by Jonathan D. Raben

 

Thoughts about Rhode Island Independent Filmmaking

 

In recent years a spotlight has been on filmmaking in Rhode Island, mostly on the larger productions and production companies that come from outside the state. The filming of Disney’s film Underdog and the Showtime series Brotherhood have dominated the press. Anyone who reads the local papers or magazines knows that something is happening; Rhode Island is a destination for filmmakers. It is very exciting; it is front page news.

 

This article however, and the thoughts that follow are primarily about another and perhaps in some ways more exciting groundswell regarding Rhode Island filmmaking. That is, Rhode Island filmmakers producing films, utilizing mostly Rhode Island resources including locations, financing, artists, actors, crew, editors and other local talent. One may not have read about them in front page headlines. The productions tend to be low budget and are usually premiered in smaller venues than the multimillion dollar “Hollywood” films, and the filmmakers tend to remain in Rhode Island after their productions are finished.      

 

Rhode Island is a small state both geographically and in terms of its population. The degree of separation between individuals within the state is possibly smaller than in any other state in the United States. As a result, filmmaking in Rhode Island has a more intimate and personal aura and Rhode Islanders have a greater opportunity to be involved in some way.

 

Filmmaking has moved well into today’s digital age. Films made with digital technology utilize digital video cameras (or related technology) and computers. The cost and time involved in making a film utilizing digital technology has plummeted compared to the use of traditional film. Many large and small film productions still utilize traditional film but increasingly digital filmmaking is taking over.

 

Digital video cameras capture images and sound on digital tape. The data are then downloaded onto a computer hard drive. Other technologies involve capturing the image and sound data on a memory card or directly on a hard drive. Some of the newer high definition technologies involve these processes.

 

Once the data is on the computer hard drive it can be manipulated using editing software. Editing software is available with differing degrees of sophistication to accommodate the desired result and end use.

 

As a result of the relative ease using digital technology and the lower costs involved, filmmaking has become a more common vocation. Many schools and colleges now offer programs or degrees in various aspects of filmmaking. Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, New England Tech, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, among others, all offer programs or degrees in filmmaking, digital production technology or related subjects.

 

As filmmaking has expanded in Rhode Island, so has the need for professional editing facilities. Tango Pix (www.tangopix.com) is a full service production and postproduction facility that works with small and large project filmmakers and there are several other companies including A & M Productions (www.a-mproductions.com).

 

                      Network with the Rhode Island Film Collaborative and others

 

The Rhode Island Film Collaborative (RIFC) with over one thousand members is a non-profit film production and networking group organized to share resources in matters relating to filmmaking. Actors, script writers, editors, producers, directors, camera operators, working crew such as lighting or sound specialists, musicians, makeup artists and other people interested in any aspect of film get together to help one another. Their premise is that filmmaking is a collaborative endeavor; and by sharing resources involving the many facets of the filmmaking process members can cut costs and increase efficiency.  So, if a member needs a camera operator for a shoot, another member might volunteer to help and in return he or she might seek help in editing or some other skill.

 

According to Mark Fogarty, cofounder and current president “A revolution in the cost of filmmaking and its marketing is breaking down barriers that now make it easier for independents to produce and get their film to market. The RIFC can help with this transition and help the next breed of filmmakers find their voice.”     

 

For low budget projects the RIFC can provide a wealth of information and assistance in terms of real filmmaking know-how and skill, however, one does not have to be a filmmaker to get involved with the RIFC. Having an interest in film is a good enough reason. People who wish to learn more about the collaborative should attend one of their networking evenings held on the second Tuesday of each month at Providence’s Wild Colonial. Other RIFC groups meet to; make films, discuss script writing, practice “pitching” a project, brainstorm a future project, discuss and view films and there’s even an actors lab.

 

There are many film projects conducted by individual RIFC members and also projects that are specifically conducted by the RIFC as a group. Anyone interested in film or filmmaking can sign up for the RIFC mailing list by visiting their website at www.rifcfilms.com. It is free and may start you on an interesting adventure.

 

AHTSPOT (www.ahtspot.com), founded by Daniel Lee White, is an online community promoting the networking of New England artists including filmmakers, actors and artists of all types. Paige Kane is the director of the nonprofit, Newport Film Salon (www.newportfilmsalon.org). The Newport Film Salon produces short films, conducts meetings and workshops, and is a networking resource for Newport area filmmaking. 

 

                                                   Watch Them Locally

 

There are numerous independent filmmakers in Rhode Island and therefore a multitude of film projects in various stages of production. Upon completion many are screened locally. Independent films run the gamut in terms of subject matter; they are usually creative, artistic and thought provoking and provide a refreshing change for a “night out at the movies.”

 

A popular theater that showcases local independent films is Jon and Betty Jane Berberian’s Columbus Theater (www.columbustheater.com). Located at 275 Broadway in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood, the beautiful theater built in 1926 also houses the offices of the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). The Columbus features an 840 seat ornate period theater and a 200 seat upper level venue. It also hosts several small film festivals, screenings of the RIIFF and a wide assortment of theatrical, operatic and other performing arts.

