BASIC
DIGITAL MOVIEMAKING
This is our basic production course designed to cover key concepts and practices for making a film or video project. Topics include a thorough introduction to the professional DV camera, important aspects of lighting, sound, shot composition, camera movement, visual storytelling devices, working as a filmmaking crew, and editing. In-class demonstrations and exercises will allow students to work collaboratively on group projects as a digital cinema team. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy.
SUMMER SESSION
10 weeks, June 30 - Sept. 1
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
FALL SESSION
10 weeks, Sept. 8 – Nov. 17 (no class Nov. 10)
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuition: $595/580 members
Limit: 12 students
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PRE-PRODUCTION
PRODUCING - Expanded Edition!
The secret's out: producers are the ones who make it all happen. Pre-production and proper planning are essential to a successful feature length, narrative film project. Lectures and seminars will use real production case studies to cover business plans, soliciting investors, budgeting, scheduling, casting, script breakdowns, hiring crew, obtaining releases and permits, securing locations, coordinating post-production, festivals and distribution. These topics are the most critical issues every filmmaker should address before beginning a production.
5 weeks, July 12 - August 9
Mondays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $245/230 members
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SCREENWRITING I
Want to translate your idea into a feature film? This course covers the fundamentals of writing a feature-length screenplay and is designed for beginning students and writers. Through screenings, outside readings, discussion, and critiques, students will engage with such issues as character development, dialogue, structure, narrative progression, and what to do with a finished screenplay. Students should use this course as a springboard towards generating the first draft of a feature-length screenplay.
SUMMER SESSION
8 weeks, July 12 - August 30
Mondays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
FALL SESSION
8 weeks, Sept. 13 – Nov. 1
Mondays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 10 students
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SCREENWRITING
II
It's time to roll up your sleeves: this class will provide the foundation and support needed to complete a feature film script. Students will present writing to the class and instructor each week for feedback and critique, and are expected to work on their script regularly outside of class. Discussions about character, plot and structure will be covered and applied toward developing work, and students should learn how to effectively utilize story models and criticism. Students should already have a basic knowledge of the screenwriting format and the elements of structure, form, theme, plot, action, and character, and have a screenplay underway in order to take the class.
8 weeks, July 11 - Aug. 29
Sundays 11 AM – 2 PM
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 5 students
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DEVELOPING
THE DOCUMENTARY
Truth is often stranger than fiction, and there seems to be no better time than the present to become a documentary filmmaker. Discover the techniques and styles best suited for your documentary idea and then shape that idea into a work that can be funded and completed. This course will give you an overview of documentary forms and teach you how to research your project, write a treatment and synopsis, target interested funders, write a proposal, make a budget and prepare a shooting schedule. Students are encouraged (but not required) to come to class with a specific documentary idea they wish to develop.
6 weeks, Sept. 16 – Oct. 21
Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $325/310 members
Limit: 14 students
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PRODUCTION
ADVANCED PRODUCTION - New Class!
Here is where it all comes together. In this class students will integrate their knowledge of the filmmaking process to make their own independent project. Instruction will focus on production progress, development, scheduling, budget, casting, workflow, location permits, set protocol, rough cuts, and distribution. Students will be given access to equipment for shooting outside of class, and time to edit on Final Cut Pro. Projects may be shot on video or film, and should be 2 - 10 minutes in length. Tape, film stock and lab expenses are not covered in the tuition.
Prerequisite: Digital Moviemaking or consent of the organization.
10 weeks, June 29 - Aug. 31
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuition: $595/580 members
Limit: 12 students
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DIRECTING I
Share your artistic vision with the world! This course will cover basic elements of directing, including aesthetics, tone, camera placement, text analysis, and controlling a film's artistic and dramatic aspects. The relationship between the director and the actor will be emphasized: building effective communication, developing a sense of trust, recognizing unexpected strengths, and understanding what actors are looking for from a director. The director's relationship with producers and crew members will also be examined. Students will work in groups to plan the execution of a film scene with shooting scripts, floor plans, and storyboards; audition and cast actors and work with them in rehearsals; and shoot their scenes for evaluation.
8 weeks, Next Date TBA
Tuition: $485/$470 members
Limit: 12 students
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DIRECTING II - New Class!
This class will build on the first Directing class by examining the role of the camera. Topics will include cinematic techniques, continuity, shot selection, and on camera performance. The director's relationship with producers and crew members will also be examined. Working with actors and original scripts, students will create a short dramatic project to shoot and edit outside of class.
Prerequisite: Directing I or consent of the organization.
8 weeks, Sept. 7 - Nov. 2 (no class Sept. 28)
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $485/470 members
Limit: 12 students
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LOCATION SOUND RECORDING & EDITING TECHNIQUES
Obtaining clean audio on location is a tricky job and often the Achilles' heel to many low budget productions. This 5-week course will cover audio recording and micing techniques using professional microphones and state of the art flash memory audio recorders. Learn how to obtain high-quality audio for a multitude of audio and visual uses, such as recording solo and group musical performances, interviews, sound effects and background room-tone, as well as sync and non-sync dialog for film and video. Topics such as microphone choice, booming, level adjustment, monitoring, sound physics, and alternative creative tools will be covered. Students will create an audio project using multi-track, timeline based editing software. This course is designed for beginners who want to bring professional production values to their audio/visual work and is perfect for film and video makers, musicians, journalists, and artists.
