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YES, WE STILL NEED YOU!

We need writers and vloggers to report on filmmaking and gaming - Our whole purpose to help talented young "media creators" do what they do - so as you report on people like yourself, we'll also feature your work, and link back to your own website or YouTube channel. We have visitors from all over the entertainment industry, and around the world - it's a great way to get your work out there!


Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

RECOMMENDED LINK: STOP MOTION ANIMATION COMMERCIAL

The resurgence of stop motion animation continues - not only in television and motion pictures, but in commericals. In this article from StudioDaily.com, animation director Ken Lidster discusses a recent commercial he created for Dr. Pepper - how he got the job - and how he did it!

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL ON TWITTER

The International Family Film Festival, which is one of Freshi's sister organizations, is now on Twitter - add us, if you would like a behind the scenes rundown of film festival action!

intfamfilmfest


YOUTUBE CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIEISSOCOOLLIKE

Charlie McDonnell, better known on YouTube as Charlieissocoollike, was recently challenged to create a song using only household items. He not only met the challenge, but put together a fun, creative music video to go along with it! Here's the result:



NEW FEATURE: ASK US ANYTHING!

Thanks to Formspring.me, we're offering a new feature:  Ask Us Anything!

You know have an entire staff of professional filmmakers at your fingertips - if you have any questions about filmmaking, or Freshi programs (like our popular Hollywood Film Camp, give it a shot!

Check out our Formspring page at http://www.formspring.me/freshi for more!

Freshi Now staff - if you've got one, let us know!

RECOMMENDED LINK: YOUTUBE RENTALS

In case you think that you can't make money with your videos online, here's an opportunity for filmmakers who really think they've got something people might be willing to pay for to give it a try.

YouTube rentals is a brand-new video-on-demand service that allows users to "rent" content.  Of course, this isn't for the typical short YouTube video videos and vlogs, but for longer presentations.  Where once distribution was limited to a few narrow avenues and zealously guarded by industry "gatekeepers," now it's available to just about anyone.

IF you can complete a film, make it good, and reach your audience - some things never change.

Check it out!

FRESHI NOW CORESPONDENTS WANTED FOR SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT


Freshi's sister organization, the International Family Film Festival, will be offering a very special block of Chinese children's films on the first day of the upcoming festival, March 10-14, 2010, at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

The presentation, produced in association with China Aizi Movie and Television Education Council and The China Children's Film Association, will feature 14 feature-length films, and include a delegation of 25 of China's leading film directors, producers, cinematographers, distributors, programmers, actors and child stars.   It's a truly unique insight into the modern Chinese film industry.


We're looking for Current or New Freshi Now Correspondents to cover all or part of this special  event.  The program is on a Wednesday, but if you can come in the late afternoon and spend a couple of hours with us, that's great.  You'll have the chance to meet people with whom you might so far be unfamiliar, but whose names are instantly recognizable in China.  For more information, check out our special Chinese Film Block page at the IFFF website.


We also looking for correspondents throughout the entire festival.  If you're interested, contact Rich Samuels at rich.samuels@freshifilms.com.


SALLY SALIA: WHAT MAKES A REALLY GOOD FILM?


     Every year the creative part of society comes up with thousands of ideas and plans for the entertainment business. Some of those, forgotten to be jotted down, get lost overnight. A few hundred scripts are written, but only a certain amount actually makes it to the screen. Now out of that, one or two truly makes it in to people’s hearts and memories; and that is my definition of a truly good film.
    
      In my opinion, a truly great film is one that by far surpasses your expectations, even if they were sky high; One that leaves you trembling with emotion, tears, or laughter after leaving the theatre. A movie has to have a meaning. Ones that are just for entertainment with no moral are, in my opinion, not worth watching. A movie must be educative, while at the same time entertaining. It, and the characters, must be memorable. The situations and characters must relate to real people and problems [of coarse, I’m not talking about fiction]. The audience should be able to imagine themselves in the character’s shoes and see the world from a whole new angle.
       
