A discussion group for filmmakers will hold its first
meeting in Medford on Feb. 28. The goal isn’t simply
to critique films; rather, it is to encourage insight
that might help people with their own creative
efforts. Any aspect of filmmaking may be discussed,
such as directing, writing, acting, lighting, set
design, wardrobe, editing and music.

The group will meet on the last Wednesday of the month
at 7 p.m. at Animal House Coffee, 117 S. Central in
Medford. It is located inside G Building of the
downtown Medford Rogue Community College campus,
between the Craterian and the library. Enter the
building’s main doors and go through the doors on the
left, and there is a collection of tables and chairs
in a lounge area by the coffee stand.

The film discussion group will follow a weekly
screenwriting group meeting that is being coordinated
by Animal House owner Chance Larsen. I worked with
Chance on “Sixes and the One Eyed King“ and on a short
film that is being edited, “National Guard, the
Musical.“ For information about the screenwriting
group, contact him directly at
ibelieveinyou@....

Members will suggest films to watch in advance of the
discussion. If the film is an adaptation, the original
source material may also be discussed. People can
e-mail film suggestions to me at totiwos@.... If
the title has more than one version, such as “War of
the Worlds,” please indicate which version you’d like
to discuss. Those who would like to lead the
discussion of their suggested film should mention it
before the day of the meeting, as I will otherwise
expect to facilitate it.

I plan to pick February’s film from suggestions sent
to me in the next two weeks. After that, I’ll prepare
titles so that the next month’s film can be drawn at
random at the meeting. I’ll also maintain a list of
people who would like an e-mail announcement of the
film, in case they miss a meeting. I want to prepare
the titles to be drawn ahead of time, as I’ve
discovered that local video stores don’t have some of
the films I would like to discuss. I wouldn’t want to
announce a film that people unexpectedly can’t rent or
view in the theater. Any film not selected for
discussion will go into the hat for the next month’s
drawing.

Supporting the goal of productive and respectful
dialogue, any member of the group can request that a
film not be discussed if that person or a close friend
has worked on it. I hope to avoid personal
confrontations or unnecessarily hurt feelings. The
member can send me an e-mail at any time, as I’ll
maintain a list of works to not be discussed. If a
film is announced and a member realizes a connection
and wants to request that it not be discussed, please
contact me within 24 hours of the announcement, as
people may want to rent the film right away. I don’t
anticipate this being a big issue, but I did want to
offer that courtesy.

The group could also serve as a resource for feedback
if a member wants to recruit viewers, including of a
work in progress.

Some discussion ideas:
1) What did you like about it and why?
2) What did you dislike about it and why?
3) What can filmmakers learn from it?
4) Do you have any questions about how or why
something was done?
5) If you were going to tell this story, what would
you do differently?

If anyone has suggestions about the film discussion
group, please let me know. Feel free to spread the
word, although I would like to limit it to people
seeking a practical application to their own work
rather than having it open to simply film fans or the
general public. It isn’t necessary to RSVP, but I
would appreciate hearing from people who plan to
attend so that I can get an idea of how many to
expect.

Patricia
Totiwos@...



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