Post Visions!!!

Before the festival I really didn't know what to think. I felt that our teams as ready and prepared for the day and I was just excited to just meet the filmmakers. When Jill and I first picked up Zach and Chris, we were blown away with how easy they were to talk to and how much we could share. They were so kind and we were able to show them around OUR school and town, so that was really fun. Not only that, they were excited to SEE this place.

Once the actual festival began, I felt like there was such a community spirit. Everyone respected one another on our team and was willing to help no matter what. I know at some point, I wasn't the mic runner, but that person wasn't there, so I was. Each event went really well and I was so proud of our team. I think the filmmakers and scholars were also blown away at how on top of it we were- by just being undergrads.

My part really came at the after party as the Awards Coordinator. I had thought about what I was going to say but I'm really happy with how it went. I wasn't nervous at all on stage (the gin and tonic may have helped that) but I think most of all I was excited to give away these awards. I felt that the filmmakers really didn't expect anything- they were all so kind and I made an effort to get to know each of the filmmakers I gave an award to. It was just such a great feeling to finally give away these awesome awards out.  I had been stressing over them for the past months and it was finally the time where I could share this accomplishment with them.

If I could go back, I think I would have presented the working films award a bit better. I was not as familiar with what the winner was receiving- which I should have checked over before hand. Honestly, other than that- I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was such a great day and event overall.

Everyone working together as a team really made it what it was. I doubt that there was one filmmaker or scholar who left feeling like they didn't have fun or learn from this experience. Constantly people were talking about how welcoming it was and how they wished this type of thing existed at their university. It really was such a great event and I am proud and humbled to have been apart of this festival:)

Week 11

This week I've been really getting ready for the event. Not that I haven't before, but i'm putting the final touches on everything. Monday and Tuesday I attempted to reach out to those that said they would give us something on the phone. I then received two declines and still no answer from the other two. Its unfortunate because I still feel that something is missing from the audience winners. Since our Visionary winner has now become our Narrative winner- I am going to give his super 8 film kits away to an audience film winner so at least theres that.

This week I've made a new spreadsheet- with just this years donors. I also made a new tab that explains the status of their donation. I am responsible for making my own certificate for several of them and there are still a couple that are in the process of mailing it to me. This has been helpful as I want to make sure the presentation of the awards are as pretty as they can be! I also want to get fun grammy style envelopes to put the "winners" names in. This way it will be fun to open the and find out with everyone for a more surprise way:) Looking forward to giving them away!

Hours this week:
Meeting- 2 Hours
Time calling- 2 Hours
Time organizing/printing- 5 Hours

Week 10

Visions this week was very important. I've been so concerned with reaching this $6,000 goal that it stressed me out a bit. I was able to call and email many people and it paid off. I was still a bit nervous to present wednesday since I knew I only had $3,400. It was such a relief to hear that the $6,000 is just something we are aiming for and not make or break. I was really happy to present and it couldn't have gone better. It is a bit scary that there are only a couple weeks left, but as long as I can try my hardest, I hope I'll be able to get as close to that $6,000 as possible!

I can't wait for the festival. Its getting closer and closer and I'm so proud of everyone. I love how this class/Festival has run. Everyone is willing to help each other and I can't wait for the day to finally come!

Time Calling: 3 hours Total
Time Emailing: 5 hours Total
Meeting time: 1 hr. & 1/2 Total

Week 9

This week started off a little discouraging. I had Emailed a lot of people before leaving for Spring Break so I was hopeful to have responses after returning. This was not the case, so the beginning of the week was a bit upsetting and I attempted to call and email festivals and businesses again. I left many messages, got a couple solid No's and some maybes. I've been getting stressed since the festival isn't that far away and I am very far from the $6,000 amount. I recently just received a festival pass in New York as well as another donation so this has been a relief and the motivation I needed to continue on! I'm hoping as long as I continue to think positively and contact as many as I can, I'll be able to to reach close to the goal that was set!

Hours reasearching, contacting & calling this past week: 6hrs.
Meeting Time: 1 Hr. & 30 Min.

Week 8

Spring Break!

Week 7

This week I reached out to many Film Festivals in order to get badges for the winners. I contacted at least 3 Festivals for each filmmaker (Even some in Prague!) and the way I see it, if we get a badge from more festivals for one winner, the better it will be for them! I am still following up with past people I've contacted, although I am not getting as great of a response. It is very important that I am able to push very hard this past week before we get into March. Time is of the essence, and I really want to make sure we have great awards to give out!


