Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

The folks at Mac Media sponsored seminar on Apple Leopard Server today. I wasn’t all that interested in going because I’m more into the whole creative production side of Apple. I’ve never enjoyed the thought of becoming (or, worse, actually being) a networking geek. But, the biggest little networking geek I know actually left school early so he could go and invited me to go along.

As is always true, some parts of the event were grindingly boring sales pitches BUT it turned out to be five hours well-spent because I remembered why I love Apple so much. They demonstrated the installation of Leopard Server from beginning to end on an empty laptop. The entire installation took less than fifteen minutes (after a two-hour explanation) and it was phenomenally easy. The new Leopard Server rectifies the challenges with Active Directory versus Open Directory structures. Didn’t that sound smart? I had to learn the difference between Active and Open Directory (Microsoft versus Open Source; closed, restrictive versus more open directory structures) and knowing the Leopard handles that problem so I don’t have to was quite exciting. And for the folks I have watched install Windows servers with VLAN (or some such acronym), I was stunned at how quickly and easily the Mac handled it.

Bottom Line: I am actually planning on buying Leopard Server. I’m small, only about ten computers that we use for film production and blogging, but I now have the ability to easily share enormous media files between all of these machines. And, by having network administration capabilities, I can easily limit who has access to what data. I had been planning on Fedexing data DVDs to NY so Alec could do some FX scenes because there was no easy way to get it to him. With my own server, I simply give him the IP address, he logs in and, BAM!, he’s got the files. Seamless integration.

There were three other things I was REALLY excited about:

• Podcast Producer: Built in ability to record video and audio, compress in multiple file formats and distribute to multitude of locations. Automated VOD (even high-def video on demand) and podcast publishing. It even automates the intro/extro process. Holy cow.
• Wiki Server: Filmmaking requires a lot of data collection and sharing with members of the cast and crew. In the past, I always set up blogs for people to share info but it was tedious to work through the entries to find what one wanted. Now, one can easily make Wikis for each project that are tremendously easy to use.
• Calendaring: Group calendaring with automatic notification, invitation and RSVPing. During production, seems like it would be useful but the jury is out on this yet.
• Hosting my own blogs: I’m actually considering hosting my own blogs and media. Since I don’t want to be a networking geek, I’m having a hard time reconciling this in my noodle.

Cost: In my opinion, cheap. $499 for ten client (ten servers NOT ten endusers), $999 for unlimited clients.

After teaching for 18 years, I’m always shocked at how many geeky computer things I’ve learned over the years. Often times, I’ve had to laugh that things I spent a lot of time learning (like HTML) became nearly superfluous with the advent of new applications like, say, Dreamweaver. I had often thought, “If I had just waited a little longer, I wouldn’t have needed to learn that.” Well, the time has come where I’m thinking, heck, networking so easy, even I can do this.

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These days, it seems like everyone and their brother is making money on the web. I’ve been blogging on this site since March of 2003. That’s a whole lot of content. Unlike my more commercially-minded pals, I’ve always resisted putting banner ads and such on the site. My web guy tells me that have the most web space he’s ever seen from any client. Between the VOD (video on demand) files, all of the Sundance podcasts and how-to filmmaking information, and all of the other blogs I have, my web needs are a bandwidth nightmare. In fact, in January, when I typically blog for Cinema Minima for Sundance, there have been years that we have shut the server down.

So, while I have a ton of content, have hundreds of thousands of hits every month, and a pile o’ media downloaded, I make no money on this adventure. Apparently, I just share information and blog for the sheer joy of it.

While I was doing the blogging thing, I spent a lot of time researching all of the money-making web options. After years of researching the whole process, reading tons of posts and even a few books (like Tim Ferris’ FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK) on the subject, it seemed like there was a critical mass of information available that could be streamlined for anyone who was thinking of pursuing the same sort of path as I had been contemplating.

Jeniece, Jonathan, Brandi, Pamela Jo and I have also tested a number of different tools, programs and such. So we decided to share everything we’re finding on a different website. To find out what we’ve learned, what’s been successful and what’s failed, go to Make Money, Work Anywhere. Maybe we’ll be able to save you some time and money.

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I love the Knoll brothers. No, they’re not a musical group, like the Neville Brothers. They’re the whizzes behind Adobe Photoshop and Knoll Light Factory. They’ve done amazing things in the world of digital visuals. Brother Thomas created the digital editing program that has become a verb in the common lexicon. People (even Ross and Chandler on FRIENDS) talk about how they “photoshopped the image.” Brother John is an award-winning visual effects guy who also did a program that adds light effects to still photos and motion footage. I enjoy going to the Luxology site to look at the Image Gallery. Luxology created modo (now on version 3.01), an extraordinary modeling, texturing and rendering tool. On the site, there’s actually an image John Knoll modeled for the film APOLLO 11. There’s even a rave endorsement. That’s not too shabby. If only there were an animation component in it … until they can get that integrated, I’m hanging with Maya … although I’m sure they’re feeling the pressure of the modo competition.

