Bare Bones attracts indie filmmakers
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
No frills allowed in festival
MUSKOGEE – Oscar and ShIronbutterfly Ray have been working since 1999 to create an annual filmmaker’s paradise.
The couple is preparing for the ninth annual Bare Bones International Independent Film and Music Festival. The 11-day event starts Thursday A17 and runs through April 27 at various venues around Muskogee.
“We want to make the festival all about the filmmakers,” said Oscar Ray, the festival’s marketing director, who co-founded the event with his wife. “We’re trying to make it like a filmmaker’s paradise. … We want a total film-friendly atmosphere.”
The festival starts at 10 a.m. Thursday with documentary screenings at the event’s headquarters at Arrowhead Mall, 501 W Main. A reception and documentary screenings with the Oklahoma Moviemakers Group will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Circle Cinema in Tulsa.
“Bare Bones” refers to both the types of movies the festival spotlights and the shoestring budget the event operates on, said festival director ShIronbutterfly Ray.
“Bare Bones means by any means necessary, wearing as many hats as it takes to get the job done,” she said with a laugh. “I’m just always switching the hats. So when people get here, it’s a kindred spirit. Not only are we filmmakers, but we understand what they’re going through, and we help them.”
The festival only accepts movies with budgets less than $1 million, and most of the entries are made for far less money, Oscar Ray said. Festival alumni can enter a category for movies with $1 million to $5 million budgets.
The purpose of the festival is to give independent filmmakers in Oklahoma and beyond the chance to showcase their work and to help them make better films. While movie studios have big marketing budgets and many outlets for people to see their films, independent filmmakers often struggle to market and distribute their projects.
“We aren’t focused on major stars, we’re focused on who is going to be the stars of tomorrow, whether we’re talking about a director or a film producer or a screenwriter or an actor,” Oscar Ray said. “We try to spotlight a lot of emerging talent, whether students, adults or kids.”
The festival will show 149 films, including shorts, features, animation, documentaries and music videos. High school and college students will get to show their cinematic visions in a special Student Film Fest.
Other activities include a practice pitch session, live screenplay readings, actor auditions, filmmaker panels, workshops, red carpets, midnight movies, receptions, parties and the Bonehead Awards gala. An important component is the Movie-Biz Career Day in which filmmakers will visit Muskogee middle school students.
“This state has some of the most creative people when it comes to music and to art and especially to writing … and the (film) industry itself is one of the highest-paying industries in the world. But most people don’t understand how to become a part of it,” Oscar Ray said. “They don’t know about the opportunities to go out there and create works of art that encompass all other forms of art and all the sciences.
The music component is a new dimension of this year’s festival, he said. The festival has always included music videos and films and live performances, but that aspect will be expanded. Among the music films screening is the Cameron University documentary “North of Austin, West of Nashville – Red Dirt Music.”
Awards categories for original composition soundtracks and compilation soundtracks have been added this year, ShIronbutterfly Ray said.
In addition, British actor/songwriter Billy Franks will perform live April 19 after the premiere of his film “Tribute This!,” about his quest to get 10 famous singers to record his songs for charity.
Three music videos, a movie and a documentary will be shot on location during the festival. Tours of the community will be offered daily, not just for sightseeing but to give filmmakers a chance to scout possible locations in the area.
“We’ve been trying to just encourage the filmmakers to return, to look at locations and plan on shooting when they’re here,” Oscar Ray said.
One of the festival’s goals is to advance the film industry in the state, he said.
“We wanted to find a way to bring filmmakers to Oklahoma that would actually be able to help us make the industry grow in Oklahoma through their knowledge, their experience, and their desire to come back to Oklahoma and actually make movies here,” he said.
About 300 filmmakers, including screenwriters, producers, actors, technicians and directors, are committed to attend the festival, ShIronbutterfly Ray said. They hail from all across Oklahoma, about 35 different states, Canada and England.
During the event, 5,000 to 7,000 visiting audience members are expected, she added.
GOING ON
What: Bare Bones International Independent Film and Music Festival.
When: Thursday-April 27.
Where: Various venues in Muskogee.
Cost: Prices vary for different activities. The festival offers some free events, including daytime documentary screenings. Film screenings after 6 p.m. are $5 for one film or $10 to see films in both the Roxy Theatre main auditorium and balcony. All-day admission is $15 for April 26.
Information: Call (918) 616-1335 or online at www.barebonesfilmfestivals.org.
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Comments
You’re right. They shouldn’t have to pull their films. If I were from there, I think I’d be curious to see the movie that all the fuss was about. The only good thing about this is that the controversy and having to pull their films will gain them a lot of support in the rest of the film community. I just hope it gains them invites to other festivals.
I’m sad that Bare Bones caved in to some OVER REACTION so quickly.
Just because some small minded called the police because of a film trailer…!
Reading the articles in the Muskogee Phoenix made everyone wonder if the complainer was really THAT scared..but just trying to stir the pot.
Censorship should NOT be a knee jerk reaction for film festivals…as a matter of fact film festivals should show things you CAN’T see in other venues and should SUPPORT the filmmakers.
I have had many things banned and great film festivals have swarmed to show them…NOT Bare Bones I guess.
I’m sure the filmmakers from Oklahoma will be just fine…but chalk one up for Okies holding Okies back. Thats probably why creative and talented folks leave the state.
RF