Shorts::Cut - News This is the news page for Shorts::Cut, where we'll keep you up to date with the news for our screenings, as well as any other film related events, short and long, that we hear about that are going on in the area. Send us your news at info@shortscut.org.uk http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php Short Films by Local Young Filmmakers http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=22

Portsmouth Film Society's next screening is a LOCAL YOUNG FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE.

At The Omega Centre
Tuesday 24 May, 7pm.

Young persons' film showcase. Come sample the future of filmmaking in Portsmouth, bright new talent. Come help celebrate, meet the makers, and see their films. Also a special public premiere of the West Street film project.

Supported by Portsmouth City Council.

Entry is £2.]]> FUTURE SHORTS in Southsea http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=21

Future Shorts ONE – Museums at Night, 7.30pm. FREE

FUTURE SHORTS ONE, the global monthly event returns to 18 countries throughout May, showcasing a single selection of short films alongside the best in live music, performance, art, and more.

On Saturday 14th May the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea will be taking part in the largest simultaneous short film event in the world, breaking boundaries, boarders and conventions to connect a global audience to the worlds’ best film makers. Many of the short films have won esteemed prizes at the world’s most prestigious festivals and awards ceremonies, including the Oscars, Cannes, the BAFTAs, Clermont-Ferrand and others.

To see more, go to www.futureshorts.com/ONE/


Films to be screened are:

El Extraño
Dir. Victor Moreno Rodriguez / Spain / 2009
A documentary on rural Spanish life. Goats are herded down a crowded country lane.

Incident By A Bank
Dir. Ruben Östlund / Sweden / 2009
A detailed and humorous account of a failed bank robbery. Ground-breaking with respect to technology and storytelling, it consists of a single take where over 96 people perform a meticulous choreography for the camera.

Monogrenade - Ce Soir
Dir. Christophe Collette / Canada / 2009
Music video for Montreal outfit Monogrenade, in which a derelict house is animated entirely using stop-motion, giving life to its ghostly inhabitants.

Electric Light Wonderland
Dir. Susanna Wallin / UK / 2009
A caring single father engages with the desires and needs of his two adolescent sons. In a subtle visual language and empathetic close-ups, the film talks about mutual respect and trust between father and sons.

Youth
Dir. Tommy Petroni / USA / 2010
A breathless ride along with a group of teenagers living life to the full. The kids are all right!

Apricot
Dir. Ben Briand / Australia / 2009
In this nostalgia-tinged romantic drama, a couple who seem to be on a blind date may not be such distant strangers…

Derby
Dir. Paul Nigoscu / Romania / 2010
The story of a father who feels that he is losing control over his daughter’s life once he questions that his daughter, at the age of 15, might have started her sex life.

The Lost Thing
Dir. Shaun Tan & Andrew Ruhemann / Australia / 2010
A boy discovers a bizarre-looking creature while out collecting bottle tops at the beach. The boy empathises with the creature and sets out to find a place for it."]]> SHORTS::CUT 2011: Call for Submissions http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=20


Shorts::Cut organises screenings in Portsmouth and Southsea, of short films by regional filmmakers in partnership with ,The Kings Theatre, Southsea, and this year, The Portsmouth Film Society.

We're looking for entertaining, engaging and thought provoking short films produced by the region's filmmakers and video producers. Eligible films would have been produced in Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. We're looking for films in any form or genre, from comedy to drama, animation to documentary, up to a maximum running time of 15 minutes. Selected films will be screened at The Kings Theatre, Southsea and The Omega Centre, Portsmouth in September of 2011.

In addition, films produced in The News' distribution area since the beginning of 2010 are eligible to enter the Guide Award for best local film, with the award presented at a glittering ceremony in November at The Kings Theatre, Southsea. The deadline for submissions is Friday 29 July, 2011. For more information go to our submissions page.]]> Guide Awards Finalists http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=19 page for the award.

The Finalists are:
THE GREAT STORM (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 6m. This is the tale of the great storm of 1987, as it swept across southern England a baby girl fights for her life.

DAN: DRIVEN TO SUCCEED (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 10m. Daniel Bentley is a 25 year old Paralympic Gold Medalist. He talks about his life in and out of sport, and his triumph over disability.

THE LAST RESORT (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. A short film about the seafront in Southsea and how the area is coping with the erosion of the seaside tradition in the economic climate.

CASTLES MADE OF SAND (Drama)
RUNNING TIME: 8m. An attempt to evict two women from their home reveals strange powers, and ends in murder!

