Author: |Posted: 18:13 on 31/07/08
Category: technology
One of the biggest changes to FourDocs is the way the blog now ties everything together, and is the homepage. This is where we’ll review and post FourDocs, point out links on the web and write about what is going on in the worlds of documentary film, distribution and technology. If you want to stay up-to-date and know when we post new content, the easiest way is to subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the right hand column. Some of you may already subscribe to loads of sites, but in case not I thought I’d post this short doc video: RSS in Plain English.
It’s made by Common Craft, an awesome company who explain technological terms clearly and completely, by making short factual films. So, it seems entirely fitting to show some of their work here. Who else do you think is making really great factual how to guides?
Author: |Posted: 15:18 on 30/07/08
Category: 3 Minute Wonder
Our next 3 Minute Wonder theme is ‘My Home Town’. We’ve taken inspiration from Guy Maddin, who just made a docu-fantasia film My Winnipeg, to excellent reviews.
Author: |Posted: 11:54 on 28/07/08
Category: 3 Minute Wonder, festivals
BritDoc was it’s usual charming parade of projects and people enthusiastically exchanging on the lacquered lawns. There were some differences from last year – notably the new short and good pitches, and way the international docs programming had been handed over to directors of other major festivals, and the increase in attendees. For me the difference each year is the changing guise by which I actually attend BritDoc. Year 1 I was a red t-shirted volunteer, in 2007 a delegate, and this one I sat on a jury, for the short film competition. read more
Author: |Posted: 19:12 on 11/07/08
Category: theatrical documentary
Chris Waitt’s comic documentary about his lack of enduring relationships is financed through a new Low Budget Feature Film Scheme run through Warp X. They have made edgy and innovative films, such as Shane Meadow’s Dead Man’s Shoes (which I love) and Chris Cunningham’s Rubber Jonny. Warp X received the £4.5m to fund a slate of 6 digital films with directors wishing to explore new visual styles within digital filmmaking. Chris’ film is the first to be relased, Donkey Punch is the next due. (Sex a theme?)
A Complete History of My Sexual Failures has been met with mixed feelings in the documentary world. Some have suggested read more
Author: |Posted: 18:48 on 11/07/08
Category: 3 Minute Wonder, festivals, films found on the web
FourDocs crosses under and betwixt all the possible outposts for documentaries on this island and beyond. Indeed, searching out the right space for individual films to flourish is something we’re going to do a lot more of this year. We’re a great place to start and send short films because we connect up with lots of varied players who fund and exhibit in different ways.
Famously FourDocs has direct links with broadcast slots through our relationship with 3 Minute Wonder. 2008 will see us screening 15 films on Channel 4 at prime time and commissioner Kate Vogel will be writing on this blog regularly about what rocks her boat and works for television TX’s. FourDocs has fantastical relationships with the two biggest documentary festivals in the country – BritDoc and Sheffield Doc Fest. Ex-editor of FourDocs (and sorely missed) Charlie Phillips is now in charge of the Market Place at Sheffield Doc Fest, where he courts all the international funders. He’ll pass on his wealth of knowledge about life, and pitching and getting longer documentaries films funded too, here in the blog.
Our exec-producer Patrick Uden will still be be reviewing film as harshly and honestly and helpfully as before, here in the blog. And, his friends at the Grierson Trust have decided to award a brand new prestigious annual prize to the best observational FourDoc (more on that later). And, as the new editor of FourDocs I’ll be on the look out for films on the web and in the wider world, and will be blogging about what i find that inspires and films we want to stream.
Author: |Posted: 17:22 on 11/07/08
Category: Uncategorized
Hello, and welcome to the new FourDocs blog! Here we’re going to discuss all things documentary related, whether it be films watched on the web, television, cinema or at festivals, inspirational directors, new talent opportunities, gossip, current affairs or philosophy. This is a space for conversations about what documentaries should, could and can be like!
Luckily, living on the web we’re not hindered by the constraints of television formats, or traditional rules governing the production of high art forms or even topical subject matters. FourDocs instead celebrates factual filmmaking in all it’s diverse forms. We want to continue discovering and fostering filmmakers who want to re-imagine the creation of perfect short documentaries. And of course, perfect is totally subjective. Here at FourDocs we love raw, pulsating personal tales just as much as well structured stories shined up in the edit. Make a short doc your own way and send us your links please – we want to be surprised!
