Indy-pendent Filmmaking: Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation
Saturday, September 29th, 11:45am at The Funny Bone

Or how 3 Teenagers from Mississippi remade a Hollywood Epic For Next to Nothing (But Time).

The bar scene uses broken glass, fire, and guns; what did your parents think? When you thought of the scene, did you think, at first, that you would be able to pull it off? If you did, why do you think you had such confidence? If you had your doubts, how did you get over them?

Children don’t ever believe when they set out to do something that they won’t be able to accomplish something. I think that’s maybe one of the reasons we succeeded and prevailed over the seven years is because we were never convinced or never believed that we “couldn’t do something.” We just did it and didn’t think about the obstacles involved. The bar scene was a labor of love and was one that we worked on for a few years. We collected wine bottles from our parents, used fake guns and or blank guns. The fire was all real and we nearly burned the house down. We used diluted isopropyl alcohol and gasoline. The bar set was all underneath Eric’s moms house. We almost got shut down when, for one of the stunts, we lit Eric on fire and couldn’t get him out. Over the years, we did have our doubts – and wanted to give up. But we didn’t and kept one another in check. – Chris (Indy) Strompolos

This is going to be a how-to lecture in indie filmmaking with concrete examples from our experiences while remaking Raiders of the Lost Ark when we were teenagers. It’s an intensive session touching on all stages of film-making -- pre-production, production and post-production - plus we’ll tell plenty of fun stories in 3 or 4 hours (with an hour lunch break at the halfway point).

This seminar is for everyone - but particularly Middle and High School kids (11-18) who want to make movies.

Government Grants for Idaho Filmmakers: Following the Money Trail
Saturday, September 29th, 2:30pm at The Flicks

So you're ready to begin to make your dream project. The film script is polished, pre-production is underway, everyone in your crew is convinced to help you, and your lead actors are ready, willing, and able. All you need now is money.

Maria Carmen, the Folk Arts Director, for the Idaho Commission on the Arts, will conduct a discussion/seminar during the Festival to talk about grants and awards that are currently available for artists, filmmakers and videographers in Idaho, as well as additional services.

Workshop will be held in the Flicks' upstairs Conference Room.

Script to Screen – Producing From A to Z
Sunday, September 30th, 11:45am at The Funny Bone

What’s the trick to getting your film into production? Local and visiting directors and producers discuss how to navigate your unique project from script to screen, overcoming hurdles along the way. Whether its Lord of the Rings or Napoleon Dynamite, creative and commercial characteristics must be scrutinized and weighed so a plan can be mapped out that will heighten your chances of getting a green light.

How to identify projects to produce: commercial material vs. prestige projects. - i.e. high concept vs. low concept and the corresponding packaging and production approach. How many projects can you juggle at once?

How much to spend on an option and/or rewrite - how to make it happen for free by making creative deals with writers, directors etc.

How to package projects and create leverage. Aligning with talent, financing or distribution. What to expect in exchange for their participation. How to negotiate.

Navigating film financing possibilities. Indie financing/equity investors and what they will expect, tax-driven “soft money” required, government funds, bank gap, pre-sales, grants, minimum guarantees, studio distribution deals, etc.

A cursory look at budgeting and production. What to expect on the set; learn about each position and their respective responsibilities. When is your script ready to shoot? Making script adjustments during pre-production (only shooting what you’re going to use) versus confronting a disastrous postproduction.

Editing your movie; where it all comes together. How to avoid mistakes often made during production that result in an incoherent story and unsatisfying film.

Miscellaneous: Why it’s important to prepare for other projects simultaneously while consumed by one in production. Setting up a production company – is it necessary?

Length:  3 - 4 hours

Target audience:  Anyone interested in filmmaking, producers, executive producers, associate producers, assistant directors, directors and more.

Moderator:  Kat Haase, Film Specialist, Idaho Film Office

The Idaho Film Office, managed by Peg Owens, is part of the Idaho Department of Commerce.