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From the "Biz" Archives:
By Rebecca Sonnenshine For all those cynics in the Los Angeles independent film community who continue to lament the decline of a "real" arena for independent filmmaking, I've got some news for you: it's alive and well and in your own backyard. Filmmakers Alliance, an independent film collective, is moving into the 21st century, boldly going where no independent film organization has gone before. IFP West may get all the glory with its Spirit Awards and high-priced seminars and screenings, but if you're serious about making films, you may want to look into this quickly-rising alliance of aspiring and well-on-their-way filmmakers. About five years ago, Jacques Thelemaque and Diane Gaidry-Thelemaque had a brainstorm: to create an alliance of filmmakers that actually makes films (instead of just talking about it). They formed Reverse Angle Production Alliance (RAPA) with the intention of bringing together independent filmmakers, industry professionals, and aspiring neophytes in order to exchange resources, weave together a solid support system, and forge bravely into the frontier of serious filmmaking. A year later, RAPA transformed itself into Filmmakers Alliance, a formally incorporated non-profit arts corporation. Beginning with just a handful of filmmakers, the group now has over a hundred active members. More impressively, they have done what few idealistic endeavors seem to do: continue to accomplish their goals and create a small but thriving arena for artists to make their voices heard. Today, Filmmakers Alliance is a rapidly expanding presence in the Los Angeles independent film community. Members come from every aspect of filmmaking -- they include producers, writers, post-production supervisors, directors, actors, editors, cinematographers and students. The organization not only encourages active participation on the part of its members -- it depends on it. Staff members -- all busy with "regular jobs," of course -- donate their time to the group to raise money, publicize events, stage workshops, run meetings, and oversee the hundreds of other details involved in keeping a good ship running. The rest of the members exchange information and professional services, work on each others projects, and serve as a sounding board for production problems and general advice. Over the past several years, Filmmakers Alliance has managed to support an impressive number of projects, from shorts and feature films to script development to Public Service Announcements. There are several features in development/pre-production, including Jacques Telemaque's "The Dogwalker, " David Wills' "Magic 101," and Willard Morgan's "Michael and Me." Frank Chindamo, who has a feature called "Tricks of the Trade" in development in association with Filmmakers Alliance, runs the bi-weekly Writers Workshop, at which writers and actors gather for staged readings and constructive criticism. The Public Service Announcement program offers the community a unique opportunity: to pitch Filmmakers Alliance an issue. The Public Service Announcement Program will then come up with a concept, a budget, and a schedule for a PSA at a fraction of the cost that a regular advertising agency might propose. The clients must fund the hard costs, but filmmakers volunteer their time and use the opportunity to practice their skills. Filmmakers Alliance has also acquired a fair amount of necessary tools: vendor discounts, community resource lists, a Media 100 editing system, and a Canon XL1 digital camera. Members are technically required to work on four productions before they have unlimited access to the company resources, but after that, the crew databank, discount lists, available film stock, props, locations, and equipment is at their disposal. The Media 100 system and Canon camera are available, with insurance and a permit waiver, to the filmmakers on a first-come basis. The Writer's Workshop is available to all active members, as well as other seminars on everything from directing to producing to self-distribution. Filmmakers Alliance also hosts a number of screenings, inviting both members and non-members in the film community to attend. And finally, the group has acquired something akin to the holy grail of non-profit groups: a real office space in a real Hollywood office building. "It's exciting to finally have a central location established," said Pi Ware, FA member. "Our goal is to someday have a real working studio, with a sound stage and equipment for the members to use." Of course, with so many groups vying for publicity and attention in the grand city of Los Angeles, recognition isn't always easy to come by. But this year, Filmmakers Alliance got a big break -- not to mention a big vote of confidence -- from the American Film Institute, who spotlighted the organization at the 1998 AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival with an evening entitled, "Love and Death." Programmed as one of the festival's Special Presentations, "Love and Death" featured four short films with dark, funny examinations of love, greed, and the criminal element: "Love Without Socks" by Jacques Thelemaque; "My Beautiful Me" by Pi Ware; "Shiva's Teardrop" by Sean Hood; and "Mitzi and Joe" by Cain DeVore. Each film was produced with the assistance of the collective; and each film is a comic gem. And here's what the AFI had to say about Filmmakers Alliance: "The cutting-edge collective... is Los Angeles' most radically innovative arts organization." And what lies ahead for Filmmakers Alliance? More films, of course, and a drive to increase the membership and profile of the group. They are also, according to Pi Ware, always on the look out for corporate donations, whether it be in equipment or cash or plain old exposure. Anyone can join, but they recommend that you live in the Los Angeles area -- being an active participant would be rather difficult, otherwise. The initiation fee is $100, plus $20 per month in membership dues. Also, a word of warning: this is a serious organization. All in all, they are an impressive group, falling somewhere in-between the usual Hollywood hipsters and passionate scruffy film students. The bi-weekly meetings are less about schmoozing and more about getting down to business. Dues are expected ON TIME, thank you very much, and you'll be expected to pitch in. But if you're looking for something more than just an occasional screening and a free subscription to Filmmaker Magazine (not that there's anything wrong with that), Filmmakers Alliance may be looking for you, too. You can check out the Filmmakers Alliance website at www.filmmakersalliance.com. [Rebecca Sonnenshine is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.]
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