     One of the most important parts of a movie is the script. The quality of the dialogues, in my opinion, makes or breaks the film. The dialogue should be realistic and natural, not cheesy and fake. Also, the sceneries/settings of a movie are very important. For example, it would certainly be more inspirational if someone proposed under fireworks in a beautiful restaurant, rather than at the park.
        
     I have to admit, I have a bad habit. I’m a fool for actors. I have my favorites and seeing a movie with them in it always blinds my judgment. I know that I should be observing the character and not the actor. I may even turn down a film because I don’t recognize or like the faces in the trailer. Even though ticket-selling, charming actors are necessary for a film’s success, there’s always room for new talent in Hollywood if given the opportunity. 

UNIQUE ACCESS FOR FRESHI NOW REPORTERS

Freshi's sister organization, the International Family Film Festival, will be held this year at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, From March 10-14.


For our official Freshi Now reporters, we're offering unique access to the people behind the winning films - filmmakers, actors, craftspeople and others - to bring to the Freshi Now audience exclusive behind-the-scenes info on the people, films and screenplays featured at the festival.  As a special added attraction this year, we'll be feature a special slate of Chinese Films, with noted Chinese filmmakers and actors in attendance.


Current Freshi Now reporters interested in taking part should contact Rich Samuels ASAP at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com .



RECOMMENDED LINK: VAREITY TECHNOTAINMENT

Variety, the entertainment industry's most prolific news portal, maintains Technotainment, a blog focusing on the latest in entertainment technology - from gaming to 3D television. It's a good way to keep up with the important news and developments in this rapidly changing area - and perhaps discover new career cooportunities while you're at it.!

ACADEMY AWARDS ANNOUNCED SCIENTIFIC / TECHNICAL AWARDS

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that holds the Academy Awards each year, has announced the 2010 Scientific / Technical Awards.  Those are the awards that are given only brief mention on the actual Academy Awards broadcast, but which represent some of the most important achievements each year in the technology of moviemaking.

Most of these descriptions might seem extremely technical, but they offer a challenge to the technically-minded - here's a challenge to Google a bit and create a more user-friendly description for Freshi Now - any takers?

Contact your webmaster at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

BULLETIN: YOUNG HAITIAN FILMMAKERS SEND OUT FOOTAGE

This article, on the Canadian Broadcasting Centre's website, details the efforts of young filmmakers in earthquake-ravaged Haiti to apply their unique skills to bring news and information on this tragedy to a world audience.  While media outlets from around the world are arriving in Haiti, these filmmakers are the only Haitians able to tell the story with a Haitian voice.

Can filmmakers make a difference?  This Haitians are.

CATHY LE'S MUNDANE MONDAY: "OLD PEOPLE AND NEW THINGS"



So I turned 18 on Sunday. I think it'll take some time to sink in that I'm now old.I mean, I know I'm not that old, but still. I wonder if things will change now. Will people stop helping me out because I'm no longer a small minor making films? Finding filming locations are so much easier when you're young because no one really expects pay.

I've been working on developing a story for my next semester film project and find myself unable to think of ideas for a short film. I'm a long story/ feature film kind of person. I've got tons of stories for that.

I wrote one at 3am on Wednesday (I tend to have my best creative moments that late, after I'm done with all the homework I've procrastinated on) and later that day during 6th period, presented it to Daniel Petrie Jr, a professional screenplay writer known for "The Big Easy" and "Beverly Hills Cop". I was just thinking how fortunate I was to have opportunities like this. Of course the film industry is about talent, but it's also about who you know and how lucky you are.I certainly hope I remain lucky.

CATHY LE: "MUNDANE MONDAY" ON TUESDAY!

"My only week of Winter Break"

I'm such a busybody, especially now that I finally have a car. This last week, I literally lost track of the time and day of week because I always had something to do. I'd wake up at 7am some days, 3.34pm other days. I'd sleep at 10pm some days and 4am other days.One day just blurred into the next day.

