2nd Toronto User Group Meeting.

[Pure]

Hello all.

With the success of the first meeting I'm starting to plan the 2nd meeting. *I know that owners of the DVX are proud of the work they have done with their camera, so why don't we have have a small festival of our work.

So I'm pleased to announce the 1st Annual Toronto DVX Festival. *Here are the rules: *1) You have 3:30 min of screen time (the only exception is a music video, which can not be longer than 5:00 minutes) *2) *This festival is for anything that was shot on our camera!!! *Anything you submit can be current or past work you are proud of. *It can be from a short film, music video, documentary, tv show, corporate video, wedding, it doesn't matter as long as it was shot with a DVX. *3) *Try and submit a piece that was shot at 24p *4) No pornography allowed! *Everything else is free game. *5) *A judging panel will be selected by me. *6) *All submissions should be on Panasonic Mini DV.

More details will be announced soon, which I'm hoping will include prizes.

It will be held at Panasonic headquarters. *They have the equipment and room to allow us to hold our festival.

I will contact Kevin at Panasonic on Wednesday and sort out the details. *With respect to our sponsor (Panasonic) I will request that they showcase some of their products that directly relate to the DVX camera or current 24p technology.

I'm guessing the date for the meeting will be in the second week of March. *This should allow enough time for anyone interested in putting a new project together.

Please let me know what you all think.
I'll bring the popcorn.

Thanks
Peter

[DavidP]

Wow Peter! You are a Terminator.

What a great opportunity for everyone to see each others work.

Later,

David Pennock

[Pure]

I'll be back! ;D

[bLueButterfLy]

The last meeting was indeed a success. Thanks to Peter for all the trouble in setting up the room. 30 chairs and a heavy widescreen TV he has to carry from another room and back afterwards. Food and beverages were fantastic. Perhaps, this coming Toronto DVX film festival, we can pitch in some money for more food and deserts. Thanks also to Doug and Collin for sharing their expertise in mini35 and Steadicam and of course to those who brought their DVX to document the whole meeting. It was very educational and most important of all...you get to meet the people who have been helping out here in this forum. Very interesting. I'm really looking forward to the Toronto DVX filmfest.
and oh...did i mention Stan? he's the man who started the thread that made this possiblel...so big thanks to him.

[Peabody]

Thanks again Peter for all your work in taking on the task of pulling together this DVX festival.
Don't forget you can deligate too!
Put me on your list.
I'll do what I can. :)

[Loki]

This is an awesome Idea..

I would love to screen a short reel of my work.. and I will have more work to show by the time this gets going too..

I wouldn't be against something like a $5 fee to help pay for food n stuff. Judging by the last meeting (which I couldn't make :'( ) 30x5... that'd be at least $150 to support food n beverages. And with more people.. well you get the idea..

Count me in for this!

[Pure]

Guys, don't worry about paying for food and such....
That's why we have sponsors.

I'll take care of it. If I run into trouble than I'll let you know.

Peter

[XCheck]

Just thought I would chip in with the praise.

Peter, you are da man! I was very glad to meet all the people there. Next time we should have labels with our DVXUser.com handles written on them, so we can put names to faces (well, unless people want to stay incognito). I am looking forward to the next meeting.

Of course, the 'chlebicky' (those tasty minisandwiches we enjoyed) was another great Czech contribution to world's culture. ;) You can get them (and other goodies) at Prague Deli at 638 Queen Street W.

I am not attached to the store in any way other than being a Czech shovinist/nationalist. ;)

[raneparish]

What a great idea! I'm thinking of a short right now! Please let me know if you need any help.

Thanks again-Rane

[Harish_Kumar]

Hi Guys,

when is the second meeting. Sorry I missed the first one. :-[

[Zoomforce]

good work Peter... this is what this whole community thing is all about.. i love to see stuff like this go down.

