I'll Bring the Booze If You Bring the Coffee

That sounds like a country song - and it's a great tune to hear. 

We very much encourage filmmakers to support each other in ramping up to the festival, during the craziness that is the festival - and for as long as you're on the circuit.  You never know, you might be able to room together and save some bucks when you find yourselves at the same screenings down the road.  We've had alumni get together on projects that have come back to screen years later.

So let the networking begin!

Learning From Last Year

And this point, it's worth it to take a look at a post from about this time last year.

Why and What Next?

Brag Board 2012

Some - not all - invitations have gone out to films for year 15 of Dances With Films. 

Did you get one?

It's too early to send out a press release - but I think a happy shout out here wouldn't hurt.

If you don't get in - and remember WAIT FOR AN OFFICIAL PASS LETTER - but you do have success at other festivals, feel free to come rub our noses in it.  In truth, some of our favorite movies for one reason or another don't make the cut, so we'll be glad to hear of your progress.

So - brag away in the comments section.  Make sure you choose to get updates for new comments and as the year goes by you can follow each other's success on the festival circuit.

Congrats to those who have made it.  And best wishes to those that will make it done the line.

My Pet Peeve

Filmmakers that don't get back to us.

Check your e-mails, people!

Of course, if you're reading this blog, then you're probably not guilty of this.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to find a movie you like out of all the submissions.  Fight for it in the competition for precious screening times.  Then have the filmmaker not answer e-mails.

Every year one or two movies don't get in the festival because they never got back to us.

Grrrr....

If At First You Don't Succeed...

Notifications have not gone out yet, so sit tight.

It is getting late for not hearing anything, though.  If you haven't heard a peep from us, the writing might not be on the wall yet, but the taggers are suiting up.

If that's case - and even if it isn't - you might want to enter a 2-Minute 2-Step script.  If you don't get your movie in the festival, you can still get your movie in the festival by making another one!  Even if you do get in, you can take half a day to make a movie and have two screenings!

So - hedge your bets.  Write a 2-page or less script and submit it.  You've got little to lose; you'll walk away with another film on your resume, and possibly a sweet Canon camera!

Anyone Got Class? - Study Filmmaking Here

Yes, I'm hanging out my shingle.

If you'll notice, on the menu above, I've added a section for CLASSES.  I'm just starting this up and would love any and all relevant thoughts you guys might have on the subject.

Thanks in advance.

MOVIE SELECTION UPDATE - We're taking a second look at every movie.  Last night I watched a feature that one screener had passed on.  I loved it, and so did Leslee, so we're contacting them for more information.  Last time that happened, the movie that was originally a pass, won the festival!

Good luck everyone.

Ask The Programmers 2012

Okay, we've come to the time of year when I run out of things to say.

I'll pause while those who know me make a joke about that.

While we're waiting, I noticed some people commenting on our Facebook page about this blog.  That's cool, but I don't go on the Facebook page that often.  If you want to make sure I see something, post it here.

Having said that, and not having anything else to say, it's time to throw it out to you guys.  Do you have questions? 

Comments? 

Requests? 

Favorite articles? 

Ideas? 

Bueller...?  Bueller...?