DGA is site for Filmmakers Alliance 2000

By Darrell L. Hope

FA President Jacques Thelemaque with DGA member Mike Figgis.
photo by Richard Strauss

On Wednesday, June 28, 2000, the Directors Guild of America was the setting for the fourth annual screening and gala party for Filmmakers Alliance (FA). Officially dubbed FA 2000, the event was touted as the premier fund-raising event for the nonprofit filmmaking organization.

This year's FA event featured screenings of several short films shot in various formats including Elyse Couvillion's experimental digital short film Sweet, photographed by legendary cinematographer Allen Daviau on PAL mini-DV; Willard Morgan's comedy spoof Fever Pitch; Sandy Collora's heartfelt drama Solomon Bernstein's Bathroom; Jeff Orgill's music video Blue Miss Sunday; FA President Jacques Thelemaque's dark comedy Egg; and Matt Nix's crowd-pleasing futuristic look at revolution Me & the Big Guy.

The DGA also hosted a special dinner for the FA 2000 filmmakers which was attended by DGA member Mike Figgis, recipient of FA's First Annual Vision Award.

"The Vision Award recognizes filmmakers who've maintained their personal vision against the pressures of commercialization inherent in studio filmmaking," said Thelemaque. "Figgis proved the perfect first recipient, witty, passionate and eloquently radical - his commitment to creative risk taking, personal storytelling and challenging the status quo perfectly reflects the 'Greenlight Yourself' motto of Filmmakers Alliance."

The Vision Award was also created to honor established filmmakers who have inspired emerging filmmakers, and whose work consistently pushes the art of filmmaking forward. Figgis' latest film Time Code pushed both the art of filmmaking forward and also the craft itself via its innovative use of four Hi-Definition Sony cameras to take a journey through four stories simultaneously, shot all in one take.

When asked his reaction to FA 2000, Figgis said, "It was pretty amazing to see so many filmmakers with the same enthusiasm for making films outside of the studio system. I'm starting to believe that it is possible for the industry to change."

For more information about Filmmakers Alliance log onto their website at http://www.filmmakersalliance.com

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