FESTIVAL FOUNDERS

Oscar & ShironButterfly Ray

Festival Founders

AKA DARKWOOD'S DYNAMIC DUO

Since August 3, 1996, Darkwood Film Arts Institute has been the leader in training actors, screenwriters, producers and directors in every aspect of moviemaking throughout the State of Oklahoma.

This outcome is the result of trying to meet an existing deficit. Our initial vision was to produce feature films at BARE BONES prices as outlined in Rick Schmidt's outstanding book, "Feature Filmmaking At Used Car Prices." The results were more than just inspiring but truly motivation to continue on this incredible journey. Some of you may ask "Why?"

The movie industry is the only industry that encompasses all arts and sciences. It is truly unique in this perspective. As the technology of information sharing and storage along with image reproduction, manipulation and exhibition merge, the possibiliteies and opportunities are unlimited for the next generation of media makers, filmmakers and storytellers.

Darkwood Film Arts Institute has grown from the realization that many of the opportunities are not available to many interested and deserving individuals either because of location or cost and that in order to pass through the many barriers and hurdles faced by newcomers, it is best to band together, much like a flock of wild geese. Each one taking the lead from time to time, yet leaving none behind. This Wild Geese Practice has earned us a reputation for going beyond what is expected. How Do We Do It? Simple. Our motto is: "You may quit on us, but we will never quit on you."

WHY A SCRIPT-2-SCREEN FEST?

In October, 1999, Darkwood Film Arts Institute took the next major step towards creating an independent film community by producing and sponsoring The Bare Bones International Independent Film Festival, which took place in March, 2000. This has become the largest annual gathering of independent moviemakers in the Southwest for projects produced for less than a million dollars. We champion the struggling Auteur who literally does it all or who gathers a close team who contributes what's needed to get their movie make. Very few of the 1,000+ films shown thus far are made for more than $500,000, most are made for far less. By having in attendance, mediamakers from all across the U.S. and Canada and by bringing in experienced and award winning directors, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and stunt professionals to conduct workshops and discussion groups, thus sharing their knowledge, we are paving the way for an independent movie explosion in Oklahoma.

The Script-2-Screen Fest arose out of our desire to create more independent movie productions in Oklahoma by encouraging more stories to be written by Oklahomans with more Oklahoma shooting locations.

This 5-day film festival will primarily focus on the Screenwriter and the need for making transitions. ScreenWriter-Director, Actor-ScreenWriter, Actor-Producer, Cinematographer-Editor, are just a few of the hyphenates we encounter.

People who have written screenplays, teleplays will compete for the opportunity to direct a live screenplay scene during the festival which will be videotaped.

Sure we show plenty of movies submitted from all over. We also demystify the process of getting a project from Script to Screen with all of the steps and resources outlined.

We hope to broaden interests and develop expertise throughout the independent film community.

We believe in and practice "Shameless Self-PRomotion"!

An event such as this offers opportunities for maximum exposure. Networking is key to getting a project off the ground.

We are always looking for ways to boost the people whom we encounter on our incredible journey

PHOTO JOURNAL FROM THE 1ST BBIFF MARCH, 2000

PICTURED L-R: Sandra Ray (OK), Ric Henry (CA), David Stamps (OK), Brett Hart (OK & TX), Sylvia Gonzalez S (OR), Chris Robin Hood (NV), Kathleen Mullins (AZ), Debbie Tompkins (OK), Marc Krinsky (NY), Oscar Ray (OK)