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I had a great day! Sometimes, life is just fun. Today was one of those days. (It wasn’t as good as Marion Cotillard’s day but more on that later.) So, I got up at the crack of dawn to grab what I needed for a quick trip to LA (heaven forbid that I would pull it together the day before). I was at the airport by 8:15 for my 9:30 flight (not bad for me). Heavy rains in LA gave us a 30-minute runway delay but I just caught up on some reading so I didn’t really mind.

At the car rental joint, they actually let us choose the car we wanted (when did this start, the opportunity to choose any car on the lot in the price range?) … I chose a lovely navy blue Sentra and buzzed my way up the 405 to Westwood. The parking fellow was so kind. I forgot to get cash before I left Phoenix and he let me park without having to pay ahead. I guess I have an honest face. As I walked to the ATM, I was enjoying the fresh breeze and high-energy that seemed to be reverberating effortlessly. I recalled that physics lecture about how energy cannot be created or destroyed. It seemed to be emanating from every nook and cranny of the City of Angels.

Then, my meeting with Zimbabwean-born filmmaker Eunice / Tafadzwa. There’s something so rewarding about sitting around discussing film with someone who understands the love of making films that make a difference. To talk about the greater idea of film as an art form, as a medium that can change minds, as a catalyst that can change the world. I shared the details of the Zambian film projects. We discussed all of the other African-made or African-themed films that we loved. THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, HOTEL RWANDA, THE CONSTANT GARDENER, CATCH A FIRE and BLOOD DIAMOND were all discussed in the feature arena. The DARFUR film, THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK, LOST BOYS OF SUDAN and WAR/DANCE popped into the documentary discussion. We talked about the possibility of future projects and went over the script structure for one of the projects.

Ultimately, I almost didn’t make it back for my return flight. Fortunately for me (the rest of the folks at the airport weren’t so happy), the flight was delayed 45 minutes because of weather. So, I made my flight and made it home in good time! It was faboo. Now, I’m watching the Academy Awards. I was sooooo happy to see Marion Cotillard win for her portrayal of singer Edith Piaf in LA VIE EN ROSE! She was so dang happy. Just prior to the announcement, I was thinking about how much I thought she deserved the award but thought she’d never get it because it was a relatively small picture. It was so cute. She said, “It’s true. There really are some angels in this town.” Sweet, sweet, sweet.

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There’s a chance I’ll be going to Singapore at the end of April to shoot video for a fellow putting together a non-fiction DVD. It would be my first opportunity to shoot in Asia. Last year, there was a potential China documentary that fell through so I won’t be counting my chickens until they hatch. I’ve been doing quite a big of research on Singapore. Not a very large country, it used to be part of Malaysia. Originally it was a valuable trading port that was part of the British empire. Later, it became part of Malaysia and then, in 1965, separated. Listed as a democratic republic, it has been ruled by a single party since independence. It could be fun and interesting. I read that three bloggers were fined for SEDITION (that is writing or saying things that upset people, they can be true things … the point isn’t whether or not they’re true but whether or not they’re upsetting). I understand they still CANE people in Singapore, too. So, I’m going to have to be on my best behavior … IF the project comes through.

On Sunday, I’ll be meeting with the director of the Zimbabwe projects. I am really excited about those two films but am unsure how it’s all going to work out. There’s been a growing interest by production companies and distributors about this project. We’re going to sit down and talk about the script, strategies and schedules. The Zambia projects started in January of 2006 and we shot in August 2006. So, to be at the end of February and still hoping for a summer shoot is scary to me. Especially given the current political situation in Zimbabwe and we don’t have in country contacts like we did in Zambia. (If you follow this blog, you know that we still had numerous challenges and collapses with logistics … and that was WITH in-country support … so, unless some significant support comes in, it looks like summer 2009 to me.)

I do, of course, wonder if this is part of my lunar eclipse on my ascendent. It’s all about surprising and unexpected occurrences. The last few years have brought nothing but surprising occurrences to my life. In fact, surprising occurrences are becoming the norm. So, the eclipse has a lot to do to make a memorable impact in my current existence.

