by Manuel Marino | Movies
The Challenges of Finding Quality Indie Movies
Finding good Indie movies has become increasingly difficult, as advancements in technology have allowed virtually anyone to create films. No longer is film-making the domain of creative, underdog geniuses who have been making movies since they were young. High-quality footage and lighting are now accessible to all, but storylines, acting, and dialogues often fall short.
Initially, film festivals like Sundance and Cannes were established to showcase the best of unknown talent. However, within a few years, every major city in the United States began hosting its own film festivals. This development had both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it provided talented filmmakers with a platform to present their work; on the other, it flooded festivals with subpar films, diminishing their significance.
Nowadays, many young filmmakers and actors treat film festivals like red-carpet events, seeking respect and fame without demonstrating humility. The films themselves often lack attention to essential aspects like lighting, sound, camera angles, and editing. As these skills are not taught in most courses and are easily available online, many budding filmmakers jump into creating movies without first learning the basics and building a strong foundation.
Sound, … ...Read the rest.
“Moviestend”
by Manuel Marino | Movies
Actors often face significant challenges in finding work, but one way to enter the world of filmmaking and acting is to be hired as an extra. Being an extra requires little acting talent or skill, but it can be an excellent opportunity to appear in a film and gain some attention as an actor.
Extras are the individuals in the background of film and TV scenes, and every movie features thousands of them. The purpose of having extras in the background is to make the film look as though it is set in a realistic environment, as an empty shopping mall or restaurant wouldn’t appear believable on screen. Casting directors typically hire extras that fit the requirements of the film they are shooting, which can give you a chance to showcase your acting abilities.
Often, films and movie directors advertise in local media for extras needed for a production, usually providing a phone number where you can call and inquire about a role as an extra. Another option is to search the phone book for talent agencies and contact them to find out if any film companies are hiring extras. Many filmmakers prefer to have talent agencies find … ...Read the rest.
“How To Get Hired As A Movie Extra”
by Manuel Marino | Film Noir, Movies
Film festivals have been celebrated worldwide since the early 1930s, with the first major film festival taking place in Venice, Italy. Since then, numerous film festivals have been held globally, including the United States, which hosted its first major film festival in 1953.
A film festival aims to showcase various films in either a movie theater or an outdoor screening venue. These festivals are typically organized and may feature a selection or the entirety of specific films for the public. Film festivals often focus on a particular genre or type, such as short films, and may impose specific requirements on the submitted films.
In the United States, many film festivals are annual events, often attended by prominent actors and actresses. For filmmakers, there is usually an entry fee required to submit their work for consideration. However, not all submitted films will be selected for participation in the festival. Larger festivals or smaller, boutique festivals with selective criteria are more likely to charge entry fees.
Smaller film festivals may not require entry fees for submissions, but the films chosen for these events may be more limited in number compared to larger festivals. Smaller film festivals also tend … ...Read the rest.
“Film Festival”
by Manuel Marino | Arts, Business, Culture
This is a special article written for us by James N. Weber. He has worked on Socially Aware Media, especially documentaries, in South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Mexico, and is currently working on a project on food security in Guatemala. His work and more info can be found at his homepage.
Documentary Filmmaking
On the video shelf where the Dewey Decimal starts with a number, there is an odd conglomeration of videos: a man gorging himself on fries, some guy living with grizzlies, and a bunch of slide shows of old wars. It’s the documentary shelf, a mix of the sensational, humorous, serious, and (supposedly) true videos.
So let’s say you want to get your work on that shelf. Maybe you know this awesome woman down the street who invents things. Or maybe you’re interested in the affects of high fructose corn syrup on your body. Here’s how you can do it, and really, you can.
Throughout my experience with documentaries, I’ve developed what I call Socially Aware Media. In other words, I try to make sure that my projects are dedicated to making life better for people, or at the very least, trying not to … ...Read the rest.
“Documentary Filmmaking”
Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
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