|
|
|
|
[INTERVIEWS
> Melinda Adams / Rough Cut Film Festival 2004]
|
|
06/08/04
|
| |
|
Interview
with Melinda Adams, founder & programmer
of Rough Cut Film Festival
|
 |
|
Rough
Cut Film Festival founder and programmer Melinda Adams
|
|
| |
| Melinda Adams came to San Francisco from New Orleans
in 1988 to study Communications Arts/ Broadcasting and just
fell in love with the arts scene in SF. Since 1988, she has
worked a bit in radio, television, theater, publications, and
series of short and odd jobs. She has done such things as been
a hostess for Popcorn Anti Theater, made a documentary "Why
Should I Live?" for the 72 hour project, done some an erotica
writing for insidebay.com, written horoscopes and dark and twisted
tales, been a board member of Venue 9, and run independent artist
how-to workshop series and a Rough Cut Film Festival. |
| |
|
One of her true loves is event producing and
that Melinda has shown this in event assistance for the Sisters
of Perpetual Indulgence, drag queen and drag king groups,
burlesque troupes, sex workers, film maker, and underground
art. She has produced and stage managed for over 100 events
and mothered and nagged 1,000 of artist. She has never met
a creative person she didn't like.
|
| |
| iR:
How was Rough Cut Film Festival started? Why did you decide
to start such a unique film festival? |
| |
| I had an ex that was a filmmaker, and I
remember seeing his documentary over and over again, as
he went through the editing process, and tried to make
final editing decisions. I would try to be objective and
honest. But when you are looking at something that someone
you care about has put his heart and soul into, it’s
hard not to just go "Sweetie it looks great"
as opposed to "Actually, that section isn't so good." |
| |
| Most independent/low budget filmmakers get
just the input of family and friends in the editing stages.
They don't have the money or resources to have focus groups.
They don't get the sometimes harsher and honest comments
till they hit the festival circuit when it’s often
too late to make changes. |
| |
| So while I was planning, stage-managing other
events and trying to get some newer performers opportunities
to perform, I sort of decided that I wanted to help filmmakers. |
| |
| iR:
As you seem to be a "cat" of all trades,
how did you come to become a festival programmer? As a
programmer, what is your taste? What kind of films do
you like to support? |
| |
| I woke up on morning and puff (!) I was
a festival programmer. I think you can become anything
you want to be if you put in the effort (you can always
make money doing it or have it be a blockbuster; but you
can do it).. |
| |
| I like all sorts of films and support all
films that come from people’s hearts. Any film that
is somebody's baby—their true love—I am all
supportive of that. |
| |
| I also have a few films I really like at
http://www.lilycat.com/film.html. |
| |
| iR:
In the commercial acquisition market place, filmmakers
tend to be cautious about screening their works without
distribution, especially rough-cuts. Since once distributors
pass on something, they pretty much pass it on for good.
How could your festival benefit a filmmaker's work-in-progress
while not shutting it out of being acquired by a distributor? |
| |
| Well, we are a very regular-people-audience-based
festival, and not a place where distributors or industry
people come to. We are encouraging the audience to make
comments on the film, so we can send to the filmmakers. |
| |
| We take new films, trailers, and works-in-progress.
We make sure the audience knows that it’s in progress
before we screen the film. |
| |
| iR:
What are the highlights of your first festival last year?
How did the graduates fare from your last year's festival? |
| |
| We had some great films that were submitted;
and one very sweet filmmaker from Ohio came to the festival.
She has gone on to get a grant to finish up her documentary
screened. |
| |
| One group, who screened the beginning of
an animated short, sent me the completed work which was
very good. Also, two of the filmmakers participated last
year went on to make other films. |
| |
| iR:
What are the highlights of this year's festival and
what are things are you anticipating for the festival? |
| |
| So far we have some very good trailers and
films, and we are still collecting more; so it is hard
to say at this point. |
| |
| This time around, I understand more about
how to do a festival and how to promote one so I'm anticipating
it to be bigger and smoother. We have an actual screening
venue, so I won't have to lug around equipment; and we
are in the process of getting some MCs that will give
the festival a even more fun and comfortable vibe. |
| |
| AND! We are still taking submission! So send
in films! |
| |
| How to submit a film can be found at http://www.lilycat.com/rufffilms.html. |
| |
| Go out a create films, make art, have
fun; and hug a filmmaker. .jpg) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Check out the official website: |
 |
| |
|
|
|
