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ENLARGE
The Nevada City Film Festival’s recently announced My Nevada City Video Contest celebrates the pioneer spirit of local independent filmmaking by encouraging residents to share their vision, their love — their Nevada City — with audiences.
The winning videographer will receive a $250 savings account from sponsor Citizens Bank of Northern California and be screened during the 9th Annual Nevada City Film Festival, which runs Aug. 20-23.
To help get folks started, Film Festival Program Director David Nicholson and Festival Director Jason Graham have organized a free panel discussion with leading film industry professionals on Saturday, May 30, in Nevada City.
With the support and infrastructure of a budding technology industry that includes Thomson Grass Valley, AJA Video, NVision, Telestream, Editware and 2Wire — responsible for manufacturing much of the software and equipment that filmmakers use today — western Nevada County offers a fertile setting for independent filmmaking.
The area has two successful film festivals, the Nevada City Film Festival and the South Yuba River Citizen’s League’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, the largest such festival in the United States.
Their growth in recent years adds to the fame Nevada City has cultivated for decades as a home to world-renowned musicians, poets and visual artists.
“When we first started the (Nevada City) film festival nine years ago, I feel like we were in this golden era,” Nicholson said. “Many of our friends had or were making their own films then, and we all rallied around one another.
“I feel the interest in local filmmaking has dwindled some, and I’d like reignite it,” Nicholson added. “Ulti-mately, (NCFF) was a local film festival, and I want to bring that back as much as possible.”
He hopes to do that with Saturday’s panel discussion for local filmmakers.
“We’ll start the panel off with a conversation on what the contest is about and move into giving advice and ideas on how to start this or any film project,” Nicholson said.
“There will be filmmakers who will be able to cover everything from pure storytelling to the technical side of things. I hope filmmakers of all levels get something out of the panel and are inspired to participate in the contest, because it could be a really fun thing for everyone,” he added.
Suzanne Warren of Silver Avenue Pictures will be one of the guest filmmakers. Warren moved to Grass Valley five years ago from the Bay Area, where she worked with both nonprofit and corporate clients. She recently produced KVMR’s Capital Campaign and is working on a documentary about women and horses.
With more than 20 years in writing, directing and producing films that have ranged from human interest to high tech, she is excited and passionate about the storytelling opportunities film provides.
“I love telling a compelling human interest story that makes the world a better place,” Warren said. “Film is the most powerful medium to tell such a story.”
Filmmaker and panelist Larry Huntington, with 14 years of experience, recently traveled to Mali with Nicholson, where they worked together on a documentary on the music and musicians of the area. Huntington, who is also a classically trained musician, finds his keen ear helps with being creative during editing.
“The filmmaking process gets really exciting for me when I’m cutting things together. You never know what’s going to come up,” he says. “You can’t be afraid. Happy accidents are part of the art of filmmaking.”
Also at the panel, Nicholson and Graham will share their experiences working on projects for ESPN, PBS, RCA, NBC, among others.
The winning videographer will receive a $250 savings account from sponsor Citizens Bank of Northern California and be screened during the 9th Annual Nevada City Film Festival, which runs Aug. 20-23.
To help get folks started, Film Festival Program Director David Nicholson and Festival Director Jason Graham have organized a free panel discussion with leading film industry professionals on Saturday, May 30, in Nevada City.
With the support and infrastructure of a budding technology industry that includes Thomson Grass Valley, AJA Video, NVision, Telestream, Editware and 2Wire — responsible for manufacturing much of the software and equipment that filmmakers use today — western Nevada County offers a fertile setting for independent filmmaking.
The area has two successful film festivals, the Nevada City Film Festival and the South Yuba River Citizen’s League’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, the largest such festival in the United States.
Their growth in recent years adds to the fame Nevada City has cultivated for decades as a home to world-renowned musicians, poets and visual artists.
“When we first started the (Nevada City) film festival nine years ago, I feel like we were in this golden era,” Nicholson said. “Many of our friends had or were making their own films then, and we all rallied around one another.
“I feel the interest in local filmmaking has dwindled some, and I’d like reignite it,” Nicholson added. “Ulti-mately, (NCFF) was a local film festival, and I want to bring that back as much as possible.”
He hopes to do that with Saturday’s panel discussion for local filmmakers.
“We’ll start the panel off with a conversation on what the contest is about and move into giving advice and ideas on how to start this or any film project,” Nicholson said.
“There will be filmmakers who will be able to cover everything from pure storytelling to the technical side of things. I hope filmmakers of all levels get something out of the panel and are inspired to participate in the contest, because it could be a really fun thing for everyone,” he added.
Suzanne Warren of Silver Avenue Pictures will be one of the guest filmmakers. Warren moved to Grass Valley five years ago from the Bay Area, where she worked with both nonprofit and corporate clients. She recently produced KVMR’s Capital Campaign and is working on a documentary about women and horses.
With more than 20 years in writing, directing and producing films that have ranged from human interest to high tech, she is excited and passionate about the storytelling opportunities film provides.
“I love telling a compelling human interest story that makes the world a better place,” Warren said. “Film is the most powerful medium to tell such a story.”
Filmmaker and panelist Larry Huntington, with 14 years of experience, recently traveled to Mali with Nicholson, where they worked together on a documentary on the music and musicians of the area. Huntington, who is also a classically trained musician, finds his keen ear helps with being creative during editing.
“The filmmaking process gets really exciting for me when I’m cutting things together. You never know what’s going to come up,” he says. “You can’t be afraid. Happy accidents are part of the art of filmmaking.”
Also at the panel, Nicholson and Graham will share their experiences working on projects for ESPN, PBS, RCA, NBC, among others.
Know & Go
What: My Nevada City Video Contest and free film workshop and lunch
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Where: Nevada City Hall, 317 Broad St., downtown Nevada City Tickets: Free, all levels of experience welcomed, food and drinks provided Information: www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com |
