Snow Night

Evening classes are canceled tonight!

Tribeca Film Festival

INTERNS NEEDED
@ THE 2010 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
Are you outgoing, enthusiastic, and interested in film? Would you like to be a part of one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world? If so, then intern at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Running from April 21st through May 2nd in New York City, the Tribeca Film Festival promises to be one of the most culturally exciting events of the year. Since its founding, the Festival has attracted an international audience of more than 2.3 million attendees. We’re looking for intelligent, interested people to assist us in the months leading up to the festival. With your help, we hope to make this one of the greatest festival seasons ever! By interning at the Tribeca Film Festival, you will have the chance to earn college credit, meet fellow film lovers, and gain a truly unique perspective on this internationally renowned event.

Send a cover letter and resume to:
lhammonds@tribecafilmfestival.org

For More Info:
WWW.TRIBECAFILM.COM/FESTIVAL

VOLUNTEER !
@ THE 2010 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
Are you outgoing, enthusiastic, and interested in film? Would you like to be a part of one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world? If so, then volunteer to work at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Running from April 21st through May 2nd in New York City, the Tribeca Film Festival promises to be one of the most culturally exciting events of the year. Since its founding, the Festival has attracted an international audience of more than 2.3 million attendees. We couldn't have done any of this without the help of volunteers, and that's where you come in. We’re looking for intelligent, interested people to assist us in all departments and make this one of the greatest festival seasons ever! By volunteering at the Tribeca Film Festival, you will have the chance to meet fellow film lovers, get free giveaways from our sponsors, and gain access to Festival films for free!

To Apply Go To:
http://www.tribecafilm.com/get-involved/volunteer.html
For More Info, Email:
volunteers@tribecafilmfestival.org
WWW.TRIBECAFILM.COM/FESTIVAL

Oscar Shorts: A review

Reminder: This review is written by an animator and filmmaker. I am not biased for one craft or the other :)
The live action shorts program this year was on par with their feature brothers and sisters (sometimes, better!). The New Tenants is a riot! If you are a fan of black comedy and farce, this short will not leave you disappointed. The ending was completely out of left field, but that's what I loved about it. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat while laughing out loud! Door and Kavi touched on serious global subjects that made you think and relate to the people involved on a personal level. Both films set out to do what they intended to do. Personally, I appreciate their mission, but that is not why I watch films. Miracle Fish had a great story and an equally great child actor as the main character. A predictable twist ending, however it was done with tact and stayed true to it's main character. Good storytelling! Instead of Abracadabra was hilarious and very cute! The love story is real. I feel that many people will relate to this film saying, "I know that guy!" Because the main character reflects someone that everyone knows! My vote this year would be for the New Tenants. It was well done and had a strong sense of storytelling.
I wish I could say the same thing for the Animated Shorts program. Overall, the feature animated selection has more character depth and complex stories. Story was the main component that was lacking in this year's animated shorts selection. Lady and the Reaper, A matter of loaf and death, French Roast, Sleeping Beauty, Runaway, and Partly Cloudy all relied on the typical animated film story pattern. Introduce crazy characters, the majority of the film is an elaborate chase scene, then it ends on a note of irony. All of the choices were technical achievements, but that didn't make them any more interesting than the live action shorts. The Kinematograph was another repetitive story about a man, obsessed with his work realizes too late that one person who cares about him is deathly ill. The only short that was remotely original was Logorama. At first, I thought it was ridiculous and stupid. The two dimensional characters (no pun intended) were mouthing off to each other in a over dramatized, elaborate farce with the Michelin Man chasing blood thirsty, arms smuggling Ronald McDonald in downtown LA, characterized by an overcrowded, heavily advertised backdrop. In the end, nothing is concluded, everything explodes, then the film ends with a zoom out into space. After my three years in LA, I have to admit that this film perfectly illustrates how I feel about the left coast. I am still deciding if i love or like this one. Logorama is my pic for best animated short.
Regardless of my opinions, I suggest that you go to watch both of these programs. Not enough people appreciate or attend short programs of either animation or live action films.
- Super Director Eve

Film Contest for NYC Real Estate

I have posted this flyer for your information. The deadline for the contest is March 5th! Double Click on the poster to see a larger version.

Digital Clipboard APP for iPhone users!

Being a fellow iPhone user, I thought this was pretty cool. Thanks to our librarian, Betsy, for the tip!
"Movie★Slate is a digital slate, clapper board, shot log, and shot notepad— designed for use with film, television, documentaries, interviews, and home movies. Movie★Slate provides an easy way to log footage and take notes as you shoot— saving you time later when you capture and edit the footage on your computer."
Click HERE for the link to MovieSlate! If you have an iPhone, it might be something worth looking into.

Closed DF and VP Classes to date

DF122	Cinematography and Lighting	B	T	8:15-12:15PM
DF132	Sound Design for Digital Film	B	W	1:15- 5:15PM
VP114	Audio for Video	A	T	1:15- 5:15PM
VP121	EFP/ENG	A	T	1:15- 5:15PM
VP124	Directing the Actor	A	W	6:00-10:00PM
VP203	Applied Lighting Techniques	A	F	8:15-12:15PM
VP205	Short Film Production	A	M	8:15-12:15PM
VP221	Broadcast Studio Production	A	W	1:15- 5:15PM
VP226	Professional Production Team	A	F	1:15- 5:15PM

AENY Meeting!