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I love higher education. My seven years at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire were truly some of the best of my life. (Like the USSR, I was on the seven-year plan.) While I loved teaching at Mesa Community College, I always longed for the opportunity to take students to something beyond their second year. Now, to be honest, at MCC, we liked to push the envelope in our classes and take students to as advanced a level as they were willing to go. We had some terrific students who did wonderful projects. Passionate students are a blessing for any teacher.

So, I heard that LaVerne Abe Harris, a colleague at ASU-East, had gone to the Computer Graphics Technology School at Purdue University. We got in touch and I discovered that Purdue is a very active research campus. I started looking at the sorts of projects they were doing and it was quite amazing. Professor Harris shared that she had a research project about technology and spina bifida. Now, isn’t that something interesting to spend your life’s energy on?! I was quite impressed with everything they’re working on.

Her colleague Nicoletta Adamo-Villani has several projects about such things as deaf education, math and science education, a keyboard-controlled signing semantroid, keyboard encoding of hand gestures and automated fingerspelling. She even has two patents from her research work. She has an MS in Architecture from University of Florence, Italy and she is a certified animator and instructor for Alias. Prof. Adamo-Villani is an award-winning animator and graphic designer and creator of several 2D and 3D animations that aired on national television.

Sweeeeet. Wouldn’t it be fun to play in their sandbox?

The thing I really liked about their program was the opportunity for students to work on real-world projects of some significance. Like the fourteen-member student crew we took to Zambia to create the first feature film in the country, they have projects that give students the chance for hands-on, practical experience that makes a difference. I kept thinking about how amazing it would be to have a whole school with the sort of learning environment that supports and motivates students and inspires faculty, too!

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Tonight there is an exciting celestial event! There is a total lunar eclipse occurring at 1 Virgo 54. This is of great interest to me because my rising sign is 1 Pisces 53 (directly opposing the eclipse) Astrologically, an eclipse means the ending of some things and illumination of new things. So, the occurrence of the eclipse on my ascendant (Sun on the ascendant, moon on the descendant) within ONE MINUTE, is pretty significant. Theoretically, the influence lasts for about six months. So, I’ll have to write about whether or not anything totally monumental happens. According Robert Wilkinson on his site, The Aquarius Papers, “The Sun is the Light, while the Moon gives form to that Light. With the eclipse Sun in Pisces, we’re offered ways to understand the vaster field we all live within, while the Moon will help us focus on the place and function of all the specifics. Of major significance is the Moon conjunct Saturn, fusing our feelings with our purpose, helping us get clear about the limits of what we are and aren’t supposed to be doing. Saturn shows a need to demonstrate expertise and “grab the brass ring,” this supported by Uranus prodding us to put ourselves out there as well. Saturn is retrograde, leading us inward on a journey to wisdom through the experiences shown by this eclipse.” It will be very interesting to watch the next few months unfold. If the common wisdom on eclipses is true, I should be having an interesting few months.

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I got two text messages from Alec today. At first, I thought he was writing about something he needed to buy because the text message said something about credit. Then I realized he was telling me that he had his FIRST Internet Movie Database — IMDb credit. It was terribly exciting. Now, both Alec and Jacob are on IMDb. Former students Mike Luciano, Jake Parker, and Kohl Glass are also on IMDb. It’s very satisfying to know that people may have been able to use what they’ve learned in work that they really love … and are recognized for … a very cool thing indeed.

On February 15, it was two (2) years that Alec had been in Manhattan. It was the spring of 2006 that he went and, to be honest, I had my doubts that he would stay there. He was barely 18 and he went alone. He took a class and found a post-production job. In August, he went to Zambia as part of the film crew. In October, he returned to NYC with Jacob in tow. After their experience in Zambia, they were ready for the challenges of establishing themselves in the industry. Their credits in IMDb let everyone know they’re making their way, on their own, under their own steam.

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Looking for money to make your film? What a foolish question. Who isn’t? Who couldn’t use more funding? Here are some of the best sites I can find on the web that list grants and funding opportunities.

• University of Michigan: One of the best, most thorough listings out there.
• Sundance Documentary Fund: Year round application.
• ITVS Funding: Excellent indie source.
• National Geographic: Indigenous Filmmaker Grants
• MacArthur Foundation: Prestige grants.
• Film Festival Today: Mainstream List with links.
• Caryn.Com: Blog site with tips on grant writing.
• FilmMaker Magazine: Some items out of date.

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President Bush is currently on a five-nation trip to Africa. He is visiting Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. There is some criticism for avoiding the hotspots (Darfur, Kenya, DRC). According to the official press, the US will increase total assistance to Africa to $8.7 billion by 2010, double the level of assistance in 2004. We’re aiming for a new kind of partnership, they say.

