March 2016

March 2016 Newsletter Building Communities Through Film View this email in your browser We are the Film Production Hub in Bellingham. ​Let us know how we can guide you through your next film adventure. Script Studio Gets a Makeover For over a year, local screenwriters have been meeting monthly to hear their scripts read aloud and to workshop their stories at the Bellingham Script Studio. It was modeled after the Script Studio in Tacoma, which would read a 5-10 page script, give immediate feedback, and then move along until every script was read. If there were 9 scripts, they'd read 9 scripts. If there were no scripts, they'd go home.  After a year of experimenting with this method, Bellingham writers are ready to mix it up. For March, four writers have volunteered to bring in scripts, with two writers writing back-up pieces in case one of the four volunteers can't make it. The two backups will then have first pick on the next month's meeting, and so on. The change aims to avoid a script-less meeting, which has happened a few times since the Bellingham Script Studio began, and to keep writers accountable for creating new content.  Interested in joining in? We need more actors to read and more writers to write, so stop on by March 30th at the Cordata Co-Op Roots Room at 7pm to get your creative juices flowing! Let's Get Outside Tips for Filming in Outdoor Locations.  For most of us in Bellingham, winter means rain, pale legs, and filming exclusively indoors. But now that cherry blossoms are blooming and buds are starting to sprout, it’s time to revisit those scripts you set aside with all the “EXT.” locations.   Looking for the perfect spot to film downtown but worried about permits? Never you fear! Very few locations in town require filming permits or location fees for exterior filming. The city of Bellingham only requires a permit to film on the streets if you’ll be blocking traffic, and as long your gear doesn’t block pedestrian traffic most city parks are co-operative as well.  To double check that a location is free and fair game, call the Permits Center at (360) 778 - 8300  or visit http://www.cob.org/services/permits   Looking for a rugged beach or rocky ocean cliff? Larabee State Park’s got a location for you. From Teddy Bear Cove to Clayton Beach, there are miles of beautiful waterfront awaiting your perfect scene. Need a forest with beautiful greenery and side trails? Everything you could ever want lies within the Chuckanut trail systems south of Fairhaven. From Arroyo park and it’s charming rivers to the hundred-foot heights of Oyster Dome, there’s depth, beauty and dynamism just outside your door. Most of the land in the Chuckanuts is considered either city or state park space, so be sure to check with the state parks system before hauling up a big rig. Permitting fees will most likely apply. http://parks.state.wa.us/209/Filming-Photography-Permits   Looking for something special? That one specific location that you pray actually exists? Ask around—hundreds of filmmakers have filmed in this area, and may just have the clue you’re looking for. Check out Bellingham Film’s Locations link in the producer’s tab online, where people can share locations from around the county.   And, if you do find that magical location, we invite you to share it with us at Bellingham Film, by visiting http://www.thebfo.com/locations.html Festival Spotlight Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival 2016 If you ever wondered how to be more informed with current events, both locally and globally, attending the annual Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival is one way. This year – the festival’s 16th year – the 25 featured films that were shown from February 19-27th uncovered the veil behind some prominent moments in recent critical rights history. Language revitalization, serious effects of climate change, fighting for independence, protesting against natural gas fracking, and examining the fashion industry’s cost on our planet Earth are only a few examples of topics covered in these films.   One of the features, “El Canto del Colibri” (“the song of the hummingbird”) is a Spanish-speaking documentary that investigates Latino immigrant fathers and their LGBTQ children. The 53-minute movie is entirely conversational, filled with interweaving interviews and reminiscent photos; the fathers and their family members discussing issues of religion, machismo, immigration, egalitarianism, and most importantly how it has affected their acceptance of their children’s sexuality that they are “born with.”   Another featured film, “Homeless in Bellingham: Cold, Dirty and Scary” takes audiences on a visit to a few homeless camps in town – the film stating that one of these camps is “325 feet from city hall.” Instead of including a dramatic soundtrack, the film lets what’s on screen speak for itself as it documents the conditions many homeless people (like “Carl” and “Laura”, who are spotlighted) are living in. Outreach member Kate Robertson explains that with a “point in time count” her and her team are able to get an estimate of how many homeless are in Bellingham. “In 2015, there were roughly 600 in the county and 300 in the city. It’s a complex issue.” Robertson says. “As a community, we have a lot of power though. A smile goes a really long way.”   These films highlight the fact that it doesn’t matter the language we speak or where we come from, there are many people, from all backgrounds, who can relate to the people in these films. It’s hard to encapsulate this event, as all of these tremendous films cover important obstacles relating to human rights. These issues are relevant and real. What I can say, is creating a space where community members can come together and better understand these issues is essential to better our Earth and evolve as humans. Events like the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival are an excellent means to do so. For more information visit http://bhrff.webs.com/ .   Want to get involved in the film industry and don't know where to start? Contact us and we'll help you find the right fit.  Sign the petition Register with us. Film Events March 11th - 12 Minute Max B'ham, March 2016 Showcase @ Firehouse Performing Arts Center 10:30pm  March 12th - Seattle Web Fest 2016 @ Northwest Film Forum 1pm to 11pm March 30th - Script Studio Session @ Cordata Roots Roo with Everett Aison and Michael Petryni April 11th - Bellingham Film Mixer @ Pickford Film Center 6pm to 9pm.  What's New at BF * Bellingham Film is sad to announce that we will be moving out of the Hatch Space and will be looking for a new location to find home. In the meantime keep an eye out for event location chages over the next few months.  * We have just launched our membership program. This is an opportunity for community members to support our organization and receive some perks in return. Check out what we've got to offer you. * Michael Petryni, a seasoned screen writer, and Everett Aison, co-founder of the School of Visual Arts in New York, have both joined our Bellingham Script Studio Sessions to offer their input and wealth of knowledge.  Bellingham Script Studio Sessions Last Wednesday of every month.  Like what you see?  Become a member of Bellingham Film and start tapping into our community resources! ​There are different tiers of membership with different perks, and the choice to be a monthly or an annual member.  All levels include: - ​Invitation to Film Movement meetings.  ​- Free registration with BF Production Task Force.  - Free access to Bellingham Film's regular programming and member only events:         *Mixers          ($5 for non members),         *Writers group          ($5 for non members),         *Creative Film Revue           (BF Members and            friends only) Higher levels including such bonuses as: - 25% off Current Media gear rentals - 25% off Color Correction by Redacted Films - Discount on Cascadia Film Workshops - 10% off shirts, 25% off stickers and buttons from seattlehole.com - 20­-25% off audio services from Josh Shade Join today, and let us help you with your next film adventure.    Submit a location Access Bellingham Get started in filmmaking with Bellingham's free training program for residents. Start the year off strong and sign up now! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*