film making information

Building Buzz Around Your Film

Saturdays, August 4th – October 27, 8-11am

Publicity and marketing are some of the most crucial steps to ensuring the success of your film. Unbeknownst to most independent film makers, this process should begin as early as pre-production. Learn effective and inexpensive strategies for building critical buzz and community around your film. Topics covered include: building a grassroots following around your film, creating press kits, how to effectively use the web for promotion, and how to get your film covered by the press. Students will also have the opportunity to workshop their own press kits.

Limited to 12. $100/Film maker-level members; $165/others (C)
To reserve a seat in this class, please call Education Director at (510) 232-9338 x4

Class Categories
(A)–Amateur, Level Membership
(B)–Amateur, Executive Producer and Producer Level Memberships
(C)–Amateur, Executive Producer, Producer and Director Level Memberships.

DV Camera Basics

Essential for first-time shooters and people who want to improve their shooting skills. Shoot high-quality digital video no matter which camera you use. Get an overview of digital video cameras and tips on how to get good exposure, correct color, critical focus, and professional-looking shots. Bring your own video camera or use one of ours.

Screenplay I: Screen Writing Techniques

Learn screen writing techniques as well as work on the development of the first half of a feature-length narrative fiction screenplay. Also learn concepts for successful pitching, proper formatting, advanced character design, crafting complex dialogues and monologues, applying symbolism and metaphor, creating and resolving conflict, and creating satisfying endings.

Beginning Cinematography

Learn the essentials of lighting, camera strategy, densitometry, how to conceptualize a photographic approach, and how to use tools to make the concept concrete. Shoot tests in 16mm and mini-DV formats. This class is for cinematographers with limited experience and for directors and producers who want a general knowledge of the cinematographic process.

Entrepreneurship and Independent Film Making

How does an independent film maker acquire resources when he or she does not have any? This two-day seminar illustrates similarities between the independent film maker and the entrepreneur. The first class will look at power, sources of power, and how to use it in the process of independent film making. The second class provides frameworks for “getting to yes.” How do you get what you want in order to finish a project? This course is suggested for the aspiring film maker who has an idea and the film maker who has embarked on a project but needs to acquire more resources in order to reach completion.

Music in Film

Now that you have shot and edited your film, you are considering adding music. What music will work best? What can music do for your film? How does music function with picture? How can you test out your ideas for music? Watch and analyze film clips in class to learn how a director with only a layperson’s knowledge of music can communicate ideas and give direction to a composer or music supervisor. Learn ways to “spot” or place music and how an editor can effectively cut music to picture. If you are a composer or musician with an opportunity to score a film, learn how to ascertain what your director really wants.

Production Management

Ensure that your production runs as smoothly as possible by getting insider production management tips and techniques. Learn to break down a script, use a strip-planning board, create a schedule and a budget, search out hidden costs, organize personnel, and evaluate the pros and cons of film and video formats.

Class Categories
(A)–Amateur, Level Membership
(B)–Amateur, Executive Producer and Producer Level Memberships
(C)–Amateur, Executive Producer, Producer and Director Level Memberships.

Based on availability and membership level purchased.
Please constult our membership package for details, or contact our membership department at (510) 232-9338 x4