Video Production vs. Digital Filmmaking

Hello Students!

I hope all of you had a relaxing vacation! I wanted to address an issue that has been clogging my inbox. Many students have inquired about switching to the Digital Filmmaking program that will begin in January of 2010. Here are some factual points that will help in your decision making.

1. The fundamental difference between both programs are as follows: 1 additional General Education class, 1 less TV production class, a Mid program review, and a rearrangement of pre-requisite classes. The program outcomes and mission statement are the same.

2. If you are a video production student looking to switch you will encounter the following problems:

a. Not all video production classes will transfer because of the re-sequence. While the courses are the same in content, the pre-requisites change the way the skills are taught.

b. Upper level courses will only be offered as the program rolls out, only first quarter DF courses will be available WI10. For example: If a 5th quarter student transfers to DF, that student will need some 5th quarter classes. That student will NOT be able to take those courses for another year, therefore delay graduation.

c. Students who are in the process of working on their thesis projects may have to restart the thesis approval with the new criteria.

Please review and consider this information before contacting me in regards to switching programs. Thank you! I hope this helps with any questions you are considering.

- Eve Okupniak

Film Posters that will make you smile

If you are a cinemaphile, like I am, then you will love the new exhibit on display at Gallery 1988 in LA. Mondo Tee's is a graphic design company that deals specifically in creating "retro" designs for the 21st century. I love the posters they do for repertory theater! Check out the post on Twitch! Click HERE for the post.

- Eve.

Ranting and Raving

Hello ya all!
I have just passed my one month mark, and I am still here!
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the students who have visited me these past few weeks. The company is always appreciated, regardless of the circumstance. A few things to bring to your attention:
- The Panels are BACK! : Upon student request, efforts will be made to reinstate professional panel discussions for the VP department. The first panel will be broadcast and film post-production. Keep checking the blog for dates and times. Please send me any topic requests.
- I will be doing various classroom visits for the next two quarters. Please do not acknowledge my presence if I am in your class. My purpose is to observe you in your natural habitat.
- TV Studio Clean Out: Efforts will be made to clear out the TV studio toward the end of the quarter and over break. We need to work together to keep the space clean and professional. After the studio is clear, a new set of guidelines will be posted in the control room and in the studio. Pay attention to these new guidelines and follow them :)
- New links have been added to the AiNYC VP LINKS section. Check them out!
- Keep your eye out for film festival and workshop postings. If you missed something, click on the corresponding label on the right hand side of the page.
As always, your support and efforts are always appreciated. If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, please comment on this post and I will respond.
Cheers,
Super Director Eve

Cannes 2010: Opportunity

Click on the image to view the entire ad. DEADLINE MARCH 2010!

Demo Reel Examples: Editing

Definition: "Film editing is part of the post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots, connecting the resulting sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling."

Editing establishes the mood of the film. The most skilled editors are rhythmic in their pacing and deliberate in their cutting. Successful directors have an editor on staff that they trust with their livelyhood. This means, the director gives the editor the film that they have worked on for 18 months and walk away. Filmmakers tend to loose sight of their original vision when they spend so much time with a story. A healthy practice is to give the story a new set of eyes. Francis Ford Coppola has Walter Murch. Martin Scorsese has Thelma Schoonmaker. Alfred Hitchcock had George Tomasini.

I tried to find editing reels for your visual education. After much research, I resigned to the fact that watching a well edited scene is more powerful than a rushed reel. 

Below are some links that will kick-start your research. Click on the titles for the links. 

Cinema Editing Terms: This site has a simplistic design that helps the viewer locate terms quickly. 

WNYC Radiolab Interview with Walter Murch: Great interview with W.M., explaining his philosophy on editing from a scientific point of view. 

Best Editing Sequences: A list compiled by AMC in regards to the best editing examples in the history of cinema. Another quick reference guide. I suggest you look for clips of the sequences that are discussed on You Tube. 

Everything Hitchcock: for Screenwriters

Upon my internet stumblings, I have found this site, for all things Hitchcock. Click HERE for the link. At first I was a little disappointed. It's very basic, almost like someone's class project. After surfing on it for a few moments, this director's conclusion is that the site is a great place to begin your research if you know nothing about the great director. For you script writers out there, you will be especially interested in the "Theories" section. 

