By Lewis Beale StarNews Correspondent Robert West was working as a film programmer at Charlotte’s Mint Museum when he became increasingly interested in documentaries with a social context – films about race, health care, women’s and gay rights – because “they seemed to be the most powerful stories. I would watch 200 people in a room be collectively moved by a story.” But West noticed something else. After the lights went up, and the q&a session with the filmmaker began, the first question often would be “What can I do?”…
Are you a grassroots activist or a community organizer interested in using films for social change? Working Films is accepting applications for audience and community engagement coordinators, with possible openings starting in early 2010. These will be either full or part time positions connected to a number of new projects and campaigns that are in the development phase at Working Films. Engagement coordinators will manage national community engagement campaigns for social and environmental issue documentaries. Read more on our website.
As the weather on the balmy North Carolina coast hits 85º here today (hello climate change!), I am packing for London and then on to five intense days at the Sheffield Doc Fest. Starting 4 November, this international festival “celebrates the art and business of documentary filmmaking” and includes industry sessions, a marketplace, pitching opportunities, discussion panels and in-depth filmmaker master classes, as well as a wealth of inspirational documentary films from across the globe. On Thursday, 5 November join me and other panel members at The Chapel for “Working…
Last week Working Films, The Fledgling Fund and Chicken & Egg Pictures hosted a 3 day workshop where 6 filmmakers came together to create audience engagement plans so that their films result in Reel Change. All of the films tell the stories of and touch on issues that affect girls and young women. During the first 2 days, the filmmakers worked on their “community engagement mission statement” so-to-speak. Each filmmaker answered the question “What impact do you want your film to have?” We challenged filmmakers to get specific about the…
Reposted from Isthmus: The Daily Page By David Medaris Tuesday 10/27/2009 Gregg Mitman thought Tales from Planet Earth would be a one-shot deal. The UW-Madison history of science professor and interim director of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies was a principal organizer of the 2007 environmental film festival. “Opening night, there was a line two blocks long waiting to get into the Orpheum,” he remembers. He had anticipated 500 people might show up that first night. Instead, more than twice that number turned out. By the end of the…
Reposted from Chicken & Egg Picture’s Blog By Natalie Difford Wednesday 10/21/2009 Two days of intensive workshops, sharing and, ultimately, caring for one another’s projects at the REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE retreat made for a riveting final day at the 92Y Tribeca. Here, the six filmmakers were given opportunity to share and “pitch” their projects to interested nonprofit organizations and funders invited by Working Films. Stephanie Wang-Breal (Wo Ai Ni Mommy) takes us through the day: In the morning, each of the six filmmakers were given 10 minutes to present…
Reposted from Chicken & Egg Picture’s Blog By Natalie Difford Thursday 10/22/2009 There’s something stirring here in Chappaqua on day two of REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE as six filmmakers begin to move beyond the brainstorming sessions we held yesterday in order to create some very concrete, specific asks to pose to potential partners on the final day of our 3 day workshop tomorrow. When asked how their approach had evolved thus far, the Seneca Falls team exclaimed: “you can outreach all you want but I realized that the people you…
We just wrapped up Day 1 of the Real Girls, Reel Change, a collaborative workshop between Working Films, The Fledgling Fund and Chicken & Egg Pictures. The first day has been high energy and really productive. Each filmmaker was asked to share what impact they want their film to have. There were some great ideas that came from the discussion and we were able to narrow down some broad concepts to concrete and realistic goals. From there, we explored the targeted audiences of each film and different ways to plug the films into those groups. The…
Some exciting things have been happening with the Including Samuel campaign this month – Disability Awareness Month – from broadcast dates to cutting-edge articles, research, curriculum, essays and more on inclusion. There are two NEW Including Samuel Screening Toolkits, one for adults and one for teens (right). The Toolkits provide all the information you need to host your own Including Samuel screening event. Toolkits contain discussion questions, actions for inclusion, a suggested agenda and much more! The Teen toolkit features a letter from Isaiah, Samuel’s older brother. It’s as easy…
Reposted from Chicken & Egg Picture’s Blog By Natalie Difford Wednesday 10/21/2009 The first day of REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE has been long but already Working Films is helping the Chicken & Egg/Fledgling Fund filmmakers recognize how to think, talk about and strategize for their films. REAL GIRLS REEL CHANGE is an innovative three-day workshop that will nurture the work of non-profit organizations, filmmakers, and funders that are focused on supporting the physical, emotional, and social well being of girls and young women. Today we have been identifying what “impact”…
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