The time for rest and relaxation is over. It's time to begin preparation for the 5th Annual Central Florida Film Festival. We will be accepting early bird entries sometime in January. Look for our postings on both http://www.withoutabox.com/ and our official festival site http://www.centralfloridafilmfestival.com/.
We are fortunate to be able to announce that we will return to Ocoee, Florida and the West Orange 5 Theater. It's a good thing for a community when Ocoee, Mayor Scott, the Chamber of Commerce, Ocoee High School and several business all were happy with the announcement. It has been our tradition to hold the festival over the Labor Day weekend. Our 2010 dates are; September 3-6, 2010. We plan on making a few changes including the retention of our two major sponsors, dropping and adding some sponsors, deleting at least two categories and consolidating venues where possible.
Two categories going away are "Best Gay Themed Film" and the "Mini Feature." We had hoped for support from the Gay community with our celebration of Gay Film program which featured lunch, VIP guests, music, and a six hour long block of Gay Themed Films. The program cost almost forty percent of our budget and we received more hate mail than we did patrons. The amount of submissions was equal to what we generally receive but wasn't enough to cover the additional prize money. It's apparent there isn't enough local support to continue the program. In the past, Gay themed films have done well in competition with our mainstream projects and we will continue to evaluate each entry on production value, commercial value, and artistic value, regardless of content. We also received a disappointing amount of mini feature entries. Also, not enough to cover the cost of the new category. I had hoped to provide a haven for film makers who made films too long to be considered a short or too short to be considered a feature but apparently there aren't enough of these films to warrant it's own category. We will accept mini features as shorts and they will be judged on a project to project basis.
There will also be a shake up in our production staff and with our board of directors as well. Watch our website: http://www.centralfloridafilmfestival.com/ for announcements. I am determined to bring additional jobs to the Florida production community. Hopefully, the Film Commission and various state organizations will see the value in what we are planning and help where possible. One program we are proud to come up with is a program that would include Florida High School (age) film makers. Donna Wagner who runs the TV & Film Department at Ocoee, High School will be instrumental in the creation of a program that could win a student a scholarship. I'm working out the incidentals and hope it's completed in time for our 2010 program.
I will continue to keep this blog as a sounding board for film production information as well as updates for our film festival. I hope your summer was a productive one and now it's on to the fall season and our Holiday Blockbusters!
......And Cut!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
CENFLO 2008 - 2009 - 2010
In 2008 at the Osceola Center for the Arts (Kissimmee) we sold 497 tickets. This included all access passes, seminars and daily movie tickets. This year at the West Orange 5 theater and Ocoee Hotel venues we had 889 patrons. Quite a record! However, I was hoping for one thousand but it gives us something to shoot for next year. We saw advertising and sponsorship revenues drop by almost seven thousand dollars. Companies like FINAL DRAFT, MINI MOVIE CHANNEL, MEDIA DISTRIBUTORS, and PUBLIX cited economic problems and pulled their support. Hopefully, they will rebound and support us next year. We also increased spending this year with the hope of creating awareness of the festival and it's economic impact on the community. Speaking with Ocoee, Mayor Scott, who attended all three days, I believe we succeeded in that accomplishment.
However, like most businesses, there will be some economic changes to CENFLO in 2010. We are dropping at least two categories from our lineup. I believe each category should be able to support itself with entry fees and local ticket sales. Both our Mini Feature and Gay & Lesbian categories failed to meet the required amount of entries and local interest and will be dropped. The "Celebration of Gay film," party and block of Gay themed movies placed a heavy economic burden on the other film categories. In short, we're going back to the basics.
Shorts, Documentaries, Features, and even the Best Florida Project will all return. We are currently working on a program for High School student filmmakers and hope to have it in place for 2010. Our "Breakfast with the Screenwriters" panel was a huge success and we will renew the program and add a "Breakfast with the Producers" and a third breakfast to be announced for our lineup in 2010. We will also cut back spending on hotel rooms and parties. Unless there is a sponsor willing to pick up the entire cost there is no sense. Filmmakers are always willing to meet somewhere and pay a cash bar to unwind. Tambora's Restaurant was an excellent example of a local business helping out. They offered a 20% on all food and offered "Happy Hour" drink prices. We will look into expansion where the community benefits and the festival doesn't get stuck with the tab.
