Showing posts with label Seminars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seminars. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

SKILLZ: D.P. - Cliff Charles Teaching Cinematography Masterclass

Peep this hot news - D.P. , Cliff Charles is giving a rare private Master Class in Cinematography - Saturday, November 6, 2010 in New York City.

If you aren't already familiar with his him, Cliff (a.k.a. The People's D.P.) is the Emmy-nominated D.P. of such films as Spike Lee's When the Levee's Broke, If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise and Chris Rock's Good Hair documentary amongst many other projects. He also runs the popular educational online cinematographer's magazine, DPTV.com.

Cliff will be highlighting:
  • Camera (setup, movement, and composition)
  • Lighting (creating mood, color balancing, lighting methods and styles)
  • Image Manipulation (filtration and color grading)
  • Equipment Options (Do I rent or by, which camera and lights should I choose)
PLUS -Registration includes:
  • Lunch
  • Network Social
  • Resources
  • Vendor Discounts
  • One-on-One Training

D.P.'s, Don't Sleep on this! Admission is limited to only 20 students. This is RARE opportunity to get up close and personal training with one of the busiest D.P.'s in New York City.

In fact, if I were you, I would register first and tell my friends just after. (I've already registered, hence the blog post now.) This event is guaranteed to sell out. Just don't say I didn't tell you.

Download full details HERE.

For more info contact: work@thepeoplesdp.com

Listen to Cliff's Interview on The Double Down Film Show.


The People's DP Reel from Cliff Charles on Vimeo.



The People's DP Spot Reel from Cliff Charles on Vimeo.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

SKILLZ: Learning From the Masters - Julio Macat, A.S.C.

Hosted a great private workshop for students at NYU last night with previous Double Down Film Show guest, D.P. Julio Macat, A.S.C. (Home Alone, The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura, Wedding Crashers, etc.)

Julio was very generous with his knowledge. He talked alot about the conventions of lighting and shooting comedy and gave a nice demo of some effective and simple lighting set-ups. Here are some of the hilight tips of his presentation:

  • You can shoot with a lighter in front of the lens to create a heatwave effect.

  • If some big name actresses like the way you make them look, they may start to request you to the director on their future projects.

  • Always do the ordinary first, then ask yourself, "How can I make this extraordinary?"

  • Julio often goes by himself top "pre-film" a location by shooting various angles and lighting conditions on his own pre-production film camera test.

  • Alot of comedy comes from the audience knowing something the characters don't, so a lot of comedy is best played out in wider shots to better establish the comedic situation.

...There was much more, but those were just some of my take-away notes. His whole presentation just reinforced one of the messages I already preach to my students and audience plain and simple...

It ain't about the toolz. It's about the skillz.

Using the simplest of tools (chinaball, 1 open-faced light and some bounce material), Julio lit a model and made her look great. Plus showed the subtle, but powerful differences that little things like direction of the light, netting off light on clothing, and double diffusing can have on the quality of the image.

Even on the biggest budgets, the core of what the cinematographers do, still comes down to having great knowledge and skills.

Thank you Julio for driving the point home.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS SATURDAY'S INDIE FILM BOOT CAMP!!!


ONLY 1 MORE DAY LEFT! And I truly can't wait...

This is it people- If you haven't registered yet you still have 1 DAY LEFT before you completely miss the perfect opportunity to invest in your entertainment career.

With only a few seats left don't click later on a link you can click right now!



Register for Indie Film Bootcamp in New York, NY  on Eventbrite


3 INSTRUCTORS / 6 SEMINARS / 8+ HOURS OF CONTENT all for the low price of $119

See you on Saturday and follow my man (and co-presenter) Pete Chatmon on Twitter at twitter.com/petechatmon for LIVE TWEETS and AFTERPARTY information.

You can learn filmmaking the hard way or the easy way...


What is Nobody Telling YOU?


Indie Film Bootcamp (Promo 1) from Double 7 on Vimeo.



Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo 2 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.



Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo 3 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.



Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo #4 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.


*Registration day of event, first-come/first served, space permitting with $10 onsite surcharge..



Register for Indie Film Bootcamp in New York, NY  on Eventbrite

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

It's Q&A Night on the next Double Down Film Show



We know you all can't make it to New York City for Indie Film Boot Camp this Saturday, so on the next Double Down Film Show, it's all about YOU. Your questions, your filmmaking dilemmas, your entertainment industry career...Whatever you want to ask.

As a final warm-up for Indie Film Boot Camp all three presenters, Anthony Q. Artis "The Video Evangelist", Pete Chatmon "The Complete Filmmaker", and Benjamin Ahr Harrison "The Video Whiz Kid" will be on-hand live for an open Q&A session for aspiring filmmakers.

  • How do I set up a meeting with a major production company?
  • What camera should I buy?
  • What should be in my investors packet?
  • How do I find paying corporate clients?
  • Where should I go to film school?
  • When should I do a script reading?


