Starting a local ensemble - anybody ever done it?

CamVader

CamVader

Here's the diabolical plan so far: I've started a facebook page and a webpage using Google Sites to begin to attract local writers, actors, and production people of all levels of experience or none at all. The plan from here includes canvassing local community theater groups and college students with business cards/flyers so people can find the site(s).

The master plan - if there is enough interest - is to set it up something like a club having an elected president, secretary, treasurer, etc and leaders for scripts, acting, and production.

What a headache, I know.

The ultimate goal, if I can get people to buy into the premise, is to have a local independent film ensemble for festival submissions or maybe a web series.

Has anybody out there ever tried to pull something like this off? Any thoughts toward success would be appreciated.

John
 
Good idea. It's so easy to suffocate artistically if you are not surrounded by like-minded people! Find them, grab onto them and never let go!
 
It sounds more as though you're assembling a crew for a production company. A gathering of artists all the same, yet i would rather be approached to become part of a production company, rather than an ensemble.

Whether i've misread your intentions, I'm not sure, the direction seems to be similar to most film-makers. Festivals etc.

Local networking is exciting. You will be surprised how many film-shoots are going on in your town.
 
well i would love to get involved... but im still in japan... and my next job would be (hopefully) in Maryland... so im still not local enough for ya...

but... if anyone in maryland wants to get together and trade secrets or need help in a project... let me know
 
Papertwinproductions said:
It sounds more as though you're assembling a crew for a production company. A gathering of artists all the same, yet i would rather be approached to become part of a production company, rather than an ensemble.
Click to expand...

If that is what it morphs into, that's cool I suppose. Being entirely volunteer and having a democratic decision making process as well as leadership, it seemed like an ensemble approach would be more appropriate. I wanted to give/have the acting, writing, and production all of equal importance and and there will probably be members wearing numerous hats.

Then again, i've never done this before so there may be a lot I am overlooking. Why would a production company be more appealing to you?
 
CamVader said:
If that is what it morphs into, that's cool I suppose. Being entirely volunteer and having a democratic decision making process as well as leadership, it seemed like an ensemble approach would be more appropriate. I wanted to give/have the acting, writing, and production all of equal importance and and there will probably be members wearing numerous hats.

Then again, i've never done this before so there may be a lot I am overlooking. Why would a production company be more appealing to you?
Click to expand...

I think the two coincide.

I do this regularly, approach artists and ask them if they would like to work, or collaborate together. Offering our services in return. An example being Musicians, we have a few friends on the music circuit, so recently we're recieving alot of work regarding Music Videos, and Live shows.

We have a book of crew members, cross-referenced and catalogued with their location/skill/schedule/travel capabilities, all across England.

We have a long way to go yet, but as our production value increases, as the screws tighten, we're slowly but surely accomplishing the first few steps, and hopefully doing them in the correct manner.

Our name is passed around. Papertwin. PTP. A production company is -even though it may just be two guys in a basement with a racket and bat- a gesture towards an establishment, it has direction, more so than ensemble.

Perhaps it's just a preference of mine.

Nevertheless, label aside, it's a very encouraging road you're planning to travel.
 
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