The Democratization of Cinema?

Check this recent article in the New York Times:
"Where’d You Go to Film School? In My Bedroom"

It has some great ideas to contemplate. The article breaks down recent DVD tutorials which purportedly teach you the basics of filmmaking like, "Film School in a Box", "Hollywood Camera Work" and "Make your own Damn Movie" from the director of "The Toxic Avenger" at Troma Entertainment.

It then goes on to discuss the ideological conflicts and similarities between the creators of these programs and traditional film school programs. Good reading material for anyone interested in the future of filmmaking.

The article ends with this quote: "...democratization appears to be an irreversible trend in cinema. The thousands of movies each year now submitted to festivals around the world are testimony to a guerilla mentality that says no one needs official permission to make a film; and the advocates of teaching software often see themselves not so much training, but liberating new filmmakers."

As you are probably already aware, Down and Dirty DV is putting out it's own a one of kind guerrilla filmmaking DVD tutorial this Fall. If you liked the video podcast and the book, you'll definitely dig the DVD. Also, drop us an email if there are any particular topics you' like us to put on the DVD.

Whether you go to film school or not, it's always a wise practice to expand and round out your filmmaking knowledge with fresh educational sources and new approaches to filmmaking. That's what Down and Dirty DV is all about!

Copyright Law

Okay, copyright law isn't sexy.

But it is handy.

There are real some basic things about copyrighting film and video work that I was completely unaware of. But a recent visit to The United State Copyright Office set me up with all the copyright information I'll ever want. For a government office, they have a great, straightforward website. Check the copyright basics for some quick answers, but if you get into the details this stuff is very useful.

For instance, here's all you have to do to properly mark your film or video for copyright.

Another surprising piece of knowledge from the office: "Copyright exists from the moment the work is created.... Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device."

While The U.S. Copyright Office charges fees to register a creative work, they kindly points out that those fees are almost completely unnecessary. Whoever heard of a government office not trying to charge you fees?!

Also, whoever put this site together had a strange sense of humor - check the link on how to copyright your Elvis siting!

And a final pointer: just press option-g to get that nifty little copyright symbol.

© 2007 Nathan Kensinger/Down and Dirty DV