Day 3, The Digital Equivalent Of The Cutting Room Floor

As today begins, the official festival start is only a day away, and I''m just a little nervous. It''s not because I anticipate BAD things, it''s just my nature to worry and panic near deadlines. Everything continues to move forward, plans are materializing, there''s a buzz about the streets, and I truly am STOKED!! Nothing can keep me, or my fellow Fest organizers, from our appointed task... a successful Festival, with our normal flair of down-home hospitality.



The workshop continues, with some students arriving 30 minutes before class this morning, to continue with big strives building on yesterday''s momentum. There is some class time, but today is the meat and potatoes of these projects. For each team there is review of more than an hour of sub clips, which will be further edited, cut apart, and spliced together digitally: no scissors, no blades, and no need to hold film strip up to a dimly glowing light bulb. This is the digital age and these students are learning with one of the BEST editing programs available, Final Cut Express..



In between my errands, and running around to extinguish minor "brush fire" of trouble, I observe and continue to film and snap photos of the progress, interaction, and focus of these ladies.



Before I espound further, I would be remissed not to mention our appreciation for the subjects of these documentary projects. They each agreed blindly to participate, all with enthusiasm and a willingness to make themselves available. it is in no small part because of these subject''s cooperation, that SouthSide Film Institute''s first "Official" Educational Program is the success I truly believe it has attained in the course of 3 days.



As I mentioned earlier this week we had 4 teams out creating films, each with a different subject. The business "subjects" were WDIY 88.1FM, Cleo''s Silversmith and Gallery, Tallarico''s Chocolate, and Bethlehem BrewWorks. Individuals who deserve special recognition include Jeff and Lewis at BrewWorks, Cleo and Adria at Cleo''s, Brian and family at Tallarico''s, and of course Neil and Burr at WDIY. My hats off to all who helped make it possible, and not only to the above-mentioned individuals, but also their employees, and coworkers who helped in the interview and various other facets of each piece. The technical end of the workshop would not have possible if not for the last minute arrangements with New York Camera (Quakertown), helping me get us some rental gear at a great price when our original "supplier" was over-booked. Emily and Dan at New York Camera were truly my life savers on this end.



I know I''ve mentioned them before, but Mel and Clayton have gone over and above this week. It all started one cold evening at Mel''s while I was visiting to attend Sundance. Clayton, Mel, and I spent hours over a few days, discussing formats, class size, equipment needs, class goals, and reflected upon their past experiences with their instructionals as "FilmTreks". These gentleman are worth their weight in gold, and I would certainly pay them 10 times their salaries if funds allowed. I am truly forever grateful for their willingness to be a part of this inaugural effort, helping us learn as we begin the process. Their attentiveness to the students'' needs, and willingness to stay late into the evening to help each team through "tough" spots" or just to offer guidance and constant support. BRAVO guys!!!



The day progressed and the class continued stripping down their edits, adding audio and background music, creating effects, and in general building their story. Keep in mind that when these teams were given their "subjects" their direction was vague, and all they knew was that there was an external "story" at this location, but certainly were not limited to NOT considering the underlying story (or stories), as they are often less surface and more substance! Not at all surprising, each of our teams FOUND a more interesting, maybe even hidden, story, and they continue to weave their footage to reveal the story told.



The organizational end of what truly IS the Festival continues to move forward, with a few squeaks, stalls, and as I mentioned before some "brush fires". I won''t mention any of the problems as they are all part of our growth, and all are resolved to our satisfaction. Let me just say for the next few days there will be NO hurdle too high for me (or my fellow Fest Organizers) to jump over, run around, or simply plow down. I know that I personally feel like Superman right now, with the strength of 10 men, and the inability to be stopped. Just ask John Saraceno. He keeps reminding me of my human frailties, and I just nod and slow my pace in his presence after some convincing on his part. Thanks John.



This evening I had to attend a Volunteer meeting as well as a Festival Board Meeting. Again a few more "brush fires" and we just donned the red hats and grabbed the hoses. Another fire out! The fest moves forward with less than 24 hours before the first screening at 8pm on Thursday @ Broughal. In between all this I ran a few other Festival errands, kept up with e-mail needs, made final preparations for my limo pick-up of filmmakers on Friday AM, and just touched base at home, checking personal e-mail (to answer later), doing a few home duties,. and briefly spending shear minutes in passing with my understanding wife.



Finally the day seems to wind down. I''ve returned to the Workshop where I find every single student busy continuing their process. Tomorrow is the last day of this Documentary Filmmaking Workshop. I finally tire and leave the lab at around 11pm, with every lady still firmly planted in her seat, making it happen and getting the needed guidance to leap over their own hurdles along the way. What a day.



Tomorrow, June 16, is the start of the 2005 SouthSide Film Festival. Be there or be squa... actually even better, be there or ask yourself "why the heck did I MISSs this????" 4 days of wonderful films at 5 awesome venues on the beautiful SouthSide of Bethlehem. How can you even THINK about missing this? Your friends will be here, so should you!!!!

jeff