Meeting: 1 hr & 20 min.
Research & Emails: 3 hrs

Week 6

This week as been busy busy! I have gotten so far $1,100 towards Awards. I have also physically received one of the products in the mail already. I am very happy with this, but do realize there is still a ways to go. I'm hoping that when I get the festival submission we will be on our way even more. I still need to follow up with people and push for another round of Emails so that I can be 100% sure for those who have not yet responded that they are not interested. My Goal is to have at least $4,000 (if not more) before I leave for spring break!

I am very happy with how our programing went. I feel certain that we can a great line up of films and papers! Its really great that everyone is able to communicate and share thoughts openly.

Reading Papers: 2-3 Hours
Emails: 4 Hours
Class: 10 Hours

Final Papers!

NON-UNCW

Bill Murray

+ Good research and nice personal voice

- Feels a lot like a summary/article o his life and achievements

Gravity

+ I really like how he discusses the importance of the opening one take shot, very thorough and interesting.

- I still feel that they make quite a stretch in comparing it to the Cinema of Attractions as it was defined back in the day- can’t say I’m 100% sold.

Ghost of Japanese Films

+ Really great writing, makes topic more interesting than I would have expected! Photos help a lot as well.

- Feels a lot of analyzing the films depiction of ghosts yet not how the films and culture interrelate to each other.  

Irreversible & Techniques of Looking

+ Really like how it is written, very interesting and explains it well without spending too much time summarizing the film. The focus is clearly on the analysis.

- Could have gone into a bit more detail about the reaction of the audience and how that has changed over time.

Realism of Police Procedure

+ Good amount of research

- Not very interesting in the approach and I got pretty bored while reading. I don’t think many people would be fascinated with this topic.

Pied Piper vs. Faun

+ Lots and lots of research with concrete quotes to back it up.

-  Not sure if they were able to fully summarize their thoughts and make an over arching argument.

The Blues Brothers

+ I like how much he defined and explains why it does fit with the genre or does not.

-  I don’t feel like it is written as well as it should be and seems to get a bit confusing at times. I kept asking why does this really matter as an analysis since we all know and understand genre implications.

Orson Wells

+ Interesting how he incorporates the Broadway show, radio and other aspects into his analysis- adds greater insight into Wells vast auteur style. Great ending phrase! I think a lot of people would learn more than pas his films.

-  Should include more photos and examples to grasp better insight into his other mediums.

UNCW

Boys will be Girls

+ Really like the background we get about Alice and how the paper is written overall. I’m sure not many people would know who she is but as we are focusing on feminism- it is a great paper about how women fit into the film industry.

-  Could be a little too specific but great paper! I’d love to se this presented.  

Cinema du Corps

+ Great writing style and a vast amount of research!

- I understand what he is saying about each film and how great they are, but I feel like an overarching argument is not as concrete

Multiple-screen Projection

+ I think this is a really fascinating topic that many people would be intrigued by! Also like how the paper is divided in showing the various examples.

-  I would like to see a lot of photos showing the multiple screen examples. Other than that really great paper!

The Lightness of Being

+ Strong writing, lots of good analysis- kinda went over my head though.

-  As long as this person can explain it in a simpler fashion we should be good!

Week 5

This past week has been a crucial week. Since last weeks meeting, I was able to receive all donation information from the awards from last year. I have been contacting companies everyday this week and have already received $676 worth of donations from Pro8mm, Final Draft & Dragonframe. Currently I have only had 1 person decline. I am very hopeful now and have continuing to reach out to more and more companies. I have also been very organized through my Emails and Contact sheet. I have color coordinated each type of contact that I have had with each business. This week is most important and next week I plan to follow up from those that I have not year heard back from. 

I have done the following this past week: 

Watching films: 4 hours 

Meeting time with department: 1 hour 

Emails & Doc updates: 5 hours

Week 4

After a snowy vacation, it is great to be back on track with everything. I have done a lot more research for awards- reading again what the manual said so that I do not get off track. I've realized that it will be most important, when reaching out to donors of last year, that I thank them for what they gave the year before. I am in the process of getting the contact for the Awards Coordinator from last year so that I can go ahead and reach out to the these donors. They are most important, since they have already given to the festival in past years. Our meeting this week was very helpful in getting everyone back on track. We all discussed what we have done and what our plans will be for this week. The Film Kid Mixer is coming up this friday so I'm very excited for this event. We are spreading the word on facebook and already there seems to be a good turn out. We also have the bake sale coming up next week as well as the BYOFF party on Thursday Feb. 13th. On top of it deciding films will be a struggle! I realized, with this most recent film submission, there are not really any films i'm on the fence about. I either find that I love the films or I know that they are not good for the festival. We have not yet discussed films in class so I am interested to hear everyones thoughts. With Abstracts, I feel like theres lots of debate since not all of us are as well versed with film papers. With Films, I feel like we will be able to have a lot better and concrete discussions so we shall see!

