entreedicta

Posts Tagged ‘Film’

SESSION OF WORK SONG

You are probably reading this because you have the desire to live singing, and not just any life but his life. After all, who wants to just do it? Not you. You want to be able to tell your friends “Hey, it’s me” on this movie, TV show or commercial. If this is you, then read on.

What exactly is singing session work?

In a general overview, the song is a vocal session work that goes into a recording studio, as opposed to performing arts. A session singer is called upon to perform in a manner that realizes the vision of a composer. There may or may not be notated music. May the singer currently recording both as an instrumentalist, or may in the process of recording previously recorded songs that could be just basic piano for full orchestra. There may not even be any support. In times like these chops singers “(building) should be more tightly honed since the only thing one hears is the voice.

Types of combinations’s voice

Most sessions are done under union contracts by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the singers are paid on a scale to the size of group singing . Usually, a singer known before entering the studio if you sing alone or in combination with other singers. However, in the studio things can change, and must be able to quickly adapt to whatever scenario is presented. Here are the basic boundaries for uses voice.

Only

This is self explanatory. You would be called because your sound, style and training has made you best for what the composer wants to hear. Some session singers perform only solo, but most soloists also learn to perform as a singer of the group. They are more versatile and learn to blend with the voices around them.

Duo

A pair can be composed of two people who sing regularly together, or perhaps a combination of voice similar or dissimilar. Everything depends on what the composer wants. The votes are selected for their ability to blend, or maybe even free for their non-blending style. For example, male and female, or one voice hoarse and other candy. The main thing to recognize is that while the duo of two people are destined to create as a duo personality “for the specific song or cue. Most of these duets are recorded at the same time but Again, we must be ready for anything in the studio. Although the duo, there may be times where one voice would be recorded separately, then the second voice would work with this performance at a different time in the same session.

Group (3-8) and group (9 +)

The next level recognized by the code of the union of both AFTRA and SAG is in group singing group of singers from 3 to less than 80. The two group designations are 3 to 8, and 9 more. Trios, quartets and quintets fall into category 3 to 8, but usually after DUO groups become singers set of 9 or more. This is usually choral, and can cover the styles of gospel music, song, or classical, jazz and choral music of every imaginable ethnic styles.

The deadline for a session

Sessions can last for hours and can be recorded over several days, but there is always a minimum time period for which a singer is paid. With AFTRA is a 2 hour minimum wage and with SAG The minimum is 4 under on the TV and movie codes. The union did not work the minimum and not the singer (s) must negotiate.

This is an overview of the work session for singers. More information can be found on the websites listed below.


View full post on {source}

www. vmusicbook. com sells an e-book, which provides solutions for most issues that the experience of unsigned musicians. VmusicBook was created for those who wish to establish and run a successful independent music company, particularly in urban markets such as Hip-Hop, R & B, Drum & Bass and all other genres of dance, including the UK grime. VmusicBook is one of the first music resources of its kind. He is said to be the most complete directory and detailed sales online giving you direct access to 100s of important contacts. VmusicBook is a valuable business tool for unsigned talent looking to turn their talents or skills into a legal business. No matter what you do if it is creative and fun so it’s probably for you. The VmusicBook was made for unsigned artists and musicians, label owners, music producers, songwriters, engineers and managers. Get your music or songs, television, films and commercials. Do you intend to become a famous hip hop artist and want your music to appear in films and television? Here are some tips that can help you get your hip-hop beats on the film and television. While thinking of becoming famous make sure that although fame is a wonderful thing, it is not easy to achieve, but it is certainly available through various ways. You get famous personalities in all fields, including politics, acting, sports or entertainment. There are several ways to become famous in all areas and if you try to find these resources, you will be able to succeed in your deposit. How to get your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV Once you become familiar with the entertainment industry, you find that there is a massive number of artists full of hope but few of them become successful. In this state, you should try to know why only some of the aspiring actors become successful. If you try to find reasons, you will realize he needs one to be industrious, duly qualified, hard working and very experienced to become a success in any field. If you want to get your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV, you have to implement the act of adopting stage names. Many individuals have successfully done to improve their reputation and become memorable forever. If you see a sample of Ray Charles, whose name was Ray Robinson had to accept a pen name, as there had been a boxer of the same name. Use English or anglicized names to get your Hip-Hop Beats on the film and television So many personalities who have succeeded have used this trick to become a professional success in their fields. For example, people who had migrated to other parts of the world to America, adopted pseudonyms to hide their identity colonizer. Robert Zimmerman, one of the greatest musicians, is famous as Bob Dylan in the industry. The second option of becoming famous is to adopt a single word as your stage name. Suppose your name is Christopher Gilchrist, you can make it famous as Gilly instead of using the full name. You can also take some tips from celebrities who have officially changed its name to become successful artists. Discover your voice to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV You’ll discover your voice to become famous, and to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV. Whether you’re an actor or a musician, you should be able to speak at the masses and to involve listening to you. You can do this by showing your ads on Hip Hop beats in television and film. While speaking to the camera or on the mass level, you must use your full assurance because if you speak in lower voice, it will display your lack of confidence. Use the Poetics of Hip Hop to Get Your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV If you try the method of analysis of Hip Hop music and lines, people can easily understand because of the diction, beat the variety and the sound of music and singing. It will help people find common ground between hip-hop songs. This way, you can use different kinds of tricks to get your Hip-Hop Beats On Film & TV. Courtesy of www. vmusicbook. com © VmusicBook, Inc. 2008


