Over the last few weeks as AIVF’s dire financial situation has become public, I’ve been watching and reading the developments. A lot has been said and I’ve kept silent, going with the idea that “if you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all”… But, inspired by my friend James’ blog regarding how he feels the organization has been portrayed recently, I decided to put in my two cents. Plus I think only three people besides my mom read this blog, so let it rip!

As a staff member at AIVF from 2001-2005, I saw the organization go through amazingly vital times as well as horribly mangled, mismanaged times. I know better than most the deep lying problems within the organization. Was the organization mismanaged? You bet. Was it blessed 90% of the time with a maladroit board of directors more interested in personal networking, getting free trips to NYC and pushing their own film projects? Don’t get me started. Was the organization undisciplined, understaffed, lacking a coherent vision that addressed filmmaker’s issues in this decade rather than those from the organization’s inception in the 70s? Absolutely.

My good friend and fellow PANner Leslie Shearing's feature Unscrewed opened this Wed. in NYC.

So Why not go and support a cool indie film and filmmaker? Oh yeah, she's also getting some fantastic reviews:

There's funny ha-ha and there's the kind of funny that makes people really uncomfortable. Filmmaker Leslie Shearing's dark comedy of sexual insecurity falls firmly in the latter camp. --Time Out NY

Offers enough laughs to please even those who don't usually venture into downtown art houses.... [some] moments are funny enough to make it on Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm". --NY Post

Rock on Leslie!

A little over two years ago a woman called me up for some producing advice. As a production consultant, this wasn�t unusual, however what I found was that she didn�t really need advice, but rather was interested in finding a network of support for up-and-coming independent film producers. Her only problems were: 1) she didn�t know if anyone would be interested; 2) she didn�t really know any other producers/filmmakers and; 3) she really didn�t have an inkling of how to organize such a thing. Her idea was exactly what I had been searching for. So, through my contacts, a little organizing and expanding on her idea PAN (Producer�s Action Network) was born.

A few months after our initial talk we had our first meeting with 12 attendees. Since then we have grown, and our meetings have become more like workshops that revolve around specific topics. Unfortunately my friend had to drop out in the first months of PAN due to family health issues and eventually moved away; she bestowed the responsibility of PAN to me and I am proud to say we have only grown stronger. I now conduct three workshops a year all focusing on aspects of independent film development, budgeting, financing, etc. Anyone who has attended a workshop is then invited to come to our monthly networking meetings where all past and present PANners meet, exchange ideas, contacts, questions, experiences and goals. I am constantly amazed and proud of how a simple idea turned into a reality that far exceeds its original intent.

Together our members have helped each other complete numerous shorts and even a few features. Peer support really works! Too often I�ve seen the infection of desperate competition seep into the psyche of filmmakers. There's this idea that there are only so many slots in the filmmaking world and if the person on the right gets a break, then you won�t. As a result I see people become cagey, closed mouthed and unwilling to help another filmmaker. I am continually meeting filmmakers that are struggling to get that step up from those who are farther along, instead of asking for help and advice from an equal.

It�s through our peers that we can all give each other a boost; together we can all get to that next level. I love PAN. Running PAN on my own in unison with producing films and teaching is time consuming and can make for a busy life, but I love the results and all the friends I�ve made. That�s what makes it all worth it.

Hello!

When James asked me if I wanted to have a Blog page on indieWIRE, I jumped at the idea. It sounded fun and interesting and I was really honored that he thought of me. Thanks, James! Then when Brian Clark hooked me up and set up my page (Thanks Brian!) it became time to start writing. Now that it is time for my first Blog entry, I am having performance anxiety. Which is weird for me. Anyone who knows me knows I have no trouble talking and expressing my point of view. But the thought of my impulsive thoughts and rants floating out all willy-nilly able to be twisted and misconstrued is a bit intimidating.

As mentioned, I�m a producer; I won�t go into my bio, because you can look it up on the site. What I also do is run a series of workshops for NYC producers call PAN (Producer�s Action Network). I currently have 2 workshops coming up � one starts this Wednesday night, it runs for 3 Wednesdays in a row and covers budgeting, the other is in June and is about putting together a plan. If you are interested in hearing more, please post me with your email address. OK, shameless plug is over.

In the next few days I plan on talking about my Menace to Society List, trials of fundraising for a feature, and running my own business.

Please stay tuned!