Top ten format mistakes

from the 'Format Nazi' - take note ESPECIALLY giving camera directions - one which particularly enrages producers and directors of my acquaintance.

vote for fave short film at BAFTA

heres the info

Interesting blog by an independent film maker in Austin US.

Guardian How to Guide to Filmmaking

Turns out that yesteday's post was just a taster to one of their online guides -go here to get it. Not read all of it as on my way out but looks worth a browse.

Edinbugh International Film Festival submissions open

Just a wee reminder as they have come forward with their change of date. Info here.

Jobbing Guardian hack makes a short film. Sadly no link to see the results!

NPA Courses

Netribution has just poured praise on New Producers Alliance Courses. I'm terribly pleased as one of their tutors Becky Knapp is a friend of mine.

Creativity is like a water table under the earth. It's not limited to writing or to painting; it's everywhere. It's a life force: You tap it with energy and effort, and it wells up through you. No matter what you do, the first step to tapping creativity is showing up. If you're a writer, you tell yourself that you're going to write for 10 minutes, and then physically move your hand across the page for that amount of time. Maybe you'll produce only one good line, but that's a lot more than you would accomplish by just sitting there. When you're pursuing a particular objective, you have a mind like a pistol. But the harder you chase something, the faster you go -- and the less you're able to let life meet life. If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up -- to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can't find it anywhere else.

Natalie Goldberg

Her book Writing Down The Bones has had a huge effect on me as a writer. If coming up with new projects this year is hard perhaps her words will help.