Overview

Incorporated into the broader ecosystem of support to directors at SDGI, the ARRI ALEXA TAKE serves as a launching point for creative risk taking and new collaborations in the screen industry. Directors will have the opportunity to shoot on the new ARRI ALEXA Camera.

Creative Director

Each year a creative director offers directors voluntary support and guidance on projects to help directors get the most out of the experience. This year’s featured creative director is the critically acclaimed filmmaker Frank Berry (Michael Inside, I Used to Live Here, Ballymun Lullaby).

Director of Photography

Screen Directors Guild of Ireland and ARRI are delighted to partner with The Irish Society of Cinematographers (ISC) to provide experienced cinematographers for this award. ISC represent world-class cinematographers who are willing to pair with directors subject to their availability — see this list of ISC members.

Finishing

Outer Limits Post Production house has offered directors of this year ARRI ALEXA TAKE 2020 a half-day grading service and production of DCP (with hard drive to be provided by filmmakers).

Casting

Bow Street has offered to provide trained actors for productions, and use of Bow Street as a location where suitable. Auditions for directors needing casts available from now onwards. Bow Street is located at 12/13 Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7.

Screen Composers Guild

The Screen Composers Guild of Ireland has offered the support of their composers to volunteer to work with a director on a film. Please see the full list of screen composers guild. Please note composers must be confirmed in advance of shooting.

Dates

Directors have two shoot days, plus one camera-test day (to take place the day before the shoot begins). The full kit is returned to the 24/7 premises no later than 5pm, or perhaps later on the second shoot day.

Membership

This award is open to Screen Directors Guild of Ireland’s members only. Directors must be fully paid-up members of the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland to access this opportunity. Most members on standing orders come out at the end of February. Learn more about SDGI Membership.

Insurance

Directors need to provide their own insurance. SDGI has previously secured reasonable rates with AON Insurance. Please email proof of insurance once you’ve obtained it two weeks advance of the shoot date. See the separate kit list to include lighting and approx value of the camera kit is 400K.

Kit Location & Training

The kit will be stored at 24/7 (opening hours 9am – 5pm) in between shoots. When collecting equipment from 24/7, please take all pieces of kit whether you need them or not — they’ll be under your insurance for the duration of your shoot. You’ll be in charge of storing the kit overnight when not in use.

There’ll be a mandatory camera assistant from National Film School IADT on each shoot, trained by ARRI. An optional one training day session for DOPs will take place in advance of shooting.

LIGHTING

The following kit is offered by Teach Solais:

• 1 x 1.2k compact
• 2 x arri 1k fresnels
• 2 x arri 500 fresnels
• 1 x 4foot 4 bank kinoflo
• 1 x 2 lift combo stand
• 2 x universal stands
• 2 x master stands
• 1 x set flags & nets
• 4 x c stands
• 10 x sand bags
• 6 x 16a extensions
• 2 x 16a splitters
• 4 x 13-16s

Production

Directors are responsible for the production and all budget elements related to their films.

Fellow Director Support

Previous directors of the ARRI ALEXA have offered to support the ARRI ALEXA TAKE directors, and SDGI arranges a day in January for directors for breakfast chat and tips.

Annual Meeting of Directors Promo/Screening

At the SDGI annual meeting of Directors in May, members are updated on news, shown a promo, with ARRI ALEXA directors asked to say a few words about the experience. There’s also an optional screening at the Lighthouse at an agreed date with directors.

Applications are currently closed watch this space for next round in Autumn 2023