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.

Alpha Channel Deadline and Meet your Department Chair!

Alpha Channel Deadline for Submission is Tuesday September 6 by 9pm. Submit to the Faculty Drive under the folder Alpha Channel.
The winners will be announced on the blog after the selection is final. * We will post all entries on the YouTube channel. If you do not want your submission posted, please check the box on the submission form.

WE ARE HAVING A DEPARTMENT MEETING!
Wednsday September 7th at 12:15pm in 737.
Pizza will be served to the first 15 students that arrive.
Hope to see you there! We're discussing future renovations to the TV studio and changes in the department.

Classes Closed due to Hurricane Irene

From The School President - Tad Graham-Handley

Due to the closure of mass transit in NYC tomorrow at noon, AiNYC will be closed all day Saturday, all day Sunday and Monday morning.
We will make a decision about Monday afternoon classes by 8:00 a.m. on Monday. That decision will be posted on our web-site.
In addition, we will send a text/voice message using our emergency text service and inform the community via e-mail.

From the CAGE:

Due to the approaching hurricane please be advised!
If you rented or plan to rent equipment for this weekend, understand that you will be held responsible for any damages acquired during this storm.
• Please consider your location and transportation. If you are not confident that the equipment will be protected during the storm, return the equipment or adjust your reservation.
• If you have to shoot this week end DO NOT SHOOT OUTSIDE. No excuses will be tolerated if equipment comes back soaked or damaged.
• Please note the cage will be closed: Saturday at 12pm through Monday until 12pm. Return checked out equipment at 12:30pm.
• Keep an eye on your e-mail! If the school is closed on Monday, so are we.
Be Responsible
Because you will be HELD Responsible. Thank you for your attention.

Reprise: The Great Camera Shootout!

For those of you interested in Cinematography, this is a MUST SEE. I reported on this web series in April of 2010. This series was just recognized by the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) by receiving an Emmy for the series. Please click on the link below for the original post and content.

Great Camera Shootout! Zacuto

Student Highlights: Anthony Leslie

Student and Tutor Anthony Leslie has sent me a copy of his reel. Anthony has focused on cinematography. Notice the shots that he's chosen and the order they are in. This demo reel is successful because it give the audience an idea of Anthony as an artist and filmmaker.
Please review other works by Anthony at his Vimeo channel: Anthony Leslie Work Log on, leave a comment! Begin to exchange ideas regarding other student's work.
If you are interested in sharing your work, please e-mail me, the department chair. My e-mail is on the right side of the blog. Cheers! - Eve.

Short Films: The Internet Wave of Advertising

I have written posts in the past that review a new form of advertising: Short Films. Intel and Toshiba are the latest in the short film game. They are screening a series on Youtube titled INSIDE. I've seen the first episode and I am intrigued. The series centers around a young girl who wakes up in a dilapidated bedroom. She doesn't know how she got there. All she has is her Toshiba Laptop, which she uses to communicate with the outside world.
Regardless of our opinions, advertising runs the film and broadcast industry. Lately, feature films have relied less on advertising with the success of box office sales, VOD, home video sales, and cable television. This latest trend is now going in reverse using films as the advertising, rather than advertising in a film (similar method used in the 1940's radio and 1950's TV).With a million hits and counting, I think it's working.
Below is the introduction to the Intel/Toshiba collaboration, INSIDE. Below the video are links to previous posts on the subject. Check it out! Let us know what you think. Is this a new form of filmmaking? I'll go into internet webisodes in a later post. Stay tuned! - Eve.



http://www.theinsideexperience.com/
Parallel Lines: A new way to advertise
USA Character Short Films

John Woods and the AINYC Students

Milagres: Here To Stay from Johnny Woods on Vimeo.

Many congratulations to Johnny and the students who participated in creating this video for the Brooklyn based band, Milagres. Below is a list of credits and a link to FILTER magazine that featured the band and the video. Check it out!

Directed and Produced by Johnny Woods; Cinematography by Gabriel Garcia Rosa
Edited by Lauren Elizabeth Kelly and Johnny Woods; Executive Producer: Esy Casey
Miniatures:
Puppets: Leslie Rogers; Art Dept: Amanda LaMarco, Kate Fabrizio, Phil Maniaci, Esther Ahn, and Johnny Woods; Puppeteers: Esy Casey and Johnny Woods
Live action:
Hair and Makeup: Esther Ahn; Line Producer: Magdalena Grynasz; 1st AD: Adam Spieler; 1st AC: Vernal Daniels; Gaffer: Manny Oliveira; Grip/Electric: Greg Digiacomo

Click here to see FILTER article on the Band and the Video