View full post on {source}

Shooting in some places is not always practical or affordable in making many films, TV programs. Also, landscapes production of very high quality and timelines, on a large scale physics is a service that is not easy to find. Experience, knowledge and ability all play a role to be able to get something as precise and as important to the customer. Ultimately, the “framework” for something to be good enough to actually stay in and be accepted as background, and to improve and enhance whatever happens in front of him, makes him more credible. Is it not simply reproduce a photo? In a word, no. Simply reproduce a “jump” version of a photo is not actually “quite realistic” when the screen or on stage. Photographs really need to go through a process improvement to ensure that when in a larger format, they remain “real” as possible and as close to the original photograph. I need to provide my own photo? In business you get a background has an extensive library of pictures anyway, it is possible that there may well be an image already available and responsive which can be used. This could save you time and money. Would I buy the bottom?

No Backdrops can be rented – they should not be purchased. Sets pre-existing can be ordered and shipped to the location of film / TV show for a limited time. Will I need different settings to show the same view during the day and night? Again, the answer is no. Translights Day and night backdrops / are backdrops that can go from being a realistic picture day become a realistic picture of night at the flick of a switch. Can it take some time before I get my decor? Not a good backdrop for picturesque print can often be done in a week (after receiving the photo quality).


View full post on {source}

These days, there are plenty of good music is created and made available to the public. The Internet has certainly been a very good tool for this purpose. With all this music out there, today’s artists, songwriters and composers in May believe they are only small fish in a vast ocean. But there is a whole industry that exists that many people are not even aware of this ocean is a whole lot smaller.

Have you ever watched a television commercial or a movie or heard a radio message and wondered where the music came back? Certainly, there are scores of composers for hire who used to compose music project. However, this can sometimes be too costly for the project budget. Consequently, there are two areas of similar but distinct activities that exist to meet the need of pre-cleared music without hassle free and inexpensive, and each specializes in its field.

1) Songs for Film & TV. The pre-approved, industry Song independent songs represent the artist and the height of their equipment if necessary. Uses include, movies, TV shows and radio and television commercials. One place to promote your music for these uses is “museek. Com. Not only do they offer you free your own “artist” page, but they also give you the opportunity to have your song considered for use in film and television industries. You can find more information, visit www. museek. com and search for “Artist Signup.” Another great site to visit to promote your songs for these uses is ‘Taxi’ at www. taxi. com

2) Instrumental “Music Production”. The music industry producers together collections of instrumental music and makes it available for film, television and media industry to facilitate hassle-free use. Uses include movies, TV shows and commercials, radio spots, documentaries, corporate videos, multimedia presentations, and many others.

