Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

Oops, Nanako, just realized you already registered. That's great. Be
sure to post another intro in the Introduce Yourself topic within the
community, ok?

Hi, I'm new. To the forums and to documentaries in general.
I've always wanted to make documentaries but I don't really know how
and where to start.

I was hoping to pick up tips and information since I don't know
anyone in the Philippines who could help me. I know they're out
there, but I don't know where.

Well, you have plenty of reading to do here, Jonathan ;-) Take a
look at the archived conferences and you'll get a good head start.
Welcome and good luck.

Wow! Thanks for the prompt response!
I'm reading the archives right now, actually.

Also, I tried to join the D-Community by accident.
I didn't know it was for the experienced film-makers, sorry for the
hassle.
-jon

Doug, I will introduce myself at the community.

Regarding the current project, I shot some footage in a town in
Mexico, several years ago. I injured myself in the middle of it and
had to leave. So I am editing what I shot and developing it further.
I am focusing on women and aging. To finish it I have to go back
there.

Dear D-Word Forum,

I'm based in Berlin. Together with Klaus Salge, November Film, we are
producing documentaries. I am also working as a productionmanager for
fictionfilms.
At the moment we want to co-produce with a polish colleague and I
would like to get more information about the Media Plus programm for
the newcomers in the European Market, like Poland. Is there a
different in the regulation?
I just got to be a member of Cafe Utne, the whole system is new for
me, so I have to spend some time with it.
Best Regards.
Brigit Mu

Welcome, Brigit. We're on our last day of the MEDIA confererence
here {LINK NOT IMPORTED}. Be sure to check it out.

And you should sign up now for The D-Word Community, our forum for
documentary professionals: www.d-word.com/community/join

Hi all,

My name is J. Lamar King, but you can call me Jason or J. I am
looking forward to meeting like minded individuals and sharing
knowledge. My background is in cinematography, still photography and
writing, mostly about the people and places of the great state of
Texas, my home. Documentary filmmaking is a natural extension of
that. I've done it for 15 years. In addition I've had articles
published in a few national special interest magazines. I have
completed several college level documentary and filmmaking courses
and even though I'm now over 30, I'm still eyeing that MFA.

I've been working for the last 11 months on my own production
titled "School of Eternalism." It's about Korean imigrant sculptor
Yon Sim Pak who's radical experimentation with brain science and
sculpture materials could set the art world on its ear. I have at
least 12 more months on this project. 16mm and 24p.

Also I'm in pre-pro on the tentively titled "The Devil's Arrow" which
follows a group of motorcycle enthusiasts as they attempt to rebuild
a vintage land speed record setting Triumph motorcycle that was built
in Texas but was almost completely destroyed in a fire at a British
motorcycle museum in 2003. 24p and original film elements.

That's what I like to do, make films about people who accomplish
something.

You sound like a busy guy, Jason. Welcome and good luck with your
films.

Hello Doc world,

My name is Dale Galgozy. I am a filmmaker living in the Cleveland
Ohio area. I make short non-fiction films on the local and regional
arts. I have been obsessed with direct cinema for nearly 10 years now
and have no plans to get treatment. I work doing location sound for
many of the local video/filmmakers in the area. I produce my own
films when I can afford to.

My question to the many great artists that may read these postings.
Besides Frederick Wiseman, how many still shoot verite on real film?
I won't let go of the "film" camera; so I'm interested in hearing
from a few diehards.

may be a long wait, dale ;-) nice to have you here, while you do.

Hi.

I'm alex, and I'm currently studying in a Film and media school. I'm
in Singapore and in student projects we do shoot both drama and
documentaries. I have questions about documentaries and hope to surf
around here looking for answers that we students might have in the
course of filming. This mentor thing is especially attractive since
the professionals help out and share their experiences with the
students.