5 weeks, Sept. 11 – October 9
Saturdays 12 – 3 PM
Tuition $395/$380 Members
Limit: 6 students
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LIGHTING
FOR FILM & VIDEO
Lighting can be an art in itself. Learn how you can give your film or video project a million dollar glow without a big budget! A number of approaches will be examined and students will participate in lighting and shooting a variety of situations in class. Classic lighting styles and the 3-point lighting philosophy will be discussed. Lessons will center on how to light with a minimum of equipment and time. Students will also learn basic care and safety issues when working with lights.
4 weeks, August 5 - 26
Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $255/240 members
Limit: 12 students
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DOCUMENTARY CLINIC - New Class!
This monthly workshop is designed to give filmmakers guidance and support for completing a documentary in progress. Bring in a treatment, proposal, trailer, edited scene, or production problem; instructors and peers will help evaluate your progress and plan next steps. Each class meets on the second Tuesday of the month for four months.
4 Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14, Jan. 11
Tuition: $195/180 members
Limit: 6 students
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16MM CAMERA WORKSHOP
Are you new to filmmaking or ready to take the leap to 16mm film production? In this workshop you'll learn the necessary building blocks to get things rolling. We'll teach you to shoot on a Bolex camera and cover basic operation of advanced 16mm cameras. Other topics include camera loading, film stock choices, getting correct exposure, depth-of-field, sync sound recording, laboratory processing and film to video transfers. Class time includes hands-on demonstrations and a group test-shoot.
2 weeks, July 15 & 22
Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuition: $90/75 members
Limit: 12 students
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HD CAMERA SEMINAR
The digital revolution is upon us! Come learn the cameras used by industry professionals and independent filmmakers alike. The workshop will cover different cameras and compare shooting formats, including HDV, DVCPro, AVCHD. Topics include lenses, compression, power, mobility, lighting issues and new post-production problems. Camera options for narrative, documentary, and commercial applications will also be covered.
2 weeks: Sept. 14 & 21
Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $95/80 members
Limit: 12 students
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POST-PRODUCTION
FINAL CUT PRO
Apple's digital nonlinear editing software has long been used by professional editors around the world. This course will provide students instruction on the complete process of digital editing on Final Cut Pro, from logging footage to mastering onto DVD. Topics covered include basic editing, transitions, titling, sound, filter usage, and an intro to editing aesthetics. Students may sign up for 10 hours of additional practice time outside of class during regular business hours to familiarize themselves with the system. No previous film/video editing experience is required. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy.
Session 1
5 weeks, July 10 - Aug. 7
Saturdays, 12 – 3 PM
Session 2
Aug. 16 – Sept. 20 (no class Monday Sept. 6)
Mondays 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Session 3
Sept. 16 – Oct. 14
Thursdays 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuition: $395/380 members
Limit: 6 students
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FINAL CUT PRO - ADVANCED
Take your editing skills to the next level. This course will focus on the special effects, compositing, sound, color correction, and titling features of Apple's Final Cut Pro digital editing software for the Macintosh. Many of the programs that ship with Final Cut Pro Studio will also be introduced such as Motion, Soundtrack, and Compressor. Instruction and exercises will be provided, however the student will also be encouraged to experiment creatively. The special effects topics covered include advanced transitions, key-framing for filters and motion animation, compositing with video layering, matting, and keying. FCP's powerful color correction tools will be covered along with the software's built-in video scopes for calibrating final output. Students may sign up for 10 hours of additional practice time outside of class during regular business hours. Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro or consent of the organization.
5 weeks, Sept. 27 – Oct. 25
Mondays, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 6 students
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AFTER EFFECTS - New Class!
After Effects has been a crucial tool for filmmakers and graphic designers for over a decade. This course will provide students with an introduction to creating 2-D animation in After Effects. Topics covered include building a character, basic movements, animating titles, creating an environment, and special effects. Students will work toward creating a short animated project. Prerequisite: Basic Final Cut Pro. Photoshop experience a plus but not necessary.
5 weeks,
Aug. 5 - Sept. 2
Thursdays, 6:30– 9:30 PM
Tuition: $395/380 members
Limit: 6 students
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DVD STUDIO PRO - New Class!
Make a professional DVD to distribute your work! This course will provide students with an overview of how to make customized DVD’s with DVD Studio Pro. We will cover the necessary steps to make a DVD from compressing your video to creating a layered menu. Topics include compression, making an automatic play DVD, customizing menu backgrounds and buttons, making layered menus, importing videos, music and stills, and creating slideshow
2 weeks, August 14 & 21
Saturdays, 12 -3PM
Tuition: $120/105 members
Limit: 6 students
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PRO TOOLS - DIGITAL AUDIO MASTERING - New Class!
A good sound mix can add depth and realism to any film viewing experience. This workshop will show how you can enhance your own project with a great soundtrack using Pro Tools, a digital audio workstation used by filmmakers and sound engineers alike. Participants will receive hands-on instruction on the capabilities of this system, including recording, cut and paste editing, sound manipulation, signal processing, and mixing. In addition to technical concerns, various aesthetic and conceptual approaches to sound and image will also be discussed.
4 weeks, August 10 - 31
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tuition: $305/290 members
Limit: 6 students
Location: Experimental Sound Studio, 5925 N. Ravenswood
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FREE!
FILMMAKER MEET-UPS
FREE ADMISSION!
This bimonthly networking event provides a chance for filmmakers to meet and collaborate on projects. Are you a screenwriter looking for a producer? A director looking for a director of photography? This event is open to all talents and disciplines who are interested in making independent media: editors, actors, art directors, composers, make-up artists... Bring your resume and business cards, and we’ll handle the rest. Special guests and community businesses will also be featured.
Thursday, July 29, 7 - 9 PM
Tuesday, September 28, 7 – 9 PM
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