Friday 14 March 2014

Party time!

As I already said before, EEFF moved its offices recently to 3 Mills Studios, one of the most important film and TV studios in the UK, that have hosted the London Olympic Opening and Closing ceremonies, and provided spaces for filming for movies like Attack the Block (2011), 28 Days Later (2001), Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), and The Reader (2008), among others. Moreover, lots of film and TV companies are located inside 3 Mills Studios, like Moviescope Magazine, Talent Talks casting agency and London International School of Performing Arts. It is like a small creative cluster of its own.


Source: http://www.moviescopemag.com/featured-editorial/3-mills-studios-appoints-ad-mel-nortcliffe-as-bookings-manager/


In order to celebrate EEFF's addition to the 3 Mills Studio family, they threw a little party at a very fancy, although somehow alternative, bar close to the canal at Hackney Wick, with free drinks and pizza! Perfect opportunity for networking, and also an ideal chance to get closer with the EEFF staff. It seems that most of the people working here are volunteers and they have been added recently in the group. We are a constantly growing team that includes no less than 30 people; maybe even more, I have lost track, it seems like everyday a brand new face pops up!

Source: http://www.bite.ca/bitedaily/2013/12/10-things-i-learned-from-home-alone/, taken from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), directed by John Hughes

Highlight of the party: the Head of the Programming team and the Director of the festival (aka, my bosses), thanked me for my help and contribution to the team and proposed that I take even more responsibility in the weeks to come, with assisting the curation of some parallel events of the festival, like Grits 'n' Gravy (an all-day-long event with screenings of films from the Southern US, with live music and free Bloody Marys), the Masonic Temple screenings [a two-day event with screenings of films about witchcraft and magic - from classic Italian giallo horror films to contemporary masterpieces like The Prestige (2006) and Pan's Labyrinth (2006)] and a fortnightly film event at Red Gallery. Nothing feels better than positive feedback. Moral boost: check.

Friday 7 March 2014

Let's get down to business!

First day at work! Well, this is my first job that involves me speaking in a different language, which was not really a problem for me but that does not mean that it was not weird at the beginning. I was greeted by a very welcoming team of people and got introduced to the Head of Programming. The first day was quite enlightening about what my job entails. As a Programming Assistant I will have to look at the programmes of other film festivals that host bold, independent features and check out which of the films hosted there are actually eligible for EEFF. Apart from that, I will have to look at old programmes from specific film festivals and track the work of then first time directors, who are now finishing or have already completed their second features. The research procedure is quite open, so I can use my own resources, knowledge and connections in order to discover films that would fit in EEFF's mentality and aesthetics.

Source: http://developedsociety.wordpress.com/

I will also be responsible for contacting the sales representatives, distributors, directors or producers of each film, so that I will request a screener in order for the Programming Team to watch and review the film, and decide whether or not it is suitable for the festival. What is good about that is that I also get the opportunity to watch films that are not accessible to the public due to lack of distribution and exposure. Plus, the Head of Programming seems to trust my taste in films and encourages me to express my opinion.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/signs-its-time-to-quit-your-job_n_4018629.html, taken from Bruce Almighty (2003), directed by Tom Shadyak

Moreover, I even got my own '@eastendfilmfestival.com' email address, and a pass to get in and out of 3 Mills Studio - yes, the offices of EEFF are situated inside 3 Mills Studio! How exciting is that?

Overall, I am very satisfied with the environment and my responsibilities. It's friendly but not relaxed, and even the more time-consuming duties are enjoyable. I personally research for films all day long anyway, and now, as a plus, I get to contact directors and producers with whom I would potentially like to work with in the future. Fingers crossed.