LABSHORTS CONSTITUTION - 2019-2020

ARTICLE I: NAME

LabShorts Note: (Some social media will reference LabShorts at UVA)

ARTICLE II: MISSION

LabShorts is a film production branch dedicated to producing critically engaged short films focusing on a range of social issues including gender, race, sexuality, class, mental health, and the challenges of student life. Each semester, two short films will be produced in full. LabShorts aims to provide learning opportunities for artists from all backgrounds with an intention to create a community where voices can be heard through art.

LabShorts understands school policies and is committed to abiding by said policies.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership to LabShorts will fall under 3 categories: 1. Pre-Production a. Screenwriters, Directors 2. Production a. Directors of Photography, Assistant Directors, Actors, Tech Crew, Production Assistants 3. Post-Production a. Assistant Editors, Sound Designers

Member Responsibilities Descriptions: Screenwriter will submit a script to LabShorts to be read by the Producer and the Script Editor(s). If chosen, they will work with the Script Editor(s) to further edit their script. The Screenwriter will have the choice to either Direct his/her own film or choose another Director. Director, either the Screenwriter or someone chosen by a pre-production call, will be responsible for all directorial duties, including creating the shot-list with the Director of Photography and directing the actors during production. Assistant Directors will aid the Line Producers and Director in creating the call sheets and with any other tasks. The Actors will act in the films. The Tech Crew will be present at each film shoot to manage and operate the equipment. The Production Assistants will be on hand to fulfil any duties left for them. After production, the Editors will meet with the Director and Writer and edit the footage. Sound Designers will be brought in later to score the film.

Membership shall be limited to persons who satisfy the following requirements:

1. Attend all mandatory production meetings unless the meetings conflict with excused commitments. 2. Fulfill their duties in the production of the film they are working on. 3. Participate in the activities/events sponsored by LabShorts unless the activities interfere with either scholastic or financial constraints.

If a member fails to satisfy one of these requirements, that member will retain membership and thus film credits at the discretion of the President, as advised by the Executives in the department in question. To retain membership, the member must provide a reasonable excuse for failing to satisfy one of the requirements (i.e. class, exams, illness, etc.) and must still make meaningful contributions to the organization during the course of the semester.

Please note: LabShorts does not restrict its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family and genetic information.

Dues Note: There are no dues/fees associated with being a member of LabShorts.

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BOARD

LabShorts will be run with the following Executive Board which will be made up of Executive Members:

1. An appointed President will take on the role of Producer for the films made each semester, and will have the final say in all non-creative matters (creative matters will be deferred to the Screenwriter, Director, and Director of Photography). The President will appoint all Executive Board members. 2. An appointed Script Editor will read all script applications submitted along with the Producer, and both will decide which two scripts will be accepted for production. 3. An appointed Line Producer will be tasked with ensuring the day to day production of each film is carried out. This includes catering, location scouting, budgeting, and managing call sheets. The Line Producer will work in tandem with the Director and Screenwriter, to manage production days. The Assistant Director will work under the Line Producer and Director, assisting both in their respective duties. 4. An appointed Casting Director will be in charge of running all auditions for the Director and Screenwriter. While the Director and Screenwriter will have the final say in which actors are chosen, the Casting Director will be their main point of guidance. 5. An appointed Production Designer will work closely with the Director, Director of Photography, and Line Producer to ensure that the location and/or film set is appropriately staged for the camera. The Production Designer will be in charge of acquiring all necessary props as well. 6. An appointed Tech Director will work closely with the Director, Director of Photography, Production Designer, and Line Producer to direct all tech crew during production. The Tech Director will be responsible for keeping account of all equipment on set and transporting it to and from storage. Tech Crew includes lighting, sound, cameras, and any other equipment needed for the film. Director of Photography will have final say on the camera department. 7. An appointed 1st Production Assistant will work under the Line Producer, to aid the Line Producer in completion of tasks. 8. An appointed Editor will be in charge of post-production of the film, and will edit the footage unless the Screenwriter and/or Director wish to edit the film themselves. In that event, the Editor will take on the role of Assistant Editor, and will aid in any aspect of editing that the main Editor requests. 9. An appointed Publicist will manage all websites and social media sites pertaining to LabShorts, and will be tasked with publicizing not only LabShorts, but also the films produced by LabShorts. This includes but is not limited to, sending out calls for Executive Board Members, Screenwriters, Directors, Assistant Directors, Tech Crew, Production Assistants, and Actors, publicizing the annual film screening of the films produced that year, and publicizing any fundraising events LabShorts puts together.