[RAD_FOREVER]

It was great meeting, thanks Peter, if you need help for second, let me know, I will be there,

Regards, Rad :D

[Pure]

No official date yet. It will be in March, most likely the 10th or 17th. I have to check when March break is so that it doesn't interfere with the meeting. Does anyone know when March Break is?

Peter

[XCheck]

According to TDBS (http://www.tdsb.on.ca/communications/calendar.html), it's March 18th to 24th, inclusive.

Jerry

Correction: March 18th to 29th. Both information appear on the site, but this is the one that seems to be correct.

[Pure]

Thanks Jerry,

In that case, lets make it the March 10th.
BTW, it's my plan to have the Toronto DVX Group meet Bi-monthly throughout the year.

Peter

[XCheck]

Yes, I think bi-monthly is about right frequency.

I spoke to a producer friend of mine, he would be open to let us use their studio from time to time. There is no sitting (not enough chairs), but for a workshop type of meeting it could be fine.

I know you have a plan to meet at Panasonic - is that going to be a regular location? Also - people expressed interest in DVRack. I could do a half-hour demo if enough people are interested. There's not that much to show, really, but I guess a lot of people are sitting on the fence because they are not sure if the product is worth their money. This way they could see for themselves. I did a bunch of tests with color charts & the vectorscope, that should be quite interesting for everyone to see.

Cheers,

Jerry

[Pure]

Jerry

I just sent you a pm, please respond

Thanks
Peter

[XCheck]

Peter, I PM'd you - check your messages back to you! :)

Jerry

[Pure]

I just spoke to Kevin at Panasonic. I am meeting with him and Craig the Product Manager next week to discuss the groups needs. Let me know if there is something you guys want.

Peter

[XCheck]

A fully loaded DVX package (with anamorphic, sennheiser shotgun mic, chrosziel mattebox, bunch of filters, an arri lighting kit, DVRack, throw in a laptop...)

Did I forget anything? :)

Okay - enough joking.

I think their sponsorship of the Toronto DVX festival would be nice - whether they donate prizes (equipment or money), or a screening place...

I was at a short film screening last Saturday at Camera cafe & bar (1028 Queen St. W. ?). I imagine a small downtown location like that for festival screenings would be great, but you probably need to rent the space. I don't think it would be too expensive, though - not for Panasonic. The screening room has about 50 seats.

[Pure]

I think we're going to hold it at Panasonic. Free parking, free facility, more goodies might come our way. Don't expect cash prizes though.

[XCheck]

Panasonic location works great for people 'in the know'. I think I am not alone thinking that a hip downtown location adds exposure to the film makers (although it will be a long time before I myself have anything to show :().

Either way, for me it doesn't matter. I am mobile and flexible.

BTW, I met at least two people at the bar who are planning to get a DVX. There could be more exposure for the camera as well.......

Is Panasonic going to host all the meetings, or just the fest?

[DavidP]

Sandwiches are too gourmet for me. Let's have pizza's & lot's of em. :)

[Mike_Donis]

But those sandwiches were REALLY good...

[stan_the_man]

Right on Mike, those sandwiches were greatttt! You can grab a slice of pizza anytime and anywhere, let's stick to the sandwiches if we can.

[Pure]

I'm using the same meeting format as the Avid User Group in Toronto. It's standard fare. 30 min upfront chit chat, then about 45-60 min of presentation X2. Sandwiches, veggies, cookies, water, pop, etc. Panasonic as Main Sponsor.

[Pure]

O.K Guys

Next Wednesday (Feb 9th) at 10:00 am I'm meeting with Kevin from Panasonic. Aside what I've listed in previous posts, is there anything else we should consider asking Panasonic for?

Let me know
Peter

[DavidP]

Peter,

Ask kevin if they have a nice widescreen projector to show the videos?

D

[Pure]

No problemo..

[bgundu]

Make sure you have some food for vegetarians.

Thanks.

[RomanJaquez]

Hey guys.... I hope you choose a specific day soon. I would be willing to fly from NYC to Toronto to meet with you all. I am helping organize the NYC DVX user group. :)