Songs for film, television and advertising is a narrow niche that is extremely complex in terms of negotiating a fee structure. Among the considerations are: Does the film containing the song being a limited release movie or be it a general release in North America or the world? The video will be released for sale or lease 6 months after leaving the theater? How many copies will be made and in which territories are available? Will the film be translated into foreign languages in the future? It will be presented as a re-run 5, 10 15 or 20 years from now on television late at night? It will be shown on airlines as entertainment? The song will be included on a CD “soundtrack” and sold in stores? Each of these uses has its own expense and must be detailed in the contract, it is best left to people who specialize in this area for negotiation.

Basically, the producers look for songs that are in phase with the same message that their production is trying to convey. For example, a song for a car ad will project the image of freedom and independence, attitude, wealth or any other feeling they want you to imagine being the owner of this car. Likewise, songs from films or television programs have to adapt to the stage where they are used. I recently had a producer contact me who was looking for a piece of jazz singing for a sexy scene in a movie where the main actors walk into a smoky bar. The music should create the atmosphere of the scene in the viewer’s mind. I also received many requests for songs that were “positive and uplifting, without being religious.” America the Beautiful “is an excellent example of this type of song.

Many people ask: “Why do not the producers simply using popular songs CD available in stores? They can, but it will cost them much time to obtain authorization and a sum of considerable money. (Microsoft have The Rolling Stones paid seven figures to use a small snippet of their song “Start Me Up” in a TV ad). They could even be denied regardless of cost. Permission must be sought from both parties different publisher (the owner of copyright in music today) and label (owner of copyright in the recording).

Production of instrumental music is similar to the industry of the song except that it is easier to get music placed as there are many more opportunities available. Company production of music CD releases of instrumental music (all styles) and offer it to producers in 3 different ways:

1) global license – For an annual fee, the producer has the unrestricted right to use music on a rental basis for a fixed period. 2) License Laserdrop – Music is available to the producer on a “pay-per-use” basis, and must pay a fixed fee each time they use the music provided by the company. 3) Buy-Out License – The producer buys the CD music of total production, and the purchase price includes the right to unlimited use of music forever.

In each case above, the producer is still required to submit cue sheets and use the company to report performance for all appropriate rights of public performance of a production with music. This allows both the composer and the publisher to collect performance royalties. This statement does not include additional costs for the producer.

What is “copyright”? It is the protection granted by the state (governing body of each country) to those who create intellectual property such as literary, dramatic, musical, etc. “Copyright” itself consists of three distinct rights:

1) The mechanical rights – the right to make copies (tapes, videos, CDs, etc.) of copyrighted works. No one can make a mechanical reproduction of a work protected music without permission of the copyright holder.

2) synchronization rights – the right to synchronize, re-register or use a musical recording in temporal correlation with a visual image or audio or another voice. This would include all forms of radio and commercials, programs, films, videos, etc.

3) performance rights – the right to perform music in public, through radio, television, concert halls, restaurants and bars, systems background music (banks, grocery stores, elevators) and so on. Radio and television pay an annual fee for the rights of corporate performance (such as BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN, PRS, etc.) for the right to interpret the music on the airwaves. According to the data that these companies receive stations (cue sheets for example), composers and publishers concerned get their appropriate actions to accomplish the charge (residue) which is paid from the pool of funds collected. Companies performing rights are part of an international network of subsidiaries which sheets of reference and information exchange program and collect and distribute the costs of interpretation for composers and publishers around the world.

What does it take to have your music considered? Following criteria:

* Your songs and instrumental music must be professionally recorded and mastered, and be of superior quality.

* You must have your own edition, author and Master Recording. In other words, you do not have assigned such rights to any other person or company.

* You must have agreements / release forms with the producers, performers, etc. studio you control all the rights and they are not entitled to an income that is generated in May following the performance or the use your song or instrumental music.

* You must recognize that your song or composition is quite original, and you do not copy any part of any other source. All samples (if used in your music) must be pre-authorized and royalty.

I hope this article has been beneficial to help you understand this segment of the music industry. If you have an instrumental music that you want to be considered for inclusion in a library of production music, make a simple web search for “music production” and read each of the sites for their communication policies.

In future articles I will cover issues related to public domain and protection of copyright.

Good luck to you all, and always keep faith in yourself and trust that the universe will guide you in the right direction!


