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A Film4Ward film is shooting this weekend so we are taking advantage of the holiday and making it a 4 day weekend. Please make sure you touch base with Thomas today about weekend rentals (tech@filmpei.com). These must be picked up Thursday and will be returned on Tuesday. As always we are here for you in a pinch so for emergencies you can contact Renee off hours at 902-213-2471.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS!

FilmPEI is looking to create a 3-year strategy for the organization that takes fullest advantage of the digital transformation of the film/media sector. To do this, we need to understand the current digital state of the organization, assess the needs of the membership and wider film/media arts community, identify gaps and consider what role and supports the organization could offer with a more digitally robust infrastructure and presence.

DOWNLOAD FULL RFP HERE

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Survey for Screenwriters

Hi PEI Screenwriters. We are trying to gauge interest and needs in the screenwriting community here on PEI.

So please take this short SURVEY!

Once we have a handle on who’s out there and what’s possible, we’ll look into providing ways that we could provide some development support for a few projects.

If you do have a project in development and are looking for some help, send along a 150-word description of what you are working on and some of the background.  Write it as though we were having a chat about what you’ve done with your project and what is your end goal.

For example, you might say something like:  I have a first draft of a feature and I want to take it to the next draft.  The story is about a farming family on the verge of ruin and the every day hero who comes to their rescue.  There are limited locations and a small cast, so very doable by Canadian standards, etc.  The theme is: Always look for the open window, there is usually one.

Remember that story matters most:

  1. If you submit a documentary, make sure you have a strong unique story to tell that will attract an audience.
  2. If you submit a comedy, make the submission funny.
  3. If you submit high drama, your proposal needs to draw strong emotions; and
  4. If it’s more of a dramedy, be sure there is some of each in your submission.

Send your answers, questions, and submission in the body of an e-mail and address it to louise@peiscreenwritersbootcamp.net.

Please no attachments in the email.

 

 

 

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FilmPEI is resuming its regular hours

Starting Monday FilmPEI will be resuming our normal hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Thomas will only be available at FilmPEI from 1 to 5pm. But gear can be picked up or dropped off throughout the day.

GEAR RENTAL:
PLEASE GIVE US 48 HOURS NOTICE FOR GEAR RENTAL. We still need to disinfect between uses and that will take time.

FACILITY RENTAL:
Facilities may only be used by General and Producer members when FilmPEI staff are on site.  Starting June 8 Producer members may rent the facilities outside of regular hours. Renters must follow strict protocols when using FilmPEI facilities. Rentals must be booked 48 hours before use.

ED APPOINTMENTS:
PLEASE CONTINUE TO BOOK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS. Renee will be in the office usually in the mornings but for everyone’s safety we would like to know who’s coming and when.

COMING INTO THE SPACE:
FilmPEI, like all businesses, must adhere to the PEI Public Health Office’s regulations and have a COVID-19 focused operational plan in place. We have sanitization stations around the space and a sanitization protocol. ANYONE COMING INTO THE SPACE WILL SIGN IN SO AS TO KEEP A RECORD IN THE CASE THAT CONTACT TRACING IS NECESSARY.

DO NOT COME TO FILMPEI IF YOU ARE EXHIBITING ANY SIGNS OF COVID-19 SUCH AS:
• feeling feverish
• new or worsening cough
• and/or difficulty breathing

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FilmPEI will be partially opening May 25, 2020

FilmPEI has continued working during the shut down to develop the PEI Film Industry and create a vision for moving forward. Although it’s impossible to know exactly what will happen we are hopeful we will achieve the bright future we were working toward prior to Covid-19. 

Now, to answer some of your questions:

When will FilmPEI be opening?
FilmPEI, like all businesses, must adhere to the PEI Public Health Office’s regulations and have a COVID-19 focused operational plan in place prior to opening. We are doing that right now and intend on opening May 25th, 2020. That said, we will be opening gradually so we can get use to the cleaning protocols and limit the number of people in space at once. We will be asking members to make an appointment prior to coming to the facility. The doors will be locked and drop-ins will not be allowed until we are confident that we will be able to provide a safe environment for all our clients. We anticipate fully opening on June 1, 2020.

Can we rent gear?
Yes you will be able to rent gear. Thomas has created a protocol for gear rental that will require 72 hour notice (see below). Though gear will be sanitized all gear, in Phase 2, must be able to sit in quarantine for 48 hours to ensure it is not contaminated.

