Does anybody out there have any experience with forming a salon for people seriously involved in the filmmaking craft (i.e. film makers, scholars, critics, librarians etc.)? I am not talking about yet another group where people come to do power networking, learn important professional tricks of the trade etc. Not that this isn't important, but we already have several groups in the Washington DC area who are doing this quite well like Women in Film and Video, the Film and Video Council etc. What I am looking for is something more like a true salon, where people get together for the pleasure of conversation and sharing ideas. It would kind of be like this mailing list, but also give us the opportunity to get feedback on our projects and ideas, screen our work for critiques etc. My parents have had been quite successful in forming salons for people who like to watch good movies. They have a potluck, show a movie that they believe will inspire a lot of ideas, and then actively facilitate the discussion. Because of the extra effort of RSVPing and bringing a meal, people seem to becoming more committed to the group, and real friendships are forming. Maybe I am being naive to think that something like this could be done with people seriously involved with the filmmaking craft. I tried to do something similar with the AIVF and found out that this didn't seem to be what people who came to the meetings wanted at all. They wanted meetings with minutes and agendas, speakers on topics of importance to them, the opportunity to network with important people etc. Perhaps not surprisingly, most people were far too busy with their films to volunteer the time or contribute membership dues to make these things possible, although the group is still going on. I don't know if that is just the DC area, or a trait of people who make movies and therefore just don't have the time to do much else. If anybody has any thoughts on this subject I'd really like to hear them. If anybody lives in the Washington DC metro area and would be interested in such a salon let me know. Many thanks, Simone Fary ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]