myth #5

“Narration in a documentary is bad storytelling.”

Says who?

The Myth in All Its Glory

Borat's Aftermath: A Romanian Town Seeks Damages

cristina — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

I had the pleasure of seeing Carmen Meets Borat at the International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul, and was deeply moved. Carmen tells the story of a young Romanian woman with big dreams but who lives in a poor town.