|
Movie-making group learn by doing SANDPOINT -- Dreaming of a place in the movie industry? Hold on before you pack your bags and buy that bus ticket to Hollywood. Sandpoint Films, Inc. -- a non-profit, volunteer organization -- is starting to make movies right here at home. The group was formed in 2005 after several local film buffs took a nuts-and-bolts class from Sandpoint resident and 40-year industry veteran Ted Parvin titled "Script to Screen." More than 100 people were involved in a subsequent, Parvin-directed string of dramatized jokes that made up a film called "Sandpoint Punchline." Volunteers on that short film went on to use the movie-making chops they'd picked up in class and on the set for other short, student-made films. being in front of the camera." You won't find the actors in these films primping in their trailers -- there are none. Working on a Sandpoint Films production means doing what needs to be done all over the set, as participants learn about different facets of film production. "We're all volunteers, so a lot of time the actors will be put to work hauling gear around," said Pat Ficek, chairman of the board. "And if one of the actors doesn't show up, we'll move a production person in front of the camera to do the part." The group recently completed a comedy film named "The Pick-up," using a screenplay by Kat Rossi. This weekend, a roving film crew is out shooting footage for another one of Parvin's directorial projects named "Questioning Bernini." Members of Sandpoint Films also rolled their cameras out in several Bonner County locations over the past three days, this time to capture scenes for an original script by Sandpoint Films board member Janice Jarzabek. "This one is a project called 'In the Rough' that we started filming on Friday," she said. "It's a 12-minute short about a woman who befriends a troubled child." A notice on the group's Web site at www.sandpointfilms.com included a casting call for volunteers to act as extras in a wedding scene for Jarzabek's film, which is slated for additional filming on October13 and 14. Along with those interested in acting and production work, Sandpoint Films has gained notice from some area scriptwriters who want to explore film as a medium for their wordcraft. According to Fullerton, writers have been intrigued by the prospect of finding a local film crew eager to tackle their work. In March, the group hosted a North Idaho filmmaker's showcase, which featured 10 "shorts" produced by regional talent. Due to both expense and logistics, the abbreviated movie form is most accessible to novice practitioners. "Plus, it's a lot easier to get a short film shown," Ficek said. "Film festivals may show a total of 50 feature films, but they get hundreds of submissions. Shorts really open the door for independent films." Sandpoint Films originally relied solely on equipment provided by Ficek, but now has its own digital film camera and basic sound equipment. Going forward, the organization hopes individuals or corporations might help by donating video, lighting and/or sound equipment that can be used for workshop training and filming on-location. Because of the organization's non-profit status, such donations might be tax-deductible, according to board members. Although 120 people have added their names to the organization's e-mail list, actual participation involves a core group of what the board members describe as two-dozen "constant volunteers." The film group is looking for additional board members and invites anyone interested in a board seat to contact them. "Our mission is education, production and promotion of film-making," said Tom Fears, who is also on the board. "The whole premise is to produce films using local actors and a local crew for people who might be able to use one." According to Fullerton, there are no commercial aspirations behind the group's efforts and there are no membership fees or charges for involvement. The group has raised some money through screening and selling its short films -- funds that immediately are plowed back into the next project. "We want to be able to do a half-dozen classes a year and do a few productions that revolve around those classes," Ficek said. "We'd like to be able to use scripts that come out of the workshops and give people a chance to put their production skills to work on one of our projects." With non-professional actors facing the cameras and volunteer crews behind the scenes, the amateur production values of the short films understandably reflect the group's current level of experience. They plan to help one another take things to the next level as they share knowledge and take on progressively more complex projects. Parvin -- who lists time working with directors like Alfred Hitchcock among his film industry credits -- applauds the volunteer group's grassroots approach to improving its skill through regular practice. "You can't help but get better, the more experience you have," he said. "And eventually, they'll be able to turn out something that's good enough to get attention. "I think what they're trying to do is wonderful -- and they're very enthusiastic," the director added. "When you're not getting paid, you better have enthusiasm, or you need to have your head examined." |
