----------------------------Original message---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cal Pryluck, Radio-Television-Film, Temple University, Philadelphia <[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]> SCREENsite -- A Film/TV-studies site on the World Wide Web URL:http://www.sa.ua.edu/TCF/welcome.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Dear friends and colleagues, First of all, let me introduce our studio. Bars Media, founded in 1993, is an independent non-profit documentary film production studio, is located in Yerevan, the capital city of the Republic of Armenia. Using state-of-the-art production equipment and advanced editing techniques, we make short and full length documentary video films and other visual formats covering the human dimensions of a region experiencing the horrors of war, environmental problems, ethnic struggles and the quest for human dignity. These projects reflect our primary mission: to broaden understanding of humanitarian issues at stake in an era of uncharted change. Human rights and peaceful conflict resolution are guiding principles behind the projects we initiate and the assignments we undertake for like-minded organisations, individuals, news services and independent journalists. As the history of the post-Soviet era unfolds in both tragic and triumphal directions, Bars Media is uniquely situated and equipped to illuminate, educate, inform and inspire all concerned organisations and individuals through the power of the visual media. We do not cover political issues -- our priorities are human issues. Staffed by filmmakers and journalists with extensive professional experience and first - hand exposure to the catastrophic events resulting from the dissolution of the Soviet Union, our studio houses the latest in office and video film production technology; primarily the Betacam SP Format for shooting and editing. We offer an AT&T phone line, and fax and photo transmission via Macintosh technology. We are well positioned to take an in-depth look at the human side of the war in Nagorno-Karabagh and the socio-economic circumstances of the region. Staff and crew are available for consultations, joint projects, or long term development efforts. Being newly-born structure, we are very interested in establishing contacts with our colleagues and individuals interested in our field of activities. That is why in our message to all subscribers, we would like to ask some questions of great importance to us. We hope to receive answers either from the network or directly to our e-mail address. I would be happy to discuss any of these issues in more detail. ESTABLISHING CONTACTS: We are trying to establish contacts (preferably, by e-mail) with film, video or TV studios. We are interested in co-ordinated production of films, programs, human interest stories in reference to human rights, prisoners of war, refugees, children and women in war and other humanitarian problems; as well as environmental and ethnographical films. Could anyone send us the required information or assist in receiving it? COPRODUCTION: We are ready and would be happy to discuss any possibilities of co-operation and co-production with all interested studios, organizations and individuals. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: One of the weak points in our work is the lack of experienced managers and persons skilled in organizing the work of a studio. This is especially evident when we try to work in the market outside Armenia. Having a well educated, highly professional staff in producing films, we face serious problems in their marketing, distribution and in organizing the studio's work. The latter problem is connected mostly with the difference of working standards between the closed TV space of the former USSR and the boundless expanse of the world film and video market we were forced to enter after the collapse of the USSR. In this expanse, despite its small dimensions, our studio is trying not to sink and even to swim. That is why we are trying to find a brave and enthusiastic media and management-oriented person from the West who will agree to work with us. In short, we need a volunteer. Let me explain our conditions for those who display potential interest. Our financial capabilities are enough to pay the travel expenses, lodging and a small salary, plus percentage from selling the ready production. Knowledge of Armenian or Russian is not obligatory. The most important for us is the ability to be a self-motivated person, interested to work in the fields mentioned above, and someone who welcomes the freedom and opportunity to help our fledgling studio grow. We are quite sure that the combining of approaches and different points of would will guarantee beneficial results. We will be happy to discuss the details with an interested persons. We would be also be grateful if any subscribers could share with us information about organizations and/or funds that can send a professional or finance such an undertaking. I hope that you'll answer and we'll have better understanding of each other. With best wishes, Vardan Hovhanessian / [log in to unmask]