Dailies Constitution

Mission Statement (what is dailies?)
Dailies, in association with New Street, unites filmmakers to explore their craft through community and creation. We challenge film artists of all disciplines to focus on process as the result. Great work evolves from experimentation, practice, and finally understanding. By creating a safe place to fail, and focusing on process over product and collaboration over isolation, Dailies is where one finds a voice - not simply to display it, but to nurture and develop its existence. We are here to learn, grow and play as a means to master our skills. We offer our work to the world as a byproduct of our mission.

The Concept (what is a dailies project?)
Dailies will host four or more quarterly filmmaking challenges each year with a central theme, image, story idea, style/genre, or other set of "rules" that unifies all the work. This concept is not meant to be a gimmick or hook; instead, it is designed to focus on the creative process and to push artists into areas their individual non-Dailies work may not typically take them. Each challenge will include a comprehensive project manifesto declaring its purpose and method for creation. A project point producer will organize filmmakers and manage the overall scope of the challenge. Each filmmaker will create a piece of work utilizing any means necessary to fulfill their vision of the challenge at hand. By engaging in workshops, discussions, and work-in-progress screenings with group analysis, filmmakers will partake in a collaborative process aimed at developing their skills and the skills of those around them. Upon completion, the films will be publicly screened as a Dailies project.

Preamble to the Constitution
The Dailies Constitution is a living, breathing document, allowing for a free, debatable interpretation of the following texts by Board members, point producers, and artists. Specific duties of various parties are amendable by the elected Board as the circumstances and challenges of Dailies adjust to a changing future. It will not constrict creativity or possibility. It will not direct the nature or content of Dailies projects. Instead, it will set into motion guidelines and practices that both insure and inspire all participants to boldly and uniquely carry out the Dailies mission.

Table of Contents

1. Glossary
   
2. The Project Mission Statement
   
3. The Project Manifesto
   
4. The Point Producer
   
5. The Filmmaker
   
6. The Dailies Board
   
7. Dailies: First Sunday
   
8. The Final Word

I. Glossary

Participating Film Artist/Filmmaker
Amateur and professional directors, producers, actors, writers, designers, technicians, interns, and/or other artists interested in developing their skills as a filmmaker.

Project Mission Statement
The WHAT of any Dailies project. A comprehensive document fleshing out a filmmaking challenge built around a central idea, theme or concept. It is submitted to the Board for approval.

Project Manifesto
The HOW of any Dailies project. A public document declaring the principles, policies and objectives intended to manifest a project mission statement. It is submitted to the Board by the point producer for approval, then overseen by the point producer and agreed to by the participating film artists / filmmakers.

Project
The realization of the project manifesto culminating in a public screening.

Point Producer
The point person for the project, responsible for creating, overseeing and realizing the project manifesto as well as the completion of the project.

Workshop
A technical, training or theory-based exercise specific to the challenge that advances the knowledge of the filmmakers in regards to the challenge and enables collaboration, critique, and discussion.

Discussion
A continuing conversation, facilitated by the point producer, which allows Dailies artists to share experience, information, ideas, technical know-how, questions, and problems. The discussion is not a film class but a forum for dialogue and collaboration.

Work-in-Progress
Similar to a test screening – before the public screening, the filmmakers and
Screening point producer will present a work-in-progress screening so that the participating group may analyze and assist each filmmaker in fully realizing their vision.

Public Screening
A publicized screening and Q&A at New Street that includes the audience in an open conversation with the filmmakers about their process.

Post Mortem
The written report generated by the point producer after the project has been publicly screened, which includes comments from the filmmakers on what worked and what didn't work on the project.

II. The Project Mission Statement
This is the beginning of any Dailies project. The Project Mission Statement describes, in detail, an idea for a filmmaking challenge to be carried out by willing participants. It will set into motion the inspired work of many artists and craftsmen over an extended period of time. Filmmakers will refer constantly to this text as they formulate ideas, make choices and execute them. Workshops, discussions, work-in-progress screenings, public screenings and Q&A will encourage filmmakers to further communicate their choices in reference to this document. It will be a heavily debated centerpiece of action and conversation. For this reason, a Project Mission Statement should be an inspired, comprehensive piece of work in its own right. It should explore the fundamental nature of its subject matter and engage filmmakers to do the same. It should instigate and inspire a creative response. Interpretations of the text will inevitably be different. This is a good thing. The more realized the Project Mission Statement, the more we may understand the choices we make in regards to its challenge.