View full post on {source}

Time is money on any film or photographic shoot and if you need vehicles on location you can’t afford to take chances when arranging vehicle transportation. The stunt cars, the hero’s motorbike, and the valuable vintage car all need to be in the right place, at the right time, and ready for instant action.

Who can you trust to get the job done smoothly and efficiently from collection to delivery? When you begin looking for a professional vehicle transport company for TV programmes, films, promotional videos or photo shoots, here are some things you need to check:

Experience

Does the company offer specialist car transport support for media agencies based on its knowledge of the industry? Does it have extensive experience of film shoot car transport gained through working on all types of locations?

Covered car transporters

For maximum safety and security, and to ensure vehicles are delivered in pristine condition, the company must use fully enclosed vehicle transport.  

Knowledgeable staff

Does the company just employ drivers – or professional, experienced, adaptable drivers who take a real pride in their work? Can they be relied on to be discreet when working with prototypes and prestige vehicles?

A ‘Can do’ attitude

Can the company arrange short notice vehicle transport throughout UK & Europe? Is it available 24/7? Can it deal with multiple vehicle transport? Does it provide an advisory service and technical help if needed? If you have a problem, will the staff do their best to solve it? 

Essential extras

Does the company offer more than a basic vehicle collection and delivery service? Does it also have its own secure storage facilities? Are the staff willing and able to give on-site assistance with film, TV, and photo shoots? Will they undertake on-site valeting if necessary?

To ensure the success of your project it’s vital to get all the details right. Using a specialist covered car transportation company makes it easy to hand over at least some of the responsibility to the experts.

A film is a mode of entertainment that not only entertains us but also provides us with valuable messages and topics to talk about. A film is probably the broadest and most varied creative opportunity in mass media. Films, a blend of creativity and technicality are an important media, not only for entertainment and information, but also for communication. Filmmaking includes feature films, documentaries, newsreels, Promotional films, TV commercials, music Videos etc. Filmmaking and Film Production Courses train an individual about the intricate art form involving a thorough understanding of human psyche, collective consciousness and the contemporary global scenario. The field of film making, which is highly competitive, is one that has a lot of scope for employment opportunities especially, India which releases a large number of films every year. The craft of filmmaking is a teamwork which needs close coordination of various skilled individuals. It involves acting, directing, producing, script writing, cinematography, sound recording, visual mixing, editing and so on. A film maker like the captain of a ship has to look at all these aspects of film making. He has to start at the very bottom and work his way up. i. e. beginning with raising capital for the film to its distribution, screening as well as all the stages of its crafting. There are specialized courses for all aspects of filmmaking in which students are exposed to various types of equipment and the latest techniques of film production. Hence, various courses are available in the field of filmmaking Film & Television 1. ) Courses in Audio Engineering 2. ) Courses in Digital Film Making 3. ) Courses in Media Technology Certificate Courses 1 Certificate Course In Acting 2 Certificate Course In Film Direction, Cinematography, Audiography & Editing 3 Certificate Course In Production & Direction 4 Certificate Course In Professional Videography 5 Certificate Course In Sound Recording & Reproduction Diploma Courses 1. ) Diploma In Acting 2. ) Diploma In Audio & Video Production 3. ) Diploma In Cinematography 4. ) Diploma In Direction 5. ) Diploma In Direction & Screen Play Writing 6. ) Diploma In Direction, Acting, Videography, Film Editing 7. ) Diploma In Dramatic Arts 8. ) Diploma In Film Directing, Film Acting 9. ) Diploma In Film Direction, Cinematography, Audiography & Editing 10. ) Diploma In Film Editing 11. ) Diploma In Film Making 12. ) Diploma In Film Processing 13. ) Diploma In Film Studies 14. ) Diploma In Freehand Animation 15. ) Diploma In Fundamental & Audio Visual Education 16. ) Diploma In Motion Picture Photography 17. ) Diploma In Photography 18. ) Diploma In Production 19. ) Diploma In Professional Photography 20. ) Diploma In Scenic Design 21. ) Diploma In Sound Recording & Sound Engineering 22. ) Diploma In Video Camera & Lighting Diploma In Video Editing & Sound Recording Post Graduate Courses 1. ) Post Graduate Diploma In Acting Educational Qualification: For undergraduate courses, basic eligibility is 10+2. For masters courses it is graduation. Candidates have to clear the written test, aptitude test and interview. Duration of courses depends on the course one opts for and the institution chosen. Job Prospects: Candidates can find good rewarding job prospect in the film industry with Film Studios, Production Companies, Advertising Agencies, and Government Department, which make films or start their own venture as producer, director, editors, cameramen, soundmen, lighting crews, and assistants & so on. FILMMAKING INSTITUTES: 1. ) Film &Television Institute of India (FTII): Law College Road, Pune – 411 004 (Maharashtra 2. ) Jamia Milla Islamia: A. J. Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, Maulana Mohammed Ali, Jauhar Marg Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 3. ) Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute: E. M. Bypass Road, P. O. Panchasayar, Kolkata 700094 4. ) Asian Academy of Film & TV: MARWAH STUDIOS COMPLEX FC-14/15, Film City, Sector-16A NOIDA-201301, Uttar Pradesh 5. ) Xavier Institute of Communication, St Xavier’s College: Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai 4000001 6. ) Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CIT Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600113 7. ) Tisch School of the Arts: Dean, Tisch School of the Arts, Mary Schmidt Campbell, PhD, 721 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003. 8. ) Rochester University: Rochester, NY 14627 9. ) The London Film School: 24 Shelton Street, London, WC2H 9UB, United Kingdom. 10. ) UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television: 102 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622 11. ) York University, Department of Film: 224 Centre for Film and Theatre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3.

