NewEnglandFilm.com

Contrary to what its name implies, the S.N.O.B. (Somewhere North of Boston) Film Festival is not exclusive. In fact, with its low entry fees for filmmakers, reasonable ticket prices and congenial atmosphere of "film, food and conversation" one would call it inclusive. This year’s festival will showcase forty films from around the world and around the corner to fulfill its aim to bring alternative films to central New Hampshire audiences.

One of the "around the corner" entries comes from New Hampshire resident Ian Clement, a senior at Concord High School. His film "Flatline Pulse," which is based on the short story "The Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe, will screen at the festival. Although it will be his first time exhibiting at a festival, he has made three other short films, which he wrote, directed, shot and edited.

"All the movies I’ve done in the past, I’ve spent a lot of time writing the script," he says. "I wanted to try adapting something so that it would allow me more time in the process of movie making. When I read [the story] I thought it would be easy to interpret and make it my own." To do that, Clement says he has "modernized" the story, "but tried to keep its heart and soul." As a caution to fans of Poe’s story, Clement adds, "If it didn’t say it was an adaptation at the beginning, you might not recognize it."

Clement does his own shooting using a Canon XL1 and edits on Pinnacle Studio 8. "It’s very basic software, but I don’t need any special effects. I’ve used Pinnacle since 8th grade so I know it well and I’m really fast on it."

The budget for "Flatline Pulse" was a modest 100 dollars and most of that was spent on sheet rock and lumber that Clement and his father used to build a prototype of a wall. Otherwise Clement says, "I like to creatively find ways to use stuff we have." This film was also the first time he had a crew: "I had somebody holding the light."

Clement will attend an art school for his undergraduate education, and then he plans to head to Hollywood. He hopes to work in the art department for feature films with an ultimate goal of becoming a director.

Sherry Young, a member of the festival committee says Clement’s film is just one of a number of interesting shorts on the schedule. "We’re noted for our celebration of short films," she says. This year’s line-up includes the musical short "Little Red Jiving Hood" by Ben Hillman and Donald Sosin. [NewEnglandFilm.com April’05] In addition to the shorts program the festival will screen the critically acclaimed documentary "ENRON — The Smartest Guys In The Room" followed by a presentation by a forensic accountant (an expert in applying financial expertise to legal investigations.)

The festival began in 2002 as a demonstration project for the Red Rivers Theatre project which seeks to establish a permanent place in Concord to show alternative films. According to Barry Steelman, a volunteer/consultant for the festival, a lease was signed recently to a building in downtown Concord which will house three screens devoted to independent and alternative film fare. The theatre is expected to open in late winter or early spring of 2007.

The festival continues to be run by a core group of volunteers whose goals are, according to Young, "First to support New England filmmaking, specifically in northern New England, and secondly to bring films to New Hampshire that we might not get to see otherwise." The committee has secured sponsorships from local organizations, including the New Hampshire Institute of Technology where the screenings take place. One of the unique aspects of the S.N.O.B. festival Young says is the food available to the audience at the screening venue, a popular feature which adds to the pleasure of the experience.

Young says that for the first time this year they are adding a Family Film Block on Friday and Saturday afternoon featuring "When Zachary Beaver Came To Town," a narrative film based on a young adult novel of the same name.

Foreign films include a short from Ireland, a documentary from Pakistan and what Young calls a "very exciting" feature film from Israel called "Walk on Water."

Other presentations will be made by Maine filmmaker Jim Sharkey who will screen his film "Penobscot Basket Maker" along with his subject, Barbara Francis who will be there to demonstrate her basketry.

On Saturday, Nov. 12th there will be a special screening of the silent film "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Chaney which will be shown with musical accompaniment by The Alloy Orchestra.

Young expects a good turnout for the festival from all the film fans in the area "who would otherwise have to schlep to Boston to see some of this stuff." Steelman adds the festival is not "theme oriented" but has "developed a knack for finding films that audiences enjoy."