Spring '10 Course Descriptions: College & Adult
Digital Storytelling
Reel Change for Nonprofits
First Take
Crafting the Documentary
The Power of Story
Final Cut Pro, V.1
Final Cut Pro, V. 2
World Crew
Screenwritng Seminar
The Collaborative Art
Sound and Music: Home Movie Edition
Daytime program!
Digital Storytelling
12 sessions
Learn to use your digital camera in new, exciting ways. You never know where it may take you.
• Explore visual storytelling using digital photographs, still images, text, and graphics
• Record narration and choose soundtracks
• Harness the power of 21st century technology to bring your stories to life
• The only course requirement is creativity
• Class size: 8
The JBFC’s digital storytelling initiatives are sponsored by FujiFilm.
12 Mondays, Feb. 1–May 3 (no class Feb. 15 & March 29)
9:30–11:00 am
A06SP10A
$430/$387 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Also offered for families.
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Reel Change for Nonprofits
12 sessions
If your organization isn’t using the media to communicate its mission, it’s missing out on a powerful tool. JBFC faculty member Theresa Dawson will teach you how to make public service announcements (PSAs) and short films an effective part of your advocacy work.
• Learn to write a script and then shoot and edit your own film
• No experience necessary, but application is required
• Recommended for organizational teams of 2
• Class size: 10
12 Tuesdays, Feb. 2–May 4 (no class Feb. 16 & March 30)
5:00–7:30 pm
N05SP10A
$200/$180 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Daytime Program!
First Take
12 sessions
Our popular introduction to fiction filmmaking, offered to adults for the first time.
• Experience the entire production process from storyboarding and screenwriting to directing, acting, and editing
• Use state-of-the-art HD digital video equipment and Final Cut Pro
• Create several collaborative and independent short film projects
• Additional time commitment outside of class is expected
• No experience necessary
• Class size: 8
12 Wednesdays, Feb. 3–May 5 (no class Feb. 17 & March 31)
9:30 am–12:30 pm
A03SP10A
$860/$774 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Also offered for students 4-9 years, 10-13 years, and 14-18 years.
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Crafting the Documentary
12 sessions
A hands-on introduction to the complex, creative world of nonfiction filmmaking.
• View some of the most influential documentaries ever made
• Direct and edit short projects of your own
• Learn the craft of visual storytelling
• Additional time commitment outside of class is expected
• Class size: 8
12 Wednesdays, Feb. 3–May 5 (no class Feb. 17 & March 31)
5:30–8:30 pm
A12SP10A
$860/$774 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Also offered for younger students.
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
The Power of Story
7 sessions
A great film begins with a great story, and everyone has a story to tell. This intimate writing seminar is designed to help you uncover and unleash those stories.
• Writing, collaborative activities, film screenings, and guided reflection provide anyone with the inspiration and confidence to make a film
• Taught by award-winning program designer, author, and educator Anne Marie Santoro
• Class size: 10
7 Fridays; Feb. 12, 26; March 12, 26; April 9, 23, 30
9:30 am–12:30 pm
A08SP10A
$400/$360 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Final Cut Pro, V.1
3 sessions
An in-depth workshop on Final Cut Pro, the industry standard editing software.
• Master basic system setup, and assemble and trim sequences
• Learn the most effective ways to manage workflow and organize files
• After you understand the power of editing, you’ll never watch a film the same way again
• Enjoy access to editing suites outside of class time
• No experience necessary
• Class size: 10
3 Thursdays, April 8–22 • 5:30–8:30 pm
A29SP10A
$200/$180 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Also offered for younger students.
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Final Cut Pro, V.2
3 sessions
Advance your skills and learn more sophisticated features of Final Cut Pro, such as mixing audio tracks, titling and effects, transitions, and color correction.
• Enjoy access to editing suites outside of class time
• Some experience necessary
• Class size: 10
3 Thursdays, April 29–May 13 • 5:30–8:30 pm
A30SP10A
$200/$180 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Also offered for younger students.
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
World Crew 2010
6 weeks, intensive
The unique opportunity for college students with some filmmaking experience to foster cross-cultural understanding through the production of documentary films.
