Get out of my dreams . . . and into production

Are you an aspiring filmmaker looking for a way to express your creative vision? Do you spend your days dreaming up Oscar acceptance speeches? Does your day job or lack of motivation prevent you from actually making films instead of thinking about them? In other words, are you too lazy to get off you ass and do something?

We at LAist can sympathize as we sometimes have a little trouble in the motivation department too. But this is your luck day. There’s a group in LA who can help you. No, we’re not talking about AA or anything like that. Although, it is a type of support group filled with people who share the same sickness, er, um . . . compulsion. We're talking about a group of people who get together to make films. One film a month, to be exact.

The group is called Group 101 Films and they can help. Started several years ago by six visionaries who really wanted to be making their own films instead of working on other people’s, the group has evolved into a filmmaking collective that has chapters in several cities and a few other countries as well. The premise of Group 101 Films is simplicity itself.

You form a group of usually seven to ten of your peers. Then, you get a theme for the month, something like the color red or flowers or similar. Then, you go out and write, cast, prep, shoot, and edit and basically create a finished short film from scratch in 29 days. At the end of the 29 days, you get back together with your group for a screening of your work. At the screening, you get feedback from the other group members and your advisor, usually a Group 101 Alumni. After that, you start the process all over again for another 29 days.

How does this help your career you may ask? We know, get to the good part. You guys are so impatient! Ok. At the end of six months, you have six hopefully fantastic short films. These films are put together and the best are selected to be screened at the Group 101 screening party, known as Cocktails and Shorts.

This party is well attended by industry pros looking for the "next big thing" to exploit. Plus, you get the chance to mingle with people like Directors Kevin Smith and McG, who have attended past parties.
So, we at LAist encourage you to get off your asses and do something. We will be right here, watching from our couch.