The Asheville Film Festival offers a bevy of free opportunities to learn more about filmmaking, from the artistic to the technical aspects. The educational sessions feature such notables as Paul Schattel of Harrow Beauty films and the accomplished documentarian Paul Bonesteel. A series of "coffee talks" are set up as experiential-based sessions on specific topics. And a variety of Mac-based workshops will center on software such as Final Cut Pro, led by an Apple senior system engineer.
All of the following are free and open to the public.
Educational sessions and coffee talks (held at YMI Cultural Center in Ray Auditorium)
• Friday, Nov. 13
10:30-11:30 a.m. Creative Distribution. Session Host: Greg Gardner
Your film has been on the market for a year. You've been to the festivals, got some awards and received great feedback from the audiences, but you still don't have a distribution deal. This session will explore the creative ways to go about getting your film distributed.
Noon-1 p.m. Foundations of Cinematography. Session Hosts: W.S. Pivetta, Steve Agnew
The cinematographer is an artist and a technician. This session explores the aesthetic choices of the cinematographer, from selecting the "look" of the film to integrating the elements of visual language with the goals of the director. Cinematography is at an intersection of traditional 35mm capture and the growing standard of using all-digital tools. This crossroads presents the cinematographer with a wealth of technical tools and challenges.
1-2 p.m. Coffee Talk: Cinematography. Session Leaders: W.S. Pivetta, Steve Agnew
An interactive session for local, regional and visiting filmmakers focusing on cinematography. This session is designed to give participants the opportunity to explore the importance of cinematography, consider a variety of techniques and learn how to optimize those techniques in production.
2:30-3:30 p.m. Sound Design for Independent Film. Session Host: David Schmidt
Investment in good sound design pays huge dividends by increasing the emotional impact of motion pictures and expanding the screen. This session will explore production sound, construction of sound motifs and using inspiration in sound design.
4-5 p.m. The Art of Editing. Session Host: Amanda Burnette
There is no film before editing. There is only a collection of tapes or reels. This session explores the creative process of editing and some ways the editor creates the pace, mood, and tone of the story. Practical tips for efficient workflow and problem solving will also be addressed.
Saturday, Nov. 14
10:30-11:30 a.m. Computer Animation. Session Host: Lei Han
Many elements of the production process have moved to the computer environment. In the world of computer animation the entire film, including performance, lighting and directing, moves into the machine environment. This session explores the process of computer animation, its foundations and history, and practical approaches for getting involved in this unique form of filmmaking.
Noon-1 p.m. Screenwriting: The Great Beginning. Session Host: Joseph C. Stinson
Explore structure and content as components of effective and marketable screenplays. New writers will learn how to begin, and advanced writers are sure to learn strategies to improve their work.
1-2 p.m. Coffee Talk: Screenwriting. Session Leader: Joseph C. Stinson
An interactive session for local, regional and visiting filmmakers focusing on screenwriting. This session is designed to give participants the opportunity to create a working outline of an unrealized story line and to utilize screenwriting techniques to take your screenplay to the next level.
2:30-3:30 p.m. Perspectives on Directing. Session Hosts: Paul Schattel, Paul Bonesteel, Rod Murphy
The panelists will explore the elusive art of honing a performance for the camera. They will examine interpretation, rehearsal, blocking and the collaborative relationship between director, actor and subject.
Schattel is an Asheville-based filmmaker who has won multiple awards for commercials and feature films, most notably his previous 35mm feature, Sinkhole. Bonesteel has produced and directed nine full-length documentary films, with most airing on PBS. His recent works include the award-winning The Great American Quilt Revival (2005), The Mystery of George Masa (2002) Folkmoot USA (2003). Murphy directs and produces corporate videos, training films, shorts and feature length documentaries in Asheville. His third feature, Being the Diablo, is set to debut in 2010.
4-5 p.m. The Roles of the Producer. Session Host: Trent McDevitt
Most people know what a producer is, but fewer can say what a producer actually does. This session investigates the various roles that producers take and the paramount responsibility in making a film happen.
McDevitt, an Asheville native, is an award-winning producer/director and is currently president/CEO of Wild Bunch Films and Badlands Entertainment.
Mac Pro Video Workshops at Pack Place
• Friday, Nov. 13. Presenter for all workshops: Francis Shepherd, Apple Senior System Engineer
9-10 a.m. Final Cut Studio: What's New
With more than 100 new features, the new Final Cut Studio advances the art and technology of filmmaking with innovations that help you work faster, collaborate more efficiently and finish brilliantly. Join us for an overview of FCP 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5, and DVD Studio Pro 4.
10-11 a.m. Apple Pro Video Technical Q&A Session
An informal Q&A session to discuss your video workflows, technical questions and creative production strategies.
11-noon. Final Cut Studio Advanced Workflows
Final Cut Pro 7 is designed to work seamlessly with the other applications. Send sequences from Final Cut Pro to Soundtrack Pro, or Color, send projects to Motion and use Motion templates for titling and other graphics, activate Compressor encoding and delivery templates, or send a project to Compressor for custom encoding via round-tripping. Learn how to take advantage of advanced FCP workflows.
1-2 p.m. Introduction to Final Cut Studio
An introduction to basic editing functions and concepts while becoming familiar with the Final Cut Pro user interface.
2-3 p.m. Apple Pro Video Technical Q&A Session
An informal Q&A session to discuss video workflows, technical questions and creative production strategies.
3-4:30 p.m. Introduction to Motion Graphics with Motion 4
Explore motion graphics creation with intuitive real-time design, breathtaking filters and effects, powerful compositing and animation, easy-to-use text and titling tools within an integrated 3D multiplane environment.
• Saturday, Nov. 14
9-10 a.m. Introduction to Final Cut Studio
An introduction to basic editing functions and concepts while becoming familiar with the Final Cut Pro user interface.
10:30 a.m.-noon. Final Cut Studio Advanced Workflows
Final Cut Pro 7 is designed to work seamlessly with the other applications in the suite. Send sequences from Final Cut Pro to Soundtrack Pro, or Color, send projects to Motion and use Motion templates for titling and other graphics, activate Compressor encoding and delivery templates, or send a project to Compressor for custom encoding via round-tripping. Learn how to take advantage of advanced FCP workflows.
1:30-2:30 p.m. Mobile Content Creation, Encoding and Delivery
Mobility adds an interesting opportunity for rich media content creation and delivery for your creative projects. This session will explore the world of possibilities for mobile content, interactivity, and distribution technologies to mobile platforms like the iPhone and iPods.
3-4 p.m. Final Cut Studio: What's New
With more than 100 new features, the new Final Cut Studio advances the art and technology of filmmaking with innovations that help you work faster, collaborate more efficiently, and finish brilliantly. Join us for an overview of FCP 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5, and DVD Studio Pro 4.
4-5 p.m. Apple Pro Video Technical Q&A Session
An informal Q&A session to discuss video workflows, technical questions and creative production strategies.
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