• Taught by Academy Award–nominated documentary filmmaker Susan Todd
• Check back for more information in December
May 24–July 2
Screenwriting Seminar
weekend intensive
A series of lively exercises will be the catalyst for your writing in this fast-paced, fun-filled course.
• Gain insight into the building blocks of the screenplay—visuals, character, dialogue, and structure
• A supportive atmosphere will provide tools and inspiration
• All levels of screenwriting experience are welcome
• Working screenwriter and development executive Joy Goodwin will be your guide as you tap into your creativity
• Class size: 8
Friday, Feb. 5, 5:00–8:00 pm & Saturday, Feb. 6, noon–6:00 pm
A28SP10A
$200/$180 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Friday, April 30, 5:00–8:00 pm & Saturday, May 1, noon–6:00 pm
A28SP10B
$200/$180 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
The Collaborative Art
individual sessions
This ongoing monthly series hosted by film producer Nancy Israel (Starting Out in the Evening), features an amazing roster of award-winning filmmakers. Recent guests include cinematographer Fred Elmes (Blue Velvet, Broken Flowers), editor Jay Rabinowitz (Requiem for a Dream, I’m Not There), and production designer Mark Friedberg (Pollock, The Ice Storm). They screen clips, speak about their craft, and demonstrate their skill in an intimate round-table seminar. Sign up for e-bulletins to find out about upcoming events.
For adults, high school & college students
Cindy Tolan, Casting Director
The casting director is charged with the job of finding the actors who can accomplish the director’s artistic ambitions for a film. This encompasses approaching established and well-known actors as well as discovering new talent to create true-to-life characters.
Cindy Tolan is a highly regarded casting director for theatre, film and television. Credits include: Avenue Q (Broadway), Flight of the Conchords (TV) and Sugar (Theatrical Film).
Sunday, Feb. 28, 3:45–5:45 pm
A19SP10A
$25/$22.50 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Kristi Zea, Production Designer
The production designer creates the physical world that the characters inhabit and in which the story takes place. The elements of design include sets, locations, color palette, and the objects that help bring the story to life.
Kristi Zea, who began her career as a costume designer, has designed some of the most well regarded films of the past twenty years. She has worked with several master directors, including Jonathan Demme, Martin Scorsese, James Brooks, and Sam Mendes. She has also been both director and producer on several projects. Credits include: Wall Street 2, Revolutionary Road, The Departed, and Philadelphia.
Sunday, Mar. 28, 3:45–5:45 pm
A19SP10B
$25/$22.50 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Ellen Kuras, Documentary and Narrative Cinematographer; Documentary Director
The cinematographer’s work is to visually interpret a screen story or subject matter. Using the elements of composition, camera movement, lighting and effects, the cinematographer transforms the director’s artistic vision into photographic imagery.
Ellen Kuras has worked in documentary and narrative film as a cinematographer, having collaborated with such diverse directors as Rebecca Miller, Spike Lee and Michel Gondry. Credits include: Away We Go, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Personal Velocity and He Got Game. In 2008, her documentary The Betrayal was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Documentary Feature.
Sunday, Apr. 25, 3:45–5:45 pm
A19SP10C
$25/$22.50 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
GUEST TBA! Stay tuned to the Media Arts Lab e-bulletin
Sunday, May 23. 3:45–5:45 pm
A19SP10D
$25/$22.50 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8
Sound and Music: Home Movie Edition
1 session
Be the envy of your friends by crafting the coolest home movies YouTube has ever seen.
• Learn to add sound effects and a music score to your home videos
• Get hands-on training in GarageBand
• Gain a basic introduction to sound mixing techniques to amplify dialogue and remove background noise
• Work with your own Quicktime or iMovie file without sound
• No experience necessary
• Presented in collaboration with Manhattan Producers Alliance
Saturday, March 6 • 10:00 am–4:00 pm
A38SP10A
$130/$117 (JBFC members, Family level and above)
Registration Form (pdf)
More Info: 914.773.7663 ext. 8