The Future of Shooting Wall is Now

Greetings cinephiles and soldiers,

It has been a few months since we have updated this blog, but now that the oppressive heat of summer is over and the fall is upon us, Shooting Wall is ready to reclaim cinema. First Philadelphia and then the world.

We have spent the summer preparing the first issue of Shooting Wall, which should be coming out (hopefully) by the end of September. Karl and Jon are working on the final touches now and it is sure to incite all kinds of cinematic riots and revolutions throughout the city of Philadelphia. I (that is Josh Martin) have spoken to Karl and Jon and we have agreed that I will take over the main duties of the blog, with their assistance whenever an idea strikes them which they need to immediately get out. I plan on updating this at least once a week (sometimes more if I am feeling particularly cranky). The blog will be the outlet for day to day Shooting Wall activities, reviews, screening information and what not. I will be keeping all the soldiers up to date with all cineamtic happenings in Philadelphia. All true cinephiles will check this blog at least twice a week (daily for the truly committed).

Other than the first issue, Shooting Wall has several plans for the fall and beyond. We will be organizing various meetings, discussions and screenings throughout the city. This will hopefully be taking place either monthly or bi-monthly. All screenings will feature Shooting Wall approved local films. We hope to expand regionally as well encompassing all meaningful cinema from the region. You will have to read this blog and stay tuned so you do not miss out on the revolution. A Shooting Wall film festival is also in the works....

MANIFESTO:

This is Shooting Wall:

Shooting Wall is a revolutionary cinematic organization. Its aim is to embolden the filmmakers and film theorists who assert what we refer to as “film truth.” Indeed, there exists a criterion for the cinematic. For us, it lies not in the advocation of film movements that revolve themselves around the complicated ideas of counter-cinema. It lies in our definition of cinematic, which we tell in three simple points immovable in their logical strength:

Film is a visual medium.

Film is an auteur-based art.

Film is not reality.

Organization:

Shooting Wall will be comprised of various chapters, with its own magazine being the central organ. Any grouping of people who agree with our three points of cinema will be the ones starting the chapters. They will be the council to head all stances and theories, developed through the magazine and meetings. Spreading film truth must be done in the most organized and effective method possible. With cinema the way it is today, we have to go beyond the petty bourgeois and individualist style that is evolving on the internet and concentrate more on collective, experimental, committed forms of action.

Ideology and Film Movements:

Shooting Wall believes in unity. This is what shapes our stances and theories, how we will persistently make known what is cinematic. We have no use involving ourselves with the type of counter-cinema that has prevented past film movements from taking power due to their strict ideology. After all, it is exactly why film theory and criticism have lost their way. We will not be hindered by ideas that have already been proven as failures. Our way is to strengthen the foundations of pure cinema, meaning we leave academia behind because there is no need having it mixed with film theory. There are weapons specific only to cinema which we take hold of through analyzing the greats and by having an unbiased opposition to Hollywood cliches. We arm ourselves with these weapons in a desire to save cinema and if there is to be a war, it is between those of us who use the weapons and those who do not.

Cinematic Revolution:

Shooting Wall knows times are dire, the cinematic has been derided and the hunt for an honest piece of work is weakened by the herds of films lacking any integrity. It is now gradually losing its importance as art. There needs to be something to assure a cinematic future that's worth a damn. If all those who support the cause we present can agree upon film truth and what it means, that unity is where our theories of strength are built. Then, we have a foundation. We push our cause and truth through the magazine, by the power of social networks, in our protests of non-cinema. Filmmakers, theorists and critics, Shooting Wall is insisting you need to start taking film more seriously. We are proposing that you join us and make cinema a way of life. Our war cry: NO FILM BUT CINEMATIC FILM!

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

A call for articles for the 1st issue is still open, the deadline is March 21, 2010. We don't want movie reviews, but send us essays, rants or manifestos. You can write about anything that is cinematic. Your essays can be really intellectual, fun or in-between, which we prefer. We have two essay sizes: 300-400 words (a statement) or 600-800 words (1-2 pages). But if you want to do something more epic, contact us.

Send your submissions and/or questions to:
shootingwallzine@gmail.com

SHOOTING WALL MAGAZINE:

Here is our "about us" and not our mission statement, which is going to be more epic:

Shooting Wall is a Philadelphia based print magazine by filmmakers and/or those enamored with the cinema. With an emphasis on short essay type writing, we focus on silent, foreign, classic and art films. Our goal is to write critically about the cinema, hence our title, but also we want Shooting Wall to dually be a society to put on screenings and parties for cinephiles, film nerds and in general, cool artsy well-dressed people.

Shooting Wall has no central leadership and anyone will feel welcome and comfortable when getting involved. Still, if you like "good" movies, you have to join us. There is no questioning that Shooting Wall will be the central organ of cinema in Philadelphia.

HOW TO CONTACT US:
Email: shootingwallzine@gmail.com
Phone:484-477-2096
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