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SMS PRODUCTIONS, INC.
&
National Academy of the Moving Image
SMS Newsletter
Online Issue #19
December 5, 2000
Please Plan Accordingly!
SMS will be closed from December 16th through Christmas, reopening on the 26th. We wish all of our clients and friends the very best for this holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
Aaton's A-Minima Has Arrived!
The A-Minima is now available for rental at SMS Productions, Inc. Come see what the world's smallest, most affordable film camera can do for you on your next shoot. The A-Minima features a quick change magazine which accepts 200' film loads in a new daylight friendly format on a core with flexible flanges. The A-Minima is designed to encourage Super 16mm film origination. It is the economic way to record high definition material. An extensive demonstration of the A-Minima and its capabilities in addition to related accessories will be presented by SMS Productions and Abel Cine Tech/NY on Friday, January 19, 2001. Please join us from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. In order to provide adequate refreshments, please RSVP - 312-440-8963 or smsprod@sbcglobal.net. Don't miss an opportunity to see this truly amazing camera.
RSVP by Jan. 15th
Arri/Zeiss Ultra Prime Lenses Are Here!
The ARRI/Zeiss Ultra Prime lenses are now available from the SMS Rental Department. Quick, sure and efficient operation is more important than ever for today's film productions. Lenses also play an important role in simplifying their tasks. Some advantages of the new lenses are -
- Maximum contrast and resolution over the entire focal range.
- Outstanding image performance in close-up due to the floating elements.
- Uniform and constant position of the scales .
- Super-color matched.
- The scales can easily and clearly be read from both sides, as can the focal length.
- Scales in mm or ft .can be easily exchanged.
- Uniform overall length and weight of the main focal lengths.
Holiday Gift Giving
If you are wondering what to buy your filmmaker friend or want to pass on the following suggestions to your family and friends, I think the following will interest you.
Based on previous years, some of the great gifts have been slates, changing bags/tents, filters, light meters and the popular ditty bag collection of small, but necessary items. Also, this year KATA bags have already been getting the #1 priority. If there is a little extra $ in the offering, try putting equipment on your wish list - cameras, lenses, lighting, etc. Additionally, SMS is offering for the holidays fantastic savings on lighting and O'Connor tripods. Several of our clients have already taken advantage of this limited opportunity to save.
For our video friends, the Century Precision lens accessories, Tiffen filters, KATA bags and camera gloves are becoming a daily seller. Don't forget those Mini DV tapes. When the holidays are gone and the tax collector is knocking at your door, these items can help increase your working assets and decrease your tax liability. So whatever, your needs, SMS is ready to assist in meeting them. Again, shop early as SMS will be closed from December 16 thru Christmas.
NAMI and IFP/Midwest Present
From Concept to Film Festival:
A Series On The Business of Independent Film Production
Independent Film Production is a mixture of business and art. It can be a grueling and expensive venture with numerous pitfalls for the inexperienced or the unwary. This seminar series is designed to alert you to the most common legal and business hazards faced by independent film producers and to suggest ways of handling these problems. Join Bob Labate and Timothy S. Kelley, two Chicago-based attorneys who have been advising independent film producers for many years.
Part 2 - Thursday, January 25, 2001 "Funding Your Project: An In-Depth Discussion of the Most Common Ways of Financing Your Project"
Topics:
- Different Sources of Project Funding
- Working with "Finders"
- The Limits on Who Can Be an Investor in your Project
- What You Must Do BEFORE You Can Raise Money
- Promises, Promises: What You Can and Can't Promise Investors;
- Complying with State and Federal Laws
- The Back End: Profit Distributions, Deferred Compensation, and Guild Residuals
Seminar Location: SMS Productions, 676 N. LaSalle, Suite 100, Chicago IL
Time: 6:30 pm.
Cost: $5 Members IFP/Midwest, $10 Non-Members.
To RSVP: Please call IFP/Midwest at 312-435-1825.
Tickets available for purchase at the door.
Part 3 - Thursday, February 22, 2001 "Getting (and Hanging On to) Your Rights"
Negotiating Contracts/Acquiring Intellectual Property Rights thru Option and Purchase Agreements
Seminar Location: SMS Productions, 676 N. LaSalle, Suite 100, Chicago IL
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: $5 Members IFP/Midwest, $10 Non-Members.
Part 4 - Thursday, March 29, 2001 "Finding An Audience: Distributing Your Project"
Distribution And Film Festival Issues
Seminar Location: SMS Productions, 676 N. LaSalle, Suite 100, Chicago IL
Time: TBA
Cost: $5 Members IFP/Midwest, $10 Non-Members.
To RSVP or to register by credit card, please call IFP/Midwest at 312-435-1825 or email infoifpmw@aol.com
National Academy of the Moving Image Online:
http://www.smsprod.com/cava/index.html
Dates To Remember
- December 16 thru Christmas - SMS will be closed
- Friday, January 19, 2001 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. (RSVP by Jan. 15th) A-Minima Demonstration
- Thursday, January 25, 2001 - Part 2 of the Legal Seminar "Funding Your Project: An In-Depth Discussion of the Most Common Ways of Financing Your Project" SMS Location
P.S. Don't forget to plan early and purchase those holiday gifts.
Mark your calendar for January 19th and 25th.
Aaton's A-Minima and ARRI/Zeiss Ultra Primes are now available for rental from SMS Productions!
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