QM News 74 (pdf 1.58 MB) - Queen Margaret University

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PAGE 14 CREATIVITY AND CULTURE Ready, set, shoot – Sam makes it happen with the 48 Hour Film Projects Sam Goldblatt was never going to be beaten by the global recession. Even as an experienced events professional and a graduate of QMU’s Masters in Festival Management, he knew that securing a top graduate position in the Scottish arts scene was always going to be a challenge given the current jobs market. But that didn’t deter Sam. A charming and talented young man, originally from Washington, DC, Sam Goldblatt exudes a warmth and positivity that is both captivating and inspiring. And he has used his American ‘can do’ attitude to great effect. The creative 28 year old decided to carve out his own niche in the arts world by using his entrepreneurial skills to develop and produce Scotland’s most popular filmmaking festival. The ‘48 Hour Film Project’, now in its fourth year in Scotland, has captured the imagination and enthusiasm of over 2000 budding film makers. Sam started the festival in Edinburgh in 2008, while studying at QMU. The Scottish festival is part of a global film project which spans approximately 80 countries across five continents, and challenges teams to make a film in just 48 hours. However, it is Sam’s determination and drive which has brought the festival to Scotland. The popularity of the Edinburgh 48 Hour Film Project grew, and such was the demand from an increasingly growing group of young film makers to take part in the world’s largest timed-film competition, that in autumn 2011, Sam took the project to Glasgow. And what a success that has been. The Edinburgh event is now firmly established as a significant component in the capital’s festivals programme, and even in its first year, the Glasgow event attracted over 400 participants, with teams coming all the way from Wales, Manchester and Newcastle just to participate. Over the last four years more than 200 minimasterpieces have been shot, produced and finally screened at Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema and the Glasgow Film Theatre. Just like Sam, all three film festivals are bursting with energy. Teams from all over Scotland, as well as the occasional enthusiast from Spain and Germany, arm themselves with caffeine fuelled energy drinks and knuckle down to a full-on, funfilled, sleepless weekend of script writing, acting, filming, producing and editing. Sam explained: “It’s a challenging 48 hours but it’s exhilarating and very rewarding. All teams are instructed to include certain elements in their film - a line of dialogue, a specific character and a prop - so they really can’t prepare in advance. The groups have great fun out on location and some of the end results are extremely creative indeed. After the films are made they are screened over a series of nights to packed audiences who then vote for their favourites.” Sam Goldblatt at the Cameo Cinema Edinburgh Sam continued: “The aim of the project is to advance filmmaking and promote filmmakers. The tight deadline of 48 hours puts the focus squarely on the filmmakers - emphasising creativity and teamwork skills. While the time limit places a restriction on the filmmakers, it catapults the team into action - getting things done, rather than just talking about it.” Sam has worked single handedly to bring major arts funders on board and thanks to the likes of Creative Scotland, some of the winners can expect substantial prizes such as free airfares and accommodation to attend the International 48 Hour Film
PAGE 15 CREATIVITY AND CULTURE In Scotland, the ‘48 Hour Film Project’ has captured the imagination of over 2000 budding film makers Project Finals to be held in the USA. Not only has he successfully nailed the difficult task of the project funding, Sam has brought big names, such as Michael Hines, Director of Glasgow-based sitcom ‘Still Game’, on board to help provide industry recognition and create a buzz. When he’s not producing film festivals, Sam Goldblatt has a raft of other projects that keep him busy including guest lecturing and researching and writing. He’s just completed his first book on events management.The challenges of getting a brand new festival up and running in Scotland have no doubt provided helpful working examples for his new text. His new book ‘The Complete Guide to Greener Meetings and Events’ discusses the growing responsibilities faced by modern event planners, such as the employment of sustainable practices to minimise waste and enhance the event experience. The book, which envisions a world where greener events are the norm rather than the exception, emphasises the modern concepts of reuse, conservation, waste management and environmental improvement. Does this young man ever find time to sleep? Well, certainly not during the film festival, but when he’s not writing, he’s running his own international sustainable events consultancy out of Edinburgh. Over the last couple of years he’s worked with the Capital Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Hamburg Harley Days. In 2011, he was delighted to be involved in welcoming and managing the highly acclaimed China Fringe Festival which was a new but significant part of the Edinburgh Fringe. He has also recently travelled to Moscow where he presented a workshop on sustainable events and promoted his new book. With such a demanding schedule is it all work and no play for Sam Goldblatt? Well, there’s going to be yet another planned event coming up in the near future, but this one will have a more personal focus. With a recent marriage proposal to Louise Knowles, also a graduate of QMU, there’s a wedding on the cards. But the question is, how much event planning will this groom be allowed to undertake as part of this very important sustainable event? Only time will tell! Sam’s top tips for a successful career! (1) Create your own opportunities – think outside the box. (2) Always have more than one project on the go. (3) Don’t network just for the sake of it. Make meaningful connections with professionals you admire. For more information on: Glasgow & Edinburgh 48 Hour Film Projects visit: www.48hourfilm.com/glasgow ‘The Complete Guide to Greener Meetings and Events’ by Samuel deBlanc Goldblatt is published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. visit: www.wiley.com/college/goldblatt
Page 1 and 2: The magazine for alumni and friends
Page 3 and 4: PAGE 0 NEWS IN BRIEF QMU is top for
Page 5 and 6: PAGE 0 What are universities for? P
Page 7 and 8: QMU partners with Edinburgh New Tow
Page 9 and 10: PAGE 0 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS - FOCUS
Page 11 and 12: PAGE 11 HEALTH AND REHABILITATION E
Page 13: PAGE 13 HEALTH AND REHABILITATION L
Page 17 and 18: PAGE 17 CREATIVITY AND CULTURE Home
Page 19 and 20: PAGE 19 COMMERCIAL FOCUS QMU - Work
Page 21 and 22: PAGE 21 RECENT STUDENT AND GRADUATE
Page 23 and 24: PAGE 23 ALUMNI PROFILE Angel Coulby
Page 25 and 26: PAGE 25 DEVELOPMENT NEWS Santander
Page 27 and 28: PAGE 27 CLASSNOTES AND EXHIBITIONS

QM News 74 (pdf 1.58 MB) - Queen Margaret University

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?