Summer Intensive Filmmaking Workshop

(Filmmaking / Directing Workshop / Acting on Film Workshop / Screenwriting)

During the summer, Montclair State University’s Department of Art and Design’s Filmmaking Program will offer high school students the opportunity to participate in intensive training in all aspects of Film Production. In cooperation with the Office of Education & Community Outreach in the College of the Arts at MSU, the Filmmaking Program has discovered an age group that is highly interested in expressing themselves through film and media, and discovering what it would be like to have a career in the film, television and new media industries.

Through screenwriting, shooting, acting, directing, and editing, students will gain an enriching and enlightening experience, and a better understanding of the nature of a professional training program that they would encounter upon entering college.

The goal of this course is to give students an overview on how films are made, and give access to state of the art equipment working in HD. This is a great course to find out if this is the type of career, or secondary career that would be good for further study in college. Classes will be taught by working professionals who have experience in the industries of narrative, documentary, experimental, and commercial films, and are currently teaching within the BFA Film Program. During the workshop each student will leave with at least one finished film that they may use as a portfolio.

Curriculum
In each of our two -week programs, students are enrolled in rigorous and highly structured college-level courses taught by our faculty. Each faculty member also has a teaching assistant available to aid and escort students. Sessions meet from 10am – 4pm, and each takes two and a half hours. Every day two different classes are taught, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Students attend all classes, meals, and events together as a group.

Similar to that of our undergraduate degree program, the curriculum for the Summer Intensive Filmmaking Workshop for High School Students combines intensive professional training with a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and theories behind the art of film and video production. Prior experience in film or video is not required.

In 2009 we will introduce four different concentrations:

• Filmmaking as a craft where students learn the basic language and techniques of making a film – and create one film. (Session I)
• Directing Workshop (Beginning, and Intermediate) where students work through films with actors. (Session II)
• Acting for Film Workshop: Actors are introduced to working-on-camera techniques with the guidance of seasoned acting teachers from NJ Dramatists and MSU’s Film Program. Groups of 12-14 students will work with a mentor. They will prepare materials, and quickly enter the world of being "on set". Actors will work with participants in the Director’s Workshop class where they will be filmed. Actors will leave with their completed work on a DVD. (Session II)
• Screenwriting: Participants will have a boot-camp experience where writers and innovative minds churn out film scripts, learn about film production and have a chance to pitch their script to a group of filmmakers in the Directing Class. There will also be demonstrations of essential filmmaking concepts and processes. This is the ultimate primer for developing ideas into screenplays and understanding the concepts of filmmaking. Students must be prepared to do some work outside of the class. (Sessions I & II)

Program Dates

Session I
Digital Filmmaking: Tuesday, July 7th – Tuesday, July 21st 10-4pm
Screenwriting Boot Camp: Tuesday, July 7th – Tuesday, July 21st 10-4pm

Session II
Director’s Workshop: Wednesday, July 22nd – Wednesday, August 5th 10-4pm
Screenwriting Boot Camp: Wednesday, July 22nd – Wednesday, August 5th 10-4pm
Acting For Film Workshop :Wednesday, July 22nd – Wednesday, August 5th 10-4pm

Classes/Instructors within the Program of Study
Digital Filmmaking – Bill Jennings, Tony Pemberton
Acting and Directing- Team Taught by Beth Baur, Tony Pemberton, and TBD
Individual workshops on Camera, Lighting, and Sound with Mary Billyou
Narrative Post-production with Kim Spurlock, Editor
Screenwriting: Susan Skoog, Writer/Director (WGA)

Availability: There are limited spaces for this opportunity. Each class will contain no more than 17 students, and will not run if there are less than 10 students registered.

Costs: $1700.00 per session for production courses, and $1400 for Screenwriting classes.
(These costs cover all supplies, tuition, and fees. The cost of lunch is not included and can be either purchased or brought.)

Insurance: The Filmmaking Program has their own Production Insurance to additionally insure for Liability in case of accidents, film permits, and equipment rental.

Equipment to be used: Primarily Digital Cameras: Panasonic 24P and an introduction to the Panasonic High Definition P2 Camera HVX200 might be used to create additional material. Editing will be in Final Cut Pro (taught in class), plus Imovie, and/or AVID are available. Students will also be introduced to the conceptual workings of 16mm, and 35mm Filmmaking. Equipment is available to be taken out over the weekend, and during nights to continue projects – though it will be the responsibility of the student.

Facilities: Montclair also has a Sound Stage for shooting inside, equipped with lighting, a JL Fisher Dolly, tracks, a small set, and a separate Screening Facility. On weekends students will be encouraged to schedule additional shoots outside of class time at their own location.

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