'Caution Wet Paint' (the official movie blog)

Media Files, bumpf and distribution

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Sending copies of 'Jay and Kay Save the World' to film festivals is a long and bewildering process. You need to be focused on the task at hand (hell for someone like me who enjoys the thrill of procrastination) as well as military precision in order to fulfill the requirements for each festival. Some festivals are part of a central submission system, such as the UCAS system for Britain's universities. This can take a lot of the heartache out of applying to festivals. About half of all the film festivals I have applied to so far are a part of one of four such systems. The other half are still independent and require you to go direct through their own website in order to submit your film.

And there is a lot of 'bumpf' that you need with the film that you submit to the film festival. Many festivals just want the DVD screener and nothing else. They will get back to you when they have made their decision. Others want a whole array of materials. This is the much anticipated media pack. You see, making a film does not just stop with the editing of a film and subsequent burning onto CD. No way. You see, the 'indy' director has to be a person of many talents. As 'El Director' of CWP, I also act as distributor, possibly one of the most tedious tasks to fall onto a film maker and the one that will make you go bald faster than any other task on set (other than dealing with actors/actresses).

Firstly, you have to distribute the film itself. That means, getting a list of all those film festivals. Filling out forms (accurately without spelling errors – and if anyone has read this blog then u no how baad i am at dat), burning DVD's (PAL or NTSC, subtitled or not, and better get handy with your French) before heading off to the local post office to send your post. Of course, I know how bad postmen can be, so it is not just a case of licking a few stamps but actually registering the damn things (at least fiver a pop for international submissions). The guys at my three nearest post offices know who I am. Then there is the waiting. Oh, the dreaded wait...

'Bumpf', yes, let me get back to that. There is an assortment of 'media' files that many festivals may or may not want, but need to be prepared by the director of his/her film in case they are required. This is where many directors (including myself in the past) fall. After the marathon run of making a film, you are then expected to complete the triathalon of creating a media friendly side to the film and then distributing the damn thing. You can see why even small films have a huge number of people in their credits. They are the minions who take care of all the 'little things'.

So, what 'bumpf' do I have prepared for my official 'Media Pack'? At a glance, I have a director's bio, filmography, picture and statement (that's the ego bit), half a dozen film stills (at 300 d.p.i.), Posters and Press Packs (recently rewritten), Synopsies (long, short, loglines and everything else in text, word and acrobat formats), a dialogue list (note this is not the same as the script, and again need as txt, doc or pdf files), and teasers/trailers (formatted for both Quicktime and Media Player).

Don't forget, a website is always handy, and guess what. All the above is on that website too, able to be downloaded at a click of a button. Some festivals do not want the clutter of extra paper or a CD-ROM as part of their submission. They want all these files online where they can download at their leisure. These festivals are few and far between at the moment, but they will probably become a requirement in the future.

That's the 'official' bumpf'.

There is a whole lot of 'bumpf' that I do not include in my media CD-ROM, but still need to keep on hand. For instance, a cover for the DVD case, letterheads for any letters I may need to send, a CD cover (if I send the CD-ROM separately), a credit list (some festivals demand a separate list, despite the inclusion of a press pack), a synopsis for the feature film (you never know), lower resolution files of the film stills (to upload directly onto some festival websites) and ditto for the press pack/posters.

As you can imagine I have sent to a lot of festivals. The turn around time is kicking in next month. The proof is in the pudding as they say. Or in this case, the media files...

2010 Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:14:00 +0000

View all

Get your own

2010 is upon us and so we here at CWP will add a little bit of fun, milk and alien invasion to the beginning of the new decade!

CWP 2010 Calendar

Plums and Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:12:00 +0000

Thursdays come quickly for me. Saw 'El Maestro' this week, and that meant copious amounts of pizza. Of course, we also have a foolproof solution to finding fine looking plums to garnish our pizzas. All we have to do is walk through the plum orchards of South London and North Eastern Brazil with the DVD box set of the CWP shorts. If the plums start tumbling into out baskets, then they are ripe enough to eat! You can stuff the centre of a plum with a variety of funky fillings, but this is where El Maestro and I differ. El M prefers a garlic filling, while I like something far more spicy.

No doubt, Laars would have something to intercede in all of this, but of course, he is dead! Ha!

The Super Sushi Club

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This is a bit surreal. All right, maybe it is very surreal, but there is a destination to the 'Super Sushi Club'. Really, I have plan with this. If it does not work out, I can always call it apocryphal and therefore discontinue it from the CWP cannon.

