Very courageous email / post of you Marty. Not many want to hear that some think they are just "playing" at being a filmmaker. Yup... Truth hurts. I suppose that's the case with just about any endeavor, whether it be an artistic one or not. Some people are really serious about it... Some just play at it hoping to get lucky without really doing any hard work. That's why we see so many names come and go. How many filmmakers from SIFF of, say, 10 years ago are still working at it today? Probably could barely use all the fingers on one hand to count them. The rest just drifted away... for many reasons I'm sure.
I'm one of those who doesn't attend the SIFF. But probably for a whole set of different reasons. No one has ever cared to ask me why. But one reason is I work hard on my craft and I'm not sure those in attendance are really my kinda people. I suspect they are "playing" at it. I would love to be proved wrong. But meanwhile, I can't afford the time to hang out with "players" and party. I'm working here.
The festival also shares a bit of the blame too. I see way too much "ga-ga" over all things Hollywood. The festival has never really been about the local market of Indy Filmmaking. I would be extremely happy to see a shift in that emphasis if that's what this all means. I think we have some tremendous talent in this area and they've never had a venue to show their stuff. I was always hoping SIFF would evolve in that direction, and move away from a "Hollywood" focus. That would certainly entice people like me to become more involved.
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Appreciate your update Marty. Have to say "You're workin' it" Marty. Proud of you. You've never let down and keep moving forward. I like what you've said and posted. You've given me reason to become more involved... Thanks.
By the way,
the previous comment was in no way intended to imply anything about anyone in particular. As working pros, you and I know how hard it is. But many do, as you say "play" at it. I was merely stating that the LOCALS and regional filmmakers we bring are definitely NOT PLAYING. I will again get some V.I.P. tickets to you for our next gig. Perhaps Practice of The Wild on the 31st! That is no joke! I mean, Gary Snyder is a Pulitzer winner..Oh, and lives about 45 minutes North of Sac! Filmmakers all Nor Cal :)
Well Frank, I'll definitely take your advice to heart. Meanwhile you may want to chew on this:
1) We didn't screen a single "Hollywood" film this year. Every film was from an Indy.
2) ALL TOP PRIZE getters this year were Nor Cal filmmakers, except best foreign film :)
3) As far as drifting off and going away...
A) Susan Wilson, 'Broadcast Blues' (30 year vet. Not goin away)
B) Timothy Hooten (produced Hoodwinked I and II, for Weinstein company. Not a fad)
C) Georgia Archer & Kristen Armfield (Produced Barbershop Punk, The Real World and Won awards as am MTV music video director. Not goin anywhere)
D) John Douglas Sinclair (directed Heathens and Thieves...Check it out: http://www.californiafilm.net/events/heathens-and-thieves ) You tell me if they aren't serious.
Frank, these are just a few film makers we've showcsed. I can go on and on. We sold out nearly every show this year. I know you think you're calling it like it is. I will humbly submit, you're calling it as you see it. I would suggest that in order to get a fuller picture you should attend.
All the filmmakers listed above have real resumes doing real things and are getting paid....Oh and all are from Sacramento. The reason You don't hear about it is because they don't spend their time on local blogs trying to impress other Sacramento wannabees. They instead spend their time making movies for consumption of a mass audience.
Hope to see at the next show Frank. I think it would be quite refreshing for you to meet Northern California Filmmakers who are actually doing something ;)
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