Okay, guys, let me tell you about this thing I got into recently – it’s called “NO DRAMA,” and it’s related to Monkeypaw Productions. Sounded pretty interesting when I first read about it, so I decided to give it a shot.
First off, I did some digging. Turns out, NO DRAMA is this project Monkeypaw Productions cooked up with the Toronto International Film Festival (you know, TIFF) and something called the Universal Filmmakers Project. They are basically daring filmmakers to create a short film about monsters, no matter the genre or culture. Pretty cool, right?
So, I registered and submitted my project. This was not easy. I spent days brainstorming, writing, and refining my idea, all to meet the submission requirements.
Then, I waited. The anticipation was killing me! Finally, I received the news – my project was selected! I was over the moon! This meant I was one of the five lucky filmmakers who got chosen for this program. And you won’t believe this – we each got a whopping $50!
- Started the Whole Process: First, I found out about this NO DRAMA thing and thought, “Why not?” I signed up and started working on my idea.
- Submitted My Project: After a lot of hard work, I sent in my project proposal. This was the toughest part, making sure everything was just right.
- The Wait: This was brutal. I was constantly checking my email, hoping for some good news.
- Got the Good News: Finally, the email came – I was in! I couldn’t believe it. I was one of the five selected filmmakers!
- Received Funding: Not only did I get selected, but I also received $50 to help make my short film.
Next up, I started working with the folks from Monkeypaw, Universal Filmmakers Project, and TIFF. There were online meetings and some in-person stuff, too. They gave us a bunch of advice and support, which was super helpful. I mean, these are the pros, so I listened to every word they said. And the coolest thing was that Universal Filmmakers Project and Monkeypaw could actually buy our projects after the program ended. I thought it was a huge deal to get noticed by them.
I worked my tail off on my short film. I learned so much during this period, met some awesome people, and really pushed my creative boundaries. It was tough, for sure, but also incredibly rewarding. I got to improve my skills in a really hands-on way.
The whole experience was a wild ride. From sending in my idea to actually making the film and getting feedback from industry pros, it was all a dream come true. And you know what? I’m super excited to see what comes next. This NO DRAMA thing? It was a big deal for me, and I’m glad I took the chance.
What I Got Out of It
Seriously, this whole experience was a game-changer. Not just because of the $50, but because it pushed me to really go for it. I had to come up with a killer idea, make a short film, and then get feedback from people who actually know what they’re doing. I learned a ton, and it was an awesome ride from start to finish.
