Collaborataive Cinema Call for Directors

THIS YEAR'S OPEN CALL FOR DIRECTORS IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.

Each year, aspiring Milwaukee screenwriters attend workshops to learn how to write shorts scripts suitable for the big screen. One script is chosen from these workshops to be made into a film with the support of a cast and crew comprised of students, emerging professionals, and the best filmmakers in town. The film premieres during Milwaukee Film Festival’s The Milwaukee Show and screens at festivals around the country.

New this year, we are opening up the director position to YOU. To serve as a stepping stone from one level of filmmaking to another, we have an open call for local filmmakers to helm this summer’s shoot. Are you an emerging filmmaker interested in directing this year’s Collaborative Cinema film under the guidance of a seasoned director? 

Who is eligible?

An “emerging filmmaker” is someone who has made films in the past, perhaps a film student or a recent film graduate, and is looking to use Collaborative Cinema as a career-launching experience. You are required to submit two work samples, so you should be somewhat familiar with directing, shooting, and/or editing film and ready to move to the next level of the profession. You must also live in the Milwaukee area.

When is the deadline?

Applications and work samples must be received by April 16, 2012.

Where do I send the work samples?

Include two work samples created within the last five years. The total running time for these two samples should not exceed five minutes. If you have links to your samples, email them to susan@milwaukee-film.org. If you are mailing in a DVD, send it to:

Milwaukee Film

Attn: Collaborative Cinema

229 E Wisconsin Ave #200

Milwaukee, WI 53202

What I am really signing up for?

As a Collaborative Cinema director, you will work with a team of professional filmmakers hired by Milwaukee Film to mentor you through pre-production, production, post-production, and even a film festival run. Pre-production starts in May, the production occurs in July, post-production (with Independent) spans from July – September, and the film premieres at the Milwaukee Film Festival (Sept. 27 – Oct 11). After the premiere, you will work with Milwaukee Film’s Education Director to create a festival plan for the film and oversee the festival run. Understand that you are committing to months of hard work, but you will emerge with a professional-quality short film and a professional network of Milwaukee filmmakers.

Do I get to pick the script?

Sort of. Writers currently enrolled in the Collaborative Cinema screenwriting workshops are hard at work revising their scripts. Our screenwriting mentors will choose the top five scripts, which we will send to the top five directorial candidates. The top five directors, then, will choose one of the scripts and pitch a film to a small team of producers and directors. One project and director pair will be chosen from these pitch sessions.

If I’m the director, do I get to pick the cast and crew?

Again, sort of. You will work with producers and a directorial mentor hired by Milwaukee Film to crew up and cast the film. Crew will be comprised of both professional and student filmmakers. We will hold auditions for the cast, and the director, producers, and writer will discuss these choices together. If you are looking for an opportunity to direct a movie with your friends and starring your friends, this may not be the program for you.

Examples of previous Collaborative Cinema films can be found here.

The Collaborative Cinema summer film shoot also utilizes a number of students and emerging professional filmmakers on set. Check back in early May if you are interested in applying for one of these positions.

Questions? Contact Education Director Susan Kerns: susan@milwaukee-film.org