Prior to leaving, Bush previewed a movie trailer for a 15-minute documentary produced in partnership between Warner Bros and PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). The trailer, which will appear in movie theaters later this year, will direct viewers to visit the website to view the full documentary entitled SAVING LIVES, CREATING HOPE. It is, of course, a PR piece to paint a bright spot on the Bush legacy for his (albeit eleventh-hour) efforts in this area.

I find myself wondering if they watched the Tanzanian documentary, INTO THE LIGHT, that Paul Hepker scored. That film was about the AIDs crisis in that country. Probably doesn’t have the same gloss as the Hollywood film told from the administration’s point of view. Probably. I won’t be able to say until I see them both. Why does all of this bring the 1997 film WAG THE DOG to mind (Dustin Hoffman as producer who manufactures cinema events to camouflage the failings of the president)? I don’t if there’s another president who has had a more scandal-plagued administration than George Bush (43) so a feel good film can’t be all bad.

Speaking of can’t be all bad, the other thought I’m having is about the $8.7 billion in aid to Africa (DOUBLE the 2004 level). Current estimates are that the war in Iraq is costing the US over $195 million per day. At that rate, the entire African aid package is spent by the US in Iraq in just 45 days. Forty-five days of war in the Middle East equals the aid to an entire continent of Africa for one year.

Now, granted $8.7 billion isn’t chump change. But, forgive me if I don’t get all happy-clappy, link arms and sing Kumbaya around the campfire.

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In 2005, Gavin Hood’s dramatic narrative feature TSOTSI won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. I’ve written about this fantastic film in the past. I positively adored that film. First and foremost, it was a GREAT story. Teenage thug carjacks a luxury vehicle and discovers that he has inadvertently kidnapped an infant. Ultimately, the thug becomes a young man as he takes responsibility for the child and his actions. So, obviously, the story is powerful.

Director Gavin Hood augmented the story with equally powerful elements. Of course, the acting is terrific. The visual aesthetic is stunning. The cinematography, art design, production design, costuming and make-up were woven into a symphony of compelling beauty. And, one of the most amazing and powerful elements of all is the music, the score. I absolutely love the music. A bit of research revealed that the composers were Mark Kilian and Paul Hepker.

Mark Kilian was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kilian’s biography says he helped launch the jazz band SHADES which helped break the color barrier in his native South Africa. He played with Shirley Bassey and Ladysmith Black Mambazo among others. While pursuing his advanced degree in composing, he taught disadvantaged kids. WITHOUT THE KING, a documentary about the absolute monarchy in Swaziland, was a passion project for Kilian.

Paul (PawLee) Hepker was born in Zimbabwe but raised in South Africa. He toured and recorded with Johnny Clegg and Savuka (I have two of their CDs), Miriam Makeba (I have two of her CDs, too) Vusi Mahlasela, and Shirley Bassey. In 1997, Hepker was given a “green card” for being an “alien of extraordinary ability.” INTO THE LIGHT, a documentary about the AIDs crisis in Tanzania, was a recent passion project for Hepker.

In the more commercial realm, Kilian and Hepker also did the music for RENDITION (starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon), in addition to TSOTSI. They also worked together on THE BIRD CAN’T FLY (something about ostriches) and a film I saw at Sundance many years ago, CLOCKWATCHERS.

We’re almost ready for PICTURE LOCK on the feature. At that point, it’s simply a matter of doing the sound mix, the score and the color grading. Pamela Jo’s been putting in temp music before we screen it for folks (so they get the feeling we’re going for). We’ve been using a lot of the TSOTSI score as a placeholder and it makes such a difference. It gives the film a lot more depth and resonance. So, today, we contacted Mark Kilian’s manager about the possibility of having them do the score for the Zambia films. Of course their fees are quite high but … we’ll see ….

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Valentine’s Day is upon us and everyone is thinking of love and loved ones. I am, of course, included in everyone. So, I too am thinking about all of those I have loved and those who love me. These thoughts have been exacerbated because we’re working on the documentary and we’re focused on the narrative throughline of the film. Love as a motivating factor for the Zambian films was the topic of our discussion today. Love of filmmaking, love of students, love of contributing, love of learning. The tight bond of the faculty and crew led to love for one another as a major motivating factor everyone.

There is a popular theory that we humans are driven by LOVE or by FEAR. There certainly was the possibility to be driven by fear when were in Zambia. We didn’t know the country we were visiting, didn’t know what we’d be stepping into, didn’t know how things would work out for us. There are recorded sessions prior to our departure that show me warning the students to be cautious. But, once we arrived, the only thing that seemed important was our love of the project and our desire to get it done. It drove us all to the finish line.

