Welcome, Aspiring Filmmakers!

Someday, you may be the next Tarantino or Rodriguez, creating indie features or writing killer screenplays that come out of nowhere.

But to get there, they had to start where we are today.

The goal of this group is to give members a hands-on introduction to filmmaking and all its elements (from screenwriting to editing), along with workshops from experienced people in the industry. Although you'll find a supportive network of talented people here, our main mission here is to actually create short films with (1) decent production value and with (2) realistic, but guerrilla budgets.

Whether you want to produce your own short film or get experience on someone else's, this is the MeetUp group for you. You'll find plenty of opportunities...because of the volunteers willing to share their talent and resources.

THE "BASICS of FILMMAKING" WORKSHOP SERIES
Whether you're new to filmmaking or are looking to pick up some new tips or insights, we've created a series of workshops to give you the basics of filmmaking -- from people who're actually doing it. Here's our schedule for 2009:

:::Sep 8 – Producers Panel: Learn what it takes to be the person who brings it all together (http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoFilmmakersInAction/calendar/...)

:::Oct 13 – Webisodes: Exploring the New Frontier for Independent & Guerrilla Filmmakers

:::Nov 10 - The Sound and the Fury: Completing your visual portrait with quality sound

:::Dec 8 - The Festival Circuit: How to get your film screened by a festival

There will be a $2 donation request for these workshops to help offset the cost and provide an honorarium for the speakers.

HANDS-ON FILM PROJECTS

:::Quarterly Productions
Each quarter selected volunteers will produce one short film. If you’d like to be part of the quarterly production, you’ll need to step up and show up. Because of the teamwork involved, you will need to be responsible and accountable.

:::Special projects
We also hope to participate in additional projects that may arise, such as if members have a project of their own or an event such as the 48-Hour Filmmaking contest.

SCREENWRITING CAMP
We're developing a day-long screenwriting camp for October 10. It's an intensive one-day 8-hour program for ONLY 10 beginning screenwriters!

You'll learn the format, plot points and structural elements that form the wireframe for most successful screenplays today. You'll then explore the art of story and character development. Finally, we'll discuss the business of screenwriting and how you can get your screenplay noticed, read, optioned, purchased and made.

For more information or to RSVP, click here: http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoFilmmakersInAction/calendar/...

RESOURCES
Stay tuned for a list of resources that will be available for all members. If you have a talent, equipment or other resources to share, we invite you to post them in this section.

::: Standard Screenplay Format (http://files.meetup.com/1284416/Screenplay%20structure.pd...)
Check out the FILES section to access this downloadable PDF file, which provides a great summary of industry standards for screenplay formatting.

::: CELTX Screenwriting & Film Production Program (http://celtx.com/)
There's an open source (FREE) program available for screenwriters and filmmakers. Download the free pre-production program from http://www.celtx.com/, which includes a screenwriting program. It's a worthwhile tool...and did I mention it was free?

Sponsors: http://www.web1media.com and http://www.dignitymortgage.com