Participants announced!

AFCOOP is pleased to announce the names of the poets and filmmakers selected to participate in A Certain Openness: the filming of poetry. Through the program, six poets will work with six filmmakers to collaborate and create filmed interpretations of poems.

Poets: Sue Goyette, Robin Metcalfe, Matt Robinson, Dan Walsh, Ken Ward and Ardath Whynacht.

Filmmakers: Ruby Boutilier, Walter Forsyth, Jim MacSwain, David Middleton, Lisa Morse and Megan Wennberg.

Overview

A Certain Openness: the filming of poetry, is a collaborative filmmaking project designed to foster relationships between Nova Scotia’s filmmaking and writing communities. Six poets will be paired with six filmmakers to collaborate and create filmed interpretations of existing poetry. The result will be six short films that  can be used to showcase Nova Scotia’s talented filmmakers and writers across the country.

Through the program, participants will receive training in relevant aspects of the filmmaking process as well as mentorship from lead instructors and AFCOOP staff. Films will be shot on 16mm (colour or b&w) with non-sync sound and may be finished digitally with an audio track or live accompaniment. The program will supply filmmaking gear, supplies and materials. Teams will also be given a small cash budget to spend on their production and will be awarded with an artist fee upon completion of their films.

What is Cinépoetry?
Cinépoetry comes in many forms – from filmed spoken-word performances, to visual interpretations that may or may not contain the actual text of the poem. Films can include a combination of literal and abstract renderings of the text they are based on. By combining the two art forms of film and poetry, a new meaning is created, and a new medium is discovered!

Timeline
Workshops will commence in June and take place over a series of 3 weekends, (exact dates to be determined). Individual film shoots will take place in July and August, based on the discretion of the participants. The length and schedule of the shoots will be determined by the needs of the project. Editing and post-production will take place in September working towards a premier screening in mid October 2012. In addition to scheduled workshops, participants can expect to spend a considerable amount of time working with each other to collaborate, design their shooting plans, shoot their film, record sound and edit the piece.

Participant Eligibility

• Poets and filmmakers may apply together as a team or separately. It is not mandatory that you have a collaborator in mind when you apply. The program is designed to allow participants to meet each other and form partnerships within the program’s timeline.
• Participants must be residents of Nova Scotia.
• Participants must able to commit to the workshop schedule and production timeline and provide their own transportation to and from workshops.
• Full time students (undergraduate or graduate level) are not eligible to apply.

Poets

• Must be published poets with a minimum of 5 published poems.
• Must have an interest in filmmaking and a desire to learn more about the art form. This is not a program just to have a poem of yours made into a film. Poets are expected to be engaged collaborators in the filmmaking process.
• Must apply with your own writing.

Filmmakers

• Must have completed basic film training (either through film school, workshops or experience in the film industry).
• Must have held a key creative role (Director, Producer or Writer) on a film or video work that has been exhibited in a professional context (juried or curated screening, or acquired for broadcast. This does not include student screenings).
• Must have an interest in and desire to learn more about poetry.
• Must be interested in collaborating and working closely with the poet in the creation of the film.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Potential for participant’s work or sensibility to suit the medium of cinépoetry.
• Artistic merit of support material.
• Commitment of applicant to the process and desire to learn and collaborate.

Applying

Please submit one unbound (no staples) copy of your complete application package by May 14th 2012 by mail to or in person to: The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, 5663 Cornwallis Street Suite 101, Halifax NS B3K 1B6.

Applications must include:

1. Application Form completed and signed
2. Letter of Intent – Please explain in your letter what you hope to gain by participating in the program, and how it fits into your overall development as a filmmaker or poet.
3. Support Materials – Filmmakers: DVD(s) of 2 – 3 pieces of previous work with a sheet of annotations describing why you choose that work (be aware that the jury will not have time to view more than 10mins in total). Poets: 5-10 pages of original poetry.
4. Filmography/Writing CV – Please indicate screenings, awards and publications of your work as well as length and format.

For more info: please contact Martha Cooley at 405 4474 ex. 4 or membership@afcoop.ca