I wanted to bring two things to your attention today. 1. Posted above is the 1943 Disney organization chart. (Thanks to BoingBoing.net! If you have trouble reading it, just click on the image.) I wanted you guys to notice that even though this is an animation company, everything begins with story. This company wouldn't exist without memorable characters (to sell toys and costumes, of course!) and heart wrenching plot (yes, I too cried when I saw the beginning of Bambi and Up). Walt Disney was a master filmmaker because he understood that a good story sells films. 2. I also wanted to post an interview with game developers Jordan Mechner, original creator of the 1990's game Prince of Persia, and Eric Chahi, creator of the game Another World. While they are best known in the gaming industry, they've been known to write and conceptulize screenplays and graphic novels. Both of these developers were asked to discuss a director's roll in modern game design. However, the conversation steered off topic to include the core reason why people collect and cherish comic books, films and games: STORY! Click HERE to read the article on Gamasutra. Pay attention to their comments on influence. . . As always, let me know what you think in the comments section. Super Director, Eve.
Welcome new students of the Digital Filmmaking Program! Welcome back to the returning students of the Video Production Program! Some reminders: Returning students - remember to get cleared in the gallery and pick up your official schedule. The department is being strict with the security policy so please review it and be aware of your responsibilities when scheduling your rehearsals and shoots. A copy of the policy can be found on this blog under the AiNYC links. New students - remember to bring your kits to the first week of classes. All students - * Check your syllabi the first week. Go over the assignments week by week to make sure you are prepared for the class. Dave and I will be available this week and next Tuesday to make changes to your schedule. * Remember the school is closed next Monday January 18th for MLK. The building is shut down and there are no classes. * Consistantly remind yourself that you have chosen a career with value and personal satisfaction. The time you spend in school is precisous. Don't take it for granted! Thanks for checking into the blog! Keep coming back regurlary for updates! I am updating every day! Cheers, Super Director Eve.
Thanks to our cage managers and cage workers for cleaning and organizing the TV studio! Now that the studio is organized, I am requiring that you guys keep it that way :) Please replace all props, flats and equipment when you are finished with your shoot. We only have one shooting space so please help out in keeping it clear. The "ON AIR" sign outside of the TV studio has been repaired. Admissions are constantly giving tours of the space. Please make sure the sign is turned on if you are shooting in the studio and do not want to be disturbed. Thanks!
Seems like a majority of Video Production majors in this school want to be music video directors. After visiting VP classes and portfolio review, I noticed a taste for music videos has popped into the agendas of almost every aspiring filmmaker at AI. And why not? Play music you like, go and film a bunch of random nonsense, then edit to a pre-determined beat. It's a fast and easy way to work. Unfortunately, we live in a society where every music video we can think of is at our fingertips. Therefore, audiences are bombarded with alot of the same. As an experiment, try finding a genre of music you enjoy (rap, r&b, jazz, pop, classical, etc). Find the artists that perform within that genre. Compare/Contrast their music videos. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the videos tend to blend together. Rap videos are characterized by women in bikinis, men with 40's and baseball caps, expensive cars, someone running down some neighborhood street, etc. Pop videos have overused the model shots of the lead singer mouthing, longingly into the camera about heart ache over a lost lover, leaving a lover, or getting back to a lost lover only to have them leave. (Oh, irony!) The point is that music video genres are like film genres. They tend towards following some formula to lure a familiar audience. Example: An audience of horror movie fans expect to see someone get killed in the first ten minutes of any horror film. Fans are likely to be disappointed when they are not getting their formula fix. However, the exception to these formula rules are passed around and showcased between fans when they introduce something different that surprises and excites. An example of this is the Japanese horror film "Audition", which has been hailed as a cult classic. There is no violence in the film until the last half hour of the movie. This Jay-Z video did just that to me. In the video posted below "On to the next one", he is introducing the world of "high-art" to an audience that would normally never go to an art gallery or have knowledge in art history. The director, Sam Brown, is using imagery that mimics the photography of Man Ray and art sculpture from Damion Hurst. I appreciate Jay-Z's choice to bring something new to the tastebuds of hungry fans. While the imagery is not original, at least it stood out among the sea overused themes.
Something to think about while you are brainstorming for short projects or thesis projects: Introduce something that surprises you, as an artist and person, into your work. I encourage all of you to look at your GenEd classes in this way. Ex: When your teacher is lecturing about the Modernist period in Art History, take a serious look at the paintings. How can you mimic those compositions in your film frame? Do the colors evoke some kind of emotion? Can you mimic a similar color scheme to create an emotional pallet in your film? Start asking yourself these questions. Constantly do research in areas that are unfamiliar. Explore!
