Tag Archives: The Arts

Funding for Filmmakers

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There is not a shortage of creative talent in this world. There are more ideas and inspiring subjects for documentary films than there are “Carter’s Has Liver Pills,” to use my Mom’s ancient expression. We are a generous people, We Americans! There are so many outstanding non-profit organizations spreading the good news and helping others in this country. Many have inspiring tales to tell through the power of film.

The biggest stumbling block for independent filmmakers is finding funds to bring a project to fruition and getting enough financial backing to professionally market a film. Films of award winning caliber may not necessarily mean a feature film blockbuster. But, an outstanding film needs to attract the attention that it deserves.

There is grant funding available through Mandy.com and the Independent Documentary Association (DIA) to name a few resources. They both post deadlines and grant opportunities. PBS also offers non-profit status for film projects. It is a selective process, but I have yet to see a PBS film production that was not worth viewing!

Hiring a professional grant writer could pay off. They know the lingo, the approach and can help you navigate through the process of obtaining funds. And don’t forget, include a budget for professional marketing of your film in your application for funding.

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Best of Times for Indy Publishers

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There is no doubt about it, independent publishers have never had it so good! The independent publishing scene is hot, hot, hot! Proof is in the statistics cited by seasoned publishing professionals.

Desktop publishing software has been developed so that it has become user friendly. The arrival of the Expresso Book Machine really has independent publishers smiling!

For those of you unfamiliar with the EBM (Expresso Book Machine), it has the capacity of downloading manuscripts from PDF format files, printing and delivering a perfect bound book within 10-15 minutes time. I kid you not! I have seen it first hand at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, VT.  www.Northshire.com

The Northshire Bookstore was the first retail store to obtain one of these print on demand book machines. Even now, few establishments have them.  A visit to the Northshire Bookstore to see this beast in action will be well worth your time. The Publishers Weekly Magazine has given the Northshire an award of distinction for “The Best Independent Bookstore.”

When you go, plan to spend a good part of the day exploring the nooks and crannies of the store. It is like a destination resort, unlike any other you have visited before. But, do me a favor, tell General Manager Chris Merrow that Sue Leonard from Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC says “hello!” And one more thing, please leave your kindle reader behind!

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Early Warning!

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The name of this blog is a bit ominous sounding. There is nothing foreboding about this notification. I am writing to remind all writers, emerging and experienced, that the weekly radio show “Cover to Cover” with Frank Gromling is broadcast on Saturday mornings. Tune in to www.wnzf.com on line. The show is filled with information on getting started as a writer, marketing yourself as a writer, interviews with NY Times best selling authors and local writers exposing their new publications to the public.  It is educational, enlightening and fun to listen to. Broadcast times in the various parts of the country are :  

 11:30 am Eastern                                     10:30 am Central

9:30 am Mountain                                     8:30 am Pacific time

If you haven’t tuned in before, you are missing it!

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To Market,To Market, To Buy A…….

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A few years ago, my husband and I saw a show on the Travel Channel about teardrop travel trailers. They are the cutest little june bugs! These camper trailers came on the market after World War II and were made out of surplus materials. The exteriors were made from the wings of World War II Bombers. They are making a come back and every so often, you will see one being towed behind a car, if you are alert.

This weekend at Arts and the Parks, we saw this little turquoise teardrop travel trailer being used as part of a booth display. The exhibitors were selling a line of cosmetics, soaps, hand lotions designed and packaged for the “rodeo girl.”  The products being sold were not exactly art, but what was art was the entire brand identity this company had built. The packaging of the products had an outstanding southwestern “rodeo” theme,  all highest quality of packaging, the company owner was dressed in her rodeo wear(complete with cowboy hat) and even the teardrop trailer was decked out inside with towels appliqued with western motif  and the galley table in the trailer had tableware settings of western design. The entire booth “worked” to sell their unique line of products. I remarked to the company owners that I liked their booth very much. They told me they had won best booth awards about 6 or 7 times from various arts and crafts events they have participated in. I can see why!

