[Vcfilmmakers-l] Weekend Workshops

[Kyle Porter]

Dear Filmmakers,

Woodrow Travers, Vassar Class of '09 and current Assistant Director Trainee with the Directors Guild of America, will be holding a series of workshops this weekend. Unless you plan on hiring an Assistant Director for your next shoot, you will need to be doing (or should be doing) all of the things that will be discussed during these workshops as a director, producer, or AD. Also, Woodrow's awesome and the workshops will be more filled with excitement and cool set stories than some would suggest (aka Film Set Paperwork). The workshops are as follows:


FRIDAY:

BEHIND THE SCENES / ANGELS AND DEMONS:
Time: 1:30-3:30PM
Location: Drama and Film Room 308
Woodrow was an Assistant to the Director on Angels and Demons and worked on set during the majority of the production's shoot. He will be screening clips from the film and detailing exactly how each scene he shows was shot.


THE ROLES OF THE FILM SET:
Time: 4-6:30PM
Location: SKINNER HALL (in the Music Building)
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. Woodrow 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.

Please note that during this workshop, filmmaker Alex Levy will be shooting crowd shots for a short movie he is making through Vassar Filmmakers. This accounts for the workshop being in Skinner Hall and the slightly longer run time. We ask that you come dressed somewhat half-decent, and in return, FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED.


SATURDAY:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT:
Time: 12-2PM
Location: Drama and Film Room 308
In a nutshell...how to be an assistant director.  What is their role?  Why are they necessary?  Since this is what Woodrow is training to become, this seminar is a much greater in-depth look at what an AD does and how they help the production.
In this section we will discuss the theoretical reasons for the existence of such a position as an AD, and then follow with tips for 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 the AD you hire to organize and schedule your movie.


FILM SET PAPERWORK:
Time: 3-5PM
Location: Drama and Film Room 308
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 in order to 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.


All of these seminars will 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


Please feel free to contact Woodrow with any questions or suggestions at woodrow.travers at gmail.com


Hope to see you all there,
Kyle