As a student, there are times when your dreams are too big for your
head and realising it might take many years. Yet it's the nicest part
about being who we are, just dreaming and taking one step at a time
to make sure that we get close to that dream. I like to hear what the
professionals say 'cos they definitely know more than we do and thus
the mentoring section is always a nice visit.

My interest in documentary is a farely recent one. I never thought
much about documentary until my course demanded that I take it up and
it's been a very good experience since then. I'm here to take a look
at the world of documentary online, because there are people from all
over the world who come here and post and it's a nice exposure as
compared to what I'm used to in our own little student's world.

Thank you.

alex

Welcome to The D-Word Forum, Alex. I don't have a clue about the
documentary scene in Singapore. What is it like? What films are being
made?

Hi Ben,

This is what I know. I know the local TV channels do produce
documentaries, we have a few tv channels, they range from
entertainment to arts entertainment to news. The arts central channel
produces documentaries, some will talk about the local arts scene,
some will focus on some festival, for example the Singapore arts
festival held in June, some focus on the artist and the displays of
their works, etc. For the chinese and english channels, there are
documentaries that focus on life in Singapore and the issues that
concern us, the range is wide, from healthcare to social isssues to
youth culture to crime etc..

Mostly I feel the TV industry caters to the needs of the public, at
certain times there are certain documentaries to inform and educate
the public. For example, last year we had the SARS virus, so there
are documentaries and news coverage on it which I believed is
neccessary. News and documentaries covered the issues of healthcare
and some interviewees talked about the discrimination they faced
because they chose to stand by their profession. Some also showed the
reactions of the public due to the quarantine, it was a sensitive
issue then and still is.

I don't know much about the indie scene though, my apologies.


Thanks,
alex

It's okay, Alex. Thanks for sharing what you know. Welcome and good
luck in your studies.

Hi Doug,

Thanks.

alex

Hello all,
I am very new to documentary film. In an attempt to gain
knowledge and advice, I joined this site. Hopefully this isn't the
fanciful idea of a 22 year old. I really want to get started and
have no idea where. Anyway, hello and thank you for this wonderful
site.

Phil

You're entirely welcome, Phillip. Buttering up your hosts is always
a good starting point ;-)

I recommend you start right in by reading some of the confererences
we've held and have archived here. Should take a while.

that's why we have the Mentoring topic here, matt. feel free to seek
specific info or advice there. and welcome.

Hi Doug & all,
I live in Atlanta, and previously spent 12 years in Florida working
in broadcast & corp TV ( mostly as a news videographer and editor)
Then switched to writing and editing corporate video, shooting
freelance, and made a half hour doc about 1930's and 1940's aviators
and their aircraft. Becoming frustrated with distribution and the
lack of money I left TV to become a web programmer from '93 to 2001.

Now I have just produced another corp sales video on DV and edited a
musician demo. I am developing a couple of non-fiction concepts that
I want to take to cable distribution. I am trying to learn
everything I can about the business side because that was always my
problem in the past. DV solves half the problem of creating your own
docs. But distribution is always the big question.

I'm here to learn or share whatever I can. It's good to have a way
to talk to other Documentary/Reality TV makers.

Ed Hill
Atlanta

Welcome, Ed. Lots of great conferences here for you to learn about
distribution. Happy reading ;-)

hi everyone,
Just wanted to say hello and thanks for providing such a useful
site. I'm working on a film dealing with women that are abuse
survivors and outside of making a film about it, we are offering a
workshop for abuse survivors where they will be able to learn about
video medium as a way to express themselves and further their healing.
www.doggeddrama.com/Docudrama.htm

I am in Kentucky of the U.S.

Just thought I'd say hello.

Jessica

Just thought I'd say welcome, Jessica. A very important project
you're doing. Happy if we can help out in some way.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Well, I guess the biggest help is passing the site around....we're
also collecting donations of products and what not for our
fundraiser...

or post a message of encouragement on the message board for the
survivors who post there

Thanks for the offer!

Jessica