So, what do you think? Agree, disagree? Let me know by commenting on this post. Get a conversation started. Cheers, Director Eve.
Hello Students! Welcome Back! I hope you all had a relaxing vacation! Early clearance begins tomorrow. If you can make it to campus, come to pick up your schedule, clear any holds, and get your books. David Nash and I will be available to clear your account or address any issues you may encounter. If you have situation that needs attention, please e-mail me or Dave to schedule an appointment. Our e-mail addresses and hours are posted to the right. Both Dave and I have tight schedules this and next week. We will be able to accommodate you with a scheduled appointment. For new students, welcome to the awe and wonder that is the Digital Filmmaking/Video Production department! You know you are excited. Don't lie. There have been some changes over break so keep coming back for updates on the Cage, TV Studio, security, equipment, and other great news. Information will be revealed over the next week. Cheers, Super Director Eve.
It was fantastic to see so many people at graduation yesterday! Congratulations to all of the graduates! Last week and this week were amazing opportunities to meet alot of you and get to know your families. Thank you for introducing me to such a warm and welcoming community. I am looking forward to future graduations and celebrations. Have a safe and happy holiday this year! See you at the quarter start on January 11th! Cheers, Eve.
Don't forget the DAM Festival deadline is January 10th. GRADUATES, GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT YOUR THESIS FILMS!
Hello Students and Faculty! I have just added a link outlining building security policy regarding shooting spaces and guest entry. The link is located under AiNYC LINKS labled Building Security Policy All students and faculty should take a moment and read over the policy for their own reference. Faculty: Remind your students of the policy when they intend to shoot or rehearse. Students: Review the policy when planning your shooting and rehearsal dates. This list of guidelines was set up to avoid confusion for scheduling and prevent broken or missing property. Enforcing these policies will reduce overbooking spaces and allow for a comfortable classroom environment. This security protocol has been in effect for the past three years, according to the facilities director. She has asked my cooperation to enforce these guidelines. Thank you for your participation and cooperation!
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/figure31.pdf) film and video editors have a better chance of finding employment in metropolitan areas. That means if you go to school in New York City then you have a competitive advantage of finding employment in your field compared to someone that lives outside the city. Location after graduation can be a major factor in finding employment in your field. Think twice before moving away from NYC after graduation. Either way, develop a game plan for career success with your career services advisor before you graduate.
Marc Scoleri, Director of Career Services The Art Institute of NYC
Just yesterday, I had two requests from students to sign off on a list of people for visitor's passes. The passes were for actors and crew for film shoots. At the end of the day, the building manager contacted me to inform me of the current security policies. Now that I am aware of this policy, I will be enforcing it. Please read the policy below. - Eve.
Security Policy for Non Student Entry - A list of cast and crew from outside of the school MUST be submitted to director Eve Okupniak via e-mail at least one week before shooting or casting. The request must also include the date, time, and location of the production. If the request is submitted less than one week, the request will NOT be granted. - Once the request is granted, the requesting student will be responsible for their guests and the rooms the production is occupying. All furniture must be replaced. All guests must be escorted out of the building by the student. - If you have any questions, please e-mail director Eve Okupniak.
* Please keep checking back for updates concerning video shooting in the Beach Street building.
Hey Guys! I wanted to post this crew call for many reasons. The most important being that I met the producers of this film and I love their philosophies regarding film making communities. Black Bag Pictures is a production company that is seriously committed to building an inclusive artistic community of creative people. The goal of this network is to create relationships between artists that can work on collaborative projects. They will be shooting their first project this weekend and next. If you are looking for a independent, professional film experience, I recommend that you include yourself on this project. Here is their pitch: "We are shooting a post-apocalyptic romantic dramady short in and round Brooklyn and are looking for a camera, grip and electric crew as well as PAs. This is a great opportunity to get hands on experience and work with top-rate Brooklyn-based film company. The Dates: December 05 - Afternoon, light day December 06 - Running around, exteriors December 07 - Running around, exteriors December 12 - Interiors December 13 - Interiors December 14 - Pickups If you can work any or all of these days please e-mail the DP Josh Hays at joshhays@gmail.com. Please include your contact information, your CV or film resume and a link to any work you have on the internet.
As of 9pm last night, Alpha Channel submissions are closed. If you have any questions, please contact Ross Williams regarding any Alpha Channel business.