THE GLOAMING (Drama/Experimental)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. As dusk falls reality and dreams collide. Sadie finds herself unable to leave the house.

SEND IN THE COPS (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 12m. It's the big city, and in this metropolis, the law wears big shoes, and a big red nose; the cops are a bunch of clowns - literally!]]> Short List http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=18
The Guide will be announcing the six finalists sometime in the next two weeks, and we'll announce the six films on this site in due course. The six finalists will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony at The Kings Theatre, Southsea where they will announce the winners in all the Guide awards categories, including Best Local Film.]]> Guide Awards 2010 Nominees http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=17

The News has announced the shortlist for the guide awards Award for best local short film. You can vote for the film of your choice as well as all the other categories by clicking here.

We'll be screening all the films on this list at The Portsmouth Film Society in Omega Centre on Tuesday 19 October, 7:30pm. Entrace is £2, or free for full members of PFS.

The shortlist is:

THE GREAT STORM (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 6m.

DAN: DRIVEN TO SUCCEED (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 10m.

HEADS UP (Animation)
RUNNING TIME: 4m.

LAST RESORT (Documentary)
RUNNING TIME: 15m.

CASTLES MADE OF SAND (Drama)
RUNNING TIME: 8m.

MY DIGITAL LIFE (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 15m.

THE GLOAMING (Drama/Experimental)
RUNNING TIME: 15m.

NAUGHTY BOYS (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 15m.

SEND IN THE COPS (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 12m.

You can see more information all these films and links to short clips by clicking here]]> Best Film shortlist Screening http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=15 BEST LOCAL SHORT FILM

Portsmouth Film Society
The Omega Centre
Omega Street
Portsmouth
PO5 4LP (map)
7:30pm
Tuesday. 19 October
£2 (Door)

We're happy to announce this year's screening of the films shortlisted for the Guide Award for best local film will be hosted by the Portsmouth Film Society at the venue, the Omega Centre, Portsmouth.

The films were submitted by filmmakers from the Portsmouth and the surrounding area. The audiences of our summer screenings voted for their favourite films, and the nine most popular films will be listed here when they are announced. The News will announce the full list of films along with all other entrants for the guide awards in September.

Due to the subject matter of some films, this screening may only be suitable for for audiences of age 16 or older only. Those younger may not be admitted to the screening.

For the latest news, and the full list as soon as it's published, plus other news on film and video events in Portsmouth, join our page on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or follow this blog.]]> SHORTS CUT rescheduled screening: 26.08. http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=14
The Omega Centre
Omerga Street
Portsmouth
PO5 4LP (map)

7pm Thursday. 26 August
Tickets - £2 (Door)

Thanks to WEA, Omega centre for letting us use this venue at such short notice.

The Screening of regional short films submitted to Shorts::Cut, including entrants for this year's News Guide Award for best Short Film. The films were submitted by filmmakers from the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex region. The audience on the night will be able to vote for their favourite films.

See clips from all the films here

Due to the subject matter of some films, this screening is for audiences of age 16 or older only. Those younger will not be admitted to the screening.

MY DIGITAL LIFE (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. In a world full of gadgets, Sidney feels trapped, but he and his son Billy are about to find out how trapped they are.

THE GLOAMING (Drama/Experimental)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. As dusk falls reality and dreams collide. Sadie finds herself undable to leave the house.

NAUGHTY BOYS (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. Porn Baron Joey tells the story of two local hoodlums. Helped by a local arms dealer and a crooked copper they plan the crime of their lives.

THE BOX (AND TIMES GOES BY SO SLOWLY) (Experimental)
RUNNING TIME: 6m. A dress has long outlived its owner. Passed down thorugh generations, it now resides on a box on a shelf in Portsmouth Museum.

JERRY'S SMILE (drama)
RUNNING TIME: 15m. The story of Jerry, a child who would not smile, he suffers society's attempts to make him conform.

SEND IN THE COPS (Comedy)
RUNNING TIME: 12m. It's the big city, and inn this metropolis, the law wears big shoes, and a big red nose; the cops are a bunch of clowns - literally!]]> SHORTS::CUT Thur. 19 Aug. Postponed http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=13
Due to flooding at Portsmouth Central Library, tonight's (Thursday 19 Aug. 2010) screening of short films has had to be postponed. We'll be putting the screening on next week hopefully at the same venue but if not somewhere else. We're sorry for the short notice, but rest assured, Shorts::Cut will be back!

