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Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin (working title) is an hour-long documentary film exploring the life, roots, and ideas of the celebrated Bay Area-born science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin being produced by Arwen lee Curry.

Le Guin, now 79, continues to write and publish from her home in Portland, Oregon. She arrived with a bang on the topsy-turvy literary scene of the late 1960s, elevating science fiction and fantasy to new levels of political sophistication and artistry. Over the course of her inimitable career, Le Guin has published more than thirty books of fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, children's literature, poetry, and nonfiction. Although she is one of our best-loved living writers, and the multiple winner of the highest awards in her genre, her compelling story has never before been captured in a documentary film. Produced with Le Guin's full participation, Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin will be a riveting journey through the author's career and her worlds, both real and fantastic.

Why is science fiction, or any fiction, important now? We populate an age of global disasters, when technological advancement has surpassed the predictions of early sc-fi writers — yet the basic understanding of how to live together harmoniously seems light-years away. It is essential that we take seriously the task of imagining — and endlessly reimagining — our world. To survive, we must question basic assumptions about how to share resources and responsibilities, how to end global warfare, and how to protect our planet's ecology. Perhaps more than any writer of her generation, Le Guin has determinedly examined possibilities for how we might achieve such a balance. Her courage in confronting this great creative task makes Le Guin one of our most relevant living writers.

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin will also be a deeply regional film. The daughter of renowned anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and writer Theodora Kroeber, Le Guin grew up in Berkeley and the Napa Valley during the Great Depression. Her father was the friend, student, and teacher of Ishi, the last member of his exterminated Yahi tribe, who emerged from hiding near Chico, California in 1911 and lived at the then-new University of California Anthropology Museum in San Francisco until his death from tuberculosis six years later. As a writer, Le Guin continues to weave themes of exile, discovery, ethnography, individual identity, and cultural relativism into her stories. In her work as in no other, we can look more deeply into the West's legacy of trauma and promise.

Aimed for public television, new media, and limited theatrical release, Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin will explore Le Guin's life and ideas in exclusive interviews, stunning archival footage, and a variety of classic and experimental film techniques. Traditional documentary progresses linearly through time — Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin will take a highly structured, but more unusual approach. The film will be divided into twelve short chapters of varying lengths, approaching different significant passages or themes of the writer's life and work using different styles and rhythms. Like songs on a great old LP, these chapters will come together to form a harmonious whole that does justice to the complexity of Le Guin's contribution.

Production of this new documentary is scheduled to begin in October. Please help us to raise the funds needed to capture this important authors world on film. To make a secure tax deductible contribution just click HERE.

If you are in the Bay area, please join us at a fundraiser on Sunday September 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Needles & Pens, 3253 16th Street San Francisco. For more information contact Arwen Curry at: Arwencurry@gmail.com

We are pleased to announce a call to independent documentary filmmakers who would like to participate in a weeklong seminar presentation and retreat in southern Vermont. The Kopkind/CID Filmmakers Retreat Seminars will be held Sunday, July 28th to Sunday, August 5th . (Pictures from the 2006 retreat are in the slideshow above).

The Center for Independent Documentary (CID) and the Kopkind Center are sponsoring this week-long retreat limited to ten filmmakers along with mentors and special invited guests at Treefrog Farm in Guilford VT from July 28 (Sunday is the travel day) to Sunday, August 5th. The theme for the morning seminars:

Thinking Creatively about Creativity: For most artists, creativity emerges and disappears mysteriously. During this week, you'll be encouraged to reflect on where your creativity comes from, how to summon it, and how to maintain its presence. We'll also reflect on related themes specific to independent filmmaking - e.g., how to maintain creative enthusiasm for your project despite the need to fundraise for years and take care of the "business" of filmmaking.

The mentors at present include Susi Walsh, Executive Director of CID and John Scagliotti, Emmy Award-winning documentary producer and the creator of the public television series, In the Life, now about to begin its 15th season of monthly hour-long programs on news and culture about the gay community. Also joining us will be Fred Simon. As an independent producer of documentaries for PBS, Simon's films have won awards from the American Film Festival, the Athens Film Festival, and are currently in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. In addition, he is an Assistant Professor of film/video production at Clark University.
For more about our memtors, you can visit these websites: www.documentaries.org, After Stonewall Productions,
The Kopkind Center

The Filmmakers Workshop Online Community

Closer to the end of the Seminar Week, Kopkind will present its 2nd Annual Grassroots Film Festival in the Organ Barn (Aug 2-5 open to the public); the filmmaker(s) will also lead the next morning seminar.

COST AND HOW TO APPLY:

The costs for filmmakers participating for the week [the price has been dramatically reduced with extra support for the week from Kopkind contributors and CID foundation support] is just $300/person for 7 nights.

