Our Process...

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I wanted to start by saying that if you are someone who reads this post, there is another blog you should be aware of, byusfa.blogspot.com. They are the moving force for Film Students at BYU, and they are amazing people over there. Check out their blog and get involved with the student screenings. You won't be sorry.

This brings me to another point before we get to the meat of this post. If you are a "follower" of this blog - and are involved with film, please let your friends know about us and what we are trying to do. In all we do we want to be a great resource to all students of film.

Now on to the good stuff.

This year on my birthday, I woke up bright and early. I did so in order to arrive on time for a meeting I had with the Utah Film Commission in Salt Lake City. The meeting went well, as we discussed the plans and goals we as an organization have. He was very optimistic about our goals, and had some good resources for us to tap into.

The main reason I write about this - is to say that slowly but surely we are moving forward. Things of this magnitude seem to always have a slower start (I believe the terms momentum and inertia are very applicable here). But make no mistake about it, we, The Central Utah Film Fund, are moving forward.

Our process in obtaining funds for student filmmakers use is threefold.

1. Since we are a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on funding from private and public donations. This is one way in which everyone can be involved in helping us reach our goals. Donations are always welcome. Even if your donation is only $1 (now less than the price of most iTunes songs) you are helping.

2. We rely on grants from various government organizations. These grants vary in size, and are not always available. They are a great resource - but not always the most reliable.

3. Last but not least is the most exciting form of funds for our organization - and the form that will take the most work. Full financial support with interest.* This form of funding will be an investment. When we get to the point in which we can invest enough money into a film that is not student based, then we will treat it as a loan to be paid back - with interest. This will not only allow films to be created commercially with our funds, but through that investment allow students to pursue their dreams of creating their films.

* Full financial support will eventually be granted on a case by case approval system, pending board approval.

For more information regarding our process, or how you can get involved, please feel free to contact us at ammon.cuff@gmail.com

The Beginning

So, I am relatively new to this whole process - but we are really trying to make it possible for BYU and UVU film students to have access to as much money that they need in order to make quality films. It sounds too good to be true - especially if you are in the film programs - or have ever wanted to make a film and then

realized that it cost a lot more money than just grabbing a couple of friends and shooting on a simple mini DV camera. Not to mention aspects regarding whether or not you want to submit to any festivals. On a side note - all of this has stemmed from a childhood (since I was roughly 14 years old) dream of submitting a film and having it showcased at the Sundance Film Festival (I have spent the majority of my life just minutes away from where the festival is held). Anyway...

In my pursuits of fulfilling this goal I have gotten to know lots and lots of people in the entertainment industry - and thought to myself "how can we pull everyones resources and make it easier for everyone to do what they want?" Money was always the answer. Where do you get money?

It should come to no surprise to anyone that I am not made of money - nor is anyone else in my family. So personally funding projects that I felt deserved funds was not really an option. The solution was to get other people involved. The real difficulty here is how to get people interested - as well as art them from their money? (It sounds so devious when you put it that way)

After toiling for so long and running into dead ends - WE HAVE THE SOLUTION! Central Utah Film Fund was set up by a board of directors who are dedicated to finding and obtaining funding from various sources - all in an endeavor to give funding to YOU, the talented filmmakers of Central Utah. Stay tuned as we outline the process to obtaining the funds we want to give you, bring you helpful filmmaking tips, and start our selection process for giving funds to filmmakers.

Next post: The CUFF Process...Where we get funding and how you can help.

We are a Non-profit Charitable organization dedicated to providing financial backing to student films produced by BYU and UVU film students and alumni.