Find more information about the Central Library closer at the Portsmouth City Council website.]]> Call for Submissions http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=11
FROM CITY EYE (www.city-eye.co.uk):


"This year's Southampton Film Week again promises an eclectic mix of films and film activity. We have a fantastic array of work from local filmmakers complemented by regional, national and internationally produced films. We continue to develop opportunities for work to be screened, however, so are pleased to invite the submission of further work.

In particular we are developing two programmes: A collection of shorts to be screened at the Alexandra Pub on the evening of Monday 11 October and film from artists working in moving image which will form an exhibition at the Bargate Monument Gallery.

Film at the Alex

A founding SFW venue, the wonderfully film-friendly, film-focused Alexandra Pub will present another evening of fantastic short-films on Monday 11 October. Films can be of any genre and subject matter - we've previously shown comedy, horror, thriller, experimental, animation, docs. we have broad tastes! You're also not tied to length so whether a long or short short we might be interested. Films should be submitted on DVD by the closing date of Friday 24 September, but we would be grateful to receive films ASAP.

Bargate Monument Gallery 11 September - 23 October

Beginning, middle, end

Southampton Film Week, in conjunction with a space, is pleased to offer artists working with moving image the opportunity to have their work screened at the prestigious Bargate Monument Gallery, also an established SFW venue.

The show will consist of three successive exhibitions, each of two weeks duration. They will be thematically related through the broad notions of beginning, middle, and end. Artists are invited to submit work into one or more category. Submissions relating to all three parts of the exhibition would be of interest. Each exhibition will comprise a sequence of moving image pieces, so pieces of 10 minutes duration or less would be preferable, although all submissions will be considered.

Submissions should be in DVD format or be available for viewing online, and must reach us by Friday 27th August. Please include a short bio/artist statement with your submission and a 100 word written piece specifically about the work you are submitting. Please also indicate to which element of the exhibition your work relates.

Submissions

Films on DVD should be sent to City Eye at the address below. We will be able to return films only if a stamped addressed envelope is provided. Please note the different closing dates for each programme.

Other work

There are potentially opportunities to screen work which does not fall into either of these categories. We are particularly interested in new work or that which is not in distribution but merits screening! This is our opportunity to showcase the wealth of filmmaking talent in this region and from further afield.

Southampton Film Week is a City Eye project celebrating film culture with an eclectic range of film-works and activities including features, shorts, docs, archive, music and more. The project is delivered in collaboration and with the support of organisations and individuals from across the City and beyond. If you are interested in joining this partnership please contact Susan Beckett at City Eye: susan.beckett@city-eye.co.uk

City Eye
Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre
Broadlands Road
Southampton
SO17 3AT

Tel: 023 8067 7167
www.city-eye.co.uk]]> Our Next Screening http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=10 Kings Theatre staff who always make it such a professional and smooth running event. Thanks also to all the audince members how came down. Don't forget we have our next screening on Thursday 19 August at the Third Floor Arts Centre, in the Central Library, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth (click for a map). Audience members are advised that because of the content of some of the films, entry is only for those aged 16 years an above.

As before, everyone gets a chance to select favourite films from the night which will help in the selection process for the best film shortlist for the Guide Awards.

You can see clips from the upcoming films here

Ticekts are £2 payable on the door.]]> Shorts::Cut video entries online http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=9 Sunday 15 August screening here and the clips for the Thursday 19 August screening here

You'll need Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer to see the clips - (if you can watch Youtube clips on your PC you already have it installed).]]> Shorts Cut 2010 presents the best local http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=8
This year, the screening will be held at the famous King's Theatre, Albert Road, Southsea and The Third Floor Arts centre. Films made in Portsmouth and the surrounding area will also be eligible for nomination for the Guide Award for best local short film. The winner will be announced at the glittering awards ceremony Last year's winner was the comedy “Less Than Romantic”, directed by Leon Chambers, and produced by Gary Rowland. Runner-up was the documentary “Mark”, about local BMX legend Mark Webb directed by Russell Oastler. Winner for 2008 was the drama Stolen Youth, directed by Leon Chambers, and produced by Gary Rowland. Runner-up was the documentary Guilty, written and directed by Russell Oastler.
Shorts::Cut began in 2005 as a screening of short films as part of the first Portsmouth Film Festival, then called Portsmouth Screen. The screening was held at the Third floor Arts centre which has been our main venue since. In 2006 we expanded our submissions and were able to show a second screening of local short films at the the Wiltshire Studio Theatre, University of Portsmouth.
In 2008 we had a watershed year. We had a stand alone screening atThe Kings Theatre, our screening as part of Portsmouth Film Festival was in the newly opened No.3 Cinema, and were were able to come together with The News to make The Guide Award best film award a prize presented to a local filmmaker.

