Visions Work - Week 9/22

This week May and I met to work on our presentation for class. We planned our options for the Film Kid Mixer and the college tour. I emailed the presidents of different film related clubs on campus to talk to them about the mixer. We want to have the opinions and suggestions of other clubs on campus to make the event great. I have already set up meetings with the president of Flicker and ACE Films as well as the president of the Classic Film Club.

We also made a 12 Step list for the Film Kid Mixer. May had the list on her computer so she is going to post that on her blog or to the drive.

We also talked about the college tours. We looked into a bunch of different schools and narrowed our options down to 4; SCAD, NC School of the Arts, Duke, and NC State. We plan to have the class vote on which school we want to have as our partner school and which we want to tour.

Reading Reflections

After looking at the procrastination types in class last week and thinking about them more this week, I would definitely say that part of what makes me procrastinate is needing it to be perfect. I don't like to start projects until I have all preliminary work done, everything is organized, and I know I can make it perfect. It can take me a long time to get anything done because I am too nervous to do any of the preliminary work.

I really liked the budgets article. Since May and I are planning the film kid mixer and the college tours we are going to need to do some careful budgeting. These steps will be a huge help to us. We are already doing some of these things with the film kid mixer. We are looking at last years budgets and information to plan our event.

The article about tips for event management did not come up for me and I was not able to find it on Google so I did not get to read that one.

Interview Reflection

I thought my interview went well. I tried to organize the questions based on their relevance to each other as well as how she answered the questions. I wish I had been able to record the conversation. The transcript is not a word for word recount, but it is close since I took a lot of notes throughout the conversation. I really enjoyed talking to Deirdre and I thought Full Frame was a really cool film festival.

Interview Transcript

I saw that you had about 99 to 100 films at the festival last year, but how many entries were submitted?

We had about 1100-1300 submit last year. That is an average number of submissions. We had about 60-65 in the competition category.

I was looking on your website and I did not see a specific student category. Do you have a student category or do they just submit normally?

No, there isn’t a specific student category. We have had students submit their work, but they just compete with everyone else.

What about papers or presentations? I don’t think I saw anything about those, so do you show presentations or is it just films?

We don’t really have a papers or presentations category, but we have the Speakeasy events. This is where we get industry professionals to come in and have a panel conversation with the audience. 

How many films are you aiming to get and show this year?

We will probably get about 1100-1300 submitted. That seems to be the typical number for the past few years. We will show about 100 again as well. We have different categories for films that are shown. They may be chosen for competition where they are eligible for prizes and awards. We also have invited films which are not eligible for awards. There are also curated films that we choose and tribute films which honor a filmmaker.

What is your pre-sceening process? Do you use a jury panel to pick which films you choose?

We have a director of programming with 2 co-chairs. Then we have about 15 people who balance out the panel. They come from film or academic backgrounds and can judge and critique the films effectively. It is a very time heavy task that they do. Each film is watched by 2 members of the panel then they rotate films. After all the films have been seen they decide on which ones they want. 

What formats do you typically accept for exhibition? I know for the submission process you require a DVD, but is that the same for the actual festival?

We ask for the highest quality they have. We have multiple means of showing films whether it be digital, film, HD, or whatever they need.

Is there any kind of rubric that is used when scoring the films?

There is not really a rubric or set guidelines that we use. 

Are there typically themes that arise amongst the films that are chosen such as political themes, global themes, gender, sexuality, or race themes?

Oh gosh, really all of the above. Lately we have been having a European style theme. The theme is really determinate of the Director of Programming and what their style is. Usually people associate documentary films with advocacy films and while we do have a lot of advocacy films, they are not all solely about that. 

Have you ever done any non-traditional film events like installations or visual sound walls?

No and it’s not something we are really looking for. We really believe in theatrical exhibition of film.

How many paid employees do you have each year and how many volunteers?

We have 8 full time employees, we also have about 20-35 part-time and seasonal employees, then about 350 volunteers that we bring in a week before the festival. A lot of the volunteers are repeat volunteers. We bring them in a week before the festival to train them on the new things we have done to the festival.

Do you have a specific program that you use for trafficking or budgeting?

Actually we are really old school. We still use Microsoft Excel. Everyone knows how to use it so it makes it really easy. We use some programs like Filemaker Pro and Event Bright. Duke Box Office handles all of the tickets and audience so they purchased Audience View for that.

I saw you do year round screenings and events at the Full Frame Theater, but what kind of other community outreach do you use to get the word out? Do you do workshops, or fundraisers, or mini-festivals?

We have a winners series that is shown at the Carolina Theater that is free to the public. We also have free screenings during the festival in Durham Central Park. This is really good for the community because of the food trucks. Local food trucks come to sell their food and we let them keep 100% of their profits. We had screenings for NC Pride and Case 8. About 70% of the people that come to Full Frame hear about it through word of mouth. 

What do your sponsors typically put in their swag bags and who receives the bags?

The pass holders are the main people who receive a bag. The sponsors usually put in promotional items like note pads or t-shirts. We have also had bigger items like iPad covers go in the bags.