As a freelancer in the film and TV industry you will have learned the hard way that getting those all important first couple of jobs came down to a dogged persistence, some very hard work, (that you may not have been paid for), and ultimately the founding of some key relationships/friendships that led to more work.  

In short your route to working in film and television lies in who you know and your list of personal contacts will always be the ‘sweet spot’ for future work.

What happens though when those contacts dry up?  People move on to other roles or even leave the film and TV industry and you may suddenly find that you are out of the loop.

The answer to this problem is of course network, network, network and the purpose of this article is to demonstrate that there has never been a time when networking opportunities within the television and film industry are more abundant, easier and more cost effective.

The following are five areas of opportunity to raise your profile within your given field within film and TV, expand your network of contacts and also provide an integrated and consistent presence to market your brand (i. e. YOU!)

1 Social networking

Most of you will be familiar with the ubiquitous Facebook and many of you will be using it to stay in touch with friend and relatives but how can it help you get work in television and film? 

The answer is groups, there are many, many groups set up on Facebook for people working in film & TV including:

The Unit List

London Film and Theatre Network

Television Freelance Jobs

Film Industry Network

These are great places to network with other industry professionals and expand your contacts whilst The Unit List regularly posts jobs and will email job alerts.

Probably the main drawback to professional networking with Facebook is that the face that you present to family and friends is not necessarily the one that you want would be film and TV employers and colleagues see!

For that reason you may prefer to sign up to Linkedin.   A much more business-oriented social networking site launched in May 2003, Linkedin is mainly used for professional networking and once again it is through joining relevant groups that you can drive traffic to your profile.  

There is an ever growing list of social networking sites and increasingly they are emerging to address particular niches, (dating,  jobs, special interests etc. ). For one specifically for film and television professionals you may want to look at www. gems-uncut. com.

 

2 Articles and Lists

There are a number of television and film specific directory / listing sites that you can get yourself listed on for no charge. Some of the important ones are:

www. theknowledgeonline. com

www. freelancedirectory. tv/

www. kays. co. uk

www. mandy. com

http://www. ukscreen. com/

http://www. kftv. com/

http://www. 4rfv. co. uk/

You should get listed on all of these and it is worth doing some research because there are many others that are worth adding your details to.

Writing is not everyone’s forte but in these days of informal communication and in light of the fact that you will have something to offer others in terms of experience and insight – we all do – you might consider doing some film and TV blogging.   Once again there are lots of blogging sites and increasingly there are sites dedicated to niche and special interest groups.   Take a look at:

http://forgetfilmschool. blogspot. com/

http://filmindustrybloggers. com/

Who is going to read it? Well you might be surprised but more important than establishing yourself as a world renown guru in television and film is the fact that at the bottom of your blog will be your name, email address and that all important hyper link – more on this in the next item.

