New York City DVX user meeting

OK, so they won't let me post in the Cafe. :confused: So I guess if anyone sees anyone from the area, send 'em a PM and try to get them to come.
-Ryan

\/ :cool: Sometimes you gotta work the system.:cool: \/
 
Last edited:
As some of you mentioned earlier Jay/Coffee tried to start a group in NJ and while some great contacts were made and a good time was had, the group lost momentum pretty fast.

I run a screenwriting group in NJ. We have been meeting once a month in NJ for over 8 years (www.MoviePoet.com). It is an amazing group, but it took a LOT of trial and error for me to figure out how to put a quality group together.

I would love to joing a similar film group. Based on my past experience (with many failed groups) I would offer some suggestions for creating a viable group:

- The group must have a leader.
- The group must have a regular meeting place.
- The group must have a regular meeting date (i.e. the second Saturday of every month).
- The group must have a regular meeting time.
- Never ever vary the above 3
- Start with a core group of 8 to 12.
- There should be an annual dues (used to pay for the meeting place/food/etc.)
- Membership should be by invite only.
- Potentianl new members should be voted in by the group.
- Each meeting should have a presentation. My recommendation would be that at each meeting a member would bring in a film that they created. They should talk about the process and it should be dissected and constructive criticism should be provided by the group.

I realize the above might sound harsh, but in my experience groups that don't have strict policies fall apart faster than you can imagine.

Chris
 
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the insight. I don't think what you said sounds that harsh at all. This is the kind of thinking we've come around to over the course of this thread. Anyway, do you think we're on the right path?

1)Shawn (FlintMI) is leading the charge to get names together and have our first meeting. I'm not sure about making the first meeting invitation only because we need the bodies. Do you think it's reasonable to do it that way?

2)Roman is working on getting a meeting place at B&H which I think would be ideal. It sounds like he needs us to be a coherent group in order for them to agree to us using the space. Might be a good way to push us to continue meeting.

3) I totally agree about the presentations/activities, otherwise people will get bored fast and not come (Did you happen to see my other post?).

4)I think it will be difficult to figure all the other stuff before meeting (regular date/time, leader, etc.) Do you think it's reasonable to do this stuff at our first meeting?

Thanks for your help Chris. Sorry to grill you but it sounds like you have good experience with this type of group. I hope you can be part of ours....that is, if we actually get it off the ground (or internet as the case may be:))
-Ryan
 
I agree with the guidelines CMessineo except maybe about the annual dues, I think once money gets involve it becomes a mess. As of now it should stay free and fun, but you've said you've had your own group for 8 years so maybe you know what you're talking about. LOL!

But the most important thing I believe is strong leadership, once we have that then everything should fall into place.. Hybrid, your a genius putting that link next to your post, that's how to beat the system... now just go and post and every forum....
 
moving forward/next steps

moving forward/next steps

I got 5 RSVPs plus me -- that is 6 people, plus anyone else who contacts me in the meantime. That's an established group in my book. :-)

Hybrid/Roman/Chris have it right -- a simple org structure, mission, focus on filmmaking, and stability in meeting times and places will make this group succeed, not fail. And have a mission or goal for each group, maybe even structure each meeting to have agendas so its fun and interesting each time out.

I was in a "Meetup" group in NYC before, and it only takes one wackjob to turn everyone off. They suck the life out of you. Chris probably knows people like this hence his warning.

The first group of people who actually show up, are the "founders", right? So we'll get to set the ground rules, and allow others in, etc. Not harsh, just survival. And elect a leader or decide how that will work. Maybe it will rotate month to month, or we'll find one strong personality we can't live without. Time will tell.

Roman:

You asked specific questions and as the interim organizer, I can't make any promises on who will show and what we'll talk about, as it will be our first meeting. Anything probably goes just to get to know one another's background. Then we can go from there.

If you need a specific level of commitment from B&H I wonder if we should just find a quiet pub/bar in the city for now and do the B&H thing for the second meeting or whatever is decided by the majority.

So here's where we are: Roman, I need a date from you on B&H, either Sunday Mar 5 or Sun Mar 12. Time is wide open, probably anytime after 12noon. If you are unable to get either of those dates or B&H says no or wants more stuff, we'll table B&H and I will pick a favorite meeting spot of mine that is actually right near B&H anyway.

So Roman, the ball is in your court, please reply to chittle@gmail.com and/or on this forum regarding B&H confirmation dates so we can move ahead either with that plan or plan B. Thanks man.

Hybrid, dig the footer!!!
 
Thanks guys for coming all together to get this group started... I can sense the power of strong leaders here... thats awesome.

I will contact B&H for these dates; Sunday Mar 5 or Sun Mar 12, I will post back with an answer as soon as I get a responce from them.

