Top 10 Filmmaking Words of Wisdom - TONITE at 9pm

TONIGHT, Wednesday, Dec. 8th - 9pm (E.S.T.) on the final episode of Season #4 of the Double Down Film Show, we'll be sharing our Top 10 Words of Filmmaking Wisdom from our guests over the past 2 years on everything from making the most of festivals to dealing with difficult actors.

We'll be reprising clips from 10 of our most insightful and inspiring guests:

Sam Pollard - Producer/Editor
4 Little Girls, Mo' Better Blues, Clockers
- "The Evolution of Becoming an Editor"

Zoe Saldana - Actress
Avatar, The Losers, Drumline
- "What NOT to Say to an Actor"

Chris Gore - Author/Filmmaker
The Ultimate Film Festival Survivor's Guide
- "The Zen of Networking"

Sheril Antonio - Vice Dean
N.Y.U. Tisch School of The Arts - Film/TV
- "The Necessity of Passion"

Sig De Miguel - Casting Director
Premium, The Good Shepherd, United 93
- "Getting Name Talent for First Time Directors"

Cliff Charles - D.P.
When the Levees Broke, Nike Commercial
- "The First Thing to Do w/ a Script"

Roberta Munroe - Festival Programmer, Author
Sundance, "How Not To Make a Short Film"
- "Story vs. Style"

Darnell Martin - Director
Cadillac Records, I Like It Like That
- "Handling On-set Freak Outs"

Lloyd Kaufman - Director
Toxic Waste Avenger, Class of Nuke 'Em High
- "What Propels a Movie"

Hill Harper - Actor / Author
CSI, Lackawanna Blues, Premium
- "Show Art vs. Show Business"

This final installment of 2010 will be another one of our special wisdom-packed no-B.S. "keynote" episodes and a guaranteed instant classic. Listen in or download the show after it airs and go to film school through the back door courtesy of some of the best in the business.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show. We'll be back in the new year with more filmmaking inspiration, wisdom and advice. Have a happy holiday!

FILMMAKING REALITY STARTS HERE.


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The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to it on your computer
or phone live TONIGHT @ 9pm

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10 Commandments to Become a Better Filmmaker - Tonight!

On the next Double Down Film Show, it’s that time of year again where we share some of our own indie filmmaking wisdom directly with you in a special keynote episode...

This time out, we’ll be giving our 10 Commandments to Become a Better Filmmaker.

This will be our break out list of 10 things that you can do to improve the quality (and quantity) of your filmmaking, regardless of whether you are a veteran filmmaker or just reading your first film book. From the cerebral, to the technical, to the intangible, we’re going to share some best practices and habits to take your craft to the next level and keep your career moving.

From wack to good to great filmmaking in 10 Commandments or less, only on the next Double Down Film Show.

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

Veteran Hollywood DP - Julio Macat on This Week's Double Down Film Show!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll discuss building a career in cinematography with veteran Hollywood Director of Photography, Julio Macat.

Julio is the man behind the images of some of the most popular comedy movies of the last decade including Home Alone, Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Wedding Crashers, and more.

· What previous job gave him a lot of confidence as a young DP?

· How can you best learn the language of lighting?

· How did he survive his first big job as a DP?

· What should you shoot on your first reel?

· What type of people succeed as DP’s?

Tune in and soak up some filmmaking wisdom and insight as a veteran studio image-maker shares his best no-nonsense tips and career advice only on The Double Down Film Show. Listen and learn and we’ll help you earn!

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956


Stream Live or Download:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

***PS - If you can't tune in live, you can always stream the show or download the .mp3 file later at the site above.

R.I.P. Actor, Corey Haim, age 38

Just want to send love and support out to the friends and family of actor Corey Haim. I really enjoyed his work in Lost Boys and he seemed to be a pretty down to earth guy in the interviews I've seen of him.

I can't adequately express how disturbed I am at this seemingly never-ending trend of young talented people in the entertainment industry overdosing, committing suicide or otherwise self-destructing at such an early age. It's truly sad from Heath Ledger to Michael Jackson to Britney Murphy and there are more to come no doubt.

Just like freedom, fame and success, do not come without some long strings attached. Every showbiz dream has a price. And unfortunately, not enough people carefully weigh that price or adequately realize and think through the sheer amount of pressure and head games that this industry can play on you.

I give a seminar entitled, How to Learn, Break In, and Rise Up in Showbiz where I specifically address some of the issues that come along with entertainment "success". The truth is that the trappings of success can screw up your head moreso than failure. As filmmakers and actors we need to be better educated about exactly what it is we are getting ourselves into and how to stave off some of the common issues and conflicts that come with showbiz success.

Here's some of the advice on the subject that I will be dispensing at Indie Film Boot Camp on March 27th. I believe every person entering this business needs to ponder and carefully reflect on this question from day one...

What are YOU willing to do to fulfill your showbiz dreams?

Before you answer, listen to this...

AUDIO: Setting Your Showbiz Price (.mp3)

The Importance of Networking #1- Don't Be A Hermit

You don’t make films on your own. Unless you want to make your film in a closet and never show it to anyone, you have to interact with people who can potentially help you, or at least watch your film. And I mean people other than your mom.

Go to the mirror, look into your eyes and say “Hello, my name is [insert name here].” Easy enough right? Now make it your goal to go up to three strangers tomorrow and say exactly that.