If you write something that you feel is particularly relevant, good or even funny then submit it as an article to some of the hundreds article submission websites – again usually free and it could be syndicated to thousands of websites around the world all with your name, email and follow on hyper link included.   Have a look at:

http://www. ezinearticledirectory. co. uk/

3 Your own website

Do I need my own website?  Is the wrong question!  Yes without doubt you do need your own website; the more pertinent question is how quickly can I get one up and running?

Don’t be daunted by this and certainly don’t spend too much money on it. Consider it a simple online brochure on you and what you have to offer.   It need only include your contact details and your CV although if you are a creative you may want to add some images or even video clips of your work.   This is very easy to achieve, you could probably do it yourself and if you did it would cost virtually nothing.

The absolute key point to emphasise here is your website is the landing page that all of the above activities point to.   You can link your Facebook, your Linkedin, your many and various listings in film and TV related directories and your blogs and articles to your web address and ultimately you’re CV.  Generating and funnelling potentially very significant traffic to you and best of all, like placing so many lobster pots, you can set this up and not have to think about it too much.

4 diary services, agents and job sites

It may be that you are at a point in your career that you are thinking about getting professional representation.   Obviously having someone else marketing your skills and talents is a lot more convenient than the activities mentioned previously, especially if that other person has a good reputation and long standing contacts within the film and television industry.   However, handing over upwards of 10% of your entire income to an agent who may not ultimately bring anything extra to the table could be very costly.

Film and TV diary services are another consideration.   Whilst diary services don’t tend to take a commission on your earnings they will charge you a monthly fee of between £40 and £90.   It may seem strange that in this age of mobile phones, emails, texting, and laptops there was still a need for a diary service but it is important to remember that film and TV production companies still really value this service as it saves them a lot of time when crewing up.  

Inevitably we are seeing an increase in the number of online diary services where you are able to publish your own availability along with your CV and quite often there is a jobs board. Take a look at www. productionbase. com and  www. gems-uncut. com as an examples of this sort of service.   By organising it yourself the cost is dramatically reduced and can cost less than a couple of pounds a week.  

5 working those contacts

Having looked at some of the most up to date methods of networking and raising your profile within the television and film industry it is time to return to some more conventional and time honoured considerations.   As was said right at the beginning of this piece your personal contacts within the film and TV industry is the sweet spot in terms of getting more work.   These guys know you and your work and hopefully trust you. Be diligent in keeping a contacts list or database, keep your unit lists and transfer details of useful contacts to your database.

Diarise regular CV updates and when you do an update send it out to all your contacts to remind them about you and demonstrate that you remain busy and active.

As you will most likely be emailing your CV make sure you include links in your CV to your website, Facebook, Linkedin, and productionbase profiles etc and keep that traffic moving.

What I hope is apparent at this stage is how the above initiatives can be integrated into a kind of web that permeates the television and film industry but where each strand leads back to you.

This may look like so much work and perhaps you are not convinced that the results will justify the effort.   To answer this point I would ask you the following key questions:

1 Are you getting enough work from your existing channels?

2 What else can you do to provide a consistent and continuous presence in the job market?

 