The cost includes: a single Cabin room (shared bathroom facilities), clean linens and towels, continental breakfasts, buffet lunches, and sit-down family style dinners, afternoon excursions to swimming holes and country outings, pick-up from Bus or Train station in Brattleboro Vermont, and programmed Morning Seminars. There is wireless internet availability. Besides personal items (cool nights in Vermont) participants are asked to bring 20-minutes of their media on DVD or VHS for evening "film slams" in the Organ Barn with late night discussions (optional hot tub discussions) afterwards on the deck. Participants will be responsible for their travel to Treefrog Farm in Guilford or to a public transportation pick up spot in Brattleboro, Vermont. (once you are registered, more information will be emailed to you including directions) Note: while afternoon excursions are planned, you can use this time if you wish as 'free time' or as Kopkind calls it – radical relaxation. All registered participants are expected to participate in the organized seminars and evening "film slams" and film festival presentations.

Applying for the retreat week is very easy. Just write a letter to Susi Walsh and John Scagliotti explaining where you are from, what media work you have done and how you could contribute to the theme of our seminars. Also describe briefly the 20-minute visual media you would be bringing to the "film slams." Send the letter to John Scagliotti (john@afterstonewall.com ) We expect to have more applicants than spaces so our decision will way heavily towards fashioning a group that has an appreciation to multi-culturalism and diversity. We'll be putting the group together from your letters around June 15th, which is around the time the deposits are due.

Registration and Non-refundable deposits ($50) are due by June 20th and full payment is due by July 11th. Deposit and payment checks should be made out to The Center for Independent Documentary and mailed to John Scagliotti, Administrator, Kopkind, 158 Kopkind Rd, Guilford, VT. 05301. Slots are limited, so we recommend an early registration and deposit.

Last years CID/Kopkind retreat was attended by Joel Katz , Nancy Kates, Robbie Leppzer, Alexandra de Gonzalez, Emily Kunstler, Deb Ellis, Eli Moore, Jenifer Kaplan, Th/CiRebecca Snedeker and Savanna Washington. The pictures fromlast years camp are in the slideshow above.

Please feel free to ask for more information. Questions about the seminars and retreat as well as the Grassroots Film Festival can be attained by emailing John Scagliotti at john@afterstonewall.com Also feel free to send this information to others who might want to participate. Thank you.

Kopkind was launched nine years ago as a living memorial to the late journalist Andrew Kopkind, who wrote on politics and culture with a matchless style and depth for national and international publications until his death, in 1994. The project, which brings together journalists and grassroots activists puts on seminars in Guilford VT for its visiting participants in the summer and hosts a number of free public events. Kopkind is a non-profit educational foundation. The Board's president is renown journalist JoAnn Wypijewski; www.netvenders.com/blogs/kopkind.php

Filmmakers Workshop: Trailers & Sample Reels
March 21, 2007 - 6:30 pm
Bernard Toale Gallery
450 Harrison Avenue, Boston's South End

One of the most challenging things about making a film today is raising money, particularly for development activities. Most funders want to see work samples before they will support media projects. So, the first part of the challenge for filmmakers becomes funding production for the sample reel even before their stories are clear. The next challenge is to determine what and how to present the material so that funders will respond with a check. There are so many things to consider: How long should it be? Show an entire cut scene or just samples of a variety of materials? Add music? What about graphics? Do they want a trailer or a rough cut?

At this month's workshop, with the help of moderator Llew Smith ("Forgotten Genius"/Nova) of Vital Pictures, we present three filmmakers who are looking for input to refine their sample reel to raise money and to gain distribution for their documentary projects.

Far Out: Life On and After the Commune - Daniel Keller, Charles Light & Jen Gilbert
Using historical material, footage gathered over decades and frank contemporary interviews, Far Out: Life On and After the Commune will trace the story of several members of two sister communes founded in the summer of 1968, the Montague Farm in Montague , Massachusetts and Total Loss Farm in Guilford, Vermont. Co-Producers/Directors Daniel Keller and Charles Light are the founders of Green Mountain Post (GMP) Films (www.gmpfilms.com). They have been making films about social and political issues for over 30 years and were both connected with the Montague Farm. Co-Producer/Director Jen Gilbert is a first-time filmmaker who brings with her experience with several media projects as well as 10 years working in large-scale project management and fundraising.

Animas Perdidas - Monika Navarro
Animas Perdidas (Lost Souls) is the story of a young Latina filmmaker documenting the emotional journey of her uncle, a military vet deported to Mexico, and uncovering the secrets of her family's past. Against the backdrop of increased attention to the U.S.-Mexican border, Animas Perdidas explores national identity and ties, the lives of immigrants, and what happens after deportees are sent to a homeland they don't consider home. Producer/Director Monika Navarro is a Filmmaker-in-Residence at WGBH. This is her first documentary film, funded in part by an Emerging Artist's Grant from the City of Ventura Cultural Council for the Humanities. Monika is a first-generation Mexican-American and was raised in Southern California.