 

Several other small theaters showcase independent films such as the Cable Car Cinema (www.cablecarcinema.com) in Providence and the Jane Pickens (www.janspickens.com) in Newport, although most of the films are not by local artists. There are however a number of smaller screening facilities that screen local independent films.

 

The nonprofit, Artist’s Exchange (www.artists-exchange.org) in Cranston, hosts a film festival of short films, produced by Toni Ann Baker of Two Sisters Productions. It features films made by artists mostly from Rhode Island. The submissions include student, first time and known artist’s films and are judged by an expert panel.

 

Anthony Demings’ Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House (BCTH), located in Providence, features a small and intimate screening facility. The BCTH offers monthly prescreenings of films submitted to the RIIFF, screenings by local independent filmmakers and also acts as a meeting place for several Rhode Island based film networking and working groups. The coffee house maintains a website that posts local filmmaker news and an events calander (www.brooklyncoffeeteahouse.com).

 

The Rhode State Council for the Arts (RISCA) screens the films of Rhode Island filmmakers who have won the RISCA film fellowship awards and also posts a general list of filmmaking events in Rhode Island (www.arts.ri.gov). Magic Lantern (www.magiclanterncinema.com) a collaborative funded by RISCA screens mostly experimental films, some by local filmmakers, at the Cable Car Cinema.

 

South County’s Courthouse Center for the Arts (www.courthousearts.org) is an educational and arts center, and in addition to other programs, screens the works of Rhode Island filmmakers.

 

                                                         Filmmakers

 

Every day in Rhode Island filmmaking is taking place with small and not so small independent productions and their associated producers, directors, actors, cameras operators and crew. Some are in their beginning stages. Some are getting ready for release in theaters. Many of the films, once finished are submitted to film festivals to be judged and possibly picked up by a major distributor.

 

Rhode Island hosts both the Newport International (www.newportfilmfestival.com) and Rhode Island International (www.riiff.com) Film Festivals. Many locally produced films are eventually screened at a Rhode Island based film festival. George Marshall, CEO and Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival and his staff have been particularly active in encouraging the local filmmaking industry.     

 

Producer/Director Cherry Arnold’s documentary film Buddy, a complex and multilayered study of former mayor of Providence, Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., is now showing at several Rhode Island theaters (www.buddycianci.com).  

 

Director Eugene Celico, who filmed The Tournament in Westerly, RI winning awards at the Rhode Island and Queens International Film Festivals, is now gearing up for the Rhode Island filming of Thunder Doyle (www.thunderdoylemovie.com). It stars Rhode Island world champion boxer Vinny Paz and HBO series The Sopranos’ star, Vincent Pastore and others.

 

Director Michael Corrente, is premiering his film Brooklyn Rules at theaters in Rhode Island and elsewhere (see feature article about Michael Corrente in this issue). Known for such films as American Buffalo and Outside Providence, Mr. Corrente is also in the early stages of producing ten horror films in Rhode Island utilizing Rhode Island scriptwriters, crew and other talent.

 

                    The Rhode Island Film and Television Office (RIFTO)

 

Steven Feinberg, a Rhode Island native and accomplished Hollywood screenwriter, producer and industry professional is at the forefront of the states film industry. Mr. Feinberg is the executive director of the RIFTO and a savvy negotiator and deal-maker that has helped make Rhode Island a destination for several large film productions over the last few years.

 

Fueled by the state’s favorable tax incentives, local talent and its multifaceted scenic and cultural landscape; Rhode Island is slowly being transformed. The presence of large production filmmaking has had an infectious effect as the media buzz and curiosity of the average citizen creates an awareness that something special is happening.

 

Rhode Island still has an uphill battle in developing the film industry into an economic, self-sustaining asset, but it is a challenge Mr. Feinberg is ready for. “It takes persistence and an investment of hard work and time to build an economy. It is happening, the results are very encouraging.”

 

Aided by Assistant Carol Conley and webmaster Lew Place, the Rhode Island Film and Television Office is also active in supporting local filmmakers, Rhode Island film festivals and related events. Mr. Feinberg is a familiar face at the premiere events of many local filmmakers. The film office maintains an informative website at www.film.ri.gov.

 

The listing of venues, filmmakers, film organizations and other items in this article is for the purpose of example. The author is aware that any such list, given the space constraints, is somewhat arbitrary and selective and in no way by its omissions reflects the importance of people, places or organizations included or not included. The author would like to hear from any entity regarding the content of this article and will publish an update with additional information in the future.

 

The author, Jon Raben is a supporter of independent filmmakers in Rhode Island and is the producer and director of the independent documentary film Italian Americans and Federal Hill. He can be reached by email at fedhilldoc@yahoo.com, or producer@italianamericansandfederalhill.com or by phone at 401.942.3779.