The International Student Film Festival Hollywood offers student filmmakers from all over the world a unique opportunity to gain the recognition of film industry leaders. It is a forum for student filmmakers to showcase their independent films in Hollywood, mostly by putting these students face to face with working Directors, Producers, and other industry professionals, throughout the event that runs through November 9, giving them the invaluable opportunity to promote themselves and their films. American Film Market is a well regarded industry function to which over 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. All 23 screens on the Santa Monica Promenade and the surrounding community become AFM screening rooms for the entire eight-day event which lasts till November 12 and eight digital and video screening rooms are added just for the AFM. Ypulse Youth Marketing Mashup East, taking place in Boston, November 6-7, will focus on how you can reach and connect with youth ages 16-24 using technology, and embraces themes of content, connectivity and community. Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, and associated festivals, is the result of the merger between Copenhagen’s major film festival organisations; Copenhagen International Film Festival and NatFilm. The new organisation today house three international film festivals in the Danish capital, with certain segments taking place from November 7-18. The People-Powered Media [un]Workshop is an ‘unconference’ style event created to explore how community media can be used as a tool for information, organization, and action, one day only, November 8, in Austin. PAUSE is the title for a conference happening November 10-11 in New York, that examines the creative and technical approaches of industry leading studios and agencies involved in broadcast and film. Attendees of this event will receive full access to the 2 day event, which includes 14 one hour presentations, and a wrap party at Madame X in Greenwich Village. The Association of Moving Image Archivists Annual Conference, takes place this year in Savannah, November 12-15, and provides an opportunity for colleagues and those interested in the field to meet, share information and work together, in part through events like The Newcomer’s Breakfast which will give Mentors and Newcomers a chance to meet and network. The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard join forces to deliver a  two-day seminar, November 13-14 in Los Angeles, on the role of music in film and television. The seventh annual event provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among film, TV and music professionals. Also featured will be live artist performances, roundtable discussions, and networking cocktail parties. The Global Gaming Expo is a yearly event put on by the gaming industry, providing the latest secrets and ideas for everyone who comes. Anyone who runs or works professionally in the gaming industry (including Bingo hall managers) is welcome to come to this Las Vegas extravaganza happening November 18-20. The fifth annual Billboard Touring Conference and Awards is a gathering for the concert industry that will host informative panels, controversial discussions, invaluable networking opportunities, and an awards reception, the Billboard Touring Awards, which honors the concert industry’s top artists and professionals based on actual data compiled through the Billboard Boxscore chart of 2007. The November 21 ‘Betting on Shorts’ (BoSs) conference is being hosted by a London-based cultural organisation run by Ricarda Vidal, Irini Marinaki and Konstantinos Stefanis, with a focus on the dissemination of shortfilms by new international filmmakers in prominent cultural institutions, and further collaboration between cinemas and galleries in Europe and beyond. The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Bit Torrent, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog, a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. The Free Home Video Showcase serves as an archive for all past video presentations. This month on video you will see trailers and sample clips of urban a capela group from New York, but based in Germany, Naturally 7. A platform for new urban talent, Tickles. tv. A Junebug Presents film starring Alfred E. Rutherford, ‘Pro-Black Sheep’. Rock Talk Records, Chas Ferry Producer, with ‘Hypnotic Video’. Post Media, LLC, Luis G. Pascual, principal, presenting sports television formats from – “FUTBOL DE PRIMERA” – Argentina. The Actor’s Checklist now lets you check the latest musical artists song releases on Apple’s iTunes, updated on an hourly basis, at: http://www. actorschecklist. com/resources/itunes. php

After many years of providing production services in Israel for international crews and TV networks filming in Israel, there is one guiding principle that stands above everything else: my responsibility towards the client.

When a production crew comes from halfway around the world to shoot a film, documentary, commercial or a music clip in Israel, they depend on us to make sure the production goes smoothly. I do not take this responsibility lightly, but through years of experience I have established a firm fundament from which I work when providing production services in Israel.

Firstly, I only work with the top professionals in the country whether that is a DP, a soundman, or an assistant cameraman or even just a best boy. Working with crew who share the same strong work ethics is invaluable on projects of any scale.

 

Secondly, I arrange for crews top equipment from our equipment house with which I have worked for many years. This way I am able to offer a crew great packages at good rates. Many crews appreciate this service, as it saves a lot of time and efforts arranging for carnets and getting through customs and security.

Thirdly, the safety of my clients’ is my top priority. To ensure this I hire the best drivers with the best vans, pre-scout all locations for the shoot and during the shoot I make sure that everybody on the team feels safe.

 

Hard work and efficiency are my guiding work principles which have allowed me to work on great projects along the years with various clients from around the world, such as Channel 4, the History Channel, ARTE, the Discovery Channel, ZDF and many more.

Israel offers a variety of beautiful landscapes such as deserts, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean coastline and the Red Sea. Its rich history, monumental architecture, as well as the variety of culture and traditions can be witnessed in its capital Jerusalem, as well as in other popular filming locations such as Nazareth, Akko and Caesarea. Crews filming in Israel can walk in the footsteps of the greatest prophets while enjoying the spirit of a modern, dynamic country with a true Mediterranean lifestyle.

