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When I first started college, and went to University of Hartford Art school, there were no film courses available. Hence, I created my own itinerary, aimed at film criticism, and managed to have the head of the Art school approve it. Also, on my Art assignments, I would use Film as the medium whenever possible.

During the summers, I went to the intensive 2 week courses held by the AFI (American Film Institute) in Kent, Connecticut. What amazing times I had there.

The first summer I attended, it was concentrating on Sex and Violence (we even saw films that weren't released yet, like "Straw Dogs". There was also a boot-leg tape of "Deep Throat"...so boot-leg, that this was reel-to-reel tape!!! What a hoot. Besides messing with regular and super 8 media, this was my first time using "real" film equipment, with light boards, and editing beds etc. I created some great experimental work, mostly animation. I also "starred" in 3 films; one, a film by Jeff and Lorna named "Jonni", and there was another film that had me idoing "modern dance", and even an unfinished work by Pete Somlian -- a tad warped, hey, it was sex and violence week, yes? In 2 films, Tom Spence was my co-star .

Imagine me in front of a camera? Holy moly. For those who know me, they know just how rare this occurance really is. There were cameras running almost 24x7, so I was desensitized and they virtually disappeared and they lost their "power". BTW, I'm back to being camera shy.

After 2 years at U HA Art, I was pretty broke and had to find take part time courses at UConn branches while I returned to full-time work. The classes were mostly video and TV production but, I still managed to attend the great AFI summer classes in Kent.

AFI (American Film Institute)

When I went to AFI for my last summer, I met film-folk who either taught at, or were students of University of Bridgeport Cinema. Amazing! Finally a school that had an actual film major. Ooooweee.
Ultimately, I saved enough to return to school there.

Despite advances in education, i.e. communications departments became common, with film majors popping up everywhere beside CA, some things never change.

The film department was small. My first year there, I was the only female there. Despite my originally entereing to be a film critic, i.e. become the next Judith Crist, or Molly Haskell, things changed. A gauntlet was tossed when some of my fellow students dared to question, out loud and to my face, a "female" filmmaker? Well, contrarian that I am, I dug my heels in, and despite my dream to be a famous critic (oooh all those films for free, and being paid to analyze them? sigh), I just had to prove I could be a filmmaker, therefore I changed the emphasis of my study there.

I embraced animation and documentaries, and loved playing with the audio. I even liked some of my completed work, but, the cost of film, it's development and making copies for editing, converting the audio from reel-to-reel, to 16mm mag-tape and then finally, optical audio proved pricey too. Thank goodness I didn't have to pay for help (I had my fellow students) and the school provided the cameras, the audio equipment, and movieolas and editing beds. Film and processing were my expense.

Yes, it got out of control financially, and I had to return to work yet again.

We sold our store, Gillman's, and I ended up managing an assortment of other businesses. Retail is low pay for long hours (including weekends), and I was getting fed up with it. Unfortunately, I didn't have the finances to pursue the one retail-related dream I had, which was to open a book store, so after a stint in outside sales, Dad and I had a much needed discussion. With his help, I went to a "you-too
-can-be-a-computer-programmer" school; a 9 month course. I graduated and began my computer life.

This path meandered along, and I ended up relocating to the west coast. While here, an auto accident kicked off my fight with Fibromyalgia which I continue to battle today.

Which brings me to The 1 Second Film". I am officially a producer, one of many, and, I will soon be on IMdb, listed as a producer there for everyone to see. A dream come true, albeit via the back door.

I would like to invite all of you to make your mark too. The project is grand fun, and besides being a part of a creative process, you contribution will profit The Global Fund for Women;

The Global Fund for Women

Do you want to be a part of the fun?

• List "producer" on your resume?
  
• Have people see your official credit on IMdb?
  
• Perhaps you want to help me get a spiffy free t-shirt?
  

Please make sure you mention my name as your referral (I love that tee).

When you send your follow-up email, specifying the name to put on the film credits for "The 1 Second Film" (that's 24 frames) please mention I referred you (Zoe Gillman) -- thank you.

..slate...and

Action !!!