Author Archives: Catherine Stewart

About Catherine Stewart

Catherine, a native of Scotland, is an experienced writer and director for both stage and screen as well as working as a facilitator; teaching areas including dramaturgy, devising, adaptation and acting for stage and screen. She graduated from the prestigious Bretton Hall College in 2008 with a B.A.(Hons) in Theatre and Performance, and as a recipient of the White Rose Scholarship for Enterprise. With her directorial roots in theatre she approaches film not as a set of shots and segments but as a whole piece; working in collaboration as the camera rolls with her colleagues in front of and behind the lense. In both her writing and directing she uses her experience of both fictional and factual film making to create works that tread the thin line between both disciplines. And with a tendency towards magical realism, fantasy and a certain penchant for sci-fi she always seeks to capture the thaumaturgy of real life (reality) in her work.

Didn’t manage to make it to PSFN?…

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…or you want to watch the fantastic films again. Well, here you are!

Not all the films we show are available online but when they are we try to link to them so you can share them with friends and family. You can also check out more work by the filmmakers you love.  Last night’s PSFN was fantastic and we must say a big thank you to our hosts White Heron Tea & Coffee for helping us run such a great event.  Also a massive thanks to our collaborative partners 3S Artspace for their support in running these events – we can’t wait to be hosting PSFN in their space in 2014. If you also can’t wait for that to happen then why don’t you pop along to their website and donate some of your time, money or support to the great campaign to make that building a reality.

We also want to say a huge thanks to the filmmakers both local and international for submitting their films to Portsmouth Short Film Night – we couldn’t do it without you. If you have a film you want to submit then use this link and fill in the details.  Our next film night will be taking place on Friday 28th February 2014 at PPMtv‘s studio at 280 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03801. You have until January 31st to submit your film!

If you want to keep up to date with us at PSFN why don’t you like us on facebook, follow us on twitter or do whatever you do with Google+

So, here’s the line-up from last night with links to the available films and we look forward to seeing you in February!

Santa Always Checks Twice by Jack Garrett, Comedy
Blizzard 2013 by Jasmine Inglesmith, Experimental
The Tower by Scott Hancock, Documentary
Q&A
La Culpa by David Victori, Thriller
Intermission
I Live Here, by Scott Masterson, Documentary
Q&A
Gracht by Joost de Jong, Animation/Comedy
Shoot the Pier by Brian Goding, Documentary (unavailable online)
Q&A

PSFN is tomorrow!

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Just a reminder that Portsmouth Short Film Night is happening tomorrow!

What: 7 Great films, including 5 from local filmmakers covering documentary, comedy, drama and thriller followed by Q & As with the filmmakers themselves.

When: Screenings start at 7pm, doors open at 6 — come early to grab a seat and a hot drink.

Where: White Heron Tea & Coffee, 601 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

How much: FREE!!!

What else: For this festive, final PSFN of the year we also have an intimate performance by Tiger Belly to play us into the evening.

To keep up to date with us you can find us on facebook, twitter, google+ and here at this blog!

PSFN is a regular event produced by Film Unbound in collaboration with 3S Artspace.

3S Artspace

3S Artspace, a 501c3 non-profit, is dedicated to presenting and supporting contemporary artists and their work in order to stimulate the artistic community and creatively engage and educate the public at large, while establishing a vital and accessible regional gathering space. Although its program of events continues to run in a variety of venues, it will be fully realized in 2014 with a 400 capacity performance space, gallery space and farm-to-table restaurant.

re-draft 2013 (w)Film Unbound is a media production company creating self-produced fiction, documentaries and tailor-made film solutions for clients including PromoDocs, event coverage and product demonstrations.

So, we asked the filmmakers…

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We asked the filmmakers for the upcoming PSFN their thoughts on filmmaking, screenings and their life as a creators. Here’s what some of the filmmakers had to say.