Can we rent the facilities?
Yes. But in Phase 2 facilities may only be used when FilmPEI staff are on site. Renters would need to follow strict protocols when using FilmPEI facilities. Rentals must be booked 72 hours before use. These restrictions may be lifted for Producer members later in Phase 3.

When will we be able to film and how do we film safely?
It is anticipated that full production will not be able to happen for a while. There is currently a consultation process happening across Canada to build a set protocol that will better guide productions. It is anticipated these will be available in early June. The Province will then assess and make the decision about opening PEI to larger productions.

As for the upcoming Phase 2 starting May 22nd:
According to PEI Public Health film companies and individual filmmakers, photographers, sound people, etc. will be allowed to operate in a limited capacity. Operational plans must be in place prior to activities as per Provincial guidelines (see below).

It’s important to note that FilmPEI will require gear renters to provide an overview of their activity including number of participants and their plan to operate within the guidelines of PEI Public Health. You can find a template here.

In general the rules are:

  • people stay 6 feet apart outside and inside
  • maximum 10 people congregating outdoors 6 feet apart
  • inside maximum 5 people from your own household and 5 others (so if you are shooting for a client inside there should be no more than 5 people on your team and even then you must keep 6 feet apart from each other an your clients)
  • DO NOT share equipment/items – a big one here is putting a lav mic onto a client – even giving a lav mic to a client to put on should not happen in this phase unless they are a part of your household
  • DO NOT share drink/food/utensils

Social distancing means actors, camera operators and assistants, sound recordists all need to remain separated by 6 feet.

FilmPEI has some masks and gloves for members to use, however it is important to remember that these are not an alternative to SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Since Phase 3 is starting on June 1 can we shoot then?
Phase 3 will still require social distancing and so larger shoots still will not be possible until protocols are delivered to us by the Province. This phase does allow sharing equipment so giving someone a lav to put on would potentially be acceptable in this phase. We will know more soon.

Will FilmPEI be running workshops this summer?
In Phase 3 limited participant workshops that can accommodate social distancing rules may be an option. We are not that far with planning yet. We do plan on offering more producing, production management etc workshops on zoom.

Moving forward 
It is imperative that filmmakers adhere to the guidelines put out by the PEI Public Health Office. It’s for the safety of our entire community. While we are waiting, FilmPEI continues working hard to ensure that we can build a vibrant film sector, safely. We just need to be patient. 

Please understand that the above notes are based on today’s information. Covid-19 is unpredictable and so we must all be nimble and work with the guidelines we get at any given moment. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at director@filmpei.com with questions or suggestions.  Thanks for your patience and I hope you are all well!

Renee

Renee Laprise
Executive Director
FilmPEI

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: FILMPEI GEAR SAFETY PROCEDURES

• Equipment will be cleaned over all contact surfaces with alcohol swabs, or a spray disinfectant. The equipment is cleaned when returned from a rental.  If it has been used or touched inside the FilmPEI premises then it will be cleaned again before going out on another rental.

• The only person with authorization to handle the equipment on FilmPEI premises outside of rental drop off will be our Tech Director, Thomas Mears.

• requests must be submitted minimum 72 hours prior to rental pickup

Outgoing rental procedure:

• The member will arrange a pickup time with Thomas.  They will park at the back loading door, and call/text/knock upon arrival.  Thomas will load the equipment into their vehicle.

• Rental agreements will be done via email.

Returning rental procedure:

• The member will arrange a drop-off time with Thomas. They will park at the back loading door, and call/text/knock upon arrival.  Then they will load the equipment into the FilmPEI rental loading area by the back door. All bags/cases must be opened by the member so contents can be seen.

• Thomas will visually assess gear for missing items.

• The equipment will then remain untouched in “quarantine” for a period of 48 hours after which the equipment will be assessed for working properly cleaned and put away into its regular storage area.

NOTE: GEAR RENTERS MUST PROVIDE AN OPERATIONAL PLAN. PLEASE HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS READY:
1. how many people are you shooting with? crew and clients/subjects?
2. where are you shooting – inside or outside?
3. if you are shooting inside how will you ensure 6 ft separation between crew members and clients?
4. who is handling the gear?
5. what kind of safety measures are you taking (masks, sanitizer) ?