Here we are: The second half of Tuesday’s sessions:

How to win the $101,000 ‘Best of Festival’ Award
Doug Phillips

Some of you might want to pay attention.

Mr. Phillips shared briefly about how the San Antonio film festival has progressed in it’s 4 year existence. The last festival, members of a foundation (unnamed) attended and Mr. Phillips was not sure why. After the ceremony, he got his answer. They approached him and said, “Doug, what you are doing is important, but it’s too small. We would like to change that by allowing you to be able to offer the largest grand prize in the world.”

So, the previous $10,000 prize was jacked up to the enourmous $101,000 grand prize for the 2009 Film Festival.

Over the past year, huge things have happened. Movies like ‘Fireproof’ have won best Independent Film in the USA. That, and the grand prize have moved the spotlight of (inter)national media on the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Dozens of newspapers will be sending reporters, and several TV stations have requested access. “The world will be watching you.” Mr. Phillips told the filmmakers.

So now on to the session. If you want to know how to win the grand prize in future years, read this carefully.

To win the Grand Prize you must:
1. Learn and take to heart the principles communicated at the Christian Filmmakers Academy.
2. Don’t break the rules.
3. Inspire Us

Doug Phillips pointed out what seems to be a no-brainer, but it actually is a major problem: “If you want to win the prize, listen to what we tell you to do and not to do!” He also stressed the importance of making your movie on something important, something significant, and something you are passionate about.

He then told us that we will not win the grand prize if we:

1. Use the clichés of Hollywood with their humanistic views
2. Copy Christian B movie techniques which are poor, spin-offs of humanistic Hollywood aesthetics.

Finally, to win the prize you must inspire, be courageous, be resourceful and innovative.

Before the Camera Rolls: How to know when your story is ready to become a Feature Film
Geoff Botkin

Mr. Botkin talked about what you should do before deciding whether to turn your idea into a a feature film. What should you consider?

Market Potential: Pick an audience that you are focusing this film on. Who will watch it? Find out how successful similar films are.

Story Potency: Make sure it is theologically sound, and proof the animatics (animated storyboarding)

In every story there is a flawed hero/heroine who “summons moral courage to overcome difficult situations.” As Mr. Botkin put it.

He explained a Three Act Storyline that you should typically follow:

Act I: Set Up:
Act II: Moral Test
Act III: Resolution

Here’s a graph of what the character arc should typically look like during a three act film:

How to Improve Your Movie in Ten Minutes
Isaac Botkin

Here’s a few of the many, many points he had:

1. Take ten minutes before writing your film to ask the question, “What is the point?”
2. Take ten minutes to write a new story treatment every time you do a rewrite of your script.
3. Take ten minutes to detach yourself from the previous versions of the script before you start your re-writes.
4. Take ten minutes to write your main characters bio
5. Take ten minutes to graph your main character’s arc.
6. Take ten minutes mapping out each scene
7. Take ten minutes to do a scribbled stick-figure thumbnail storyboard before you get too attached to your nice storyboards
8. Take ten minutes to analyze similar scenes from other films to see how your work matches up
9. Most films are ten minutes too long.
10. Most films have ten minutes more music than they should.
11. Take ten minutes to lower the final music mix by 50%
12. Take ten minutes to EQ music and effect tracks to intrude less on dialogue
13. Take ten minutes to do a foley test on each scene

The Future of Independent Christian Filmmaking
Geoffrey Botkin

Mr. Botkin began by talking about our role as Jesus Christ’s ambassadors, and how he believes that film is a perfect tool for us.

If we are to be effecive in our world, we must be effective with the weapons of technology, such as film.

Mr. Botkin showed film clips and asked questions about each clip such as “What camera angles did they use? Was it steadycam, dolly, or jib?”

Films included were:
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
Last Samurai
The Terminal
Raiders of the Lost Ark

Mr. Botkin pointed out that we should give credit where credit is due. When watching these clips, we should be in awe of their technical and cinematical genius of the creators.

He then gave three reasons why he has hope for Independent Christian Filmmaking:

1. Students are teachable and willing to teach
2. There is an ethic of study and work
3. We can improve on existing techniques and technology

“I have hope because students are paying attention to these distinctive ideas.” Mr. Botkin said.