Featuring the work of Knoxville’s own John Hudgens!
Also, featuring the best submissions from “Year in Knoxville” in January!
During the Knoxville 24 Hour Film Festival of 2011, a behind-the-scenes video was shot at the launch party. Several filmmakers and actors were interviewed and asked the question,”Why do you do it?” Why do artists stay up for 24 hours, just to make a 4 minute film? Local filmmaker and actor Jeff Delaney (Tin Soldier Productions) had the answer that best summed it up: “…the hanging out part. That’s the coolest part.”
He’s absolutely right. Well, okay, but is that really the best part? Maybe, in reality, it’s the excitement, dedication, practice, and honing of skills that’s the best part. It’s also an opportunity to put your work out there in a healthy environment that also allows one to compete with friends and colleagues.
However, hanging out is pretty darned cool. On that note…
“Cinematini Tuesday” is back.
The next Cinematini event will be held at the Relix Variety Theatre, 1208 N. Central Street in Knoxville’s Happy Holler district, on February 7. Cinematini will offer fellow film artists a place to commune with each other and share ideas and knowledge about local and national film projects. But more importantly, Cinematini is a place for them to receive support from other local filmmakers with similar experience yet in varying stages of their creative processes.
In a time when so many people rely predominantly on Facebook, Twitter, and various other social media outlets to keep up with individuals, true personal face-to-face interaction can never be beaten–not even with the biggest stick. And, truth be told, the filmmaking community has changed quite a bit here in East Tennessee since the last Cinematini. The 24 Hour Film Festival, the Secret City Film Festival, the Gatlinburg Film Festival and even the Nashville Film Festival have taken several local artists to new heights and (for some) new opportunities. The caliber of work that comes out of this area increases each year. Personally, I’m glad to be a part of such a great community.
The bonus in participating in these local festivals as a filmmaker, much like the vibe of Cinematini, is that they allow us all to get together and network. I know that Kelly, Ryan, and I have received invaluable feedback and made great connections for our Skyshot projects (skyshotfilms.com). As most of us work with low budgets, networking per se has become a critical way to find locations, equipment, and actors. Presented biannually to quarterly, “Cinematini 2.0″ will provide just the right amount of periodic hanging out time.
Let me add that if you’re a new filmmaker or actor, you’re highly encouraged to come out and meet some great people. When I first moved to Knoxville over 6 years ago, these types of gatherings introduced me to some wonderful and talented folks–folks I still work with. I’m also happy to call a lot of them my friends.
“Cinematini Tuesday” relaunches at the Relix Variety Theater on February 7 from 7-10PM. Hope to see you there! (Oh, yeah… there’ll be drink specials too!)
-Mike Stanley
Mike Stanley is an award winning actor, freelance writer and co-founder of Skyshotfilms.com and contributing blogger for KnoxvilleFilms.com.
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