Monday, September 7, 2015

Festival research assignment part one

Festival research assignment part 1

Crossroads Film Festival,
Jackson, MS

1.     Robbie Fisher, festival codirector. We will be speaking on Friday, the 11th, at 3 pm.
2.     It was created in 2000 by the Crossroads Film Society and is currently coordinated by Michele Baker, directed by Robbie Fisher, as well as a board of directors and a team working below them.
3.     “The Crossroads Film Society celebrates the art of filmmaking in all of its diversity and depth. The Crossroads Film Society will facilitate and promote a broader spectrum of film and video for the community, will present and honor films and videos related to Mississippi and the South, and will provide educational opportunities and facilitate general discussions for film lovers and aspiring film makers.”
4.     The films programmed in previous years do support the mission statement of Crossroads. There are a wide variety of films from an array of both male and female filmmakers of many backgrounds. The films cast a wide net in their combined target audience, with something for everyone. There have been animated buddy comedies, Russian classical literature relocated to the American south, shapeshifting horror films, documentaries on integration and segregation, and several modes of experimental film, just to name a few.
5.     Jackson, Mississippi
6.     Events take place from March 31st to April 3rd
7.     Submissions can be made through FilmFreeway or WithoutABox, or by mailing in a dvd
8.     Sept 19, Oct 17, and Oct 31 are the early, regular, and late deadlines, respectively. There is a special earlybird deadline, which is Aug 29 for MS filmmakers, or Aug 29 for everyone else.
9.     The cost to enter ranges from 5 dollars for music videos and local filmmakers up to $20 for youth and students, on to $45 and $55 for feature length films
10. Anyone is eligible, with categories for youth, students, locals, and all modes of filmmaking
11. Yes
12. They strongly prefer online screeners or links to online screeners on vimeo or youtube
13. Same as 12
14. Over 90 selected films and shorts
15. Typically 1 hour, give or take a few minutes
16. 11 shorts
17. from the information available, it seems that only certain events and screenings have carry a fee, from 5 to 10 dollars, typically
18. most of the top contributors were the expected film society/arts council type organizations. Most other sponsors were individual people, with a handful of local businesses (a restaurant, a news station, a local financial advisor) sprinkled in
19. the lowest two levels are ‘friends of the festival’ and ‘special thanks’ who both appear to only receive shout outs in list form on the website. Next up are ‘advertising sponsors’ and ‘directing sponsors’ who can be seen throughout the program and website, so they must have received a more substantial advertising package. After that is ‘directing sponsors’ who got a logo on the website, an ad in the program, and 2 passes. ‘producing sponsors’ got naming rights to an award, a logo in more places, a larger ad, and 4 passes. ‘premiere sponsors’ got to name a music event, film block, reception, or workshop, as well as a sponsor banner at the fest, and all of the previously mentioned things. Silver Screen sponsors got naming rights to an entire screen for the duration of the festival, 8 passes, as well as everything else. Studio Executive sponsors got “presented by ….” Credit, a 30 second spot before screenings, and everything else.
20. They did not appear to use crowdfunding sites for donations
21. They have had local music video showcases, live music/film events
22. They try to incorporate local culture, putting an emphasis on music, food, and local stuff

23. The layout is easy to navigate because it isn’t too busy, they stick to a simple layout and color scheme. Also, the menus and drop down sub menus are very clear

24. The only thing making the website difficult is its seeming lack of information. Not much could be found about ticket pricing and past festivals on the website

25. Most of the time, the info can be found quickly from a link on the homepage. Most of what is on the homepage is outdated news release

26. It’s pretty basic and simple, I do like the simple color scheme, but the design seems in need of revamping a little

27. There is far too much white, makes it seem like a rookie made the website

28. More info is needed, many of the above questions had to be answered from off site sources, including ticket info

29. No, more is needed

30. I would add color lower in the page and add more pages with more information

31. I would keep the design simple and the menus clear




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