The Super Sushi Club!

The fact that I am creating a whole backstory to CWP and a whole world through the comic books is a fascinating one. Plus there is the fascinating possibilities open through expanding the Super Sushi...

The inbetween

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Hello!!

La Producer here! Well it has been a very busy week! I have had a busy week juggling work, training and everything else inbetween! The most reflective time when making a film, is the time after it has been made. Much work goes on in the form of editing, copying, proof screening, premiere screening and despatching to film festivals and or distributors. The process behind the production of single film is so intricate and amazing. That is the beauty of entertainment and art - it can last for perhaps 5 minutes but the work, thought and everything inbetween is a grand affair!!!

La Producer xx

Flicking around the edges

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:19:00 +0000

While on the cover, I have seem to have done not so much for CWP, under the surface I have een doing quite a bit. I am in the dead zone, waiting for film festivals to reply and basically I have to sit on my hands in order no to actually muck up the past few months. So I hae taken look at the publicity and found some things that could have been rejigged up.

First on the list, the press pack. The old press pack was fine, but I wanted to jazz it up even more. Plus I have got quite handy with the comic book effects and so included on-set anecdotes and a Q&A session in the press pack. You can check it out for yourself by heading over to cautionwetpaintmovie.com and going to the 'What is Caution Wet Paint' page!

Silvertop!

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:13:00 +0000

A simple one this week, and following on from the last week's issue, we take a look at the second protagonist from 'Jay and Kay Save the World', Lieutenant Silvertop, the 'ying' to Goldtop's 'yang'.

So take a little look at the fun that Silvertop gets upto!

Silvertop

Caution Wet Paint is Amazing!

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Hello!

La Producer here, I was just going through our catalogue of work, and I have to agree with El D, that I love Caution Wet Paint - Jay and Kay Save the WOrld, it had me in stitches. Watching the trailer was brilliant! It instantly brightened my evening after scurrying around in the cold, looking for meat! hahaha!

The talent of all the cast and crew really shine, and I have to say that I really enjoyed filming it and the HD effects look stunning! If you did not see our new trailer, here it is again for you to enjoy!

la p xx

Watching...

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

This week has been a busy week in terms of sending of the film to five festivals. It is a pretty laborious affair, each festival having slightly differing entry requirements. Some want one DVD, others want two copies, some want an E-Pack, some want paper based materials. All in all, there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Some have fees to pay, others are free, but always I need to register the post due to the ongoing postal strikes. And then comes the testing of the DVD's. It is important to sit down and watch the DVD's to see that they play properly.

This time, instead of doing other things while the DVD was running in the background, I actually sat down to watch the DVD of 'Jay and Kay Save the World'. It has been a while since I have actually watched the short film - really watched it. And you know what, I really enjoyed it. It is surprising, but seeing the film through rested eyes, I actually remember why I love CWP so much! Let's get into some film festivals now...

Goldtop takes over the World!

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

It is quite simple. Goldtop is evil...

Our first comic book installment from our latest HD short, 'Jay and Kay Save the World!'

Goldtop!

The Business

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Hello, La Producer here!

Ok a busy day in the film world...after a full day of eating haha and doing some local sight seeing, and I am just now in front of the computer doing some work! Ok, down to the task of sifting through emails and finding out the best film festival to send Caution, Wet Paint to. You always have to get the right balance, and find the right festival in which to promote your movie. Ofcourse you go for the big names such as The London Film Festival, Cannes and Sundance, but you also have to look beyond and search for other film festivals too, to promote your work.

I have found a few, will let you know how I get along!

Wish me luck!

La P xxxx

one of my faves!

Back from Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:51:00 +0000

Wow. India! What a place! Again...Let me see if I can make it three times in a year...but anyway back to the UK and well, the land of superstar hair models...yes...oh well, as a baldy they have missed their target audience with me (oh, and I am a bloke as well), but still, what else is a guy to do? Dream of the Himalaya...drink endless cups of tea and make great, great films...

Blog Arrangements on CWP

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:14:00 +0000

New blog timings!

Mondays - Comic Strip: The days when comic fun takes to the 'www'!

Thursdays - El Director: The film week with regards to CMD!

Sundays - La Producer: Film 'business'!

Sundays

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Sundays are the perfect day, late start, lie-in, in bed, so why is it, that when I woke up at 8am, I have not done anything productive?! Aaaaaaaaa! And I have just spilt tea all over the desk, I need to get my tea towel out...

So let me entertain you with the evolution of a clip...

La P xx

Simply the Best...

