Spring is a busy time for us; it's the start of the festival season and programmers run around trying to see as much as we can to study the market. We at Toronto Youth Shorts are generally scouring the crevices of Toronto for new works that wow us. We love the process, but invariably throughout the years there is always a good number of filmmakers that make it exceedingly hard for us.
If you're a filmmaker, especially a young one with any intention of getting your work seen by people outside of your social circle, you need to make it easier for your work to be seen.
LIST YOUR MAJOR CREDITS
Seems straightforward, no? Usually at screenings, there will be a program guide of some kind. But sometimes, even though a guide may be handed out, it would lack necessary information, like the name of the director or producer (or ANYONE that worked on the film). This means if we see a film we really like, we must wait for credits and then frantically take notes in the dark. And then put our google-fu to the test later, which leaves us feeling like stalkers.
This isn't the filmmakers' fault as it is the event organizer that is responsible for producing a coherent piece of collateral that represents their program. It's incredible how often organizers would completely ignore the creators of the work in their promotional material. As organizers of any screening, we should always let people know through some sort of marketing platform who directed the films that we put on our screens (at the very least). Anything less is disrespectful to the people who put their efforts into bringing the film to life for your event. (Shoutout to Ryerson for their outstanding programme guides!)
LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
As a filmmaker, it is recommended to take some time to create a digital footprint, whether it be a website or social media accounts for your film, and then ensure that your name can be connected to your work. Here is where you can make it accessible for your audience, your peers, and industry professionals to see you, and then reach you.
Make like Storm, not Susan Storm.
-Sia
If you're a filmmaker, especially a young one with any intention of getting your work seen by people outside of your social circle, you need to make it easier for your work to be seen.
LIST YOUR MAJOR CREDITS
Seems straightforward, no? Usually at screenings, there will be a program guide of some kind. But sometimes, even though a guide may be handed out, it would lack necessary information, like the name of the director or producer (or ANYONE that worked on the film). This means if we see a film we really like, we must wait for credits and then frantically take notes in the dark. And then put our google-fu to the test later, which leaves us feeling like stalkers.
This isn't the filmmakers' fault as it is the event organizer that is responsible for producing a coherent piece of collateral that represents their program. It's incredible how often organizers would completely ignore the creators of the work in their promotional material. As organizers of any screening, we should always let people know through some sort of marketing platform who directed the films that we put on our screens (at the very least). Anything less is disrespectful to the people who put their efforts into bringing the film to life for your event. (Shoutout to Ryerson for their outstanding programme guides!)
LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
As a filmmaker, it is recommended to take some time to create a digital footprint, whether it be a website or social media accounts for your film, and then ensure that your name can be connected to your work. Here is where you can make it accessible for your audience, your peers, and industry professionals to see you, and then reach you.
Make like Storm, not Susan Storm.
-Sia
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