Do you provide filmmakers with funds to cover travel or lodging?

It depends. We pick everyone up from the airport. Out of competition participants cover their own travel and lodging. In competition participants get reduced rooms or travel. They pick which they want. 

What kind of perks do your filmmakers enjoy at the festival? Do you encourage them to tour the town or provide them with dinners or special activities?

Any professional guest is allowed to use the professional suite. We also have a shuttle that runs until 12 or 1 to take them back to their hotel if they are out late. We also provide them with a map and suggestions of places they should visit. 

What kind of sponsor or special donor perks do they receive at the festival?

The First Team is a group of individual donors that donate $1,200 a year or up. They are allowed first pick at what tickets they want to buy. They are guaranteed a seat on opening night. They are allowed into the opening night party. They have first claim of seats and use the greenline which allows them to bypass all other ticket holders. 

How long have you been in charge of Full Frame?

I started in January of 2010.

Is there anything you wish you had done differently or better then? 

Pretty much everything. We did a lot of things right, but there are still things that I wish we had done differently. 

What do you wish you knew then that you know now and what advice can you give us?

Bigger isn’t always better. Remember who you are building this on; the community, the artists. Respect everyone. Hire only type A people. That is always the first question I ask people when interviewing them; how type A are you?

Visions work- Week of 9/8

This week the only Visions work I did was my research of Full Frame Film Festival and my interview with Deirdre Haj. The research took me about 2-3 hours in total to complete, but it was extremely beneficial when it came to the interview. My interview with Deirdre took about 35 minutes. I think the interview went well. She answered all the questions and overall it went pretty smoothly.

Full Frame Findings

What time is your interview scheduled and who will you be talking with when you call/skype? 

Deirdre Haj, Director of Full Frame Film Festival 

Who started it and who runs it? 

Started in 1998 by Nancy Buirski as Double Take Documentary Film Festival

Deirdre is the current Director

What is the mission of the festival/conference? (copy and paste the first paragraph) 

Full Frame serves the documentary form and its community by showcasing the 

contemporary work of established and emerging filmmakers. The festival 

provides a space that nurtures conversation between artists, students, and the 

Full Frame audience. Full Frame is committed to enhancing public understanding 

and appreciation of the art form and its significance, while making films more 

accessible to a wider audience.

***How does this compare with their actual programming choices from the past two years? Be specific in describing what they program (mode, categories within mode, niche, Political? Global? Local? Gender? Sexuality? Race? Any themes that you see? etc...) 

Where is the event? 

Downtown Durham, NC

When is the event? (Give dates from last year if not current) 

Last year: Thursday April 3 - Sunday April 6, 2014

Takes place every year in the spring

How do you submit? Snail mail, online, withoutabox, through their site, etc... 

Application is submitted online through FilmFreeway or withoutabox.com

Requires 3 DVD screeners mailed to them

When are the deadlines to enter? Early? Reg? Late? 

Regular Deadline: August 15 - October 15, 2014

Late Deadline: October 16 - December 15, 2014

How much does it cost to enter? 

Regular Fee: $40

Late Fee: $60

*plus whatever it costs to mail the DVD screeners

Who’s eligible, what are the guidelines to enter? (for 2015 festival)

Short feature length documentary films completed after Jan. 1, 2013 

Submit most complete version

Cannot guarantee an updated cut will be screened if you submit a rough cut

***Is there a Student category? 

What formats do they except for jurying? DVD, Vimeo, Flash drives? 

Require submissions on DVD

No online links are accepted

***What formats do they except for exhibition/screening? 

How many films screened at the festival last year? 

99 films*

How long is a typical shorts block or paper presentation block at their event? 

Film blocks can run anywhere from 1 hour to 3 1/2 hours depending on the film.

Paper presentations or other presentations are typically 1 hour to 2 hours.

How many films or papers do they program per block? 

There are 7 locations and each location has a different event happening at once.

How do people register to attend? Is there a cost to attend as a guest? 

Tickets and passes are purchased through the Duke University box office.

They can be purchased online, in person, by phone, and at the festival.

Tickets Prices

- for films $15

- for opening night party and awards BBQ $25

- for closing night film and Full Frame Theater screening FREE but w/ ticket

- for other FREE and no ticket

Passes Prices

- for 20+ films and event pass $550

Look at sponsorship page and see what businesses, grants, and private entities give money to the event. Figure out how many of each kind and note any leads that might be useful to us. 

Presenting

- Duke University**

Leadership

- Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.**

Supporting

- A&E Indie Films

- City of Durham**

- Durham Convention Center

- PNC**

- Marriott at Durham City Center**

- Quince Imaging

- North Carolina Arts Council**

Benefactor

- The Carolina Theatre

- Giorgios Hospitality Group Restaurants**

- Art Works

- Vimeo**

Partner

- Alizarin Gallery

- Breakiron Animation & Design

- Bull City Mobile

- Counter Culture Coffee**

- Figure 8 Films

- FIT IT Solutions

- Glass

- Hartley Film Foundation

- Merge Records

- Duke Nicholas School of the Environment**

- The Reva and David Logan Foundation

- Saladelia Cafe**

- The Mad Hatter’s Cafe and Bake Shop**

- Theo Davis Printing

- Pops**

- TROSA

- Julian Price Family Foundation

What are their sponsorship levels and incentives for each level? 

