10th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival –
Images of the 21st Century
March 7-16, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
WORKSHOP: PRODUCING DOCUMENTARIES
Budgets, co-productions, and the flexibility of the director in the process of making a documentary were the major issues covered in the “Producing Documentaries” workshop that took place on Saturday, March 15, at the port’s Warehouse 1. The participants were: the Finnish director Arto Halonen, guest of honor of this year’s 10th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Peter Wintonick, journalist, director and co-producer of the film Be like others , Olga Abazoglou, producer and Valerie Kontakos, director. Yorgos Krassakopoulos coordinated the discussion.
When asked if producing a documentary today is more difficult than it was in the past, Peter Wintonick commented: “It is more difficult, because competition is greater. Just think that there are about 10,000 documentaries produced internationally each year. Funds are limited, and the channels are short sighted. However, there are alternative ways of financing, through the internet”.
Valerie Kontakos spoke about the limits television sets on documentary production. Arto Halonen agreed with her, and stressed that: “Sometimes you can benefit from television financing, but other times it destroys your idea”.
Olga Abazoglou called the position of Greek directors “aristocratic”: “ I don’t understand the introversion that characterizes them. They don’t care about what is happening outside of Greece, but only with who got more money. The documentary is a collective work, and they could gain a great deal if they worked with foreigners. So let’s seek out co-productions outside of Geece”. Valerie Kontakos added: “They need to know why they are making a documentary. Sometimes they don’t respect it, they use it as a stepping stone to fiction films, while it is a separate genre in itself”.
The speakers next analyzed the difficulties in finding financing in different countries, the flexibility that must distinguish an artist so he can obtain financial support, and how they cope when faced with such problems. “I look in the mirror and I admit I didn’t believe in the idea enough, that’s why I didn’t find the money”, Olga Abazoglou noted. Arto Halonen said that he tried to find funds for a film he wanted to make for ten years, but when he didn’t succeed he realized that he had to move on to something else.
“I often start out with just my credit card, when making low budget films. You know, you need a bit of irresponsibility and insanity. I think that, if you’re passionate about an idea, its better to begin shooting and someone will support you down the road. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?” asked Peter Wintonick, noting that documentary making is not just a profession, but a way of life. “I’m a social activist and I want to incite people to action and activism with my work”, he stressed.
