[Vcfilmmakers-l] Workshops this weekend and Shot-glass Tabling Wednesday

[Kyle Porter]

Hi All,

WORKSHOPS:
I just wanted to give you a head's up about the series of workshops going on this upcoming weekend, all lead by Vassar Filmmakers' co-founder, Woodrow Travers.

FRIDAY:
Behind the Scenes of Angels and Demons
Time: 1-3PM
Location: Rocky 312

Roles of the Film Set
Time: 4-6PM
Location: SKINNER HALL
Please email Woodrow at woodrow.travers at gmail.com if there are any roles you want to hear about in particular or if you just want to hear about all the roles in general.
Also note that Alex Levy will be shooting a scene during the workshop, and you will therefore be an extra if you attend. So don't dress like a schmuck if you come. FOOD AND DRINKS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED!


SATURDAY:
Assistant Director Spotlight
Time: 12-2PM
Location: Rocky 312

Paperwork
Time: 3-5PM
Location: Rocky 312

I included the full descriptions of each workshop at the bottom of the email - but first...



SHOT-GLASSES:
We'll be selling shot-glasses THIS WEDNESDAY in the College Center beginning at 10AM and going until 4:30PM. Shoot me an email if you want to help out with tabling, and come by if you want to buy some: $5 for one, $12 for all 3. V-CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED since you have to schedule a table 2 weeks in advance if you want a V-Cash machine. Therefore, IF YOU WANT TO PAY WITH V-CASH, we'll be tabling again Wednesday, February 10th.

In case you didn't get a chance to see them at last week's meeting, the shot glasses have pictures of celebrities/characters on one side (aka Audrey Hepburn, Edward Scissorhands, and Alex from Clockwork Orange), and Vassar Filmmakers (in different fonts) on the other side. They look fuckin' balla.



In case you didn't catch them last time, here are the descriptions of the workshops:

THE ROLES OF THE FILM SET:

We all have an idea of what the director does, but what about the other 100+ jobs on a film set.  This seminar will give you a general idea of the workings of such jobs as:  Producer, Unit Production Manager, Production Office Coordinator, Office Secretary, Office Production Assistants,  1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant Director, 2nd 2nd Assistant Director, Key Production Assistant (PA), 1st Team Production Assistant, Walkie Production Assistant, Background Production Assistant, Paperwork Production Assistant, Script Supervisor, Director of Photography, Camera Operator, 1st Assistant Camera, 2nd Assistant Camera, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, Sound Utility, Locations Manager, Locations Scout, Production Designer, Art Director, Set Decorator, Set Dresser, On Set Dresser, Key Make-Up, Key Hair, Props Master, Assistant Props Master, Rigging Electrician, Rigging Grip, Key Grip, Best Boy Grip, Grip, Gaffer, Best Boy Gaffer, Electrician, Wardrobe Supervisor, Costume Coordinator, Costume Designer, On Set Costumer, Camera Scenic, Scenic Charge, Craft Service, Caterer, Transportation Captain, Drivers, Special Effects, Casting Director, BG Casting, Visual Effects Supervisor, Digital Imaging Technician, and Unit Publicist.  

I will spend the majority of time on the positions that you can potentially include in your next independent film, and less time on the positions only necessary for professional and bigger budget films.

Furthermore, for this section, please write back to me (Woodrow.Travers at Gmail.com) with the positions you are most interested in learning about so that I can prepare and focus on those roles in greater detail.  I don't want to waste anyone's time as this is solely for your edification, so let me know what you want to talk about.  If, for instance, no one cares about what a Digital Imaging Technician is or does, there's no need for me to bring it up.  


ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT:

In a nutshell...how to be an assistant director.  What is there role?  Why are they necessary?  Since this is what I am training to become, this seminar is a much greater in-depth look at what an AD does and how they help the production.
This should be done in conjunction with the Paperwork seminar below, but in this section we will discuss the theoretical reasons for the existence of such a position as an AD, and then follow with the tips I have as to how to be a good and successful AD.  Even if you have no intention of becoming an AD, it will be helpful to know what to expect out of an AD that you hire to organize your movie.


PAPERWORK:

Paperwork is crucial to any professional film set that hopes to operate smoothly, and it is a knowledge of film paperwork that will make your independent film set run like a professional one.  This workshop with cover, with examples to take home, the forms and schedules created to organize a film set and make sure your film comes in on time and under budget.  You will learn the purpose and importance of One-Line Schedules, Shooting Schedules, Day Out Of Day Schedules, Prep-Schedule, Call Sheet, Production Report, Progress Report, Camera Reports, Sound Reports, Short Form Breakdown, Background Breakdown, Camper Breakdown, PA Breakdown, Walkie Breakdown, Shot Lists, Exhibit "G," Crew Lists, Vendor Lists, Location Attachments, Production Calendars.

Picking and choosing from these forms will directly and immediately help you on your next film set.  In addition I will hand out examples of less crucial, but still helpful forms such as: Photo Releases, Safety Forms, Accident Forms, Actors' Contracts, and an AD Kit Supply List.


BEHIND THE SCENES / ANGELS AND DEMONS:

If anyone can tell me how to rip specific scenes from a DVD and turn them into .mpeg's or .mov's I would be happy to go through specific scenes in the movie and talk about how they were filmed, lit, and other juicy details. (Woodrow was an Assistant to the A.D. on A&D.)


All of these seminars can upon request also be peppered with random tidbits about:

-  HOW TO GET A JOB IN THE INDUSTRY.

-  HOW TO GET YOUR FILM INTO FILM FESTIVALS.

-  HOW TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR INDEPENDENT FILMS.

-  AWESOME MOVIES YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT.

-  RECOMMENDED BOOKS ABOUT INDEPENDENT FILM.



Happy travels,
Kyle