Film as art.  Film is art.

Yes, but to get to that point, film still needs money.  With the digital age upon us, capturing those pictures in motion, editing the "film," and finally distributing and projecting the final image has become more and more cost efficient.  Digital video cameras are becoming cheaper and better at capturing images.  Every basic computer has some kind of video editing software, whether it be a Mac or Windows based.  LED lights are starting to hit the scene, but are not quite there yet.  These new LEDs can light a small area without creating a high temperature or drawing much electricity, but it is still a few years off.

I had a discussion with artist and filmmaker Christian Guevarra at the opening night of the Indie Film Jam and one thing above all stuck with me.  He said that film is becoming more of an art form now that it is attainable by everyone.

Filmmaking is still a business, too, and has costs, much like most art forms, but it can be done very cheaply now.  Maybe you have an idea and you only need a few hundred dollars to make it happen.  As the costs of filmmaking decreases, we find ourselves in a time when the cost of oil influences the cost of almost everything.  Sometimes it can be hard to find that money you need... even if it is only a few Benjamins.

What is the point?

Well, you may be in luck.  There are arts organizations in Central Florida that give money to projects.  United Arts of Central Florida is one of them and has been known to give to filmmakers.

If you are interested and don't know how the process works, there are informational meetings starting this week and continuing for the next few weeks.

Here's the skinny:

Minda Logan, director of grants & government affairs for United Arts of Central Florida, announced today that there will be five opportunities in May and June, spread across Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, for organizations to learn about grant funding from Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, City of Orlando Mayor's Matching Grants, United Arts of Central Florida, and Seminole Cultural Arts Council, and services from Lake County Arts and Cultural Alliance. The workshops will instruct potential applicants on filling out the online application as well as answer any questions regarding eligibility, application process, scoring, fiscal reporting requirements and post-approval processes. United Arts and Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs programs require online application.

Workshop #1 (Orange County): May 27, 2008, 1 – 4 PM
RSVP by 5/23 to Trudy@UnitedArts.cc
   Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Cultural Tourism Funding (1 – 2:15 pm)
   City of Orlando Mayor's Matching Grants (2:30 – 2:50 pm)
   United Arts Organizational Project Grants (2:50 – 4 pm)
United Arts of Central Florida (phone: 407.628.0333)
2450 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 201, Maitland

Workshop #2 (Orange County): May 29, 2008, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
RSVP by 5/27 to Trudy@UnitedArts.cc
   Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Cultural Tourism Funding (5:30 – 6:45 pm)
   City of Orlando Mayor's Matching Grants (7 – 7:20 pm)
   United Arts Organizational Project Grants (7:20 – 8:30 pm)
East Orange Community Center (phone: 407.249.6279)
12050 East Colonial Drive, Orlando

Workshop #3 (Seminole & North Lake counties): June 11, 2008, 6:30 – 8 PM
RSVP by 6/9 to Minda@UnitedArts.cc
   United Arts Organizational Project Grants
   Seminole Cultural Arts Council Grants
   Lake County Arts and Cultural Alliance
Gallery on First (phone: 407.323.2774)
211 East First Street, Sanford

Workshop #4 (Orange County): June 12, 2008, 5 – 8 PM
RSVP by 6/10 to Trudy@UnitedArts.cc
   Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Cultural Tourism Funding (5 – 6:15 pm)
   City of Orlando Mayor's Matching Grants (6:30 – 6:50 pm)
   United Arts Organizational Project Grants (6:50 – 8 pm)
Orlando Public Library (phone: 407.835.7323)
Cypress Room (2nd floor)
101 East Central Boulevard, Orlando

Workshop #5 (South Lake County): June 17, 2008, 6:30 – 8 PM
RSVP by 6/13 to Minda@UnitedArts.cc
   United Arts Organizational Project Grants
   Lake County Arts and Cultural Alliance
Mount Dora Center for the Arts (phone: 352.383.0880)
138 East Fifth Avenue, Mount Dora

Workshops (Osceola County)

Meetings are being arranged for Osceola County organizations; contact Mary@UnitedArts.cc anytime before June 1.

For more information, please contact:
Minda Logan
United Arts of Central Florida
407.628.0333 x27
Minda@UnitedArts.cc