Watching films: 3 hours 

Meeting time with whole department: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Emails & Doc updates: 2 hours

Week 3

The snow days really messed up visions unfortunately! Our group was still able to meet and discuss what needed to be done. We gave each other updates on what we planned on doing for the coming week. This week I was slacking a little, although I still did research and created a word document, I should have spent more time on what Awards should go to whom. I was able to watch all films and have kept my own sheet with notes as I went along. I recommend everyone to do so! It will help in remembering the films, what you liked while watching or not. There are so many films as I've realized and although they are all very different, it is easy to forget details.

Watching films: 3 hours 

Meeting time with whole department: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Preparing Email doc and Awards Contact Spreadsheet: 2 hours

Week 2

This week, our group was able to get together quite a bit to make sure everyone was staying on track. It was very helpful, as we were not able to meet due to the snow day. I'm realizing how difficult it will be to select these films. Especially with the documentary's, they are all really great! I anticipate a long meeting time next wednesday! Excited as well to contact businesses and hope that I'll be able to get a good amount of donations. I hope that I'll be able to get a good amount of film and art merchandise. 

Below is the time I've spent this past week on various projects! 

Watching films: 2 hours 

Reading Abstracts: 30 minutes

Meeting time with whole department: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Meeting time with Jill: 1 hour

Sending of Emails to businesses: 1 hour

The Dirty Dozen

“The Dirty Dozen”
Project Management Questions


Identify the "what".
1.  What is the project supposed to achieve?

Being an Awards Coordinator, this project achieves awards a prizes that will be presented to those who create the best film/paper.
 2.  Who is the customer?

The customers will be the students who receive the award and prizes.

3.  What are the deliverables of the project?

The deliverables will be from various businesses, who will be donating merchandise and value towards these prizes. They will also receive recognition in our program.  
Identify the "how".
4.  What is the budget?

There is no budget, Instead I'll need to find about $6,000 in merchandise.

5.  How long will it take?

This will take many hours as I will need to Email many companies, follow up and reach out in person if need be. 

6.  What specific skills are needed?

Communication skills are key, as I will need to be personable in asking for donations as well as professional. Businesses will be more inclined to donate if they feel their merchandise is going towards a good cause and a credible one. 

7.  What special resources are needed?

The main recourses needed will be a computer, phone and credible letter head.

8.  Who is working the project?  What is each person's job?

Me-Nathalie Fortunel

9.  What is the schedule?

I will spend the end of January making a first contact with Emails and phone calls towards various businesses. Depending on how the first wave contact goes, I will follow up in February, go door to door to various business and hope I can create a greater relationship with these businesses. By March I hope to be collecting merchandise and finish up contact with most companies. 

Other considerations.
10.  What are the risks?  (Small vs. large impact, likely vs. unlikely)

The risks are that we would not be able to get enough exciting merchandise and related gifts for each awards winner. 

11.  How will you communicate with your team?

I will be assessing my own progress throughout the months and will contact my head, Jill, if any problems arise. 

12.  How will you determine if the project is successful?

Success will be determined if I am able to collect enough merchandise as well as enough related film products that would genuinely please awards winners. 

Week 1

So happy to be apart of Visions 2014! 

The first day of class was extremely helpful in getting everyone on the same page. As a new comer it will still take a few weeks to get fully updated on the level of the older folks but I feel very confident that I will be there soon. I was so excited to see how welcoming everyone was and how much of a team spirit the group has. It really felt like we were prepping for an important festival, rather than just a class that you have to get a good grade in. I loved that everyone really cares about making this festival a great one and it seems people are willing to put as much time and effort into it to make it that way.

As of now I am still struggling with finding my way around the good drive. I need to surf it a bit more so that I can locate folders and docs quicker. As the Awards Coordinator, I am interested in seeing what prizes have been given out in past Visions festivals and what techniques are best in going about getting in-kind donations. I also think it will be extremely important to create (or use if there is already one available) a signature form that identifies our festival and explains to donators how we will advertise their company. I would not expect a company to willingly give me donations without proper paperwork to back up my claim.

Excited to be on board and looking forward to working hard to make this festival the best one!