Categories: News 2023

by Ponta Lopud

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Categories: News 2023

by Ponta Lopud

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The day began with Edward Norton’s masterclass, which was open to all participants. Those who attended were thrilled by the renowned actor’s practical and specific advice. Moderated by director Michel Franco, Norton revisited his film THE PAINTED VEIL, which opened the third edition of Ponta Lopud. He emphasized the film’s challenging production with a low budget, highlighting it as a valuable learning experience for young filmmakers. Norton also shared insights into the early days of his career, citing the legendary Miloš Forman as his role model. He believes that actors should have a basic understanding of filmmaking: “When the director of photography announces a lens change, the actor should know what kind of shot he has in mind and how to adjust their performance to the new situation.” Norton further emphasized the importance of communication on set, stating, “Most, if not all, things can turn out great with sufficient communication within the team from the very beginning.”

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a lecture titled “The US model of talent agency work and the basics of US indie production” given by Brian Swardstrom and Peter Spears. Brian discussed the complexities of talent agency work, highlighting the significance of film festivals in the industry. He stressed that showcasing a film at a festival is the best way to gain attention, regardless of the festival’s ‘relevance’. Brian also emphasized the role of casting managers as gatekeepers in Hollywood. Peter, on the other hand, discussed the importance of authenticity in the creative process and the value of long-term partnerships between filmmakers and producers. He gave the collaboration between Mollye Asher and Chloe Zhao as an example. Peter also provided useful recommendations for actors, saying that “they should be persistent, find the right agency for representation, have a short showreel that captures attention within the first 60 seconds, and possess professional headshots.”

Urszula Pontikos conducted a masterclass for female cinematographers, where they refined their skills through practical examples. TRIANGLE OF SADNESS producers Giorgos Karnavas and Konstantinos Kontovrakis, along with NOMADLAND producer Mollye Asher, held a lecture titled “Independent films and co-productions” for actors and directors. Among other topics, they discussed the importance of dealing with both success and failure and navigating European Union public funds, which have attracted increased interest from American investors for financing European films. They also highlighted the necessity of resourcefulness in case the required funding for a film is not secured.

The BH Content Lab Showcase presented an overview of current and future projects initiated by BH ContentLab, powered by BH Telecom. This platform is one of the most relevant for creating quality audiovisual content, including series and films. Operating within BH Telecom, it encompasses projects approved by an expert jury. Filmmakers from the region were invited to apply and become part of this remarkable initiative.

Impressions from the lectures and workshops were shared during the dinner at the Dubrovnik restaurant for all participants, speakers, and guests, after which the screening of the film AFTER LUCIA took place at the beach of the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness Hotel. In his pre-screening address, director Michel Franco conveyed his deep connection to the Ponta Lopud community, as he has been involved with the festival from its very beginning. He said, “In my opinion, there is no better way to watch a movie than this. I won’t talk much about the film itself, but I will say that it has been eleven years since I wrote the screenplay for it, and I struggled throughout the entire process to bring it to completion. I wrote it myself, directed it, and finally produced it, and in the end, it turned out to be the fulfilment of all my dreams. You see, nobody believed in this film, and yet it ultimately won an award at Cannes, leading me to Tim Roth with whom I made my next film, which changed my life. However, much more than the success of this film, even the financial success, is the confidence it gave me in a professional sense. This is my most personal film, and when I thought about which one to present to you here, I chose it precisely for that reason.”

Tickets for film screenings at the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness, as well as boat transfer tickets, can be purchased directly via the link ulaznice.hr/r/Ponta-Lopud.