During my work of providing production services in Israel, I have traveled around the entire country over the years and there are many beautiful locations that I have shown to my clients and crews. However, nothing compares to shooting in the desert – much of Israel’s landmass is actually desert and the different scenery in the Negev and the Judean desert is breathtaking. You can shoot beautiful sunrises at the Judean desert facing the Dead Sea and the colors around the Ramon crater at sunset are just marvelous.

 

The many thank you letters and letters of recommendation I receive from my client show that it is invaluable to arrange for a local fixer in Israel. There are many security regulations, sensitive religious locations, the acquisition of film permits and a few cultural traps, which can challenge a foreign film team in many ways and delay the shooting. Having a local coordinator around you during your shoot, who is familiar with the culture, the language, the roads, and the do’s and don’ts in the Middle East, will ensure the smooth completion of any project.  

 

Providing production services in Israel is a wonderful job as you get to work with people from all over the world, while learning to appreciate what your own country has to offer. A couple of years ago, I founded the website of my company www. biblicalproductions. com, which contains all information about filming in Israel and what the production services in Israel incorporate. The site offers you comprehensive information about production services in Israel including a detailed location guide, interesting articles, recommendations for restaurants and hotels and much more. The website is continuously updated as I collect more information during productions, and there is always something new to discover in Israel.

 

Anyone interested in finding more about production service in Israel, is welcome to contact me directly or visit my website and browse through the information there.

SESSION SINGING WORK

You are no doubt reading this because you have the desire to make a living singing, and not just any living, but a good living. After all, who wants to be just barely making it? Not you. You want to be able to tell your friends “Hey, that’s me” on that film, TV show or commercial. If this is you, then read on.

What exactly is session singing work?

In a general overall view, session singing is work that a singer goes into a recording studio as opposed to live performance. A session singer is called to perform in a way that realizes a composer’s vision. There may or may not be music notated. The singer may be recording at the same time as instrumentalist, or may be recording to previously laid down tracks, which could be anything from basic piano to full orchestra. There may not even be any accompaniment. At times like these the singers ‘chops’ (abilities) have to be even more tightly honed since the only thing that is heard is the voice.

Types of vocal combination’s

Most session work is done under union contracts through Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and singers are paid a scale according to the size of singing group. Usually a singer knows before they enter the studio if they are singing alone or in combination with other singers. However, in the studio things can change, and one must be able to quickly adapt to whatever scenario is presented. Here are the basic delineations for vocal uses.

Solo

This is self-explanatory. You would be called because your sound, style and training have made you optimal for what the composer wants to hear. Some session singers only perform solo, but most soloists learn to also perform as a group singer. They make themselves more versatile and learn to blend with the voices surrounding them.

Duo

A duo can be made up of two people who regularly sing together, or can be a combination of similar or dissimilar voices. It all depends on what the composer wants. The voices are chosen for their ability to blend, or maybe for their complimentary yet non-blending style. For example male and female; or one voice gruff and the other sweet. The main thing to recognize is that as a duo the two people are called upon to create in duet form, a specific ‘personality’ for the song or cue. Most of the time duos are recorded together but again, one must be prepared for anything in the studio. Although a duet, there may be times when one voice would be recorded separately, and then the second voice would work with that performance at a different time in the same session.

Group (3-8) and Group (9+)

The next level recognized by the union code of both AFTRA and SAG is group singing- any group of singers from 3 to as many as 80. The two group designations are 3 to 8, and 9 plus. Trios, quartets, and quintets fall into the 3 to 8 category, but most often after DUO the groups become ensemble singers of 9 or more. This is usually choral, and can cover styles from gospel, to chant, or classical, to jazz choir or any ethnic style imaginable.

The time frame for a session

Sessions can go on for hours and can be recorded over multiple days, however there is always a minimum time frame for which a singer is paid. With AFTRA it is a minimum of 2 hours pay and with SAG the minimum is 4 under the TV and Film codes. Non-union work has no set minimum and the singer(s) must negotiate this.

This is an overview of session work for singers. More information can be found on the web sites listed below.