Why do you make short films? What can a short do that a feature can’t?
Short films provide the opportunity for filmmakers to experiment with the process and find their narrative voice. The format is obviously more accessible when learning and growing, but it offers unique challenges when it comes to storytelling. I love the idea of streamlining content to have the most amount of impact in a tightly condensed package. – Scott Masterson, director – I Live Here
workshopI make short films because it can be fun to move quickly and see the results right away. With this film I was able to keep the whole thing in my head which made the production faster and more fun. I also shot, edited, wrote temporary music for, and did most of the sound design for the film in the space of a month, which is something that just can’t happen with a feature. It was also fun to be able to handle so many aspects of the production myself, because the film was so small and simple. Short films can often have just as powerful a message as a feature film, and often the short format forces you to be more careful with each shot. You have to convey a lot of information in a short time, and I think those constraints help to make every shot, every movement, and every word meaningful. Short films also have the potential to reach more people, as it is easy to sit down and watch them on any device without having to dedicate a large amount of time. I don’t think it is true that people have shorter attention spans than they used to. People have been saying that for a very long time. I do think that if your film is unknown and is feature length, it is harder to get people in the door. If you aren’t already a big name that will draw people in, shorts are a great way to “get your foot in the door”.  Jack Garrett, director – Santa Always Checks Twice
Does the changing way we consume media affect your filmmaking and distribution? How?
The way we consume media has changed how every artist promotes and distributes their work. Filmmakers may be most  effected by the internet and social media because this technology has drastically changed the viewing habits of audiences. More and more, people want a shorter viewing experience, but expect the content to be increasingly compelling. Also, due to the amount of real-life footage found online, it’s made audiences connect more to stories and characters that are real, rather than fictional. This has been incredibly influential on my own work, because it has pushed me from narrative films to documentary films. I like to think that going through this transition has helped me to be a better storyteller and that I bring a more narrative-style to the subject matter.- Scott Masterson, director – I Live Here3143818
I haven’t been making films at this level long enough to really see the change myself, but I have read about the changes from film to digital, which are great for the independent and low budget filmmakers. They aren’t great for independent theater owners unfortunately. Internet distribution is here to stay, and it is only going to get bigger. It is an interesting time now; the tools for both making films and editing and distributing them have dropped to the level where almost anyone can get them. There is still no substitute for talent and hard work however, and I think it’s going to be great to see the new crop of filmmakers that rise up from this more level playing field. –  Jack Garrett, director – Santa Always Checks Twice
So there’s a little insight in our filmmaker’s mind and there will be plenty more to talk about at the next Portsmouth Short Film Night this Friday, that’s December 13th at White Heron Tea & Coffee at 601 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH the screenings start at 7pm!

December 2013 lineup

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So, here we have the lineup for this Friday’s  Portsmouth Short Film Night, which is being hosted by White Heron Tea & Coffee at 601 Islington Street, Portsmouth NH. The screening starts at 7pm, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time to get a tasty hot drink!

We have seven fantastic films scheduled for the evening, including five from local filmmakers. The selection includes documentaries, drama, comedy, thriller and animation.  We try to bring something a little different to the movie scene here in Portsmouth, highlighting great local talents whilst also bringing otherwise unseen films to your screen.  I am particularly excited to be showing Santa Always Checks Twice, a seasonal film noir comedy, and I Live Here, a film documenting the project of the same name where students from Salem, MA discuss difficulties in their lives prior to graduating. We have also selected a quirky animation and an award-winning psychological thriller from European filmmakers that highlight amazing indie filmmaking.

We will have Q&A sessions after the local films so that you get a chance to chat with the filmmakers about their work past, present and future. It feels wonderful to be able to show so much local talent, and we are ending the night with local filmmaker Brian Goding’s recent documentary Shoot the Pier. It tells the story of Maine surfers in the 1960s using original Super 8 footage teamed up with modern-day interviews with the stars of the film.  It’s great to see a slice of local history that’s so important to this area.  Then, if that wasn’t enough, the night will end with a special intimate performance by Jonathan Blakeslee and his band Tiger Belly, giving the filmmakers and the audience an opportunity to chat, grab another hot drink from our hosts and relax after a great night of cinema.

The Movies

  • Santa Always Checks Twice by Jack Garrett
  • Blizzard 2013 by Jasmine Inglesmith
  • The Tower by Scott Hancock
  • La Culpa by David Victori
  • I Live Here, by Scott Masterson
  • Gracht by Joost
  • Shoot the Pier by Brian Goding

Portsmouth Short Film Night is a regular event produced by Film Unbound in collaboration with 3S Artspace.

