Group 312 Films meets once a month, usually on the first Saturday or Sunday of the month.

First we screen every new film. If filmmakers are interested in feedback, everyone is free to offer criticism and suggestions. However, this is optional and dependent on the wishes of each filmmaker.

Then every person who made a video for that month is allowed to nominate three recommendations for the next month’s theme. These can be anything. One word, a phrase, an evocative idea. Anything is game. The list of suggested themes then gets passed around and every member who contributed a video that month gets to vote until only one theme remains. And that becomes the inspiring theme for the next month. Past themes have included things like “Witness”, “Dirt”, “When we’re gone”, “If no one is in control…”, and “Blossom”.

Then, every filmmaker goes off on their own and makes a new film interpreting the theme as they wish. Filmmakers are free to interpret the theme however they see fit. There are no hard rules on how or what anyone should do with the theme. It can be slipped in as a line of dialogue, used in text on screen, or even ignored completely. Films can be narrative or experimental or documentary. And there are no limits on how short of long a film should be. Whatever the filmmaker can imagine is acceptable. The important thing is really just to encourage and motivate people to make something.

And then, at the next monthly meeting we screen the films that everyone has made. And the theme nomination process starts over.

If needed, members are encouraged to help each other. We have acted in each others films. We have served as crew members and helped with post-production. Some are able to share equipment. The whole process can be as collaborative as needed.

And, if anyone has a film that they are particularly proud of, they are encouraged to submit to festivals, etc. Group 312 Films claims no ownership of any material submitted and filmmakers are under no obligation to acknowledge us in their films. Though we would greatly appreciate a “thanks’ credit. Some members who have had films from the Group included in festivals are Steve Wood, Emily Tolan, Angela Branstrom, and Kevin B. Chatham.

Filmmakers are also welcome to bring in any outside work that they would like to show, either for feedback or just to boast. New members are also encouraged to bring in any old work, just as a form of introduction, if they have any.