There are no restrictions on what the film challenge may be as long as it realizes the Dailies mission. There are certain requirements for the document itself, as follows:

One line pitch of idea
One paragraph pitch of idea
1-5 page comprehensive treatment on the idea

Here are some helpful questions:
How does this idea realize the Dailies Mission?
What is the central theme of the project?
What restrictions are being placed on the artists?
What elements of storytelling does it develop?
Does it challenge the filmmakers artistically?
Does it challenge the filmmakers’ craftsmanship?
Can this project help elevate our understanding of the medium?
Should you define your terms?
Is it simple?
Is it complex?
Does it inspire?

Any person or persons can submit a Project Mission Statement. Basically, anyone should feel free to come up with an idea without fleshing out the logistical constraints of making the project happen. If it coincides with the Dailies Mission Statement, the Board will approve it. If a point producer picks it up, it can then be fleshed out into a Project Manifesto.

III. The Project Manifesto
This document takes the Project Mission Statement and describes how it will be realized. By interpreting the goals at hand, the point producer will create this document to outline the logistics of turning it into a full project. Available resources, the degree of involvement, the level of filmmaker interest, and the nature of the undertaking may all play a roll in how one manifests a Project Mission Statement.

There is no reason that a point producer cannot start with the Project Manifesto, understanding that the Project Mission Statement will be a part of his pitch and still needs to be approved before it becomes a viable Dailies project.

The requirements for the Project Manifesto are as follows:
A copy of the Project Mission Statement approved by the Board
A description of how the point producer recruits filmmakers (open call, selected filmmakers, etc.)
The projected start, due, work-in-progress screening and public screening dates
The maximum and minimum projected length of the films
The projected length of the project's public screening
A unique way of marketing the project's public screening
A workshop idea related to the Project Mission Statement
Number of meetings and meeting dates for filmmaker discussions
Additional project needs from the Dailies Board - if needed (see Board responsibilities)

IV. The Point Producer
The Point Producer is the person who makes the grand idea laid out in the Project Mission Statement and Manifesto a reality. In order to fully understand their role, anyone who wants to point produce should have worked on at least two Dailies films from two different Dailies projects. Furthermore, the Point Producer should understand that their role is not to censure or judge any of the films in their project for content or quality, but to support and enable the filmmaker in their attempt to fulfill the Project Manifesto with their work.

The point producer will:
Submit and produce a Project Manifesto that fits the requirements laid out by the Constitution
Uphold the ideals of the Project Manifesto and the Dailies Constitution
Recruit filmmakers to participate in the project
Manage communications and deadlines with filmmakers
Regularly update the Board on the status of the project
Ensure all involved filmmakers have and are taking advantage of the information and resources available to them through Dailies and New Street
Find a way to facilitate on-going communications between artists
Develop and realize the workshop idea laid out in the Project Manifesto
Setup and schedule the workshop, work-in-progress screening, and public screening with the Dailies Board
Find and implement one unique or innovative plan to market the final screening
Be responsible for collecting, assembling and producing the individual film projects into a finished program
Promote and run the public screening (with assistance from the Board - if needed)
Facilitate the work-in-progress screening and at least one public screening Q&A
Facilitate and document a post mortem with the filmmakers and the Board


V. The Filmmaker
Anyone can make a Dailies film. It is not a contest. There is no quality control. Dailies is an opportunity for you to create your own work alongside other filmmakers in response to a given challenge. The idea is to get as much feedback as possible (positive and negative) for one’s choices. Learn, grow and play as a means to master your skills. Take risks. Try something new or untested. Develop your style. Nurture your voice. Find creative collaborators. Network. Build an army. It’s up to you. This is your playground.

