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The Fireside
Foundation Story
The purpose for the Fireside Foundation is stated clearly in our By-Laws and
Articles of Incorporation -- To Preserve, Promote and Perpetuate Independent Film through Education and Exhibition.Fireside Foundation recognizes that in today's market driven entertainment industry, it has become increasingly more difficult for the Independent film maker to compete. A recent article in Electronic Media recognized that the remaining truly independent producers have a hard time getting their product to market, at least in theatrical release, because of the economic pressures that can be applied by the major studios. In addition, the industry is moving toward what have been called "Pod Deals", in which top talent in the Independent segment of the industry is being wooed in a more concerted effort by the studios, being offered lucrative development deals, with lower up front salaries, and major back end deals. When combined with the absorption of major independent companies into the studios, the avenues for the small independent film maker look even more bleak. That is where the Fireside Foundation can help. Foundation Objectives
How do you put the objectives of an organization into words? It is easy to state the purpose, to tell what we want to do, but to explain how we are going to go about getting there is another matter. Like most organizations, the Fireside Foundation requires fluidity, the ability to change and adapt to varying situations. In preparing for the development of the Fireside Foundation, our research led us to some disturbing facts. Fact: The cost of film education, like the cost of nearly everything else, continues to climb. Simultaneously, exposure to programs in film and photography become fewer and fewer in the elementary and middle schools as education budgets continue to dwindle. Although there has been a proliferation of educational opportunities for young film makers at the high school and post secondary levels, the cost of these opportunities has risen out of the reach of many who aspire to this vocation. It has long been said that within every man (and woman) there is a story that is worth telling. Learning how to get that story out is the difficult process. The first objective of the Fireside Foundation is to help perpetuate independent film through educational programs and scholarships, beginning in the lowest grade levels, and stressing programs in the disadvantaged areas of the city and state, and ultimately to local and nationally know colleges and universities, workshops and seminars on the subject of film making. Our objective is to be involved in the discovery of the next George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Wes Craven or James Cameron Fact: The number of financially successful independent film makers is dwindling, not because of business failure, but because of absorption. The stated objectives of the Foundation include the perpetuation of the Independent film. Reading the trades, we see the studios again trying to swallow the industry. As major independent film makers become just another part of the mega monopolies. This does not mean that the Foundation opposes the studios, rather that the Foundation recognizes that while the studios are sometimes a source of funding for the independent film, they can also take control, and make it their own project, squeezing out the true independent. Finally, we will work to perpetuate independent film through the financing, in part or in whole, of independent films, assisting in their distribution, and, of course, providing a venue for exhibition of films at the Fireside Foundation 's Independent Film Festival - the KIDS WITH CAMERAS FILM AND PHOTO FESTIVAL, the CALIFORNIA ANIMATION FESTIVAL, and the SHOCKERFEST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. We will work with the media to promote the work of independent artists in the genres, with the aim of bringing them an audience that may not have previously existed. When given the opportunity, independent films can be successful, even make money. Blair Witch Project is but one example of a low budget, independent film which found its niche. There are thousands more, yet to be made, that with the help of the Fireside Foundation, can find their niche as well. |
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KIDS WITH CAMERAS PROGRAM The Program, distinct from the Festival, provides still cameras and film to children in low income schools to be used in conjunction with their classroom curriculum. This acts as the "do" section of the "see - hear - do" educational foundation, reinforcing the information provided through classroom study and outside reading. In its first year, the program served 40 kindergarten students, and is working to expand from that level. If you want to help, contact KWCPROGRAM@Kidswithcameras.com. |
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| Contents Copyright 2001-2004 Fireside Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | ||||||||||||||||||