Adobe After Effects New York (AENY) is an association for professionals and enthusiasts using Adobe After Effects and related software to create imagery for video, film, and other media. Formed in January 2007, AENY’s goals are to foster a community of After Effects users who wish to discuss industry experiences, share ideas, get advice, and keep up with the latest AE news and technology. Click HERE for the link to AENY.
A great venue for students who are interested in networking with professionals in post-production and animation.
Date: February 25, 2010 Time: 6:45PM-9:00PM Location: PS 41

Academy Award Nominee Shorts Screening!!!

IFC Center is screening the Academy Award Nominated Shorts program today (Friday) through this Tuesday Feb. 23rd. Click HERE for the film schedule. You should seriously consider attending these screenings. This venue is a fantastic opportunity to do research for your thesis film. Take notes! Ask yourself these questions: What is it about this film that makes it unique? Why do you think the academy chose this film?
Use what you have been learning to analyze the films and their structure. Try to figure out what makes these films successful. Then use that information to create a better thesis film.

I plan on attending the Tuesday screenings. 5pm Animated Shorts. 7:15pm Live Action Shorts.
Let me know if you plan on attending. I would love to hear what you all think.
- Super Director Eve

Alpha Channel Poster!

Please double click on the poster to review any information that may be too small to understand.

Alpha Channel will be on March 18th in the Beach Street Gallery
Entries are due Wednesday March 3 by digital delivery before 9pm. Details are on the student drive.

SP10 Classes Closed

Hello!
Classes that have closed: DF132 Section B, MM136 Section C, DF122 Section B, VP124 Section A, VP226 Section A

Register for SP10

Hello Students!
Welcome to Registration Week!
Here are a few points to consider as you organize your schedule:
1. We are no longer offering: VP102, MM134, or MM135. These courses will be replaced with DF courses. Please see David Nash or Eve Okupniak if you need these courses.
2. Next quarter (SP10) will be the LAST quarter AiNYC will be offering the following courses: VP111, VP113, VP114, and MM136. After SP10, these courses will NOT be available.
3. The following classes have been closed due to maximum student capacity:
- DF122 Section B, VP114 Section A, VP221 Section A

Keep checking the blog, everyday for updates regarding registration. Thanks!

Snow Day, Part Deux

Hello Everyone!

I am out again today because of the snow. Please note that classes have resumed today for their normal schedules. Please stop by to see advisor David Nash for any issues regarding scheduling, registration, or school in general. A few things I wanted to run by you all:

Student Department Meeting: Today at 12:15 room 722! Please attend. There are many announcements regarding registration, changes to cage policy, and general department awareness. David Nash will be conducting the meeting in my absence

Chat & Chew: Today between 12:15 - 1:15. I advise you all to attend the student meeting then run down to the fifth floor to get your registration packets and a slice of pizza!

I am available via e-mail today. If you have any issues that need immediate attention, please contact advisor Nash.

Cheers, Director, Eve.

Snow Day!

Hey Everyone! I'll save my longer post for Thursday. As most of you heard, we have a snow day tomorrow! Enjoy yourselves! Make sure you check in with your instructor to prepare for any missed courses. Thanks! - Director Eve.

82 Academy Awards Nominations Announced!

Industry blogs blew up this morning with news of the 82nd Academy Award Nominations. Click HERE for a complete list from IMDB. This is the first year since 1943 that ten best picture nominations have been announced. However, does this year deserve ten nominations? Sure, it's been a ground-breaking year with films like Avatar (which perfected motion capture work flow) and District 9 (fantastic CG/Live Action composting and character; on a budget!) But, does that qualify for a "best picture" nomination?
Our mission at AiNYC is to give you a solid foundation in narrative filmmaking. There are several challenges in studying this foundation because the filmmaker is a unique artist. This artist must deal with elements of design, direction and (most important) time. Time is the crucial element to master. In order to keep your audience interested, the filmmaker must discover and experiment with a variety of ways to engage people. The best method is through storytelling. What is the point in making a film if you are not telling a story? Right? Even the most obscure, abstract, experimental films are telling a story. For the experimental film, the character could be a place (the planet, a country, a house) and the plot could be states of being (the planet viewed through rural and urban settings, a country at a various scenes in history, a house lived in and abandoned). Successful documentaries are "stories" occurring in reality (Spellbound: children competing to win the spelling bee. Ryan: following the rise and fall of one of Canada's greatest animators). Following this logic, my belief is that the "best picture"of the year should be the film that has an equal mastery of craft (acting, directing, cinematography, etc.) and storytelling.
My challenge to you is to come up with your own opinion. Look at the top ten films this year. Are there films that should be on this list that were excluded? Are any of these films an example of master storytelling? An animated film made the list this year (the second time in the Oscar's history). Should a documentary or an experimental film make this list? Questions to ponder? Keep Thinking!!! - Director Eve.