3.14.2007

Why isn't film knowledge being passed on here?

What comes next is a rant. All based on hearsay and from what I see. Maybe things are different, but I am not hearing or seeing they are. And I need to rant, so this is as good a space as any. So, here we go:

Recently David Fincher spoke to UNO's film school students. This is the first time I can remember hearing of a director in town making a movie going to speak to the UNO Film School. We have had director's of all types come through New Orleans and the state as a whole, but this is the only one I know of who has gone and done a lecture there. When I lived in Austin, I remember hearing about directors speaking at UT all the time. From what I read and have been told the talk was very good, and Fincher enjoyed doing it and had even wanted to do it. But apparently working with UNO was like pulling teeth to get things set up.

Right now if one wants to intern on a film here, you have to belong to UNO's film school. This is a rule set up by the local union, and they have no real apprentice system in place. This means there really isn't a system to bring in new grips, gaffers, or a lot of the other technical jobs needed to get a film made. I know very few films school students who want to work in the more technical field. Most want to work in the more artistic side. I know before Katrina, Delgado was setting up to have a program to tech students how to be a grip; but I believe it was completely independent from the union. A union or a guild is supposed to not only look after a worker's rights; but they are also there to help bring in new workers. Not training a new generation means films will increasingly have to bring in people from out of state; which means the union really isn't helping locals much at all.

I see also know clear program to develop and produce local filmmakers. We should have programs going into the grade schools throughout the New Orleans Metro Area. Orleans Parish schools (and yes I realize they have a lot to do to recover, but part of recovery is getting the chance to set some things right) should have a film program equal to that of its jazz program. Delgado and UNO should be working together and bringing along people to not just work in the more artistic fields, but also to bring in students who can work in the technical fields. And finally, the State Film Commission should be working with local film commissions to bring out and help produce films made by locals, both features and documentaries. There should be a grant system set up to help local filmmakers get started and a system set up to help them find more grant money for film projects. I would love to see UNO have a program like at UT where they can actually produce one or two feature length, low budget films a year.

The Louisiana Film Commission is a joke to a lot of people I talk to. They are mainly known for having a flashy website without much substance. Someone one wanting to work or make films here should be able to go to that site and find everything they need. Instead most people turn to private sites such as Solomon Street Films or LIFT to get the info they need.

Louisiana and the New Orleans Area should be serving as not just a place for films to be made, but as a place for filmmakers to come from. We should be turning out regional filmmakers and films. This should be a breeding ground for black filmmakers, for the emerging hispanic filmmakers, and any other filmmakers in the area. All the resources are here; but the system is broken at worse and byzantine at best.

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