We will also be adding a few things including celebrity guests. Right now, I'm heading to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, to meet my hard working wife (she's working the Bonanza 50th Anniversary Convention). The festival and the convention will be over and we can spend a few days unwinding and making plans for next year. Fear not! The economy will work itself out. The world needs film and we're here to makes sure we do our part to protect the industry here in Central Florida.
And cut........
However, like most businesses, there will be some economic changes to CENFLO in 2010. We are dropping at least two categories from our lineup. I believe each category should be able to support itself with entry fees and local ticket sales. Both our Mini Feature and Gay & Lesbian categories failed to meet the required amount of entries and local interest and will be dropped. The "Celebration of Gay film," party and block of Gay themed movies placed a heavy economic burden on the other film categories. In short, we're going back to the basics.
Shorts, Documentaries, Features, and even the Best Florida Project will all return. We are currently working on a program for High School student filmmakers and hope to have it in place for 2010. Our "Breakfast with the Screenwriters" panel was a huge success and we will renew the program and add a "Breakfast with the Producers" and a third breakfast to be announced for our lineup in 2010. We will also cut back spending on hotel rooms and parties. Unless there is a sponsor willing to pick up the entire cost there is no sense. Filmmakers are always willing to meet somewhere and pay a cash bar to unwind. Tambora's Restaurant was an excellent example of a local business helping out. They offered a 20% on all food and offered "Happy Hour" drink prices. We will look into expansion where the community benefits and the festival doesn't get stuck with the tab.
We will also be adding a few things including celebrity guests. Right now, I'm heading to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, to meet my hard working wife (she's working the Bonanza 50th Anniversary Convention). The festival and the convention will be over and we can spend a few days unwinding and making plans for next year. Fear not! The economy will work itself out. The world needs film and we're here to makes sure we do our part to protect the industry here in Central Florida.
And cut........
Post Festival Rant
On Monday, September 7th, we wrapped our 4th annual Central Florida Film Festival. My thanks to Ocoee Mayor Scott, the Chamber of Commerce and Donna Wagner and her television and film student volunteers from Ocoee, High School for their support.
Now that the numbers have been tallied we showed an increase in ticket sales (up 200+) but the overall cost of the festival has us losing almost five thousand dollars. How is this possible? Last year in Kissimmee, Florida, the local hotel (the Clarion) saw value in having a film festival in their community. They give us five complimentary rooms for our VIPs and workers and a 20% discount at the restaurant for festival ticket holders. In return we made sure everyone attending knew about the discounts and the Clarion because the "Official" hotel of the festival. The advertising alone for a hotel is worth thousands of dollars. The Labor Day weekend in Florida is a slow weekend and many rooms are vacant. The exchange is advertising for rooms and last year twenty-two filmmakers stayed at the Clarion. We ate in their restaurant and drank in their lounge and everyone was happy. There were no guarantees but everyone left happy.
The move to Ocoee, Florida was based primarily for business purposes. There is a grant in Orange County where matching advertising dollars are given based on the amount of people you bring to Florida and stay in local hotels. It takes a year to qualify. In the world of "we're going to get your business anyway, approach," the three hotels closest to our festival venue are owned by the same people. The Red Roof Inn, The Best Western (turnpike) and the Courtyard Marriott are all within walking distance of the West Orange 5 Theater. The representatives of these hotels do not understand the value of advertising. They said they would adjust our bill accordingly based on the amount of people staying during our four day event. However, their count was about as accurate as their pricing. I signed a contract for what I thought would be their cheapest rate only to find festival attendees complaining they were able to get it cheaper either using, Internet Discounts, AAA, AARP or any way other than saying they were with the festival. I believe we were only getting credit if the filmmaker paid the higher Festival Rate. I don't believe this is fair. I saw few if any non festival tourists staying at these hotels. We supplied the bulk of their business and were still hit with not only the three rooms I purchased to get a cheaper rate myself than the negotiated price but at least two other rooms. Granted I believe I did receive two complimentary rooms but that remains to be seen when the Discover Card invoice arrives. According to Discover Card (online) I may have been billed twice for one room at the Best Western. We spent close to $1200-$1500 in room rentals for our volunteers and guests. Compared to zero last year.