For more information and regular updates you can visit Shorts::Cut's website at www.shortscut.org.uk or find Shorts Cut on Facebook.]]> 2010 Submissions now closed. http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=7
Thanks for sending your films in. We'll be announcing the selected films in the next fortnight, so stay tuned.]]> Music and Copyright. http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=6
For the right to use as commercially available piece of music, such as a pop song, you need the rights to use the composition (the words and music) and the recording. To get the rights to the song you can apply through the MCPS, via the PRSforMusic website. However you also need permission to use the actual recording, which you need to obtain via the record company that released the recording. The MCPS will charge for the right to use the song, but for short films for festivals the charges aren't likely to be high for smalls sections (usually 30 second increments). Using a lot of songs could get expensive however.

If you want music for free some very good music is released under the Creative Commons licences. This is a licence where the creators, who may not have commercial recording contracts, releases their work under a licence that allows others to distribute and/or remix their work. usually requiring only a credit for the original composer. Creative Commons licences come in a number of flavours, some of which do forbid derivatives works (such as using the music in a film's soundtrack) and some which require the derived work to also be shared under the same licence, forcing you to allow others to remix and redistribute your film. So be careful, when using Creative Commons music, be sure that it allows you to use the music in the way that you want to, and that it doesn't force you into sharing your film in anyway that you'd not be comfortable with. See the Creative Commons website for more information.

After a number of years music enters the public domain. This is 70 years after the death of the composer for the underlying music and any lyrics. One resource, musopen.com, has taken advantage of this and gathered a number of recordings together by musicians who have donated their performances to the public domain of music by composers who have been dead for over 70 years. The quality of the performances and the recordings varies and is generally limited to pre-twentieth century serious and classical music. The music downloads are in a middling quality MP3 format but there are some very good pieces of music there that are completely free for you to use, though as a courtesy they do ask that you credit the performer and the website.

Finally recording artist Moby has a website, www.mobygratis.com, that allows you to download small pieces of electronic music he has composed over the years. He places some restrictions on the content (not-for-profit projects only, though if you do get a distribution deal he'll negotiate a commercial licence and donate his royalties to The Humane Society) and the music downloads are in MP3 format.

It's important to understand what rights you have to use music or not. Even a song playing in the background of a scene would need permission from the rights holders, and while there are special allowances for some documentaries to use incidentally recorded music, it's a tricky area (google "fair use" or "fair dealing" when you have a free weekend or three).

We hope you find these resources useful and can make sure that we don't need to turn down any films just due to copyright problems.]]> WRITING THE SHORT FILM WORKSHOPS 2010 http://www.shortscut.org.uk/news.php?entry=5 www.dvmission.co.uk

"Do you have an idea for a short film? Perhaps you have a few ideas? Why not come along to this workshop for new and aspiring screenwriters and pitch your ideas to the group and get some feedback. Then take away your best idea and develop it as a short screenplay as a participant of the groups short film development programme over the coming months.

"Find out more by going to the DV CITY WRITERS group webpage at www.dvmission.co.uk

"May 5th - The Pitch: pitch your ideas in the form of a short premise statement and take part in a practical workshop to help you develop your idea into a one page outline.

June 2nd - The Outline: present your one page outline for feedback and take part in a practical workshop on narrative and structure.

September 1st - The 1st Draft: present your first draft of up to ten pages for feedback and take part in a practical workshop on writing character.

October 6th - The 2nd Draft: present your second draft of up to ten pages for feedback and take part in a practical workshop on writing dialogue.

"November 3rd - The Treatment: a workshop on presenting your script as part of a marketing package including guidance on formulating a treatment for your finished script.

December 1st - Marketing your screenplay: now it is time to get your script out there and get it made, enter it into competitions and learn how to pitch your idea to producers and directors.

January 5th - AGM and social gathering (including the screening of group members films)


"* Details of workshop leaders and speakers will be published on the group website as they are confirmed. The workshops cost as little as £2-£3 depending on how many people turn up and this money is used to pay for the room. If there is a professional screenwriter giving a presentation there may be an additional charge but this will be notified in advance when applicable."

Time: 7pm

Where:
The Lodge Arts Centre
Victoria Park
Portsmouth, Hants
PO1 3HJ (click for a map)]]>