If Time Is Relative, Why Didn't I Get A Birthday Present?

For those who care about these things, we've reached 3,000 likes on Facebook!  Is that good?  I don't know.  When asked about this momentous success, co-found Leslee Scallon said, "I want four!" 

I hope she meant four thousand, but I still don't know how to gauge the level of success.  Like Time, Facebook likes are relative.

Speaking of Time, this year we are making Dances With Films run longer.  You do not need to do the same for your films.  Anyone who doubts the relativity of Time need only screen film festival submissions to see how it can expand or contract.  We see ten minute movies that never end, and twenty minute ones that go by in a flash.  Though, the latter is rare.

All of this prompted me to write the note, "slow is different from paced."  A movie feels slow when nothing happens for a long time.  Paced can mean the rhythm of dialogue, edits, etc. but within the pace stuff happens.  So make sure "stuff" is always happening in your movie.  Please.

Every year we see shorts and features that spend money in all the wrong ways.  A house with no foundation will not sell, no matter how pretty the lawn is.  Money will not make the audience care about your characters.  High production values will not make a bad actor good.  Before you spend a dime, find a script that jumps off the page, gets under your skin, and keeps you awake at night.  If you're going to spend money on cast, get your money's worth in talent.  High production values then become a wise investment. 

That's it for this week.  For those who have submitted, sit tight, we're still watching.  For those who haven't, our regular deadline is coming up in a couple of days.  If you want to save some money, submit ASAP.  If you need the time to make your film better, do.  We'll be open for submissions for a few more weeks.

For those who haven't made their movies yet.  Good for you for doing your research.  I look forward to seeing your work.