I know, I know, there are, what? Like 8 million people in New York City? Not everyone is going to be interested in your film, much less in helping you make it. However, there are easy ways to target people that will be of better use to you.

First of all, if you want to get someone interested in a film, it helps if they are already interested in films to begin with. I know this sounds like I am stating the obvious, but people who really like films usually frequent film screenings. So go to film screenings. I don’t mean go to the opening night of Transformers III or something because that won’t narrow your search that much. Go out of your way to find out about less frequented screenings.

If you live in, New York you are blessed with so many opportunities to watch indies, oldies, and experimentals on the big screen. Not only will going to these screenings put you closer to people who are seriously interested in film, it gives you something to talk about when you meet them. Pick up a Time Out magazine or something and see what is playing.

Search for screenings that have a Q & A afterward. Only people interested in the process of the filmmaking will stay for those, and you can learn a thing or two. You might even be able to go up and introduce yourself to the director. As a matter of fact, if the director is there, don’t even think about not going up to him. “Hello, my name is Bob. I really enjoyed your film.” Start with that.

Panel discussions about films or industry events of that nature are the perfect place to rub the right shoulders. Not only are the panels usually comprised of well established filmmakers and industry pros, the audience members who go see them are obviously all actively interested or involved in filmmaking as well. You don’t have to just meet people who are well established- it is just as useful and often times much easier to approach other aspiring filmmakers and budding talent who can provide information, connections, help and camaraderie.

All this for what, you ask? Well, the thing is, you never know. You will not win the lottery if you never bother buying a ticket. You have better chances of meeting someone helpful to your career by going to events and introducing yourself, than you do at winning the lottery, but you have to bother trying. Little by little you will start seeing the same faces at similar events, start developing a radar for who to go up to, and feel more confident about your approach. It starts with getting off the computer, going out and saying “hello”.

(Read Part 2)

It's All About Being a P.A. on the Next Double Down Film Show!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be breaking down the real skinny on working as a P.A. with our special guest, 2^nd A.D. Jason Altieri (Ray, The Devil's Rejects, The Box) who will be sharing some of the many tips he learned the hard way in his self-formulated “P.A. Manifesto”.

Whether you want to be a D.P., cameraman or producer, your first job on a professional set will probably be as a production assistant. Film school basics and knowing how to coil a cable may get you on the set, but it’s takes a whole lot more knowledge and understanding to rise above the dregs of grunt P.A. and onto your desired career path in the world of filmmaking.

• What types of P.A. jobs can you get?
• How do you break in as a P.A.?
• What offenses will get you fired on the spot?
  
• How can you ingratiate yourself to the crew?
• What are walkie talkie best practices on set?
• What answer should you never give?

Tune in and move up the production ladder faster with the answers to all these practical questions and more on the next Double Down Film Show. Raw answers to real filmmaking questions, every Wednesday night. Listen and learn.

The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!

Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

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Career Seminar @ DCTV This Week

This Friday night December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm I will be returning to one of my favorite filmmaking establishments in New York City - DCTV a.k.a. Downtown Community Television (DCTVNY.org). If you are anywhere near NYC and in the documentary scene…you need to get down with DCTV if you aren't already.

I think this organization is a “must join” for any serious documentary filmmaker in the city. They provide equipment rentals, multi-level classes, editing facilities, and great panels and master classes, including one with yours truly this coming Friday night.

And the best part is that it's a non-profit operation, so everything is completely affordable, goes to help fellow filmmakers and the people and warm energy in that place are incredible. They have Open Houses several times throughout the year and classes and seminars all year round. They also have an excellent free filmmaking workshop for teens in NYC.

I will be presenting an inspirational and one-of-a-kind seminar on breaking in and making a way for yourself in the entertainment industry. Let's be real- there is crazy competition in this industry. It's not enough to just be good at what you do and it's not enough to just "know somebody".

How does one break into showbiz? How do you get that first entry-level job? And what do you do once you get it? You need to come up with proven and bonafide strategies to infiltrate- then rise up where you want to go in this industry or you're gonna waste a lot of time just spinning your wheels in circles.

In this unique seminar I will discuss:

• Filmmaking Training Resources
• Getting Ya Mind Right
• Film School vs. Self Teaching
• Moving to L.A.
• Industry Job-Hunting
• Local Fimmaking Resources
• My 5-Phase Double-Secret Strategy for Moving Up…Anywhere

SNEAK PREVIEW AUDIO CLIP:
"The Qualifications to be a Filmmaker" (.mp3)

Click HERE for more info, directions or just cop your tickets below:

$30/DCTV & Shooting People Members
$35/Partner Organization Members (IFP, NYWIFT/CWNY)
$40/Non-Members

Ticket includes a copy of The Shut Up & Shoot Documentary Guide – a $35 value!

(And if you already have the wonderful book, use it as a fabulous gift to a filmmaking friend this holiday season!)

Purchase Tickets here:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49369 or call 1-800-838-3006.

Brown Paper Tickets is a fair-trade, low-fee ticketing company, and is the only place to purchase tickets to DCTV PRESENTS Screenings & Events.

December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm

DCTV | 87 Lafayette Street | New York, NY 10013 | 212-966-4510 | www.dctvny.org