The answers to all these questions and more will be revealed - but only if YOU ask them. Specific, general, veteran or newbie...we'll take on all your filmmaking problems for 1 hour.

Email us beforehand, log into the chat room or call in live at the number below to submit your filmmaking questions. Please have one precise and brief question ready for us and we will answer as many as we can from all 3 sources.

Last Chance to Register for Indie Film Boot Camp!!!

The room is almost full, but there are a few more slots left. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind no-holds-barred all-day filmmaking education from the technical to the practical to the psychological...we're going to break it all down Saturday at DCTV. There will exclusive handouts

Plus we're going to network and party afterwards at the world-famous Whiskey Tavern! If you missed it, peep last week's show for a special sneak preview of a few of the seminars.




Register for Indie Film Bootcamp in New York, NY  on Eventbrite



The Double Down Film Show...
Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This episode sponsored by :

IndieFilmBootcamp.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


About the Show:
The Double Down Film Show is an hour long experience of "real talk" about what it takes to get your project from script to screen and establish a career in film and tv. Hosts Anthony Q. Artis of Down and Dirty DV and Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film will deliver all of the production, technology, business, and motivational support that filmmakers need to achieve their filmmaking dreams. Check out the previous 25 episodes of season #1 on iTunes.

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.


Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956


Listen to it on your computer
or phone live
TONIGHT at 9pm

Stream or Download here:


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Take it to go and never miss a show:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast



***PS - If you can't tune in live, you can always stream the show or download the .mp3 file later at the site above.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Indie Film Boot Camp Early Bird Discount EXTENDED!

Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo 2 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

We know many of you don't get paid until Friday, so by popular demand, we've extended the special Indie Film Boot Camp Early Bird Registration price of only $99.00 until Saturday, March 6th. Last chance to register for Indie Film Boot Camp for cheap! (Just don't say I didn't try to put you down before the price goes up again and the last seats sell out.)

What type of practical tips and wisdom will we be doling out all-day long?

The same type of straight-up practical instruction that made our Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide the #1 film book in the country...Here's just a few brief minutes from one of 6 seminars of an 8+ hour day jam-packed with all the real-world tips, tactics and advice that we only learned the hard way:



Come to Indie Film Boot Camp on Sat. March 27th for much more practical real-world filmmaking instruction from myself, Pete Chatmon and new media and music video whiz kid, Benjamin Ahr Harrison.

Apart from guerrilla tactics for professional results, we'll be covering:

  • Wooing and Directing A-List talent
  • Making a Name for Yourself
  • Fundraising
  • Effective Pitching
  • Documentary Interview Techniques and Logistics
  • Attracting Investors
  • Real Networking
  • Low Budget Music Video planning and logistics
  • Adding production value w/ After Effects
  • Strategies for Rising Above Entry Level Jobs
  • How and Where to Train Yourself
  • Plus tons more straight up practical info!
Register now at: IndieFilmBootCamp.com

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Announcing Indie Film Bootcamp!!!


Filmmakers, What is Nobody Telling You?

It’s a hard fact that some of the most valuable filmmaking knowledge is not really covered in most filmmaking classes and seminars. The insider tips, tactics and techniques that we deliver in this seminar are all things that you will eventually learn if you stay in the industry and keep making films and video.

But the real question is - How will you learn them?…Through the usual expensive trial and error, morale-busting mistakes and years of hard knocks in the trenches? OR By learning vicariously from the shared experience of other independent filmmakers like you that have already been there and done that?

Nobody Told Us Either

Between the three instructors presenting this seminar, we’ve taken our indie lumps several times over. When we started out nobody told us some of the most crucial things we needed to master to become better filmmakers and consistently create professional-quality videos. From the intricacies of wooing an investor to the perils of shooting without permits…we learned it all the hard way.

At Indie Film Bootcamp, you can learn it all the EASY way – from our mistakes and hard-won experience. And not just our mistakes, but also our many indie successes. Between us, we’ve taken multiple top prizes at major film festivals, produced music videos and shows on MTV, been screened on Showtime and Starz, wooed and directed A-list talent, and screened films at Sundance, Slamdance, Tribeca and beyond. However, the reality is that if we knew just half of what we’re now sharing at Indie Film Bootcamp, we could have done it all faster, cheaper and with even better results.

This is Not a Class…It’s a Mission

This isn’t just a supplementary paycheck for us. Educating others is a life-long part of our filmmaking mission. We are so serious about this mission that we produce and host a weekly radio show and podcast just for aspiring filmmakers entitled, The Double Down Film Show, and have even published the best-selling film book on practical digital filmmaking, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide. Two of us even serve as adjunct film/tv professors at NYU’s legendary Tisch School of the Arts. But none of those venues allows us to tell you everything that we want to share. In these live seminars, we tell you the keys to everything we wished someone had told us at the start of our careers with no B.S. and no holds barred.

If you’re just beginning your filmmaking journey or stalled out somewhere in the middle, we pose the crucial question:

What is nobody telling you that’s holding back your filmmaking progress?