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:22:00 +0000

The best of the best...Caution Wet Paint, I love my milk!

La P xxx

Digs

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Ok, finally moved in and finished unpacking, and also finally got the internet!!!!! I felt so cut off from the world! Ok...El Director will be back this week yay! So look forward to the return of the weekly addition of the CWP comic book, as well as other fun blogs and videos!!

La P xx

moving

oliviadukedesigns@gmail.com (Olivia Duke Designs) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:04:00 +0000

The change of year is upon us, long gone are summer days - when did summer happen again this yr?! Mince pies are already in the shops and businesses are counting down the days of christmas...and with such change, changes occur in life...so yes finally I am moving out of the family nest with the one I love! It has been non-stop care journeys and endless bags of shopping sigh, and more to go...!!!

La Producer xx

p.s. watched re-runs of CWP and that cheered me up!!!Lotsof milk already in the fridge..

Joys of Sleep!

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Te joys of sleeP:

1) Jay
2) My warm bed
3) Fresh sheets
4) Dreams
5) Joyous milk for breakfast

Kay xx

The Far Reaching Talents of El Director

oliviadukedesigns@gmail.com (Olivia Duke Designs) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:14:00 +0000

I have to say, although I would not usually admit this but El Director is pretty talented!! Having worked with El D all my life I have to say that his work is truly genius! With new and exciting projects:

...to his timeless comedy:

is there no end to his talent?!

Watch out for the next installment of Caution, Wet Paint the comic , out October 10th..

Mondays

oliviadukedesigns@gmail.com (Olivia Duke Designs) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Why is it that when we sleep more, we are even more tired? I did not take the time to read wikipedia before I wrote this blog, but it was just something I always wondered - when did taking a nap become so tiring?!

Anyway back to the title, Mondays are hectic, too hectic, at work, home, eevrything! However I was invited for dinner to a colleague's home and it was lovely, food fab and company also.

And in the thread of CWP, I am going to have a glass of milk, then go to bed goodnight!

Tax

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Oh my goodness! El Director has gone on holiday and I have been left with the tax:( tax is msot definitely taxing, and my eyelids are shutting down just by looking at the pile of receipts...HELP ME!!!!!!

Holiday

oliviadukedesigns@gmail.com (Olivia Duke Designs) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:59:00 +0000

Prepare yourself earthlings for warrrrr, your leader el director has come to our side and holidaying on the planet plov, do your worst HAWAAAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Going back to India!

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:39:00 +0000

I am so under prepared for this holiday. Despite spending the best part of three months planning my getaway to India, I still have not booked my hotel room nor have I secured a ride from Guwahati to Shillong. For those that do not know the geography of the North East, I am landing in the region's gateway and heading off to the hills. A three hour drive at the best of times.

Oh, and I still do not know how I am going to get round to Calcutta....ohmygosh, Calcutta! Oh man! Well, it will be the fifth biggest city I have visited (after Mexico, Cairo, Shanghai and Jakarta), so I am expecting the usual belch of megacity fun! Plus, being an India city, the delights of the local street food!

All right, I have a rough plan in my head, and I am going to do the five things I recommended to the casual visitor while I was last in India. To Recap:

1: Meet the Khasis. I am off to Shillong for a couple of days and so will get a chance to sample the unique culture of these great people.

2: Hop on a train. I have to get to Calcutta somehow, right?

3: Cross a bamboo bridge. Maybe not exactly bamboo, but I am planning to do one very special river crossing while on my travels.

4: Catch a flick. Oh yes! A must do!

5: Eat well: My tastebuds are tingling in excitement!

See you back here on October 13th,

El Director!

Da Crew! (Comic)

noreply@blogger.com (Caution Wet Paint) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:14:00 +0000

I love those guys. Really. Well, maybe not that much. But, I had to immortalise the folks behind the camera. The ones, who normally, do not get the glory, but who have as much 'fun' as anyone else on set. The crew!

Right, El Director is off on holiday and so the comic strip will next be up and running on Monday October 19th! Until then...;)

'Da Crew'

'Business'

noreply@blogger.com (el director!) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:11:00 +0000

While the pleasure of film making is always apparent, there is a lot of 'business' in the background to do. Usually, before I jump off on holiday, I have to conclude such business. It makes everything seem...jointed...more in sync with the rest of the world. Two bits of business I need to finish before I jet off to India this month. First, sort out the bank account as I am renewing my website and secondly, send off CWP to a few more film festivals. That will give me a good number of submissions before I head off on holiday.