All appointed officers will be currently registered students or affiliated with UVA (TAs or professors). The officers will form an executive committee. Although each officer has specific responsibilities, officers and members are encouraged to work together to complete tasks so that no single member becomes overwhelmed at any given time. Executive Board members are expected to meet independently of the general body to plan meetings and events.

ARTICLE V: APPLICATIONS

Applications for LabShorts membership are open to all UVA students - regardless of school or year (graduate school students are encouraged as well as professors and TAs). There will be multiple rounds of applications sent out, depending on the time of the semester and stage the films are in. The application order is as follows:

1. Pre-Production a. Screenwriters b. Directors (if needed) 2. Production a. Casting for Actors b. Directors of Photography/Assistant Directors c. Tech Crew d. Production Assistants 3. Post-Production a. Assistant Editors b. Sound Designers

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Meetings will be held for various purposes throughout the semester, changing the size and location of the meeting, as well as who is running the meeting.

1. Pre-Production a. Executive Board meetings to ensure all of Exec is aware of his/her responsibilities for the semester. One per week until script application is sent out. Run by President/Producer. b. Producer meetings with Script Editor(s) to read script applications and decide which two scripts to choose to make into films. One or two total over the span of the application window. Run by Producer. c. Producer and Script Editor(s) meetings with Writer to edit and tailor script. Production Designer also present to help decide on script decisions as they pertain to locations. Run by Producer. 2. Production a. Casting meetings will be held between the Casting Directors and the Directors to decide on the actors (based on auditions held by LabShorts) that will be cast. Run by Casting Director. b. Production meetings will be held prior to the first day of shooting and later as needed. All cast and production crew will be required to attend. Run by Producer/Line Producer/Director. c. On Set meetings - Actual film shoot days. All production team and actors present. Run by Director and Line Producer. Headed by Producer. Facilitated by Assistant Director. 3. Post-Production a. Editing meetings will be between the Editors and the Writers and Directors. These three titles may pertain to the same person, or may be three different people. Assistant Editors will be required to attend as well. Run by the Editor. b. Once the film is complete, publicist meetings will be held between the Producer and the Publicist to properly promote the two films being made by LabShorts. This will lead to the screening at the end of the semester/year.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

There will be two film teams established in LabShorts - one for each film. While the crew may overlap, the only major member of each team who should overlap is the Producer. There will be little to no reason for each team to meet other than to share equipment or for the final screening of their respective films. Each film team will meet on their own timelines, and will film on their own schedules.

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCES

LabShorts is funded through three major ways: 1. Personal Expense - Major team members will be responsible for the financial burden of producing each film. Any members who are financially concerned will not be required to pay for anything related to the film. Transportation can be refunded if members deem it necessary. The budget will be decided by the Producer for each film, and the Producer will be responsible to fund the amount of the budget. All extraneous costs go primarily to the Writer and Director. 2. Grants - LabShorts actively seeks grants from outside sources that are willing to fund items such as equipment. 3. Fundraising - LabShorts sells popcorn during screenings and actively seeks out other fundraising opportunities to cover the costs of filming, transportation, and food.

ARTICLE IX: ADVISORS

Various Drama Department Professors are regularly consulted in the creation of LabShorts films. There is no set system of recognizing these professors, but the Drama Department is thanked in every film’s credits. We also seek out the help and advice of local filmmakers.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS

The constitution is binding to all members of LabShorts, but the constitution is not binding unto itself.

1. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any active member of LabShorts. Amendments should be submitted to the President, who will then designate time for discussion of the proposed amendment at a specially arranged Executive Board meeting. 2. Proposed amendments will become effective following approval of two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of active voting members.

By-Laws: Committees may be created as necessary by the President for specific events/projects. Any active member (including the officers) may serve as a committee chair. Committee chairs will be appointed by the President and will coordinate the planning and execution of the committee project. Any number of active members may be on a committee.