On a positive note, Michael Palmierri (Catering Manager) handled his share of the workload in a professional and caring manner. In addition to all the room rentals, we also held two parties and a breakfast at a cost of close to four thousand dollars. The cost was much higher but Michael dropped a few charges when I went into convulsions reading the bill. I'm not in the hotel or catering business and that's exactly what I told everyone at the hotels when I approached them to sponsor our film festival. In exchange for advertising and promoting the hotel to our filmmakers we wanted four or five rooms. THAT'S IT!!!!! They came back with a sliding scale for rooms which I agreed to but the scale never slid. They know I'm PO'd but the negotiator went on vacation and hasn't been heard from.
What's in advertising? Placing their logo on our website means revenue to the hotel. Not the festival but the hotel. We are placing our nod for filmmakers from all over the world to stay at their hotel. We also placed their logo on all paid advertising including posters, postcards, and press releases. Again, worth thousands of dollars in good faith. Did I forget to mention we are a charitable, non-profit, organization? We gave Ocoee High School a complete stock footage and sound effects library for their television and film program for cryin' out loud! What did the hotels provide the community?
I know Mayor Scott understands the economic impact of our festival to Ocoee, and I know the businesses surrounding our festival understand as well. Something has to be worked out or we will have to place the hotel logo of a competitor on our website for next year. Yes, I know they own the Holiday Inn Express down the block too. Monopolies never bothered me before. There has to be another hotel in Winter Garden, Windermere or Clermont, who can find value in what we offer. After all the filmmakers are all from out of town or even out of country, they'll stay where I ask them to stay. It remains to be seen where they'll be staying next year.
.......and cut!
Now that the numbers have been tallied we showed an increase in ticket sales (up 200+) but the overall cost of the festival has us losing almost five thousand dollars. How is this possible? Last year in Kissimmee, Florida, the local hotel (the Clarion) saw value in having a film festival in their community. They give us five complimentary rooms for our VIPs and workers and a 20% discount at the restaurant for festival ticket holders. In return we made sure everyone attending knew about the discounts and the Clarion because the "Official" hotel of the festival. The advertising alone for a hotel is worth thousands of dollars. The Labor Day weekend in Florida is a slow weekend and many rooms are vacant. The exchange is advertising for rooms and last year twenty-two filmmakers stayed at the Clarion. We ate in their restaurant and drank in their lounge and everyone was happy. There were no guarantees but everyone left happy.
The move to Ocoee, Florida was based primarily for business purposes. There is a grant in Orange County where matching advertising dollars are given based on the amount of people you bring to Florida and stay in local hotels. It takes a year to qualify. In the world of "we're going to get your business anyway, approach," the three hotels closest to our festival venue are owned by the same people. The Red Roof Inn, The Best Western (turnpike) and the Courtyard Marriott are all within walking distance of the West Orange 5 Theater. The representatives of these hotels do not understand the value of advertising. They said they would adjust our bill accordingly based on the amount of people staying during our four day event. However, their count was about as accurate as their pricing. I signed a contract for what I thought would be their cheapest rate only to find festival attendees complaining they were able to get it cheaper either using, Internet Discounts, AAA, AARP or any way other than saying they were with the festival. I believe we were only getting credit if the filmmaker paid the higher Festival Rate. I don't believe this is fair. I saw few if any non festival tourists staying at these hotels. We supplied the bulk of their business and were still hit with not only the three rooms I purchased to get a cheaper rate myself than the negotiated price but at least two other rooms. Granted I believe I did receive two complimentary rooms but that remains to be seen when the Discover Card invoice arrives. According to Discover Card (online) I may have been billed twice for one room at the Best Western. We spent close to $1200-$1500 in room rentals for our volunteers and guests. Compared to zero last year.
On a positive note, Michael Palmierri (Catering Manager) handled his share of the workload in a professional and caring manner. In addition to all the room rentals, we also held two parties and a breakfast at a cost of close to four thousand dollars. The cost was much higher but Michael dropped a few charges when I went into convulsions reading the bill. I'm not in the hotel or catering business and that's exactly what I told everyone at the hotels when I approached them to sponsor our film festival. In exchange for advertising and promoting the hotel to our filmmakers we wanted four or five rooms. THAT'S IT!!!!! They came back with a sliding scale for rooms which I agreed to but the scale never slid. They know I'm PO'd but the negotiator went on vacation and hasn't been heard from.
What's in advertising? Placing their logo on our website means revenue to the hotel. Not the festival but the hotel. We are placing our nod for filmmakers from all over the world to stay at their hotel. We also placed their logo on all paid advertising including posters, postcards, and press releases. Again, worth thousands of dollars in good faith. Did I forget to mention we are a charitable, non-profit, organization? We gave Ocoee High School a complete stock footage and sound effects library for their television and film program for cryin' out loud! What did the hotels provide the community?