How does this relate to independent publishing you may ask? Well- products don’t sell themselves. People sell products. With independent publishing, critical to selling products is the author’s involvement in the process. You will need to sell yourself  as an author and that, in turn, will sell your publication. Polish up your “shoes” and know what you are passionate about as a writer. Visit bookstores, libraries, and other venues. Convey that passion about your publication to your potential readers. If you can find something “gimmicky” that will set you or your genre of writing apart, great!

Independent publishing is not just about the writing process!

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In my Book – The Winner Is!

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This weekend I went to Arts in the Park in Steamboat Springs, CO.  I love going to Arts and Crafts events in communities that have a real appreciation for the Arts. You never know what you are going to find.

There were artists of every medium displaying their wares – potters, painters, birdhouse builders, fiber artists, jewelers and more. Each one interesting, unique and serious about their craft. I enjoyed it all!

The artist that really inspired me the most was a photographer, pictured above, Kenny Tong. His magnificent photographs of China were anything but ordinary. He came all the way from Chino, California to share his photography with Steamboat Springs, CO.  His photography is better than a day at the Spa. The images were pure serenity and tranquility. They captured places and scenes in China that few of us have seen before in books or from other photographs of China. For more information on his art, please visit www.kennytong.com.  And by the way,  you have to see his images first hand to really appreciate what I am talking about.

Kenny, you won my prize for artist of the day! Thanks for sharing your work with Steamboat Springs, Colorado and come back again! I am glad to know your images can be ordered on-line at www.kennytong.com.  Any plans for a coffee table book with your magnificent images?

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 Enjoy the glorious summertime!

 

 

 

 

 

A New Day Rising!

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There is a group 1,600 filmmakers that have come together to produce “films that matter.” This group of filmmakers, Nomads Land Network www.NomadsLand.com partner with non-profits, ecotourism and volunteerism groups to produce social issue media and documentary films. I am so excited about this network of filmmakers. This is the stuff we at Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC get all excited about and want to shout “Hurray!”

I told you there is alot of good stuff on the horizon in independent filmmaking!

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Up, Up and Away! Worth Rising For!

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There was  a sight to behold in Steamboat Springs, CO this morning. This weekend is the 29th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo!

Folks came from everywhere to watch this beautiful event at 6 am in the morning.  Some balloonists came from as far away as Florida, Iowa and California to participate. There were 32 balloons in all. Can’t wait till tomorrow to see more of the action!

Also, happening on site was one of the Dallas Cowboys’  cheerleaders participating in a photo shoot for their annual calendar.

There is so much to do in Steamboat Springs, CO in summertime. I am not sure what to do this afternoon. Perhaps a visit to the Arts in the Parks event. This evening I think we will take a picnic dinner and see what the American Laughingstock Theatre has to offer.  I don’t know though, there are quite a number of other events that sound pretty darn enticing.

 I would like to try that hot air ballooning stuff someday. I wouldn’t be afraid! And while I am at it, maybe we will take some of our client’s independent book and DVD orders and deliver them personally. After all, we do ship with all major carriers. Perhaps shipping via hot air balloon would be more economical. Maybe our postmaster would like to come along for a ride.

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The Arts – Enriching Lives!

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Over the weekend, I attended two cultural events – both musical in nature. One was a concert in “plein air” – out of doors on a beautiful Colorado evening in Steamboat Springs. It had been a long time since I had been to a concert of that kind – a stand up and dance kind of an affair! I enjoyed it because it was family friendly! Grandparents to toddlers could join in the fun, and they did!

The next evening, the setting was entirely different. I am a volunteer usher at Strings in the Mountains this summer. The new Strings Music Pavilion is gorgeous and even while inside, you can still see the great out-of-doors. The Strings Music Festival is host to Grammy award winning artists all summer long. Last night, I laughed till I cried at  “Four Bitchin’ Babes! ” Don’t let the name of the group offend you. There was nothing offensive about it – just pure fun and reflection on my own gender – women! The group gave a fun-lovin’  musical review of women’s quirks, frustrations and lives.

Even the men in the audience seemed to enjoy every moment.

I think more fun is in store for me this summer at Strings in the Mountains.

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