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Hello,

My name is Mike Attie and I just finished my MFA at Stanford's Doc Film and Video program. I made a few docs at Stanford, most recently a 20 minute observational film, "Famous 4A", that follows veterans in hospice in their final days. (It's not as grim as it sounds, most of it is pretty humorous.)

I know a few people on on the forum and hope to use the D-Word to connect with people in the Seattle area. I just moved here last week so my wife can start grad school at U. of Wash. Is anyone going to the NWFF's annual meeting tonight?

Welcome, Mike. Do you know Anthony Weeks in your program? I worked with him on two short films when he was out here in New York.

Hi all, I actually joined ages ago and then, I'm very sorry to say, never introduced myself or dropped in. I'm going to do so more often now! I met Doug at Guth Gafa in Co. Donegal, Ireland a few years ago (if you remember Doug, I brought you and your wife to my favourite beach!) and this year I met Ben at the same festival so I really should become a more active d-worder! I'm an Irish documentary director/ producer. My film 'Today is better than two tomorrows' is currently doing a bit of a festival circuit, and the film I produced The Yellow Bittern is currently in Irish cinemas and has got some great press. My background is mostly in documentary research and I've been working in film for about 12 years. When I'm not trying to turn everyone around me's life into a film, I'm obsessing over my two beautiful dogs or making my friends swing dance in public places! I give classes from time to time on documentary and ethics because I worked on two important series here for Irish TV in a Hospice and a Psychiatric Institution. I just finished a short doc set in the closed wards of old style asylums which is part of a scheme run by The Irish Film Board called Reality Bites. It's going to premiere in Cork Film Festival. I'm about to come to Vancouver to show my Lao film there.. if any members are based there it would be super if you could come see it! x Anna

Anna!!! So great to see you become active here. Congratulations on Vancouver and all the other fests, and a big welcome to The D-Word.

D-Worders, you should all go and see TODAY IS BETTER THAN TWO TOMORROWS – it's a little gem.

Just one thing, Anna, why didn't you show me your favourite beach...?

That was a bit lame of me, I must say! I didn't even go there that time. You'll have to come back! I'll be more chilled out now that all my films are finished :)

I do know Anthony. He's a talented filmmaker and great person. Whenever he spoke in class it was always with purpose. (as opposed to running of the mouth which we're all prone to do.)

Fantastic to have you posting at last, Anna. I remember that day on the beach very well, a highlight of the trip. Hope to be back to Ireland soon with the new film (my editor, Maeve O'Boyle, is from Dublin and I love the entire country), so maybe we'll get to see each other again. Meanwhile, all best with your short – try and get it shown here in NY.

Hi Doug – Hopefully my feature is going to be shown in NY at a festival ... the programmer liked it but waiting to hear. Any excuse to come to NYC :) The short... well I'll be posting for advice on that soon because haven't had much luck with getting shorts into festivals in the past and really want to get this one out there. Give me a shout for sure if you come to Dublin! I'll take you to the pub this time ;)

I'd follow you anywhere, Anna. And vice versa regarding NYC. Have many pubs here awaiting.

Hi Doug – My name is Jalyn Henton and I work in Programming at PBS. I signed up for The D Word just to see what it's all about!

Well, heck, Jalyn, that qualifies you as a professional. So be sure to register for professional membership here and get full access to all the discussions.

Hi all. My name is Peg Diaz. I have been documenting life with a still camera and am currently working on my first video project. I look forward to learning from all of you and eventually giving back down the road. I am applying for a grant for partial funding of the documentary and have a question about a "letter of interest". I need to submit a letter from a broadcaster who might be interested in airing the film. Can anyone recommend the best way to do this.

Jalyn, since you work at PBS, perhaps you have a suggestion? I sent a request to the local PBS station but have not heard back.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hey Michael, great to see you here. Michael won our Jury award for his short film BOB'S KNEE at this year's Sebastopol Doc Fest.

Hi folks,

My name is Tom Jackson. Glad to be a new member here. I produce documentaries on social justice issues. Right now in post on another one about the oil/environmental/economy issues (following "Out of Balance" www.worldoutofbalance.org). Looking for a veg-burning vehicle again, to travel with this latest doc.

Looking forward to talking with you all.

Tom

Welcome to The D-Word, Tom. I was trying to watch your OUT OF BALANCE trailer but only got sound, no picture. Not sure whether that's a problem at my end or yours...

Hi, All-
I'm Hima. Working on a production grant that's due next wk but in full procrastination mode. I guess this is "research" right now so it's not entirely off track....

Welcome to The D-Word, Hima, where there's always a grant due on the horizon and always like-minded folks to procrastinate with.

Hi everyone I'm Eva ~ new to this world alittle... am about to embark on my first documentary, as a co-director for an observational feature length doc covering issues around a couple who have had just had a baby but due to their medical difficulties have been denied access. I am new to the game and already feel I am walking on eggshells!Great to learn about this place though! I think I will find most useful.

In reply to Ben Kempas's post on Thu 24 Sep 2009 :

Hi Ben,

No problems on this end with the Out of Balance trailer, on the film's website. There's a few trailers for Out of Balance at www.youtube.com/joepublicfilms ...

Hima, welcome to The D-Word. Please respect our policy that requires full names.

Eva, good to see that you signed up. I'm sure you'll learn a lot from The D-Word's wealth of Archived Topics alone...

Hello,
I am Alec Sanchez, about to become a linguist major at University of California, Santa Cruz, and I am an aspiring to become documentary filmmaker.
By blogging and watching films I hope to get insight to what the world of documentary film is made of.
-alec

Welcome Alec, and thanks for introducing yourself.

Who else is lurking out there? Secret Enthusiasts and Members, the time is now...

Hi everyone,

My name is Leon McCarron. I studied film here in England for 3 years, and decided documentary was my passion, specifically the production, I am a cameraman and one-day director. I had enrolled in the New York Film Academy for their Winter filmmaking workshop (because I wanted to learn how to shoot on film as opposed to digital which I know) but I heard so many bad reports Im now having second thoughts.
I'm moving to New York on the 20th Nov, and staying until the 15th Feb – I would love to take a short course in documentary filmmaking instead of the NYFA, or even find an internship. Anyone got any ideas or advice? Id really appreciate it, because Im kinda stuck now!

Also Im planning a documentary which I will shoot as I cycle from New York to Sydney following my study, you can check it out at www.leonmccarron.com

Thanks a lot everyone, sorry for the super long intro!

Welcome, Leon. Hard to know which film schools actually teach shooting on film these days. I know the School of Visual Arts has a really strong and revitalized doc program, you might check them out. They also have individual film courses in their School of Continuing Education.

Hi Doug,
Thanks for the welcome, and the tip about the School of Visual Arts. Seems great, although unfortunately Ill just miss the window of their teaching. Any other ideas for workshops this christmas? Im really up for anything that will help further my documentary practical skills/knowledge.
Also, just to say this website seems like a fantastic resource, great work!