   Tuesday, I drove to Burbank, CA to visit Video Symphony, a school for professionals in the film industry, with our dear Serbian Exchange students. They used to be a retraining facility for professionals already working at companies like Universal, but now they're open to entry level (i.e. me!). I've known that Burbank was home to lots of film industry stuff since we filmed our semester project at St. Joseph's Hospital last year, but I didn't realize the magnitude of it until this day.
   It's interesting the different paths you can take after high school to get into the industry. Video Symphony focuses on post production, like editing, sound, and special effects. It's comforting to know that they really help you get a job after you graduate, but it's too specific for me to choose as a post secondary school. Learning how to make films is only one part of it.Becoming a well rounded person with lots of different experiences is a big part. But I gotta learn how to use Cinema 4D.


RECOMMENDED LINK: 3D-TV

It's right around the corner....

as reported as StudioDaily.com:

WRITE / VLOG FOR US!

We need writers and vloggers to report on filmmaking and gaming - Our whole purpose to help talented young "media creators" do what they do - so as you report on people like yourself, we'll also feature your work, and link back to your own website or YouTube channel.  We have visitors from all over the entertainment industry, and around the world - it's a great way to get your work out there!

If you're in Los Angeles, you may have the opportunity to report "behind the scenes."


Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

JUST DO IT.

If you don't think you have the time to make a film, Director Steven Soderbergh just shot a completely improved film in his spare time, while directing a play in Australia.

The lesson?  Think big, remove all the obstacles (as in:  I have no money, I only have a Flip camera, I only have a day, I'll never finish the script), think big, and just do it. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

Success Story: Filmmaker enters Netflix Contest, Wins Production Contract

Here's a story from the Los Angeles times about Philip Flores of Hemet, California, who entered the "Netflix Find Your Voice" filmmaking competition, won - and went from being a production assistant to writer / Director of his first feature film.

Get your work out there any way you can - if it's good, don't just post it online - enter festivals and competitions - you never know what might happen!

SALLY SALIA: ONLOACTIONVACATIONS.COM

Celebrities – If you know your sources, they’re not too hard to track down. Have you ever wished to know where you favorite TV Shows or upcoming movies you’re excited about are being filmed? Have you ever dreamed about meeting the stars? Well, www.onlocationvacations.com has hundreds of opportunities. No, they don’t lie or trick you; all their suggestions are 100% accurate. They have everything from upcoming filming locations to movie premieres to book signings. I’ve even gone to three events they’ve posted; a Nathan Fillion [Rick Castle from ABC’s Castle] book signing, Fox’s Bones set, and the New Moon premiere. I got to meet Nathan Fillion, someone from the set of Bones, and stood ten feet away from the beloved heartthrob, Robert Pattinson.



EVENT ALERT: VIDCON 2010

If you're interested in learning more about how to make effective online videos, or just want to meet some of the biggest names in online filmmaking, we've just heard of VidCon, occuring in Los Angeles July 9-10, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Century City.

This isn't a YouTube "Gathering," and it's not free ($40 a day / $80 for the conference), but you might want to take a look and see if it's something in line with what you want to accomplish in the future.

CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY"


"Merry New Year!"

It's 2010, though I hardly feel anything is different. It's an arbitrary decision we make to have an excuse to change our lives. So I don't make New Year Resolutions. Since I'm done marching the Rose Parade though, I find myself with slightly more free time on my hands.

We've had exchange students from the Media Education Centre in Serbia over here in L.A. for the past two weeks. I've been sort of out of the loop since I've been rehearsing with my marching band, but on Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be having Hollywood Behind the Scenes days, visiting places such as Modern Film and Video Symphony.

I recently got my computer back and am in the process of finding an editing program that works better than Windows Movie Maker. I use Final Cut Pro a lot, but that's only on my school's computer for school projects. As a very very very (emphasis on "very") low budget student film maker, I'm going to attempt to create a video using only my cellphone camera, Windows Movie Maker, some friends, and imagination.

Here's the plan: We'll probably have to do a music video. MovieMaker is okay at editing picture and if we set it on mute, it's pretty great. We can record a song on a free audio recording program called Audacity. Then we can put it over the video as an audio file. Success (hopefully).
 

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