Have Special Effects Lost Their Charm?

The nature of our short program limits the types of projects students can produce in a short period of time. This also limits our conversation to the basics and foundation of film making without going into the full scope of tools at student's disposal. Since we have an emphasis of scriptwriting and storytelling, post production is a field that we spend little time mastering. With this in mind, I wanted to bring your attention to two articles addressing the director's use of CG and it's impact on audiences.
The basic thesis of these articles discuss how the overuse of "dazzling" CG effects has numbed the audience. I think it's important for students to be aware of the CG options at their disposal and consider when it is appropriate to incorporate that type of workflow. Click on the links below to read further. Cheers!

IFC: Why do Special Effects . . .
Den of Geek: Numbing Ubiquity of . . .

Thanks and Congratulations!

A special thanks to everyone who screened last night at Alpha Channel! Another thanks to all of the students who came out to support their friends and the department! And another thanks to our instructors Josh, John, Ian, Roz, Ross and GE Department Chair John Mancuso for coming out! And yet another thanks to our AI New York City President, Tad Graham-Handley for his support by attending! I had a great time last night. There was a good mix of humor, horror, suspense, drama, and experiments that kept the program lively.

I hope you all enjoyed the new venue. Until next quarter, keep on filming . . .

Alpha Channel TONIGHT!

A reminder that Alpha Channel is tonight.
Address: 92nd Street Y TriBeCa 200 Hudson Street (Literally a few blocks from school)
Screening begins at 6pm, so get there early to get a seat. There are only 72 seats available!!! After we hit capacity, we close the doors for the evening.
Sorry to say that a list of films has not been provided. If I receive such a list, I'll let you know.
- Eve.

Film Podcasts: The Golden Briefcase

Students of film usually enroll in school for the true love of the medium. Talking endlessly about character, story, and craft is an outlet to express that love. In my opinion, this is an overly sentimental way to express an "obsession", however more poetic than sounding like a serial killer.

While I am filling out paperwork, I keep my mind fresh by listening to film podcasts. One I would like to recommend is "The Golden Briefcase". The program has a nice balance of conversation and film geekery that feels like a few intelligent friends sitting in a living room enjoying a beer after a movie. Since I started listening, I have called into the program twice to address some issues that have been brought up in school; Low Budget with a Good Story (addresses HD technology in film), and Contests for Young Filmmakers (addresses the Amazon Debate). Click on the links below to hear these episodes:

TGB: Episode 36

TGB: Episode 39

If you enjoy this type of program, subscribe on iTunes and feel free to surf around the web for other podcasts. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment to this post. Thanks! 

Fourteen Actors Acting

A whole lot of posting today!

This one comes from our own Josh Hays who says, and I quote "This is what actors do when we're not around" Enjoy fourteen portraits of today's critically acclaimed talents brought to you by the New York Magazine.

NY Times Magazine Videos

NY Times Magazine Page and Behind the Scenes

DSLR Information for Digital Cinema

Before you plan on shooting with any of the new fancy DSLRs, please read all of the resources we have, right here on the blog. Jason Moore has supplied us with new articles and links to help filmmakers make the right decision for their film. This is essential material for those of you in the Pre-Production classes.

Article and Links can be found under Production Documents - with DSLR in the label. This section is at the bottom, right side of the blog.

FREE Slow Motion Footage

Student Filmmaker Magazine has a deal with Footage Firm to GIVE AWAY stock footage DVDs. All you would need to pay for is the shipping an handling (about 9 bucks).

Click HERE for Footage Firm Deal

UPDATE! - Our Librarian has gotten the whole library for our own library. They should be available next quarter for check out.

Read about Jason Moore's students and Variety Magazine!

http://ainycnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/playing-with-pros.html
From Jason Moore:

"There are about a dozen students on the crew, all the positions are paid, and so far we have completed three shoots, for the films "The Kings Speech", starring Colin Firth, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", starring Michael Douglas, and "Solitary Man", also starring Michael Douglas." 

UPDATE! A direct link to video posts can be found here: 2010 Variety Screening Series NYC

GUEST LECTURE and SCREENING - Calvin Marshall

Monday, December 6 (week 10) at 6pm in the Gallery Open to all Ai Students!
A free, funny movie is the perfect cure to the stress of week 10!

After the movie, the director will speak about making independent films and will take your questions!

“CALVIN MARSHAL” is a comedy that stars Steve Zahn (Out of Sight) and Alex Frost (Elephant). It is a grand-slam comic drama that's heartwarming, funny, inspirational and, above all, triumphant.

Junior college student Calvin Marshall is determined that he's going to have a huge career in major league baseball. What everyone else realizes and Calvin does not is that Calvin is one of the worst ballplayers in history. When Calvin falls hard for an attractive volleyball star with a big future, he gets some hard lessons in love and life, but must face his own strengths and limitations before he can move into the future and determine the profession he's really suited for.