I had a chance to sit with Film Gallery Director ^Nico1 recently and listen to his wisdom and knowledge about the newest addition to deviantART: Film.

^Nico1 is a no-nonsense kind-of guy and dives right on in even before I've a chance to seat myself in the armchair and take my notepad out:


"I think the most important I could stress about the Film Gallery is that it's a huge challenge because it's an online and offline-insite offsite work.
We've been very happy to launch so successfully and from them it's been a lot of works, seeking and recruiting new artists, reviewing applications, monitoring the galleries for copyright infringements (especially music and third parties footage/images)."


I somehow manage to get that all down after the second time asking him to repeat, but he didn't seem to mind.

I lean in closer; eager for him to go on.

and he definitely doesn't disappoint:


"Film is a multidisciplinary art involving audio and visuals, and in most cases acting/performance.

Some of them are:
► Acting
► Directing
► Photography
► Make-up
► Choreography
► Sets
► Costumes
► Edition
► Music Production
► Audio Direction

...and because of that it's a very complete and complex form of art."


He takes a pause and chuckles under his breath, "I could go about cameras and lenses and all that, but it would be endless."


Saddened, but knowing full well that if he did I'd end up with a head swelled larger than a watermelon, I nod and let him continue:


"Film can be made using the analogue technologies in 8, 16 or 35 mm that take 24f/s film or more recently with digital technologies.

Another form of film is that of stop motion, using photographic cameras and putting the frames together all from 12 to 30 f/s.

Our main goal as gallery directors is to give most people the chance to submit to deviantART while trying to keep the artistic quality within the gallery. We not only review for technical quality but for creativity and effort."


He breaks for breath and continues onward, conviction in his voice:


"We do stress the importance of having the rights over or permission from copyright holders for any copyrighted material in the films."


He lets that seep into me. I nod in understanding, and seemingly satisfied with this, he goes on...


"Submission privileges are acquired by sending a sample for review. If the person qualifies, we send them two invitations: one for themselves and a second one for anyone they wish to invite (supposedly a film-maker too).

You with me so far? You seem a little flushed..."


^Nico1 moves to hand me a glass of iced water.

I laugh and gladly accept the water. I tell him no worries, please continue on as I rummage through my backpack to grab another notebook and refill my pen once again with ink.


"Ahh, hah. All right then:

We have several categories in Film and Animation:
► Drama
► Experimental/Abstract
► Comedy
► Documentaries
► Devious Fun
► Horror

...and even Demo Reels."


He pauses for only a moment and then continues:


"We do not accept music videos but in specific cases."


Confident in his statue, he leans back against the soft leather couch and kicks his feet up on the coffee table.

I ask him if there is anything else he'd like to add. His eyes flicker for a moment and then he smiles:


"We wish we gotten more DD suggestions and more participation from other artists of the deviantART Community and another of our main goals for 2008 is bring the Film Community together."


At this point, ^Nico1 looks at his watch... and then back at me. I take the hint as this must be time for him to bid farewell. I show him to the door and thank him for taking the time to stop by and share his experience and knowledge with me.


He just laughs and says, "Anytime. See you around, Rocky."