I know Mayor Scott understands the economic impact of our festival to Ocoee, and I know the businesses surrounding our festival understand as well. Something has to be worked out or we will have to place the hotel logo of a competitor on our website for next year. Yes, I know they own the Holiday Inn Express down the block too. Monopolies never bothered me before. There has to be another hotel in Winter Garden, Windermere or Clermont, who can find value in what we offer. After all the filmmakers are all from out of town or even out of country, they'll stay where I ask them to stay. It remains to be seen where they'll be staying next year.
.......and cut!
Monday, September 7, 2009
And the winner is!!!
The 4th Annual Central Florida Film Festival has come to a close at the West Orange 5 Theaters in Ocoee. The evening audience was buzzing Sunday as Jason Kushner's AMERICAN COLONIES: THE COLLAPSE OF THE BEE won Best Documentary. The award was presented by veteran filmmaker Gary Toll, who won the category in 2008 with a tribute to his talented sister, Judy, entitled, JUDY TOLL: THE FUNNIEST WOMAN YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF.
The other 2009 winners were;
BEST GAY THEMED project - "Choosing Absalon"
BEST MINI FEATURE - "The Mandala Maker"
BEST SHORT FEATURE - "Ana's Playground"
BEST FEATURE FILM - "Deadland"
BEST FLORIDA PROJECT - "Scare Zone"
"Deadland" also took home a plaque for "The Media Choice Award."
The other 2009 winners were;
BEST GAY THEMED project - "Choosing Absalon"
BEST MINI FEATURE - "The Mandala Maker"
BEST SHORT FEATURE - "Ana's Playground"
BEST FEATURE FILM - "Deadland"
BEST FLORIDA PROJECT - "Scare Zone"
"Deadland" also took home a plaque for "The Media Choice Award."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Final Festival Notes -
Advance Tickets for the Central Florida Film Festival will end at Midnight (September 2-3). Starting September 3rd, tickets can be purchased at the West orange 5 movie theater(http://www.westorange5.com/).
$20.00 (Daily pass) -
Watch films from 9:45 am until 11:30 pm. You may come and go as you please. We will have two screens available (Theater #1 & #2). If there's something you don't like in theater #1, hop over to theater #2. You can either eat at the movie theater or visit Toojays, Perkins or Tamboras and receive a festival discount.
$50.00 (Three Day pass/Movies Only) -
Come and go as you please and watch movies all weekend long.
Screenings begin Friday morning at 10:00 am.
For those of you that can not afford $20. We have a "$7.00 special" starting on Sunday night.
7:00 pm. PRINCE OF BROADWAY (Drama/Rated R 105m)
9:00 pm PRETTY UGLY PEOPLE (Comedy/Rated PG-13 90m)
10:15 pm SCARE ZONE (Horror/Rated R 90m)
Tickets can only be purchase at the West Orange 5 (http://www.westorange5.com/). either online or at the door.
Don't forget the SCREEN WRITER'S BREAKFAST, or the ACTING IN FILM SEMINAR. If you're really serious about your craft these are a must attend. There's still much to do. I'll talk to everyone after the festival until then I'll see you at the movies....
....and cut!
$20.00 (Daily pass) -
Watch films from 9:45 am until 11:30 pm. You may come and go as you please. We will have two screens available (Theater #1 & #2). If there's something you don't like in theater #1, hop over to theater #2. You can either eat at the movie theater or visit Toojays, Perkins or Tamboras and receive a festival discount.
$50.00 (Three Day pass/Movies Only) -
Come and go as you please and watch movies all weekend long.
Screenings begin Friday morning at 10:00 am.
For those of you that can not afford $20. We have a "$7.00 special" starting on Sunday night.
7:00 pm. PRINCE OF BROADWAY (Drama/Rated R 105m)
9:00 pm PRETTY UGLY PEOPLE (Comedy/Rated PG-13 90m)
10:15 pm SCARE ZONE (Horror/Rated R 90m)
Tickets can only be purchase at the West Orange 5 (http://www.westorange5.com/). either online or at the door.
Don't forget the SCREEN WRITER'S BREAKFAST, or the ACTING IN FILM SEMINAR. If you're really serious about your craft these are a must attend. There's still much to do. I'll talk to everyone after the festival until then I'll see you at the movies....
....and cut!
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