SIDE NOTE: If you guys are interested, I am hosting a discussion panel on March 8th, in the evening, at AiNYC Tribeca's Gallery titled "How To Make An Award Winning Short Film", I will have an Atom Films festival organizer and 5 very talented award winning filmmakers with their films. After screening their films, we will have a discussion panel with the filmmakers, follow by Q&A session and to wrap it up networking with refreshments. I will be releasing the name of the panelist along with more information when I make the official announcements... I am just sharing the word out early with this group because the seats fills in less than 24hr after I announce to IndieClub.com and other groups. We could all have our DVX session after the networking session at a local bar or something.

Cheers,
 
PS:

Please don't let this event take away the attention from the first meeting, it was only a side note. If you are interested, email off of this list.

Keep sharing your good ideas!!!
 
For me personally, I am looking for a group in New Jersey. If I can't find one soon enough, I will probably just try and start my own. I know how much work this is though so I keep hoping something will form that I can join. :)

Regarding some of the points mentioned, 6 people on an Internet Forum is definitley not enough. The majority of people who say they are interested will never show up. Most will have had good intentions, but trust me, they just don't show up.

As for money, I realize it can be a hassle, but it seperates the talkers from the doers and usually helps guarantee a certain attendance level. Also, by requiring payment and paying a nominal fee for the space you use, you become a private group and you can legally exclude people. My first group met in a public library and because of this we legally had to let anyone take part (trust me this is not good).

The "wack jobs" are a real problem. That is why if possible, I recommend hand selecting your starting group and then carefully adding to the mix. It is amazing how easy it is for one bad egg to destroy a group.

Lastly, while establishing and running a group is a tremendous amount of work, the benefits can be extraordinary. The friends I have made in my writer's group are friends I will have for life and their help with my writing/career has been immeasurable.

I wish you the best luck with your NYC group,

Chris
 
Me and MsManhattan will be there if we dont have something happening the weekend you guys pick.
Im with CMessineo, hand picking is probably better. The first one i ever went to failed because of one person being too forceful with being the center of attention. Not that its a bad thing to be that way but it has its place.
 
Great suggestions Chris. Sounds like you really know how to build a good group. Once I make my move I'd like to meet up with New York DVXusers.
 
I contacted B&H and now I am waiting to hear confirmation for the 5th or 12th of March.

Shawn, how many people have RSVPed to this date? let me know so that can tell them how big is the group so far.
 
Awesome! Looks like we might actually be able to pull this off. I think I got another 1 or 2 people by PM'ing them as well. I think that's at least 8 or 9 total, maybe even more. I can't wait.
-Ryan
 
I just sent an e-mail to rsvp. I'm a newbie and it would be great to meet up. I am planning on shooting some scenes for a short film this weekend. Mainly to build my skills and learn how to get more out of the DVX. I'm definitely down to meet up.
 
RSVP total

RSVP total

We're up to 10 RSVPs. Even if only half show up, we're talking solid numbers here IMHO.
 
Hey guys, I got an invitation on my email, I am not sure if I am supposed to do this or not, but why not share the good stuff with you all.

VCA Fusion, Avid & Panasonic will be hosting an in-depth demo of the new Avid Symphony Nitris & a first look at the new Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2-based DVCPRO-HD camcorder. The Avid Symphony Nitris is an uncompressed HD mastering, finishing, and editing system. Symphony Nitris combines the legendary elegance of the Symphony finishing toolset with the groundbreaking real-time performance of Avid Nitris Hardware. Panasonic will also demonstrate and discuss their new AG-HVX200 1/3" 3-CCD 16:9 HD/DVCPRO/DV Cinema P2 Camera. Come and see a complete HD workflow, from the camera shoot, to editing, to final HD product.
Call your VCA sales rep to schedule a private Symphony Nitris demos afterwards.


Thursday
February 23rd, 2006
3 sessions: 10am; 1pm; 4pm

VCA Fusion
370 7th Ave Suite 550 NYC, NY 10001
(one block south of Penn Station between 30th and 31st)

(yes, refreshments will be served)



To RSVP email Barb Gamble @ barbg@vca.com
or calling
Barb Gamble @
212-967-4400 x210

Good luck getting a seat, if you make it I hope to meet you after the event. I am shooting for the 1pm session. Email me if any question.
 
FabioRafael said:
Does anyone from Brazil want to organize a meeting here ???
Click to expand...


Oh man, FAbio.... if i come to brazil can i stay in your house? and like... come ot brazil.. winter in the northern hemisphere is getting to me.
 
HEy you guys, i got an invite in a PM. if i coulda made it i definintly woulda come. ( im in turkey till the 14th of march) But Still Count me in the group. I will be there for the next one. I promise!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top