program
The Filmmaker's Intensive is an annual two-week program designed for a select number of people who want to learn the craft of narrative filmmaking. The program includes three, 3-hour filmmaking sessions each day and will take you through filmmaking from pre-production to post. The program focuses on narrative filmmaking with some of the finest teachers and working professionals in the industry. That, and you get to work with aspiring television and film actors for your narrative short.
As far as we know, there is nowhere else in the world that aspiring filmmakers can come for two full weeks and live, eat and breathe both the technical aspects of filmmaking and the artistic elements of the craft. This by working with screenwriters, producers, directors, cinematographers and actors in an intense two week process!
We understand that the program requires a HUGE commitment in terms of time, energy and money to be a part of The Filmmaker's Intensive. As a result, we have worked hard to make this unique program as rewarding and financially feasible as possible. We have instructors and students coming from all over the world, and have designed the program to be a completely immersive experience.
Please ask us any questions that you have about the program by using the contact form on this site or if you are ready to apply, click here to fill out the application form.
We only have 40 spots per year and that's it. No more than that. We expect the program to fill up quickly.
Applying, being accepted and registering early ensures a spot.
WHERE?
New York. Where else!? This year we have chosen SUNY Purchase as the location for TFMI. Just a stone's throw from New York City, this campus is ideal for learning the craft of narrative filmmaking.
New York inspires filmmakers and is one of the easiest locations to get to in the world (many of our students come from around the globe). It is the home of some of the largest television and feature film productions in the world and the workplace of many of the program's instructors. This year's home base we will be located within a stone's throw of the city and some of the sessions and exercises for the program will occur right in Manhattan.
The Filmmaker's Intensive is an immersive environment. Students learn, live and work together for the entire two week period in a university environment. It is truly a unique learning experience which will prepare you for your further education in this field.
TUITION
The total cost for The Filmmaker's Intensive is $4,250.
Room, board and intense a** filmmaking!
This is no joke. If you are ready to live and breathe production to post, day and night, this is the one for you!
WEEK ONE: NARRATIVE FILMMAKING (Part One)
Exploding new video & filmmaking technologies are making it more possible than ever for filmmakers to mount projects, film them and distribute them to an Internet audience, to mobile devices or for submission to film festivals. Led by Jem and a team of expert instructors (all working professionals in the industry), you will begin to master the Digital Cinema world of filmmaking in a series of hands-on master classes on shooting, lighting, recording location sound, editing and more.
Some of your classes and topics will include...
» Collaborative Filmmaking
» Pre-Production
» Camera
» Lighting
» Sound
» Workflow
» Screenwriting
» Developing Scripts
» Pre-Lighting
» Rehearsals
» Directing
» Working with Actors
» Intro to Editing Narrative
WEEK TWO: NARRATIVE FILMMAKING (Part Two)
In week two you will take your technical filmmaking skills even further as you produce and shoot a short narrative film with a team of filmmakers. Now, you will be working with scripts, with actors, learning to direct them in ways which inject life into the writer's dialogue and fulfill your collabortaivel, creative vision for the production.
Some of your classes and topics include...
» Pitching
» Casting
» The Creative Flow: Storyboards, Shot Lists...
» Shooting Techniques for Narrative Film
» Working On Set
» Blocking & Rehearsing
» Directing The Scene
» Processing Dailies
» Editing for Narrative
» Screening
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Prior narrative filmmaking experience is not required to be accepted but prior production & basic editing skills will be necessary to help you get the most out of the program. You will also be encouraged to bring your own large sensor, interchangeable lens system camera or video camera with a 35mm lens adapter system. HD-DSLRs and the newer crop of small format, digital cinema cameras like the Panasonic AG-AF100 and Sony PMW-F3 are ideal tools to learn the language of cinematography.
Outside of classes, you will be in continual dialogue, round-table discussions and practice sessions with artists who are coming from around the world to train together. This international environment is a thrilling and totally unique place to work with colleagues, share ideas and master new skills.
We're looking forward to your application and seeing you there.