Friend: $1,000 - $2,499

- 10 Ticket Vouchers

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

Associate: $2,500 - $4,999

- 20 Ticket Vouchers

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

Sustainer: $5,000 - $9,999

- 2 Patron Passes

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Logo listing and link on FF website

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

- Opportunity to provide promo items for passholder bags

Partner: $10,000 - $19,999

- 4 Patron Passes

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Logo listing and link on FF website

- Logo acknowledgement on promo broadsheet

- Onscreen logo recognition before each festival film program

- Third page full color ad in FF program

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

- Opportunity to provide promo items for passholder bags

- One 4 hour use of the Full Frame Theater (weekdays, business hours only)

Benefactor: $20,000 - $39,999

- 6 Patron Passes

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Logo listing and link on FF website

- Logo acknowledgement on promo broadsheet

- Onscreen logo recognition before each festival film program

- Logo on a tile in rotation on the FF website home page

- Logo on FF advertising and literature when possible

- Half page full color ad in FF program

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

- Opportunity to provide promo items for passholder bags

- One 4 hour use of the Full Frame Theater (weekdays, any time)

Supporting Sponsor: $40,000 - $99,999

- 8 Patron Passes

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Logo listing and link on FF website

- Logo acknowledgement on promo broadsheet

- Onscreen logo recognition before each festival film program

- Logo on a tile in rotation on the FF website home page

- Logo on FF advertising and literature when possible

- Prominent logo placement on FF website’s homepage

- Onscreen logo recognition at public screenings year round

- Full page full color ad in FF program

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

- Opportunity to provide promo items for passholder bags

- One 4 hour use of the Full Frame Theater (weekdays, any time)

Leadership Sponsor: $100,000 - $149,999

- 10 Patron Passes

- Line listing on sponsor page of FF program

- Line listing and link on FF website

- Logo listing and link on FF website

- Logo acknowledgement on promo broadsheet

- Onscreen logo recognition before each festival film program

- Logo on a tile in rotation on the FF website home page

- Logo on FF advertising and literature when possible

- Prominent logo placement on FF website’s homepage

- Onscreen logo recognition at public screenings year round

- Prominent recognition on one or more FF events/screenings

- Press release identifying new sponsor relationship

- Full page full color ad in FF program

- Display or exhibition space at festival

- Invite to exclusive special events

- Opportunity to provide promo items for passholder bags

- One 4 hour use of the Full Frame Theater (any day or the week, any time)

Did they have a kickstarter or indiegogo? What incentives did they have for each level of donor? 

***First team***

***What kind of non-traditional film/video events have they had before? Things like Installations, 'Visual Soundwalls,' VJing etc. 

***Are there ways in which they have expanded the typical film screening event? How have they branched out from sitting in a dark room in front of a screen? 

Our website is our virtual face. Every day our site has incoming traffic, nationally and internationally. It's important that visitors are able to find the information that they need without being sent on a wild goose chase through our pages. We want visiting our site to be easy and painless, and for our visitors to have as good of an experience virtually as they would actually attending the event. Our goal is for the Visions site to be easy to navigate, to be aesthetically pleasing, and to easily deliver the information our audience is looking for without overwhelming them. The following exercise will help you see how important all of these things are to a first time (and hopefully a future repeat) visiting our site.

Answer the following questions about your experience with your assigned festival’s/conference’s website:

Is the layout easy to navigate? What makes it easy?

Yes, there are clearly marked tabs with drop down menus for each topic and then 

the options also listed to the right in a navigation bar when you select a tab.

Is the layout difficult to navigate? What makes it difficult?

No

Can you find the information you are looking for on the homepage or via a link on the homepage? 

Yes

Aesthetically, what catches your eye? What's cool about it?

It is very simple yet striking. It is all black and white which is aesthetically 

pleasing and makes sense to me in terms of it being a documentary festival.

Aesthetically, what doesn't fit in? What makes it look bad?

I don’t think there is anything that doesn’t fit.

Should there be more information? Is the page too bare?

No

Should there be less information? Is the page too busy?

No

What would you do differently if you were to redesign this website?

Nothing

What would you keep the same if you were to redesign this website?

It works for me

Visions work- Week of 9/1

This week I began working on my research about Full Frame Film Festival. I confirmed and set up my interview time with the director of the film festival, Deirdre Haj. I will be interviewing her over the phone on this coming Friday.

I also met with May and the development department to discuss various Visions news for about an hour. May, Rika and I also worked on our presentation for Google Calendar on Friday for about 2 hours and Sunday for another hour and a half.

Full Frame Interview Confirmation

I will be interviewing Deirdre Haj, the director of Full Frame Film Festival, on Friday 9/12 at 1pm.