Film club in my city

WhiteOpus

WhiteOpus

Hello all,
I just wanted to get your advice/suggestions on starting a film club in my local area. I would like it to be some cooperative where people can gather to talk about ideas, methods, gear, etc related to shooting video. Perhaps also, the club could be a gear library with donated gear for anyone to check out and use. Currently I have a place where meetings could be held (a local venue and gallery) so that isn't an issue. I would just like your thoughts on what your ideal "video directors club" would look like. I feel like a lot of the creative and talented people where I live are somewhat few and far between so collaborating never seems to happen (people are afraid of someone stealing their thunder I suppose). I just want to foster collaboration in the local creative community, however small it may be. Any and all thoughts are sincerely welcomed.:yes:
 
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what your ideal "video directors club" would look like
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Like a mess. For a filming club, you need a variety of people with a variety of interests, otherwise, you'll suffer from too many chiefs, not enough Indians.

I suggest building up a network first. A collection of like minded people who want to make films with a variety of experience levels.
 
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Just start a "casual" group for all interested parties - after all most actors want to direct, right? :D

You'll also get to meet those who don't want to direct - DPs, audio folks, wardrobe, H/MU, etc.

Check out MeetUp.com, you can join a group or start your own
 
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just checked out MeetUp.com, looks like there is actually some stuff related to video/production on the site there. Thank you! anyone else have some crucial advice from personal experience?
 
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wheatgrinder said:
yup also check FB... I think the Nevada Film Club is run out of the school there in Reno..
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Hey Wheatgrinder, just checked their FB...it looks like they really aren't active at all. A lot of people seem to post on that page but the admin for the club never responds...I'm thinking it's dead (even though it supposedly started in late 2013). Thanks for the advice though!
 
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From personal experience, I would rather find people with similar experience and likes on Facebook and maybe have a party once in a while where all could meet. One good thing that derived indirectly from it was an international film festival.
 
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Lots of good advice above.

I'd suggest also joining the next 48-hr film contest in your city. It's a great way to meet other budding indie film making fans, both cast and crew. Or be a volunteer.
 
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HIFF said:
Lots of good advice above.

I'd suggest also joining the next 48-hr film contest in your city. It's a great way to meet other budding indie film making fans, both cast and crew. Or be a volunteer.
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Unfortunately Reno doesn't have a 48-hour contest:huh:

the closest one to us would be San Francisco, which I'm not against traveling to, but I would like to foster a creative culture in my own city and perhaps persuade the 48-hour festival people to start hosting a Reno event like they do in other larger cities. I was invited to an event called 4x4x48 wherein 4 directors were given all the materials to make a music video (including the song and subject matter) on the first day of shooting (of 48 hrs total) as part of the challenge. I've also competed in a local film festival twice now, this year winning both the audience and jury awards for my 3-minute short, "Solidarity". Honestly I didn't get the chance to meet any other filmmakers or actors after the screening because I was being bombarded by friends congratulating me, in addition to the other directors' (and i'm assuming here) bitterness of one director having won both awards. Is it just like this in the film community? I understand that directors can butt heads and have very different solutions to the same problem, but I never thought that people would be so standoffish with their creative work. I'm thinking it's related to the fact that there really aren't many truly talented creative people in Reno, so when faced with another creative mind, these individuals hold their cards close to the chest and don't want to communicate with other creatives for fear of having their audience stolen away from them because the other person's content is more interesting, relevant, etc.

I honestly just want people to work together. Reno is a very clique-based city because of its size. People always say, "everyone knows everyone in Reno" and it's pretty true. I think because there are so few people, those who create content are limited in the ability to share and popularize their work, therefore creating a wall between themselves and other creatives. Obviously I'm still trying to figure out the dynamic myself (even though I've lived here my whole life), but maybe it's time to find a new community that already fosters these types of community endeavors?
 
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WhiteOpus said:
I understand that directors can butt heads and have very different solutions to the same problem, but I never thought that people would be so standoffish with their creative work. I'm thinking it's related to the fact that there really aren't many truly talented creative people in Reno, so when faced with another creative mind, these individuals hold their cards close to the chest and don't want to communicate with other creatives for fear of having their audience stolen away from them because the other person's content is more interesting, relevant, etc.
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Sadly this can happen all too frequently. Try to rise above it, be sociable and treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. At the core of this industry is networking - many opportunities can come your way via good contacts. Ditto crew and talent.

Obviously I'm still trying to figure out the dynamic myself (even though I've lived here my whole life), but maybe it's time to find a new community that already fosters these types of community endeavors?
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Makes sense to me. Even if that does not work, you can attract crew and talent via Ads. Maybe pop along to a Reno-based film school and place an Ad there too

https://www.google.com/#q=reno+film+school
 
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