3S Artspace

3S Artspace, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is dedicated to presenting and supporting contemporary artists and their work in order to stimulate the artistic community and creatively engage and educate the public at large, while establishing a vital and accessible regional gathering space. Although its program of events continues to run in a variety of venues, it will be fully realized in 2014 with a 400-capacity performance space, gallery space and farm-to-table restaurant.

Film Unbound

Film Unbound is a media production company creating self-produced fiction, documentaries and tailor-made film solutions for clients including PromoDocs, event coverage and product demonstrations.

 

We hope to see you at this festive, final PSFN of the year!

 

film camera and projector

December 2013 Screening!

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So, here we are. The final Portsmouth Short Film Night of 2013 is upon us and we are super excited about what we have lined up.  Portsmouth Short Film Night will take place at White Heron Tea & Coffee on Friday, December 13 at 7pm.  White Heron will be open for people to grab a drink and some food from 6pm, so make sure you get there early and bag yourself the best seat in the house.

Portsmouth Short Film Night is an event for independent filmmakers to screen and discuss their work and for cinema lovers to get a front-row seat to emerging and established talent. We’ve been running this event since the beginning of the year and we’ve been delighted with the both the response from filmmakers and movie goers – so what are you

photo credit: John Steven Fernandez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenfernandez/4889766477/) cc (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

photo credit: John Steven Fernandez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenfernandez/4889766477/) cc (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

waiting for? If you haven’t checked us out before then here’s your chance.

This will be a special PSFN because not only will it be another packed evening of shorts from local, national and international filmmakers but we also have an exclusive screening of Shoot the Pier from local filmmaker Brian Goding.  As well as the regular Q&As with the filmmakers, the evening will be capped off with an intimate performance by Tiger Belly and an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and grab a hot drink or a snack from our fantastic hosts, White Heron Tea & Coffee.

What: An evening of watching and talking film

When: Friday, December 13 @7pm (Grab a drink, snack and good seat from 6pm)

Where: White Heron Tea & Coffee, 601 Islington Street, Portsmouth NH 03801

How much: Free!

For more information or to be kept up to date with the latest info, you can find us at these regular haunts.

re-draft 2013 (w)
PSFN is brought to you by Film Unbound, a media production company producing documentary, fiction and a variety of services including event coverage, product demonstrations and PromoDocs for educational institutions, businesses, charitable organisations and individuals. Find out more about Film Unbound on facebook and twitter.white heron tea

Call for submissions, December screening!

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We are on the hunt for short films again.

This will be our last PSFN of the year – but don’t worry, we will be back in 2014. So, what are you waiting for? We need your film, same criteria as always. Anything under 25 minutes in length; any style, any genre, any theme.

We are particularly looking for films with a holiday/winter feel, but don’t panic if that’s not your film – send it along anyway. We watch every submission!

Details of the date and location for this screening will be released shortly and you can keep an eye on this blog or our facebook page for more information.Frame from "Maine"

So spread the word, tell your filmmaker friends, dig out an old film, finish that edit of your current project or pick up your camera and see what you can film now.

THE DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 29TH, so go ahead – submit your film using our handy form!

We can’t wait to watch them all.

September Screening at Strawbery Banke

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We’re delighted to announce that the next Portsmouth Short Film Night will be on Thursday, September 26 at 7.30pm, and this time we will be watching fantastic films by local, national and international filmmakers in the beautiful surroundings of Strawbery Banke Museum! Portsmouth Short Film Night is a free event for up-and-coming independent filmmakers to screen and discuss their work and for cinema lovers to get a front-row seat to emerging talent.

February 2013 Portsmouth Short Film Night audience

It will be another packed evening of short films, including Q&As with the filmmakers. The screenings and talks will last roughly 90 minutes in total, and everyone is welcome to stay later to talk. It’s all about getting filmmakers and film fans together to show off their work, have fun, meet like-minded people, and maybe even be inspired. If that sounds like your cup of tea, why not come along?

Please keep an eye on the Portsmouth Short Film Night website for more information and updates, or check us out on Facebook, Twitter (hashtag #psfn), and Google+.

Calling all filmmakers!! Do you want to see your short film screened in this unique setting? It’s not too late to submit – just head on over to the submissions page and follow the simple instructions.

 

 

Photo by Javi K. Photography