Funding proposals update (second half of 2008) October 21, 2008
Posted by joost in : film, funding, london, netherlands, producing, screenwriting , comments closedA quick update on the three scripts and proposals for funding that I had been working on in August and September:
NPS One Night Stand – They received 125 entries, my treatment has not made it to the final 18. A pity, although I gauged that this scheme was probably more oriented towards writer/directors who have a couple of years of film making under their belt, so I wasn’t too surprised. At least they’ve seen my name for the first time, more will follow in the future!
UK Film Council / Film4 Cinema Extreme – In progress, will receive feedback half December. I submitted roughly the same treatment here (but adapted to the UK) as to One Night Stand since it is a similar scheme. Chances of success are slim here as well judging on the winners of previous grants, almost all filmmakers with a number of successful short films on their CV’s. Curious to see what will happen nevertheless.
North London Production Fund – Received a phone call last week, my script and proposal made it to the final round and I was invited for an interview! This took place on Friday the 17th of October. I had half an hour to introduce myself, to talk about my plans for the film and to answer a series of questions on the script, the characters, the visuals, etc etc etc. They will tell me this week whether or not they will award me some funding!
Coming up in the next few weeks are new scripts and proposals for:
My first job on a feature film October 17, 2008
Posted by joost in : film, london, work , comments closedBarely recovered from the graduation I received a phone call, whether I was interested and available to work as a runner for a couple of days on a feature film. “Sure”, I said, even though I didn’t exactly know what film it was and that two of my Dutch mates were still over in London. It just seemed like a good opportunity, good for my C.V. and to meet some new people in the industry.
Turns out that I got to work on set of a major Hollywood production: Nine. Check imdb for all the key cast and crew involved, but to name a few: directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago), produced by Harvey Weinstein (Miramax, TWC), and starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Judy Dench, Kate Hudson, Stacy Ferguson…Not bad for a first feature on my C.V. 
Of course, being a runner is about the lowest of the lowest in the crew hierarchy, but it is also a typical starting position from which to slowly work upwards. I spent three days at the Shepperton Studios helping the floor runners and the 3rd assistant director, doing anything from getting people coffees, emptying trash bins, fetching shoes of dancers, guarding one of the doors, making sure people weren’t making noise while shooting, etcetera.
The most interesting hours were those where I was free to move on the sound stage (within reason of course). Very useful to observe the similarities and differences between the low budget short film shoots I’ve done in the past year and a half, and how “the big guys” operate.
The runner job was only for a couple of days and is finished now. Perhaps / hopefully they’ll ask me to help them some more in the later stages of the shoot. But whatever will happen, I can already add a great experience to my accolades!
Graduation October 13, 2008
Posted by joost in : LFA, film, lifestyle, london, reflection, screening , comments closedIt’s true, I’ve graduated – again! “Because a Masters degree in Business and IT just doesn’t cut it”
“Ladies and gentlemen, Diploma 11, the class of 2007/2008!”
And so it was that on a sunny Saturday in October 300+ people gathered at the Riverside Studios to celebrate the work of 34 graduate students of the London Film Academy. Almost everyone of my diploma year (13 out of 16) was back in London for this joyous occasion, plus about 18 students of the year that came after me. We graduated together, that is why my diploma year had to wait six months after having already finished our year back in March.
They showed all our films, the good ones and the bad ones (I should say “the interesting failures”, sounds a bit nicer…). Loads of family and friends were present to applaud, cheer and wipe away tears.
The official part of the ceremony consisted of handing out the diplomas to all the students by principals Daisy and Anna, and the two special guests David Game and Nicolas Roeg, and announcing the winners of the awards. Yes, awards, to honor some of the outstanding work and to give the day a bit more flair.
The good news for me was that I actually won two awards 
First I was voted Student of the year by my fellow students and lecturers of the LFA. Really nice to be acknowledged like this by my peers.
More importantly my film “Rule 2″ was voted Film of the year 2008, out of 17 films! A great reward for our teamwork and the resulting film.
Apart from certificates that describe these awards, there are some prizes involved as well. I will receive some goodies, and best of all, £500 worth of rental equipment towards my next short film, and extra distribution support (festival submissions) for “Rule 2″. Good stuff!
All of this had to be celebrated of course First a reception in the cinema bar to congratulate everyone, and after some food we headed towards a nightclub to club ourselves to death. I wandered out at 11am the next morning (!), blurry eyed and with only half my voice left, but incredibly happy.
It’s difficult to describe, but then again it is very straightforward: I’ve successfully finished a film school in London, something that I only could dream about years ago. I’ve been taught by some of the best professionals in the industry. I’ve made bonds for life with some of my classmates. My family and some of my friends were present to not only see me graduate but also to (finally) meet some of the people that I had been talking about the past year and a half. I’m incredibly proud of my own achievements, of those of my fellow classmates, of my loved ones for supporting me all the way through, and of course you my dear reader, for staying in touch if only from a distance.
Graduation time October 7, 2008
Posted by joost in : LFA, film, screening , comments closedSaturday 11 October marks the day that I will officially graduate! Together with the Diploma year that came after us, my year will celebrate completing the course at the London Film Academy. All our films will be screened in the cinema of the Riverside Studios, followed by the graduation ceremony, drinks and a wild night of partying of course 
Around this weekend two showcases take place, where selected films of these two diploma years are shown to industry people. It’s basically a networking event, useful for contacts and perhaps future work related opportunities. My film “Rule 2″ has been selected to be screened so I will definitely attend and will be handing out business cards.
On an “emotional level” the LFA is already done and dusted for me, I am expecting this weekend to feel more like a reunion than anything else – something I am really looking forward to!