Its the advent calendar for film makers!

2 film competitions here at filmaka one deadline 17th Dec one the 28th Dec

Francis Ford Coppola

"You have to be willing to brave failure, which is when you lose all your money, or you are embarrassed because everyone is laughing at you. Most of my more interesting films were badly received at first. When Apocalypse Now came out, people said it was the worst movie ever made."

...

Now Coppola bubbles with the enthusiasm of a 25 - year old. He talks of embracing new technology and filming in 3-D. And he's intrigued to see how the internet will affect cinema.

" I think films and all art should be free," he says, controversially. "Everybody should be able to download movies and music and they shouldn't have to pay for it. The artists should all have another job that they use to make their living, that's what I would do."

(I picked up a copy of the Times sat colour mag on the train up from London and read this really interesting interview with Coppola in it. I must say that as soon as you give up ideas of 'making a living' while making films more things do become possible)

Underground Cinemas

a question...

Just been in London working on a corporate short. I've never worked on a short in London. Tell me oh people who live in this city... how do you cope with the tranport system? On Wed left the house just after 7am for a 9.30 crew call. By my reconing and the Londoner I was staying with we'd left an extra 45 mins to get to the location. When did I arrive... 10. 40... fire at Farringdon.. Another hour I could have made it the 500 miles home.. all I'd done is cross London... s l o w l y

Completion Fund for UK Shorts

apply to Maya Vision deadline 14th Dec. They have two rounds per year. More info here.