Last week was BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival. It was so much fun. This morning I’m feeling so grateful that we have such a wonderful festival in our area. I was lucky enough to moderate two panels during the festival.
On Friday, September 22nd, we talked about The Pitch + Funding Your Film with Christopher Everett (Southern Documentary Fund, Speller Street Films), Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray (Honey Head Films), Doug McKeon (actor, director, and screenwriter). I really enjoyed hearing everyone talk about pitching and funding films. It’s a big part of our process, and I absolutely love hearing people talk about their work.
On Saturday, September 23rd, we talked about Building Your Crew + Fair Pay with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray (Honey Head Films) and Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Life Out Loud Films). It’s an interesting time to talk about fair pay with the strikes happening in our country right now. I really enjoy talking with filmmakers about their approach to taking care of cast and crew throughout the filmmaking process.
One of my big reminders (from both panels) is just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean that we have to keep doing it that way. One of the things I love about filmmaking is that every path for every film can be so different. The industry is constantly changing and evolving. We should, too.
It’s been a minute since I had the joy of being with fellow filmmakers because of COVID precautions and other things. I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunity and support from fests like BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival. We really are lucky to be doing what we love and I never take that for granted.
Were you there? Tell me about your experience at BEYOND. I’d love to hear how it went for you!