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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us March 18, 2005 Zen and the art of directing By John Darling Tidings Correspondent Making movies should be a joyous, creative and fun experience, working toward "films that nourish the soul," using a director who, rather than the stereotype of an "eccentric ego-tripper who sleeps with the stars," is a human being who develops good relationships with all people on the set. Stephen Gagne, left, director of photography and Will Wilkinson,director, analyze footage from a test shoot for a feature length documentary Tuesday. Orville Hector | Ashland Daily Tidings That's the goal of two Ashland film producers presenting an April 9 to 10 workshop here called "The Working Director," taught by Charles Wilkinson, author of a new book by the same title - and director of several "Highlander" TV shows and a recent feature film. The workshop is also geared to provide a broader pool of skilled movie-making crew people, so as to attract film companies here for shoots of major films, according to Stephen Gagne and Will Wilkinson, brother of Charles, organizers of the seminar and directors of Westwood Creek Productions of Ashland. While the Ashland area is rich in creative and spiritually minded people - and is a wonderful, undiscovered place to shoot movies, said Will Wilkinson, "you've got to have the crew depth. We're getting a lot of great, young filmmakers here and the goal is to have a lot more films shot here so they can work here." Such prospects are more realistic now as digital technology creates more accessible and affordable movie-making equipment, said Gagne, "costing more like a new car, instead of a new house" and still doing professional level work. The workshop on day one will provide hands-on instruction in directing, meetings, the "politics of script notes," scheduling, wardrobe, shot lists, storyboarding, scouting, working with directors of photography, managing relationships on set, lighting and retakes. Day two will cover script changes, blocking, using two cameras, staying on schedule and under budget, sound, dollying, editors, music, building on your success - and "how to get to Sundance (Film Festival)." Gagne and the Wilkinsons represent a new breed of director, oriented not just to using film as a medium for entertainment, but also for education, inspiration and motivation, an approach that includes spiritual cinema and other genres. Gagne just produced "Meditation in Motion," a show on the aikido of Ashlander Michael Friedl. Will Wilkinson and Gagne are working on a film of sitar music and they're in talks with a California physicist-philosopher for an inspirational film on physics that explores how it harmonizes with nature, the human mind and decision-making - essentially an extension of the acclaimed "What the Bleep?" "We're working the niches below the full-blown Hollywood production," said Gagne, who has a long background doing sound for the late rockfest impresario Bill Graham and working with legends like Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. "It wasn't a lot of fun working at that level," said Gagne. "There was a lot of tension and ego. We're creating an environment that has a good feel and brings out the best in everyone working on the film." Directors and filmmakers in a balanced creative environment will find markets on the Internet, e-mail lists and "audience-level marketing," where you shop your movie to people at an event. For theaters, "new paradigm filmmakers" might use what Gagne called "guerilla marketing" - going at it one town or region at a time. "Quality does sell in a world full of so much sizzle and crap," said Will, a director, cinematographer, writer and producer for 35 years. "We focus on that and don't complain about the money - and eventually the money is there." Workshop teacher Charles Wilkinson, a resident of Vancouver, B.C., teaches in a hip, down-to-earth style intended to reveal (and avoid) all the mistakes directors will make in their first 10 years, said brother Will. An example of his style, from his new book, about "The Meeting" with producers: "The assistant shows you in. Hands are shaken. First looks are exchanged. Have a seat. Want something to drink? They may say some nice things about you. Be ready to reciprocate. What shows have they done that you admire? Praising them is not necessarily sucking up. You know the incredible hurdles you've jumped to be able to sit here in this room on this day and call yourself a director. The producer's feat is no less amazing. Respect the achievement. Respect the office .... When the producer talks, don't just catch your breath. Listen. Nine times out of 10, what they're trying to tell you is how to get the job." Of his brother, Will said, "Charles is a rarity, a successful director who does work in Hollywood from time to time who has not sacrificed his health or family for success. He's a great father and a respected director/writer with many decent films to his credit." The workshop is $295, with scholarships available. For more information, call 552-0877, visit www.westwoodcreek.com or e-mail [email protected]. 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