Can Social Media bring big changes for the Local Movie Scene?

One of the things that I have noticed out of the Austin Film Scene is that there is a broad sense of community and that there is a serious backing from multiple local sources. Me, Jealous? Perhaps. But not being one to be satisfied with the status quo, I have been wondering how to expand the reach of social media to help the San Antonio Film Community.

I had the chance to work with Jennifer Navarrete, one of the organizers of http://barcamp.org/BarCampSanAntonio and who is spearheading the effort to get a branch of the SocialMediaClub set up in San Antonio. She put the challenge to me to set up a social media camp for the local entertainment industry. Brilliant. But am I ready?

Opportunity is not something to be passed by lightly. While I do not claim to master the social media mojo, I know that there needs to be a smart, deliberate and passionate effort to better organize the filmmaking scene locally. There are already in place several hardworking people who have laid out great groundwork, but it lays invisible and the potential players (namely you, my local dizzy denizens) do not interact frequently enough. Better exposure and organized intercommunication is on its way, so will keep you posted as to when social media camp/SA Film Freak style info becomes available.

Until then (clink)
hugs from PapaBear

Practice what you preach

Quick post; joined the 48hr film competition that I vlogged about. We had some trouble downloading the final product so we were disqualified. Still a good film, it had excellent production values and had a good story. Nothing to be embarrased about, that is for sure.

This years San Antonio entries were very strong; many were disqualified, btw, but they were excellent pieces of work and those things, with a little luck and pluck, can build a life of their own.

48hr.tv will be showcasing the film, time undetermined but will post when available.

I look forward to telling you all more as things come up, but the filmmakers speak for themselves on 48hr.com in their own posts.

Kinda lost heart in putting something in because we're disqualified, but tomorrow is a new day. I don't stay bitter long. I leave that for my coffee, thank you...

bringing a new aspect to the blog

Went video, did a vlog and posted on youtube.com // http://tinyurl.com/5r39nn .

Promoting Self

One skill set you will need to cultivate when you explore living creatively is how to expand your network.  This entails knowing where things are happening, making connections when you get there and getting yourself recorded.   

First, no matter where you are at, there is a community/group/theatre troupe that is actively meeting and getting their party on.  The best way to get yourself from outsider to joe in the know is to get onto their lists (to include mailing lists, blog lists, web feeds, etc).  Another is to see if the major players within that group do their own blogs or have their own website.   This group of people are the first to toot the horn on what they are up to, so learn what your people are up to.  Worst case scenario is that you can fall back on national publications for info and check out your state or city govt's website under film and see what is going down.  

So, you got the lowdown on a film premier/casting/benefit/carwash that looks interesting, so what do you do?  Walk in dressed to the nine's with an armful of headshots?  You are way better off going with a group of supportive friends and scope out the scene.  Learn how people introduce themselves and then see how people react to those introductions.   Do not, Do Not, DO NOT be the ignorant moron who slams through the crowd declaring you are the next best thing; people will remember you, oh they will remember you, and toss your headshot/demo reel/script out without even a second glance.  Mingle but do not dominate; small fish should not cause large ripples.

Lets conclude this entry by spelling out what I mean by getting recorded.  Become familiar with Flickr and Photobucket; ask the photographers where they will be displaying their goods.  I learned this lesson the hard way; you want to be able to link to an online  photo and say "yeah, that's me" without cringing.  Just a thought, and I will conclude with that.  Video blog forthcoming, will keep you posted...

Went to a SocialMediaClub meeting in Austin.   This is where a variety of professionals from different disciplines, and we addressed overcoming resistance with scriptwriters to communicate with each other and with movie producers.  Still needed to develop the concept, writers are almost by default suspicious when they share their work.    

Overall, several meetings with a couple of fellas who wanted to introduce their product.  Possasible assist with movie, will keep you updated.

Be Dependable

I had one of my friends contact me Sunday evening, 7pm, asking me for a favor;
"do you know a hot girl that can come out to shoot tonite".

This friend was doing a film shoot out in Lytle Tx, easily an hour and a half drive from most anywhere in San Antonio, it was getting really late, and he was in a bind. I called and texted anyone I could think of, reaching some (I am embarrased to admit) I haven't talked to in a long time. My one ace in the hole was unavailable, and even thought this would have been her first major role she would have missed out on her first day on the job. Can't be giving that up for deffered payment, more on that later.

The point is that you cannot be showing up absent when it is time to roll camera. Some people do it because they don't take the film they are in seriously, others because they chicken out at the last minute. I've even heard some people come up with the "family problems" excuse.

Let's make one thing clear. A film is a series of sacrifices and compromises, a testiment to a group's dedication and a monument to time, relationships, and monies lost that may never be recovered. Even Stanley Kubrick's first marriage came apart at the seems during his first feature. So if you are a slacker, a pretender, a weak wannabe that wants to test the waters to see if they are cold, let me be the first to tell you "Yes, the waters are frigid". And not only are they frigid but they will rob the very warmth of your heart as you try to gasp for air. If you make it, if you can follow through with the simple agreement of learning your lines, overcome your fears and commit, then you will have accomplished what most can't even envision. That is what living creatively means; living a more full life.

But if you can't, turn away, live a quiet little safe life, free from risk and reward. And for those of you who fail to follow through on your word, who don't appreciate the sacrifice of others and lead people on to believe you have drive and do not, my guess is that not to many people will miss you when you are gone.

Beware the Gatekeepers

I was found out last night. I had previously worked as a recruiter with a local casting agency in the San Antonio area. I have to, on occasion, "explain" myself. The quick version is that the talent agency I worked for, although not technically doing anything illegal, was not all that is was made out to be. I will carry my share of the blame, and I did sincerly believe that the owner had the actor's best interest in mind.

The problem was that the owner portrayed himself as a gatekeeper. To clarify, when someone portrays themself as the only road to travel, the only one in the know, the only show in town, I call them a "gatekeeper". They will play with your mind, and they will have enough general knowledge of the film industry to answer the majority of your rookie questions intelligently. Often, they will posses real skill, wether it be in front of or behind the camera. The common detail is that they prey on your desire to make it big.

There are some things that are standard in whatever industry you get into; most independent filmakers use Final Cut Pro, all actors will need good headshots, and writers should be writing everyday. My advice on this topic is to make your connections in groups, like at the Film Forum held by the San Antonio Film Commision held monthly at the Main Library downtown (affectionatly known as the "enchilada red" library) . Check out their website at http://www.filmsanantonio.com for details on their next meeting. There is also a competion for filmakers coming up the 2nd weekend of August, and the participants are looking for actors, writers, and various crew positions. A very good experience for all involved, more details at http://www.48hourfilm.com/.

In conclusion, just be reasonalble in your expectations and get to know who you work with if at all possible.

Until next time,
Armando Guerra /PapaBear