More Ink for Inspiration and IS Films

The Angels Behind a Student Project
Industry largesse plays a vital role in 'Inspiration'

Martin Zaharinov majors in directing narrative fiction at Emerson College, but don't underestimate the importance of his minor in leadership and management. Lately he's demonstrating plenty of that important filmmaking skill known as getting it made.

Zaharinov is founder and president of IS Films Inc., a nonprofit intended to help fund student films beyond the normal thesis projects. And he and the IS (Independent Student) team, which includes treasurer Elizabeth Daly and non-student board members Paul Turano and Glen Livolsi, have reeled in some serious bounty for their first production.

Inspiration, filming in and around the city this month, is a roughly 25-minute film with a cast of four, written by Michael Gray Beckett (Emerson '84) and directed by Jackie Carr (an Emerson senior). It's the kind of indie often shot on the most threadbare of shoestrings.

But Zaharinov and company have scored a ton of film-industry largesse to get Inspiration done right: the loan of a complete 35mm camera and equipment package from Panavision (worth low six figures to rent for a few weeks), a film stock grant from Kodak (worth perhaps $3,500), and processing from the FotoKem post-production company that Zaharinov said will probably be worth $30,000 or more.

All this is just the beginning, says Zaharinov, who is credited as executive producer and assistant director. He hopes IS Films will become a producing umbrella that will help many more students realize their filmmaking dreams.

Click here for complete story.

Inspiration Highlighted in Emerson Magazine

The October issue of Emerson College Today includes a feature article on Inspiration, IS Films and the student and alumni working to bring the film to life.



Students find 'Inspiration' in film and win major grants
by Christopher Hennessy

A film produced and directed by current Emerson students, with a screenplay penned by an alumnus, has won three major grants, including an equipment grant from Panavision's New Filmmaker Program with an estimated value of $500,000. The filmmakers have also fundraised more than $17,000 to support the production of the film.

The 35mm film, entitled Inspiration, is scheduled to begin shooting late this month and into November. The other grants the film has secured include a Kodak 35mm film stock grant and a Fotokem grant for post-production processing, dailies printing and answer printing.

Click for full article...

Inspiration Spotlight: Executive Producer Martin Zaharinov

What's your background and why do you want to work in film?
I have always had a passion for cinema and films. My father comes from a TV and journalism background. He used to anchor for the news in Bulgaria back in the early 90s and I always enjoyed seeing him on TV and envisioned myself being in his place one day. When the time came for applying to college I asked myself “What do I love to do most in this world?” After a year of deliberation, I decided to apply to film schools. Once I got to Emerson, I quickly realized that I love this school and that filmmaking is what truly makes me happy. I believe it’s what I was always meant to do.

Why did you choose Inspiration to be your first major production?
Inspiration, at a first glance, touched me on a personal level. I could relate to the story in a deep emotional sense, for reasons that I will keep to myself. Upon a second read I found that I really liked the characters, enjoyed the interactions between them, and was drawn into the story. As I was rereading the script, prior to my meeting with the writer, I found myself “watching” the film, seeing the scenes come to life in my mind. I really enjoyed it and I was actively looking for a major project to take on. I knew from the beginning that this will be an enormous challenge and that it will be either all or nothing, and when dealing with absolutes I said to myself: Yes, this is manageable and I can do it!

Explain what the executive producer does on a film.
The Student Executive Producer is the spearhead of any student-produced film. He/she (or they…it is recommended to have at least a couple of Execs) are the people who essentially put the film together from A to Z – the beacon for the rest of the crew to rally around. The EP handles all business issues, assigns responsibilities, and secures the finances for the film. The EP has final say and veto power of any and all decisions on a student-produced film, and is in charge of the entire team.

What are your goals for Inspiration?
Since I started this project, I have been quite vocal about how great I want to make this film, how good of an experience it will be, and how many grants we will be entrusted with. The naysayers rolled their eyes about us getting a Kodak grant. Or Panavision. Or Fotokem. But we got all three. Ninety percent of the things that I set out to do are taking place, and I must admit that I’ve been talking up Sundance since Day 1…

Tell us your five favorite films and why.
I'll give you more than five, since I rank a lot of them equally, but will keep the descriptions brief, deal?

1. The Fountain — I can write a book on why.
2. Beautiful Mind — Great performances, great story, great cast, great team, great interpretation, great mind. I can watch this over and over again, and I think it has one of the best film titles out there.

