After attending the AMPIA Producer Power-Up conference this past weekend, I really feel invigorated.
I've been spending a lot of my time screenwriting and grant writing, which are pretty solitary effort. So it was really fulfilling and energizing to be in a room full of other filmmakers and producers doing the same thing that I'm doing. I was like, "Oh, right! I'm not alone!"
Jumping off the momentum of this event, I want to share a bit about film industry organizations, as they've been an important part of my filmmaking journey. Maybe they'll prove to be important to your artistic journey as well.
What are industry organizations and why are they important?
From what I've heard, these sorts of organizations can be found in most major cities, especially those with thriving film industries. Mostly, they're focused on providing resources, training, or opportunities to their members. Here in Calgary (a city which recently rose to the 5th on the list of the best places to be a filmmaker in North America), we have two major organizations:
Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers - According to their website, CSIF is an artist-run centre for independent filmmakers in Calgary. This society exists to fuel filmmakers, support storytellers, and connect the cinematic community.
I've been a member of CSIF for a couple years now. I'm currently participating in their series of workshops to prepare local filmmakers for Telefilm's Talent To Watch Program, and it's been a huge help. Last year, I volunteered with CSIF to direct a short film—which was a great experience and helped me meet some great film crew I've gone on to hire.
Alberta Media Production Industries Association - AMPIA's website says they are a professional association with the mandate to support the local independent motion picture industry as a viable economic and cultural force. They also host the Rosie Awards which celebrate media productions in the province. My proof of concept/short film Windchasers was nominated for three Rosie Awards in 2023.
When I first started in filmmaking a few years ago, these organizations helped provide me with resources and connections that have furthered my career. If you live nearby, I highly recommend you check them out. If you live elsewhere, try looking for similar organizations in your area.
Like working with film organizations? The next step may be to attend film Conferences and Markets.
The AMPIA event I just attended reminded me of a mini version of the Banff Media Festival, which I attended in 2023 with the intent to pitch Windchasers. That was a blast, but it was also the first big event I attended after the pandemic. I sort of feel like I...forgot how to interact with humans in person? Like I was desperately out of practise. The first couple days were tough, but by the last day, I'd loosened up and started having a lot more fun.
I made a ton of connections at that conference and ended up booking quite a few pitch meetings. Some of the meeting were with big companies and major broadcasters, which was a first for me. The pitches went well, but even so, Windchasers didn't get picked up for a series (obviously).
However, I now have contacts and relationships at some key places and I think that's a huge win for my career trajectory overall.
All of this has got me thinking a lot about the buzzword of all buzzwords: "networking".
I used to think networking was something that I needed to master. Get myself in rooms with the bigwigs. Impress the decision-makers. Cozy up to the gatekeepers.
That's all certainly part of it, but over the years I've found the network I've created has mostly been with my peers. It's been finding people I jive with on a film set. Meeting other filmmakers at industry events. Going for coffee with someone who made a short film like mine. Just being myself and making connections.
Okay. Time to get personal.
Something I'm working on right now is finding more connections. As an introvert (and someone quite cerebral) I often stick to myself if left to my own devices. So industry events are a wonderful opportunity to connect with people I'm excited to work with in as well as meet new people in the local industry.
I've also found for me that just focusing on connecting with people (rather than "networking") makes these events more enjoyable. It also greatly reduces my social anxiety (which I wouldn't necessarily describe as "crippling", but can be a major barrier for me at professional events).
So even though it FEELS like I'm often working alone, the truth is you can't make films on your own. (I mean, you can if you write, direct, shoot, and act in your own project, but that's a rarity).
One of the things I love the most about the performing arts is how collaborative it is. How much you need other people. As a published author, I can basically do everything alone. Besides notes from the editor, I create the story from beginning to end. In film and TV (and theatre!), you *need* other people. That's why we need connections.
These art forms are the strongest when people are collaborating together.
I'm on a journey to direct a feature film. And that's definitely something I don't want to do alone. One of the reasons I've enjoyed Exploring Filmmaking (which now has its own page on my website) so much is all the people who've reached out to me about filmmaking! It's helping me reconnect with old collaborators and make new friends online. This is exactly what I want to be doing.
So I didn’t get into the first big film festival I wanted.
It's been a week of ups and downs. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock won two Children's Emmy Awards on the weekend, including Outstanding Children or Family Viewing Series (the big one)! I am so, so proud of the entire team for this amazing win.
I also heard back from the Calgary Underground Film Festival, and the Strangers short film wasn't selected. The programmer was very kind. They told me they really enjoyed the project, but it was hard to program because it's 17-minutes long. (Which is, apparently, very long for a short film.)
Getting into film festivals is part of my big plan as I work towards writing and directing a feature film. But sometimes things don't go according to plan.
Sometimes I feel...embarrassed (is that the right word?) when I'm not selected for an opportunity or I don't win an award I'm nominated for. Like, I’m “supposed” to be better. Like I "should" be doing more.
Maybe it’s because I have really high standards for myself. Maybe my past successes create pressure for me. I realized lately that I've shared lot of successes and exciting news in the past, both here on my website and on social media.
It's fun to share the successes, but a lot of struggle and work goes into those wins that people often don't see.
I think it’s important for people to know that success doesn't come out of nowhere. When I have a hard-won victory, whether it’s a theatre show being launched, winning an award for a film, or helping produce an indie film series, there’s been a host of failures and rejections along the road to get there.
I mean, at least there always is for me. If you win all of the awards and always get what you apply for PLEASE SHARE YOUR SECRET WITH ME. (Just kidding, I'm striving to focus on the journey rather than the destination.)
Being at the conference this weekend also helped me commiserate with other person. Someone I know told me "Oh, yeah, I didn't get in either. It's really competitive to get in there with shorts." And someone I just met said, "That programmer is a straight shooter. If they told you they liked your film, that means it's good. Even if it didn't get into the festival." Both of those were really lovely to hear.
So if you're reading this and you didn't get into a film festival you wanted. You're not alone. I'm right there with you.
And I'll still be attending CUFF next month anyway. I love the festival and go every year with my partner. So if you're there too, let me know or come say "hi". We can do some of that "connecting" I've been talking about.
And speaking of film festivals. I think my next post will be about my film festival strategy for the Strangers short film. Which I think is critical since I'm aiming to use this short as a Proof of Concept for the feature film I'm working towards. Stay tuned for that.
I've been really excited about sharing my journey since I started this experiment a couple weeks ago. So I have decided to make this a bi-weekly thing.
If you're interested, you can check out my first post about setting off on a journey to direct a feature film and my second post about screenwriting fellowships, labs, and contests.
And since I'm making this an official bi-weekly thing, you can sign up for my newsletter so it comes directly to you. No need for social media. Plus I add a few extra little fun things in there just for the subscribers.
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