The filmmaker will:
·Read and sign the Project Manifesto as intent to participate in good faith
·Sign an authorization form allowing Dailies to screen their work as part of the project public screening as well as a Dailies "Best Of" screening at New Street (filmmakers retain all rights to their own movies, characters and concepts)
·Work within the guidelines of the Project Manifesto
·Sign up for e-mails at the Dailies website and participate in the forum when appropriate
·Communicate with the Point Producer regarding project status
·Adhere to deadlines
·Complete films

The filmmaker is encouraged to:
Strive to collaborate with other filmmakers by offering feedback, knowledge, and support
Participate in the project workshop, discussions and work-in-progress screening
Consider New Street actors, filmmakers and artists before seeking outside cast and crew
Communicate to cast and crew necessary information (screening dates, meetings, etc.)
Participate in a post public screening Q&A
Offer feedback for the project post-mortem
Veteran Dailies filmmakers are further encouraged to nurture newer members of the community
When necessary, work to recruit new filmmakers

VI. The Dailies Board
The Dailies Board is an annually elected working Board of five Dailies filmmakers that exist to maintain the existence and growth of Dailies. While the Dailies Board's responsibilities exceed those of a traditional board, its actions are still bound by the ideals in this Dailies Constitution. It is therefore the Board's duty to see that those ideals are upheld by acting as an organizer and advisor, interpreting as an arbitrator, and updating the Dailies Constitution when appropriate.

The Dailies Board will:
Uphold and guide the path of Dailies and nurture its growth in accordance with New Street
Recruit new filmmakers, actors and technicians
Facilitate communication between artists and with the community as a whole
Review Project Mission Statements and Project Manifestos for approval
Resolve conflicts by interpreting the Constitution when necessary
Mediate disputes between the Point Producer and the filmmakers when necessary
Work with New Street to schedule Dailies events
Assist in promoting project public screenings
Promote Dailies 1st Sundays and other Dailies related activities
Meet once a month, or more when necessary, to discuss project approvals and other Dailies related issues
Maintain and continue to build the Dailies website and mailing list
Amend the Constitution when and where necessary

Dailies Board Selection:
To be eligible to be on the Dailies Board, a filmmaker must have been involved in at least 2 different Dailies projects, at least one of which must have been in the past year. A person is also eligible if they are a current Board member
Any filmmaker who has worked on at least 1 Dailies project in the past 2 years may vote for the Dailies Board
The term of the Dailies Board will be 1 year
A person may serve on the Dailies Board as many times as he/she is elected
The elections will be part of the September Dailies: First Sunday
A person must be nominated for the Board at least a week prior to the election
An eligible actor or filmmaker votes by selecting 6 of the nominees. The 6 nominees with the most overall votes will make up the new Dailies Board
The newly elected Dailies Board will take on their responsibilities immediately upon their election
If a person is not able to fulfill their term, it is at the Dailies Board's discretion as to how to replace them

2006 Dailies Board Members
David Bruckner Schedulator Liaison to Point Producers and New Street
Linda Burns Minister of Propaganda Liaison to the press and established filmmakers
Adam K Thompson Town Crier Liaison to the Dailies members through website
and emails updates
JD Taylor Scribe Recorder of Board meetings and discussions
Robert Sanders Czar of Expansion Liaison to new talent and corporate connections

VII. Dailies: First Sunday
The first Sunday of every month, the Board will host Dailies: First Sunday, a chance for everyone involved in Dailies, and those just interested in it, to get together and share ideas on a regular basis. Short screenings and discussion of Dailies projects and events are the core of the agenda, but they're never the limit. Anything that promotes the Dailies mission can be introduced into the fray.

Dailies: First Sunday is a monthly organizational meeting that may feature:
Dailies organizational announcements
Discussion of organizational goals/needs
A short screening relevant to Dailies
Discussion of screening and relevant Dailies/indie filmmaking topics
New Dailies project announcements
Post-screening discussion of Dailies projects
Introduction to Dailies for new and interested filmmakers

VIII. The Final Word
One final thought. Dailies is your place to be free to create inspired, original and uncensored work with a large support group of like-minded people. All of the above is only a guideline for how to implement our ideals. We must remember that Dailies it not so much the institution laid out here as much as the people involved. You are Dailies. The connections and friendships that grow from getting involved in the projects, workshops, discussions, screenings, and Dailies: First Sunday opens up resources and talent for your films. Dailies lives and dies by your action or inaction and if you want to get involved, quite simply… get involved. Enough words… let’s go out and put some pictures on the screen!