Alpha Channel Posted!

Summer Alpha Channel has been posted. Click on the link above to see some selections. The entire program was not posted because some filmmakers have chosen not to include their films online. The full program is playing on loop outside of the cage. The tech bible and the production documents will be up soon. I'll have your instructors explain those. - Cheers, Eve.

Over Break

I hope everyone enjoys their week off.
I'll be updating quite a few things over this week. Developments with TV studio resources, a new technology bible, production documents available online,  etc.
Take it easy and keep checking! - Eve.

Alpha Channel UPDATE!

Due to concerns of overcrowding, we are having a screening in the TV studio at 6:30pm to accommodate a large crowd of people. Please note if you do not get at seat at 92nd St Y, you can still see the films at the TV studio!

* Thanks for all the comments to this post. We'll have the SU11 Alpha Channel Collection up this weekend. Keep checking!

- Eve.

Alpha Channel Winners!

1. Balloon Girl- Maniaci
2. Opportunity Knocks- Conaway
3. Deep Inside- Fernandez
4. Where Socks Go- Dillon
5. Forbidden- Cabral
6. Ships in the Night- Rouse
7. The Devil You Know- Price
8. Alien Nation-Acosta
9. Breakup Bandit - Bach
10. Canon Commercial- Bach
11. Escape Trailer-Clarke
12. Commercial for Model Agency- Rossy
13. Axe Commercial-Price
14. Brookside- Alicea  Will not screen due to technical issues
15. Kristine – K. Mercado
Blue = Thesis Film

Mark you calenders! Sept 20th 6pm at the 92nd St. Y. Remember that seating is limited. If we are over capacity, we will need to turn people away so get there early.

Film Critic: Jim Emerson

For those of you interested in film criticism and theory, I have a resource for you! Jim Emerson is a film blogger for the Chicago Sun Times (made famous by Rodger Ebert). He has a series on Vimeo titled - In the Cut. Jim takes sequences in feature films and breaks them down to explain why they are or are not successful. Below is the episode he has done for the Dark Knight. I have watched a few of these installments and enjoy his breakdowns. This is a good resource for you to watch while you are writing your screenplays and working on your storyboards. His advice could save your project.  - Eve.
Jim Emerson's blog http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/  and vimeo page http://vimeo.com/user2222857/videos

In the Cut, Part I: Shots in the Dark (Knight) from Jim Emerson on Vimeo.
Piecing together the action sequence:

A (very) detailed look at the first part of a famous TDK car/truck chase sequence, analyzing how it is put together and whether the filmmaking grammar makes sense.

Cine Expo: Sept 24 -25

"Cine Gear Expo offers attendees the opportunity to meet with companies producing the latest tools and services in the entertainment industry, get hands-on technical training, hear breaking industry news, network with peers and learn from industry leaders."
Sept 24 - 25th - 2011 at Metropolitan Pavillion The cost is 20$. I would recommend this if you are interested in seeing the latest gadgets and hear experienced cinematographers speak.
There are two great discussions on high frame rates and sound designers talking about the new film Drive! 

Cine Expo Events for Sept 24 - 25

Thanks and moment of Zen . . .

Thanks to all the students who attended the department meeting. I apologize for not being able to be there due to my illness. David Nash and I will be meeting to discuss topics that came up and solutions for issues that were mentioned. We appreciate the feedback. I want to leave everyone this piece of zen like advice from Seth Godin's blog -

Embracing constraints
Every project worth doing comes with constraints. Our natural inclination is to fight them.
This has to be done by Tuesday. You must produce it in-state. It must work with the current operating system. It has to be sold by local retailers. You need to be able to get all of it done and still be home for family dinner. You'll need to pay taxes on your profits and pay your employees a living wage. You shouldn't leave PCBs in the ground. It has to work for left-handed people. It must weigh less than a pound. It must come in eleven different colors...When we fight constraints and eliminate them, we often gain access to new insights, new productivity and new solutions. It also makes it easier to compete against people who don't have those constraints.
There's a useful alternative: embrace the constraints you've been given. Use them as assets, as an opportunity to be the one who solved the problem. Once you can thrive in a world filled with constraints, it's ever easier to do well when those constraints are loosened. That's one reason why the best filmmakers learn their craft making movies with no budget at all.