blog by arwen

I had the extreme pleasure to spend last Sunday working on a film that is part of this year’s RIPFEST. I was doing extra work as a yogi and gym regular for a friend who was the Director.

What is RIPFEST you might wonder (as I did)?

RIPFEST is a unique collaborative filmmaking project that allows filmmakers the freedom to do what they do best – just make films. At the launch of a RIPFEST event several teams of filmmakers who have never met are given guidelines to create a 5-10 minute film. Each group is comprised of a Producer, a Writer, a Composer, a Director, a DP, an Editor, a Choreographer (for musicals), 2-4 Actors and 2 locations. The teams are given guidelines to create a 5-7 minute film. Then they have:

-  2 days to write the first draft
-  2 days for re-writes
-  2 days for pre-production
-  2 days to shoot the film
-  1 week for post production, scoring, and graphics.

All the films are premiered, just 16 days after the process began.There are no restrictions on content or style – pieces range from the most serious to absurdly comic and for musicals, in styles from R&B to operatic to traditional Broadway. Each team is, however, given the same guidelines for creative inspiration and a theme, and the teams are required to only shoot in the two locations provided and to tailor their movie to the actors on their teams.

I got to chat with one of the Exec. Producers on set and learned all about the process & philosophy behind it. It is pretty amazing that this project/program has survived on bare-bones funding and a completely volunteer staff for the last decade. While working for free is never the best situation, I think the real benefit RIPFEST provides is networking – it is structured so artists can meet and work collaboratively with people outside their normal circles. I can’t wait to see what the different teams created in their 16 days.

They are screening all six films during three showings at Anthology Film Archives next Monday night 4/26. You can get tickets and full details here.

Recently I got a chance to wade in the waters of film production for the first time. Fascinating process – especially being a hardcore theater geek (I confess I don’t watch much film).  We shot on 35mm, had a cast & crew of 40+ and used two locations in Rutherford NJ – it was quite an adventure. The title is “Portraits” and it is a 15 minute short about a photographer. It was directed by my good friend John Des Roches. The film is one of ten finalists in a non-profit online film festival and competition called The Doorpost Film Project.

Here is the competition part: “Portraits” has a 1 in 10 chance of winning $100,000. If you enjoy the independent short film genre, please visit Doorpost’s website between Sept 1-16 to view all the finalists and cast your vote for the one you believe to be “best in show”.  The films will be released one per day between Aug 22-31 and voting begins once all films are released on Sept 1. The competition culminates in a festival and an award ceremony in Nashville TN on Sept 19.

I was the Production Manager and had a small cameo. Can you find the Arwen in this poster?