G-Technology returns as festival’s platinum sponsor to support up-and-coming independent filmmakers

Paris, 01 April, 2011 – G-Technology and Louisa Mayman, ÉCU European Independent Film Festival 2011 judge and winner of Best Student film at the 2010 festival, have joined forces to celebrate G-Technology’s Platinum Sponsorship of the European Independent Film Festival for the second consecutive year – a mark of its support for the world’s up-and-coming and most talented filmmakers.

G-Technology’s affordable, professional-grade hardware has long been the preferred storage solution for producers of digital, creative content. Independent filmmakers are under pressure to create, store, transport and share vast and complex digital content – and G-Technology and Louisa Mayman will be present at the ÉCU to share their top tips on how best to manage these challenges.

Kevin Vine, Director of G-Technology Products EMEA, Hitachi commented, “We pride ourselves on understanding – and helping our customers to overcome – the issues facing independent filmmakers in the capture, manipulation, render and storage of their creativity. We’re really excited to be sponsoring ÉCU once again, bringing our industry expertise and innovative products to today’s premiere filmmakers and creative professionals.”

Louisa Mayman who won best student film for her film The Highest Low, which has since gone on to be inducted to the British Film Institutes National Film Archive said, “As a filmmaker, I work on so many film projects and locations – I need portable, reliable, robust storage that can travel with me and take care of my work for me. I adore G-Tech hard drives because I know I can rely on them for any film I’m working on, regardless of the technicalities of either my own production or those of my teams and colleagues. Below are some tips that have helped me on my way.”

Louisa Mayman’s Top tips:

1. Enter film festivals and competitions - I would not be where I am now if it had not been for ÉCU. Film festivals provide you with the chance to network, to participate in workshops, attend Q & A sessions with directors you couldn’t even hope to meet. You can go to demonstration areas where technology companies illustrate how to use the latest and greatest equipment (and even get money off purchases). Festivals and Competitions like Driven Creativity are great; you just need to get your creativity out there!

2. Make films, loads of films. If, like me, you haven’t gone to film school then the best way to learn the craft is through practice. I am continually learning as I go along.

3. Always back up your work - If you’re interested in file security at all, then I would recommend a G-Tech Drive. You don’t want to give blood, sweat and tears to get your film made then just to lose it all. I always use G-Tech Drives because they are so reliable. It is important to have a hard drive you trust.

4. Be open to unpaid opportunities - It is a great way to meet new contacts and to learn more about the industry.

5. Camera Lights Action! When it comes to equipment, remember the 3B’s: ‘Beg, Borrow and Blag’. I always borrow equipment whenever I can, but I would never depend on someone else’s hard drive – I only trust my own G-Tech Drives for that.

6. Be a nuisance (a polite nuisance) - I take my CV with me everywhere and try to offload it whenever I can. Remember, the only way you’ll reap rewards is by putting yourself out there in the first place.

7. Network - However, remember that collecting contacts is about as useful as collecting dust if you do nothing with them. Keep in touch with them and show them your work.

8. Use the Internet - Tweet and update your Facebook regularly so that your followers and new contacts can see what you are getting up to and prove to them that you are definitely one to watch. The Internet is possibly your greatest tool so use it every day for research, to get feedback and get your name out there.

9. Money, Money, Money - For quick and easy funding options why don’t you monetise your blog? Make special interest films? Produce Wedding Videos?

10. Let your passion shine through - And remember if you want to make it in the film industry it’s going to be a marathon not a sprint. When you eventually do become successful, don’t forget to help others out on their way up.

At the festival, G-Technology will host a demonstration display, enabling festival goers to see real-time digital workflows in action. A video blog team, led by Ben Blaine of ShootingPeople.org – the world’s largest network dedicated to independent filmmakers – will be on site capturing and broadcasting:

•exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with shortlisted and winning filmmakers

•prestigious top tips from filmmakers

•ÉCU judges revealing exactly what they look for in a winner