Cheers, Eve.

For screenwriters - In addition: here is a link to a blog post on "Mystery Man of Film". Good information on the element of surprise in story. Check out the right hand side for links to the best posts!! Click HERE for the article mentioned. 

WI10 Registration UPDATE!

I have posted the VP Class Grid online to help you choose your classes for registration. When you log on to your online student account, check your audit. Then, check the class grid. Cross out all of the classes you have taken. See what classes you have left. Register for the classes for which you have taken the pre-requisites. If you have any questions, please see David Nash.

The grid is located on the right side of this page under AiNYC LINKS.

Please comment on this post if you are having any difficulties. I will answer your questions as soon as I am able.

- Eve Okupniak, Department Director.

Columbia University Film Festival

Submission Forms are in the LINKS section titled: CUNUFF Submission Form. The forms will be posted until the late deadline March 5th!

WI10 Registration!

Reminder that midterm is registration time!
Starting on Monday, go see your adviser David Nash. He'll give you your audit and information about registering online. David's office is located on the 5th floor.
If you have any questions or concerns, David can be reached at dnash@aii.edu.

LGBTI Needs Filmmakers

"The Battered Lesbian Task Force of NY Coalition for Battered Women is soliciting proposals from a videographer/filmmaker to work with on the development of an educational film on domestic violence in the LGBTI community.

Please submit your concept for a film to educate domestic violence advocates, the LGBTI community and our mutual allies.
Reply by December 14th 2009
Include experience and other work you've done, and a short sample of your work to : carson@njcbw.org"

Workshop on Pitching for Film and TV

"Got A Great Movie Or TV Idea? This class is designed for those seeking to break through to the next level. Acclaimed producer/director Robert Townsend will discuss his technique for pitching ideas: from concept to development, through the various stages of rewrites, pitching to executives at studios, and give advice on how to close the deal with clarity, precision and confidence. Townsend will listen to pitches from class attendees and help critique, refine and further develop those presented in the session. One lucky attendee will be handpicked to get his or her idea fully developed with Townsend, and then go on to pitch it to a Hollywood studio. Over the years, Robert Townsend has created a unique and diverse body of work covering variou genres, with comedies like, "Hollywood Shuffle", musicals like "The Five Heartbeats", fantasy comedies like "The Meteor Man", sit-coms like "The Parenthood", and epic dramas like "10,000 Black Men Named George". Currently, Mr. Townsend is busy at work with seven projects in various stages of development and completion."
Click HERE for additional information and ticket prices.

Demo Reel Examples: Director

I hear this too often . . .
So, you want to be an actor/cinematographer/editor/screenwriter/director? Did you know that's like saying, "I want to be a driver/machinist/mechanic/designer/CEO"? Common misconception is that the director can do several things at once. As filmmakers, you need to understand that each position has it's own unique set of attributes that is difficult enough for one person to master. Without master cinematographers, actors, production designers, costumers, etc., the director is nothing. Being a director does not mean that you micro-manage everything on set. The director has their own unique job; to control the artistic direction of the film/video/commercial. This means the director needs to communicate with an actor to get a performance; with a production designer to execute a landscape, with a DP to create a mood, etc. A competent director surrounds themselves with a talented crew that they trust. Communication is the key. Delegation is the secret. The director is the conductor of the symphony, not the pianist/trumpeter/violist/conductor.
Begin your research by checking out a few site links. Here are some examples of directors who have done both film and commercial work:
John Hillcoat Samples
Michel Gondry Samples
David Fincher Sample
To get an idea of their film work, do a search on IMDB.com

Demo Reel Examples: Cinematography

I wanted to begin posting examples of professional work to get you guys thinking about your lives outside of school. This will be a series of examples I want you, the student, to examine and consider when making your own films.
Here is an adequate example of a DP reel from a working cinematographer.
If cinematography is your forte, pay attention to the following attributes while watching this reel: use of color, framing, gray scale value, action (of characters, space, and the camera itself), speed of the shot. This small checklist is an example of several characteristics that a good DP has to take into consideration when framing shots.

2009 Director of Photograghy Reel from Real Sprague on Vimeo.