One of my favorite film lines ever was spoken by Bette Midler in Janice Joplin biopic THE ROSE. “Don’t you love to be in love?” she asks her manager. “I love to be in love.” She says it so wistfully, so earnestly, so passionately. Whenever I watch that film, I am struck by what a driving force love is for human beings. And, I am aware of what a driving force love has been for me. The Zambia films taught me that the shift from motivation by the object of one’s affection to motivation as the subject of one’s love makes all the difference in the world. It drives the toads away. It makes all things possible.

As the Beatles sang, “All you need is love. Love is all you need.”

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Today I’m giving a shout-out to Journey Education, one of the best websites on the web for discount software. As a faculty member in a technology field, one could always see the advantage for the students to have their own version of the software on their home computers. More time to practice with less interference and a better understanding of what it took to make it function optimally. So, for students and faculty wanting to get software at some of the best prices possible, visit JourneyEd.

You will have to prove you’re education status (ID, paystub or similar) and know that the software is for educational use only … no going into business and making products. An example of the savings, Adobe Creative Suite 3 lists for $1199, at JourneyEd, it’s $199. Autodesk Maya lists for $6995, at JourneyEd it’s only $389. AutoCad lists for $3995, at JourneyEd, only $159. Sony Vega drops from $559 to $299.

Maya is, undoubtedly, the best deal. While you can download the Personal Learning Edition for free, most folks I know prefer the student version because of the hideous watermark the PLE puts on everything. And, Maya has got such a steep learning curve and so many different components, it’s worth owning it if you’re planning on making a career of it.

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So I want to begin this post by saying that I really like MSNBC reporter David Shuster. I find him to be literate, educated and thorough. So, I was shocked, absolutely shocked to hear David Shuster was in the doghouse over a comment he made about Chelsea Clinton. Especially since I’d seen the episode in which he made the offending comment and was not offended at all. I guess I’m slipping. I just didn’t find it all that upsetting. Shuster appeared on the TUCKER CARLSON show (which I never watch because I find him totally offensive) but knowing Shuster was on, I thought there might be something interesting in the political arena. After a news story about how Chelsea Clinton (who has never participated in the campaigning for either of her parents in the past) was now campaigning for her mother, Shuster made an off-hand remark about the possibility of Chelsea being “pimped out” to call the Super Delegates. I laughed when I heard it. Maybe it’s because I taught in a college environment and heard the term “pimped out” bandied about with great frequency. Maybe it’s because I follow what is being produced on cable networks (anyone ever heard of PIMP YOUR RIDE?).

To be honest, I find myself far more upset by the misogynistic commentary routinely made by Chris Matthews on HARDBALL. Even political pundit Rachel Maddow (whom I also adored) has spoken out against Matthews’ woman-hating commentary. And, as many of you know, I do enjoy watching Keith Olberman but, lately, it seems that all of his reporting has been, “Obama good, Hillary bad.” Since I’m pro-Hillary, I find that far more irritating. So, to have David Shuster getting suspended and being publicly flogged for humorously stating the obvious, it’s quite surprising. But, I’m thinking, if the Clinton Camp is getting sick of all of the lopsided coverage by the media, this might put everyone on notice that they need to shift out of that misogynistic mode. It also paints Hillary as the underdog and that may drive voters to the polls in the upcoming primaries. I assume there are people much smarter than me running these campaigns so I’m certain they’re thinking of all of these sorts of things too. Perhaps, David Shuster is just the sacrificial lamb. He’s such a terrific reporter and analyst, I sure hope this resolves soon.

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During the Sundance Film Festival, we got word that Withoutabox reached an agreement to be acquired by the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), an Amazon.com subsidiary.

According to their press release, “This presents a great opportunity for all our independent filmmakers, festivals, and industry professionals. The new arrangement preserves the vision that Withoutabox has championed for eight years, teaming it with the Internet’s number one destination for film lovers and film insiders.

As Filmmakers and self-distributors, you can look forward to more ways to reach your audiences and monetize your work. As Festivals, you can look forward to powerful tools to scout, collect, select, and schedule films, plus access to a vast audience of movie lovers that only IMDb can deliver - more than 50 million visitors a month. As Film Sellers, Sales Agents, and Acquirers, you can look forward to unprecedented information, discovery, and connectivity at your fingertips, across the entire landscape of commercial and independent film.”

So, what’s the plus for the Without a Box user? The owner/developer of Without A Box surely benefits from the divestiture but what about all of the users. It will be interesting to see if it aids independent participation and distribution. That is the key need of Without a Box users. Heaven knows it deepens the vertical market for IMDb and it brings about 50 million users a month to the WAB game. Of course, only time will tell. It seems promising to me.

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