Lorraine Hansberry Documentary Project - Tracy Heather Strain, Randy MacLowry
Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) is the author of the groundbreaking Broadway smash A Raisin in the Sun. This multiplatform media project includes the first feature-length biography about the trailblazing artist, activist and intellectual who became an international celebrity at 28 years old, and died just six years later during the run of her second Broadway play. Director/Producer Tracy Heather Strain and Editor/Producer Randy MacLowry are principals in Yellow Jersey Films, Inc. and The Film Posse, LLC.

March 21, 2007 Schedule
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Refreshments & Networking
7:00 pm -7:15 pm Workshop Updates
7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Filmmaker Screenings & Discussion

For more information visit www.filmmakersworkshop.org

Boston, MA (January 30th, 2007) – With Nicholas Paleologos named as the new executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office, the Massachusetts Production Coalition (MPC), representing the region's top media professionals, is eager and excited about lending its support to the reconstituted office and its new head.


The MPC, the organization that took the lead in getting the State's aggressive tax incentive package made into law, views Paleologos as an ideal leader for the Massachusetts Film Office and looks forward to together, supporting the region's growing production community.


"Nick is perfect for the position in many ways," says Joe Maiella, head of the MPC. "As an award-winning producer he has the strong production experience necessary to understand what resources Massachusetts needs to be able to provide. And as a successful former State legislator he knows how the State's local politics and communities work and has the vision and personality to navigate them. Most importantly, like the MPC and its members, he's passionate about seeing more film and television production take place in the State."


Word of Paleologos' hiring has spread quickly through the MPC's ranks with many members lauding his significant track record in local politics and the entertainment industry. Chris O'Donnell, the MPC's 1st Vice President commented on the possibilities that Paleologos presents to the State. "With Nick at the helm of the Film Office, coupled with the State's tax incentives, Massachusetts is poised to experience significant growth in the film and television production sector. That can literally translate to millions in revenue for the state and hundreds if not thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens."


In the coming weeks, the MPC has plans to formally welcome Nick Paleologos to the film and television production community it represents. The MPC is also anticipating working closely with the new Film Office to attract more film and television production to the Commonwealth. "We've worked closely with Richard Krezwick and the State's Sports & Entertainment Commission in the past and will work closely with Nick Paleologos going forward, all in a concerted effort to attract more production and make Massachusetts a force in the film and television production industry," says Maiella.

Judith Helfand and Dan Gold are at Sundance with their new doc EVERYTHING'S COOL. Check out their new website at www.everythingscool.org.

It's the end of a busy year—and we hope you'll take a moment to look back with us as we do a brief year in review—and have a sneak peek at the year ahead. During 2006, CID entered its 25th anniversary year…and we plan to celebrate that accomplishment in the coming months as we head into 2007. Keep checking back for news.

Two projects produced in association with CID will be broadcast in January on the PBS series Independent Lens- TWISTED (Laurel Chiten, producer) and A FISH STORY (Tim Gallagher & Courtney Hayes, producers). Judith Helfand and Dan Golds' new documentary EVERYTHING'S COOL (formerly titled "Melting Planet"), will have its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Congratulations to everyone at Toxic Comedy Pictures! If you attended the filmmakers workshop in July, you had a chance to help filmmakers Anita Clearfield, Shoshanna Hoose and Geoffrey Leighton as they worked through the editing of their film THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW (the working title was "Lethal Means") – you can see how they utilized your comments by attending the films premiere on Sunday January 7, 2007 in Maine.

If you missed the June national public television broadcasts of WOODY GUTHRIE: AIN'T GOT NO HOME (Peter Frumkin , producer) and SMITTEN (Nancy Kelly, producer) you can check their web sites to see when they might be broadcast again in your area or released on dvd.

We are currently providing fiscal and advisory services for 66 active documentary projects which have received some (or all they need) funding, and an additional 9 projects that are currently in development. Of the projects with funding, 31 are with producers in Massachusetts, an additional 7 from Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine. The remainder are from other parts of the country, with most in New York or California. We are working with our producers to get all of the projects listed up on the new Alliance for Independent Motion Media (AIMM) web site. Please visit the filmmography section of the AIMM web site and set the search for CID films to review the listings to date. If you'd like to help make these films come to a screen near to you—please give generously through our online donation button in the sidebar.


FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP
The monthly workshops continue to attract between 40-70 attendees each month (depending on the topic of the workshop). Here's a round-up of the past six months: In May 06 we hosted students from area film programs and their professors to share their work and to meet industry professionals. In June, John Kusiak, the composer for Errol Morris and other filmmakers offered tips on how to collaborate with a composer to create a great film score for films. In July we screened a rough cut of "There Ought to be a Law" (which will have its premiere in Maine in January 07). In October we featured a lighting workshop to help filmmakers make the most from a small lighting kit with special help from Rule Broadcast Systems. In November, blogging gurus Steve Garfield and Ravi Jain offered instruction on how to become a blogger and utilize video on the web. In January 07, we will kickoff the new year with a rough cut screening of Amy Geller & Gerald Peary's FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES. Please join us at one of our upcoming workshops in 07—and if you've got an idea for a workshop you'd like to see happen—PLEASE leave a comment below or send us an email. We very much welcome your ideas! These workshops are made possible through the generosity of many people. We would especially like to thank Julie Mallozzi, Tracy Heather Strain and Megan Gelstein for the many hours that they have contributed to organizing the workshops. The Bernard Toale Gallery has provided us with a beautiful space in which to meet (and has helped us with lugging more chairs up and down stairs than we can count! Thank you!) Shannon Bradley designed our terrific logo-thank you! Rule Broadcast has provided technical support as well as the expertise of their staff. Rule rules! Thank you, John! A very important portion of each workshop is the time that's spent networking and relaxing together over refreshments. We greatly appreciate the contribution of Harpoon Brewery each month—our favorite beer! (Root beer too!)These workshops just couldn't happen at all without the support of the LEF Foundation.


CID/KOPKIND FILMMAKERS CAMP
CID collaborated with Kopkind this past August to bring 11 filmmakers up to Vermont for a week of "radical relaxation". The filmmakers who attended came from all around the country (though several were from Massachusetts) and shared a highly memorable week of intense discussion, film viewing, sharing , swimming, paper making , hiking and eating great food. We roughly followed the format that Kopkind has based their prior camp sessions for writers on…though we changed it somewhat to allow our morning sessions of each day to cover some specific information (such as having guest speakers from archival footage houses, a representative from First Run Features to speak about distribution and Lisa Simmons to talk about issues around diversity). We were thrilled with our first attempt at this workshop—and are beginning planning for summer camp 07. Check out the photos from our week at camp--and watch this blog for an upcoming post on that week in review. Watch for details on how to join us there next summer!

ADVOCACY
In addition to the work that we do with the producers on their projects, CID has been an active founding partner in two important new Massachusetts organizations- the Alliance for Independent Motion Media (AIMM) and the Massaachusetts Production Coaltion (MPC). AIMM is a network of several Boston area non-profits who are all committed to making it easier for independent producers to make their work and get it seen. The MPC is a membership organization of producers, businesses, non-profits—just about everyone-who work in the Massachusetts motion media industry. These two organizations have been working closely together to make Massachusetts a great place to make media…please take a few moments to read the year end report on the AIMM blog for a complete review of what has been done to date, what the plans are for the coming year, and how you can get involved.

Finally, we want to thank all of the Center for Independent Documentary board of trustees for their continued commitment: Tony Logalbo, Marion Burke, Vince Canzoneri, Martin Alpert and Leslie Hitch. Your dedication to CID over many years has been awesome! We would also very much like to thank our funders for their support. The Massaachusetts Cultural Council and the LEF Foundation continue to provide CID with important funding critical to our day to day operations. We are very grateful.

We wish you all our very best wishes for the holidays and a very Happy New Year.
Susi Walsh & Fred Simon

On Sunday, December 2nd, Boston Media Makers finished off their first year of meetings by celebrating with a Ravi Jain inspired "wiki-kake" at Sweet Finnish in Jamaica Plain. It was my first time attending one of these meetings- and a lot of information to take in. I was glad there was cake.

There were a lot of toys out around the table--lots of computers and related gear and a lot of video was shot...none of it with a traditional video camera--all with digital still cameras yesterday. For those of you who are working with grassroots organizing communities with your documentaries--this is the medium for you! There is great opportunity to use video blogging as part of your outreach campaign strategies--and to consider forms of streaming video distribtuion on the web. It's easy, engaging, and uses all the strenghts of the internet for viral marketing and community building.

At yesterdays meeting, Sean Fitzroy made a presentation on Brightcove. For those of you who are considering an internet release of your documentary, you will want to take a look at the business model that Brightcove offers (check out their website for more information). Also, if you are an independent who is doing such a release, it would be useful if you could share your expereinces with others.

Group member Joe Cascio put together a brief video from yesterdays meeting....

I hope it inspires you to come to the next meeting!