Ever See Your Own Film Shown at a Film Festival?

[Alex]

I have a war story relating to attending a film contest that I was a finalist in. (awards-war stories-bad sign!).

I'll tell you the most bizarre one (although there are a few close seconds). I was a finalist in the CineMagic Film Festival back in 1985. (I was just a pup)

I didn't know if I should attend the awards show, which was being held in my own city at the now defunct Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, or if I should go to the awards show alone and not invite anyone to go with me.

I called CineMagic's Office in New York.
I told them I was a finalist and that "I'd hate to show up to your awards show with family and guests if I'm just going to be part of the background".

"I'll still show up", I said, "but I'd like to avoid bringing other people to an award show that I get butkis from".

Suddenly the person on the other end of the line got really excited and started begging me to show up..."you've got to be there", the person on the end of the phone cajoled, "you won't regret it"...with renewed confidence, I invited my parents, brother, and this girl I had a stupid crush on (I think her name was Carrie).

I was among 9 finalists that night in 3 categories. I didn't expect to win, I just hoped I would be given an honorable mention, afterall, we were all finalists, and to get this far, we had already beaten out dozens and possibly hundreds of other entries.

I knew I was in trouble when after some initial pomp and circumstance, they projected my film first.

You see, my Super-8 project was only 60 seconds long....MY super-8 film transferred to video flashed up on the screen, and I watched in slow-motion horror as the lights in the ballroom only now began to dim.....but wait, there's more....I suddenly heard the sound of about 50 sets of doors being closed in the background, two at a time.

You know, the big heavy metal doors with those big shiny metal handles, that make a really loud, obnoxious clanging sound when they hit the door frame and lock shut.

By the time half of my video had been shown, I had made a bet with myself as to whether or not my video would be finished BEFORE all the doors would shut, lights would be completely dimmed, and no other sounds other than those coming from my video would be heard.

The bet proved to be the most exciting moment of the night for me....my film won out....by the closest of margins, the place went stone silent, all the doors closed, and the dimmers stopped dimming, just as the last shot and musical note hit the screen.

I remember some people being confused, "was that the opening sequence?" I heard someone say....

No, that was a year and a half of painstaking sequential time-exposure animation down the tubes.

At that point...I had that sinking feeling.

But that wasn't the worst part...

When the awards were announced, a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.

Cinemagic went to the trouble to give 7 of the 9 films awards that night. I and a gentleman from Kansas (who did not attend) received no award.

But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was when they called up the "winners" to get their picture taken with Tobe Hooper, a hot young director who was the special guest of the night.

So basically, of the 8 finalists who attended, 7 got to get their picture taken, and I, watched, as a spectator.

My only consolation was that Tobe was as sick as a dog that day, and at least I didn't get sick, although back then I probably would have worn getting sick by Tobe Hooper as a badge of honor.

But that wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was Carrie wanting to go straight home.

-Alex

[chas_ucla]

Great story, Alex.

I always thought that CineMagic/Starlog organization was kind of hokey...
Have you had your films shown at any other S-8 fests?

L.A. has "Flicker" which was formed to show strictly S-8 but which now seems to show more 16mm and even the occasional 35mm...

[Alex]

Rochestor Movies on A Shoestring...now that was cool.

I did this film with my cat where I animated creatures around and on the cat while it slept.

They showed all the super-8 films in.... I think it was some Kodak related movie theatre...after the 600 - 1000 people saw all the films...dozens actually came up to me afterwards...!

Most couldn't believe I got the cat to sit still for single-frame animation (a couple of people asked if I drugged the cat...answer:no)

I'm a strong believer in showing your films to audiences....

The hardest thing to do as a filmmaker, and it's important to learn this relatively early on.....-can you show the film....AND KEEP ABSOLUTELY QUIET while it plays.

No silly personal narrative as the film is being shown about why this is wrong or a shot is missing, or the music needs to be changed....or one actor didn't show up at the last minute......bla bla bla...

If, as you see your movie projected to others, you ultimately burst and have to scream out....."I CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS, I WUZ ROBBED"...!

Then you have to ask yourself, "if I don't have time to do it right, how am I going to have time to do it over?"

...showing your film in a group setting lets you in on the real magic of movies...

Before you show your movie, you get to shoot retakes and edit and re-edit until your film reaches a certain level of personal satisfaction....and from then on it will never revert to an older yuckier version, it truly takes on a life form of it's own.

All your superhuman efforts show on the screen, and so do your lazy ones.

Sometimes, the labor of one film painstakingly crafted until it is what you want it to be....

....stands out more than the numerous films you can work on that are driven by unrealistic schedules and multiple, clashing agendas and egos.

I have a few other stories, but I'll wait until others contribute their own experiences of seeing their own movie play as they sit in the background and soak in the reactions to their production.

Alex

[Super 8 Guy]

January 5, 2001

MY OWN FILM AT A FESTIVAL

Yep. I went to a screening of my short film entitled
THE RESURRECTION OF BRONCHO BILLY (1970)
while the judges were selcting films for nominaitons.

My film was show after about 10 or so other films
that year, and then mine was screened, and then there
was a short break, and then more films were shown.

I was pretty thrilled becuase those in the audience
seemd to respond to my film very enthusiastically, even
more so than any other film that night.

I was delighted I was able to go to that screening.
It was one more step of the filmmaking process --
blank page | shoot crew | schedule | cast | shooting |
editing | music | sound mix | post productoin lab work |
answer print | release print | and then screenings.

I was pretty young and sure I could do just about
anything at the time.

After the screening I was pretty certain
that the film got nominated -- but the news was not
released right away. I had to wait.

Yep. The film got nominated.

I got invited to the awards ceremony.
I invited my mom as my guest.
I sat on the isle seat in case I won and had
to go up to say somehting.

When they announced my category I was pretty
confident that I'd win the trophy.

Not certain, but pretty confident.

Anyway, I won.

They televised the whole thing
and sent me a copy of the television program,
so I got what I said that night on film.

I'll put a photo from the TV show up on the
web along with the audio of what I said.

Now -- in 2001, I really enjoy shooting Super 8
on music videos and TV spots. It's a lot of fun.
I worked at getting some feature films produced for awhile,
but what I really enjoy is shooting -- on Super 8.

Best regards,

JOHN LONGENECKER

Here is the photo and audio from the TV show.
The Audio works with QuickTime. http://www.IndieFilmsOnline.com/Bron...y/JLOscar.html

Short Film page: http://www.IndieFilmsOnline.com/Bron...y/Broncho.html




------------------
JOHN LONGENECKER
Cinematographer
800 470-4602
Super 8mm Film Directory
http://www.Super8Guy.com/Super8/DirectoryII.html

[Hanthx]

John

Did you shoot "Bronco Billy" on Super8?
And...if Im right, John Carpenter..."Halloween"? I know he does his own music.
Great Stuff John.
Can't wait to tell my buddies!
Scott

[Alex]

In deference to Rollemfilm's movie premiere tonight, I thought I'd kick this thread back from page 5 to page 1...

There are a lot of great threads that are now buried in our ever growing archives.

-Alex