3. Shawshank Redemption — Amazing! The story is beautiful, the telling of it is even better. Morgan Freeman has always been great in everything he commits to. I don't think that I have ever seen a movie that has drawn me deeper into the world it depicts than Shawshank. By the time the movie is over I don't ever want to leave nor can I ever tell the passage of time when watching this film.

4. Forrest Gump — One of the greatest acting performances of all time. Tom Hanks is spectacular and magic always flows when he works with Zemeckis. Like Shawshank, Gump draws me into a world of running, war, shrimp, ping-pong, and drama that I don't want to leave once the credits roll.

5. Lord of the Rings (Return) — When have you enjoyed yourself more at the movies! Best entertainment ever!

6. The Prestige — Amazing story and cinematography! Nolan kicks ass directing this one. The twist is amazing and the film has one of the best plot structures I have ever seen! Plus I have always had a soft spot for and a fascination with magic!

7. Love Actually — Everyone needs a bit of lovin’…

8. Leon —Loved it as a kid and I couldn't get enough of it! Really hard to come by, but a great movie.

9. Seven Chances - Buster Keaton. Hilarious!

10. The Matrix - FUN!!!

And many more. All film majors have 50 Top Five movies. It just depends on the time of night you ask them the question!

Inspiration Awarded Fotokem Grant

Inspiration continues to receive recognition and support even before we shoot the first frame. We were recently awarded the Fotokem Student Filmmaker Grant. This competitive post-production grant covers the cost of film processing, print dailies, and answer printing and is valued at $10,000. The grant assures that the project will be able to transition seamlessly into post-production work as we get ready to ride the film festival train in 2009!

Kudos to our EP Martin for pulling together another solid grant application. The Fotokem grant is another feather in our cap, which includes the Kodak film stock grant and the Panavision equipment grant. The strength of the project and the production and creative team have helped earn this industry support... and with the addition of our talented cast, to be finalized next week, Inspiration is on target for further accolades.

But we still need to complete our pre-production fundraising. Visit our IndieGoGo page and make a donation of ten dollars or more. The clock is running... Help us reach that final $1500 finish line. Spread the good word about Inspiration, and thanks for supporting independent filmmaking.

Some Serious Equipment

Things are rolling apace now as Inspiration heads into the home stretch before the shoot. Casting is in its final stages, with callbacks set for this week. Watch for cast announcements coming soon!

We're also still a bit giddy over scoring the Panavision equipment grant. This generous 35mm camera package will really help the visuals match the artistry of the story. Click here for details on the complete package.

And of course, we're excited to be closing in on our fundraising goals. Major expenses will be coming up soon, so please help us make this E-Z goal of $1500! Visit the our Indie GoGo page and make your donation today... Make it your one good deed for the summer, and enter the fall with a clean conscience! Thanks for your unwavering support of Inspiration and indy film.

The Finish Line Is In Sight...

Inspiration is closing in on $4000 in donations... but we have only three days left in our IndieGoGo fundraising challenge!

We need $1200 more. Help us reach the magic number of $5000 so we can bring a magical film to theaters and festivals across America and around the world!

Every dollar counts!! Please visit IndieGoGo today and make a donation to Inspiration.

If it's your first donation, make a big splash in the pool!

If you've already donated, that calls for an encore!

The price of gas has dropped 7 cents in the past week... pass those savings along to Inspiration!

Kodak and Panavision have provided major grants for Inspiration. They love us...

Show us some more love. Make your donation. By Friday. IndieGoGo.

As always, thanks for supporting independent film!

Panavision Comes Through!!

We received the exciting news last week that Inspiration has been granted a Panavision 35mm GOLD Film Equipment Grant! The package includes 10 prime-lenses, 6 super-speed lenses, 20 Filters and Flex Fills... and a $325,000 custom-made Panaflex Film Camera!!! That's a grand total of $500,000 of professional equipment to help make a beautiful film.

The Panavision grant program is extremely competitive. Kudos and stratospheric high-fives to our Executive Producer Martin for putting the grant application together and having the faith and fortitude to go for it. He truly is... Captain Inspiration!!!


We do need to pay shipping costs from LA to Boston for the equipment, so be sure to make a donation to IndieGoGo this week. We still have a long road ahead to the $5000 finish line on Friday. But luck and karma are on our side. Help make Inspiration a success and donate today!