10 Twitter Tips for Filmmakers

Raindance has a great piece on filmmakers that use Twitter, and they offer 10 tips on effective use of the internet's most popular social networking site. Read it after the jump:



Twitter's social networking lets people post 140 character messages answering the simple question: What Are You Doing Right Now? Called micro blogging on steroids, it's just going to get bigger and bigger. As it grows, Twitter is becoming an important way for filmmakers and film lovers to connect.

Getting a Twitter account is easy and FREE. If you really want to see how it works, start following some Twitters. You can follow me at www.Twitter.com/Raindance_Fest
Click on my picture and start looking!

Here are my top ten tips when getting started with Twitter, and some other peoples’ thoughts on the newest networking craze:

1. Twitter is fun.
Remember that first and foremost, Twitter is about having a good time.

2. Twitter is sharing.
Share links, post ideas, ask questions, answer questions. Simply opine about what YOU think!

“Even more so than a blog, your tweets need to be personal. *I* and *WE* Never *Company Name*. Don’t be self aggrandizing. Ask for feedback. Ask for action. Give rewards (and don’t think these have to be physical things either).”
--Jon Bonnell of Infinite Spectrum Productions
http://www.infspec.com/

3. Twitter is listening.
It's not about shouting or pushing stuff. So, get an account, and start listening to Tweets. Seeing peoples’ thoughts is a great way to get inspired; why not do some market research on that new clever, idea for a movie?

See the rest of this list HERE.

Marketing Your No Budget Film

Here is an article by One Fat Cigar. Some of this you would think is common knowledge at this point, but hey - you never know.

Check it out HERE.

Uptown Site Updated

Check out the updated Uptown website HERE.

Here is your one-stop spot for all reviews, press, screenings, and DVD info!

www.uptownfilm.com

Paranormal Activity Gets Release Date

Im not a fan of horror films, but this story continues to fascinate me. Check it out below:

"Israeli emigre Oren Peli’s microbudget haunted house film Paranormal Activity is one scary movie. Thanks to producer Jason Blum, Paramount picked up the $11,000 movie after some re-cutting and has set a September 25 release. Paranormal Activity scared the bejeezus out of the crowds at last weekend’s Telluride Film Festival. (It’s five-review ranking on Rotten Tomatoes is 100% fresh.)

Paranormal Activity borrows admiringly from the Blair Witch playbook. Peli makes his picture as real as possible by casting unknowns who can improvise. He eschews gore, and scares audiences with homevideo verite style. And he builds suspense by not showing everything."

More info HERE.

You can also hear an informative interview with the director HERE.

Music Rights & TV on DVD

Monica just wrote a really interesting piece about music rights and DVD on the Forward Movement Blog. Check it out after the jump:

Creating a quality film or television series is the same as creating a good work of art. Meticulous, pain-staking care is given to casting, writing, set décor, wardrobe, hairstyles, lighting and even the music. Some of these may matter more but in the end, the show released to the public is what you expect to see whether the program is on network television or on a DVD release.

Yet when some of these shows come onto DVD, they hit the market without original music and in some cases, the episodes aren't even the original, network presentation. Some of this can be attributed to the shows and contracts being formed at a time before the VHS/DVD market existed or had teeth. WKRP in Cincinnati is a perfect example.

However, music has been cut out of recent shows as well. One case in point: My Name is Earl.

Read the Full Article HERE.

Opa!

Here is a film I'll be checking for. Opa comes to theatres next month.

"On the magical Greek island of Patmos, the inhabitants have lived, danced, and laughed for thousands of years. But, with the arrival of a straight-laced, high-tech archaeologist, ERIC (Matthew Modine) everything could forever change. Eric soon finds himself swept into a world of picture-postcard scenery and romance. That is, until his satellite-guided equipment reveals that his most important find may be buried under the taverna owned by the object of his affection – the beautiful and uncompromising KATERINA (Agni Scott). Will Eric toss away a lifetime of work – and the hope of fulfilling his father’s deepest wish – for the love of a vivacious and independent woman? It will take all her passion and all his courage to find out where the real treasure is buried.

Cinedigm presents a modern day treasure hunt for a mystical relic that turns into a love story for all time."

In Select Theatres October 16th!!!

See the Official Site including the trailer HERE.

www.opafilm.com

Carter, Uptown, and Cookies Selected at Deep Fried Film Festival

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that unknown to us, all three of our recent features were selected and screened in Scotland, UK at the 2009 Deep Fried Film Festival.

Brian Ackley's Uptown screened on Wedsnesday, August 19th at the Motherwell Heritage Centre.

Ryan Andrew Balas' Carter screened on Thursday, August 20th, and Princeton Holt's Cookies & Cream followed later.

For more on the Deep Fried Film Festival visit their site HERE.

Official Carter Website: www.carterthemovie.com

Official Uptown Website: www.uptownfilm.com

Official Cookies & Cream Website: www.cookiesncreammovie.com