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A look at the 2014 Dendy films
Film reviewer and filmmaker, CJ Johnson, looks at the 2014 Dendys after Metro Screen’s Dendy Filmmakers Q & A at the Sydney Film Festival.
Having chaired a panel on Women In Film at the Sydney Film Festival a week before the Dendy Shorts this year, gender representation was on my mind, and this year’s films were an interesting counterpoint to the last couple of years. In 2013 Best Film went to Miranda Nation’s Perception and the field (of the seven live action films) had two female directors; in 2012 there were four; this year, none.
I don’t mention this with a gender agenda - it is inevitable that gender representation will ebb and flow - but it was interesting to see a batch of films this year that took an intense dramatic look at masculinity. Four of the live action dramas were focused this way, with one - Richard Hughes’ bold and original MAN - wearing its theme proudly in its title. Straight Drama - as opposed to genre - was the order of the day this year.
Comedy was once again woefully under-represented, with only one live action film - Dave Wade’s extremely funny Welcome To Iron Nob - absolutely a comedy above all else. I don’t know whether this is indicative of the films being made, the films being submitted or the films being chosen, but whichever it is, it shows that, when it comes to the Dendys, the funny remains very much out of fashion - neither of the last two years were full of laughs either.
Read more.
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Industry News
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THE ART OF SILENCE
Take a few tips from Martin Scorsese about the importance and impact of the deliberate use of silence in sound design.
If you're into sound design, then sign up to Metro Screen's Sound Design and Editing Course starting 5 July. Enrol now!
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HAVE YOUR SAY…
Screen Australia has released the draft doco program guidelines for industry comment. Graeme Mason said, "The new guidelines will focus on our core purpose and ensure we keep funding the stories that need to be told..."
Contribute by 18 July.
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SPA BREAKFAST
Don't miss SPA Breakfast Briefing with the recently appointed Head of Production at Screen Australia, Sally Caplan. Sally will be chatting with Matt Deaner about her initial impressions of the Australian Screen Industry and the recent budget cut at Screen Australia. Wed 2 July.
Book Now.
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Screen your old film festival
Got an old film under your bed that deserves a new airing? Kino Sydney, Sydney’s most inclusive short film screening night, has announced its new Kurated Korner, monthly screenings of films that were made for another festival. For more details, email kino@kinosydney.com or hit up their Facebook page.
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FUNDING
Metro Screen’s JUMP START Production Subsidy Applications closing 7 July
Film and content makers looking for equipment or studio facilities can apply for the Metro Screen JUMP START production subsidy to help balance the production budget. Broadcast quality equipment, the green screen studio and post-production facilities are made available at hugely discounted rates through the subsidy. Apply online by Monday 7 July.
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courses
Camera Basics
Get a handle on basic camera operation and shooting techniques in just one day. In the first two hours of this practical course you’ll have a Sony PMW EX1R professional camera in your hands and start shooting. Sat 5 July.
Camera Techniques and Focus Pulling
Be a great camera operator and improve your cinematography skills and knowledge of the role of the Director of Photography, in this highly practical short course. Course starts Sat 12 July.
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hire
Sound Design with Pro Tools 11
Metro Screen has just purchased AVID Pro Tools 11 for its sound design courses and clients usage. We have installed Pro Tools in our edit suite for hire with an Artist Control device, a compact 4-fader control surface with a built in touchscreen that offers unmatched integration and programmability to accelerate editing and mixing tasks. Hire the Edit Suite and the software on each of our workstations.
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SUBMIT TO CLASSIFIEDS
Post your job, event, film festival entry opportunity, Give Away or News Item to the Metro Screen classifieds anytime, its free.
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