Actionable Knowledge & Advice

We’ve packed more than 25 years of combined indie filmmaking experience into six dynamic seminars that shed light on everything you won’t learn in film school, books and other seminars. We’ll teach you exactly where and how you can take effective short cut’s to save precious time and money, as well as which common amateur filmmaker short cuts will derail your project.

This seminar series will present all the practical filmmaking knowledge that you need to make your films and videos better, faster, and cheaper in a single full-day of:

  • SPECIFIC – Insider Techniques & Tactics
  • PRACTICAL – Filmmaking Tips and Wisdom
  • CANDID – Real-world Advice
  • INSPIRATIONAL – Case studies and examples

…All jam-packed into six one-of-a-kind indie filmmaking seminars from three dynamic and unique voices on the indie film scene that have already been there and done that. We’ll teach you everything we’ve learned the hard way….so you won’t have to.

This is a unique opportunity to receive 8+ hours of straight-up practical and real-world advice and get a jump start on the things you most need to succeed from fundraising to guerrilla production tactics to specific digital video tips and techniques. This is knowledge and advice that you can immediately apply to make your projects better, faster, and cheaper.

We’ll Tell You What They Won’t

We aren’t just going to help prepare you for the technical and procedural side of filmmaking. We will also cover some of the most crucial business, social and psychological aspects of the industry that are often overlooked, but have just as much impact on the final product.

We will teach you how to:

  • Clearly conceive, plan and EXECUTE your creative vision
  • MAXIMIZE production value despite limited resources
  • Adopt a BULLET-PROOF indie mindset and philosophy
  • Develop a solid STRATEGY for long-term career success

…all detailed from our own personal experience, step-by-step with clear illustrations and examples that you can follow and apply to your own work. But be warned, after you attend Indie Film Bootcamp you won’t be able to say nobody told you.

One-of-a-Kind Filmmaking Seminars


Down and Dirty Filmmaking: Guerrilla Tactics – Professional Results

An overview of guerrilla film making philosophy, tactics, and procedures that can be applied to any budget, any camera, any time. Learn the mindset and specific practices it takes to maximize your film making resources and increase production value. This is Anthony’s most popular seminar as presented across Europe and at the Annual National Association of Broadcasters Conference in Las Vegas.

Anthony Q. Artis Run Time: 1 hr. 30mins.

Click the link below to view a video clip from this seminar:

Down and Dirty Filmmaking Excerpt – “Attracting Name Talent” from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

__________________________________________________________


How To Make a $1 Million Video (…without $1 Million)

Nowadays, anyone can access the tools to make a music video or new media project, but only a few can make them good enough to land paying corporate clients and be aired on major tv networks. Whiz kid video director, Benjamin Ahr Harrison, of Double 7 Film will give you an overview of the cutting edge digital tools, techniques, and practical strategies that can help you make music videos, commercials and other impressive, low cost/high production value videos that blow away audiences and keep clients coming back for more.

Benjamin Ahr Harrison Run Time: 1hr. 20mins.

__________________________________________________________


Documentary Interview Bootcamp

An A-Z overview of all the facets for conducting a successful interview – from the technical practices of camera, audio and lighting to the practical techniques of planning and conducting interviews. This workshop is perfect for aspiring documentary filmmakers, small businesses, corporate videographers, and video journalists who are looking to expand and sharpen their skill set.

Anthony Q. Artis Run Time: 1 hr. 30mins.

__________________________________________________________


The Psychology & Technique of Directing

You know the difference between close-ups and tracking shots, you’re familiar with who should be doing what on your set, but what do you do when personalities clash, time is running out, and you suddenly realize that you weren’t as prepared as you thought? This seminar will arm you with the necessary tactics to manage any production and ensure that your creative vision is translated to cast, crew, and most importantly, the audience that will see your film.

Pete Chatmon Run Time: 1hr. 30mins.

__________________________________________________________


Raising Funds and Pitching…Effectively

What good is a great idea if it never gets off the page? Raising money is the hardest part of filmmaking at every level, nevertheless, we all leave resources untapped due to poor self-promotion, ineffective proposals, and failing to speak the language of the investor, executive, or any other type of person sitting across the table. Being able to secure financing means being able to sell your idea. This seminar will help you streamline your efforts as you embark on the beautiful journey of going from script to screen.

Pete Chatmon Run Time: 1hr. 30mins.

__________________________________________________________


Learn, Break In & Rise Up In The Biz

No one ever said breaking into the film and tv industry was easy, especially during an economic crisis! If you’ve recently graduated from film school, or are looking to make a career transition, then this seminar is the perfect introduction into the real world of film and TV. This is a one of a kind seminar guaranteed to inspire and motivate and fully-arm attendees with the attitude and counter-intuitive wisdom they need to advance in the film and tv industry. Presented only 3 times in 3 years, Anthony, will reveal his winning 5-step formula for getting noticed and promoted on any job in any field of entertainment or beyond. Using the steps outlined in this seminar, attendees will get a no-nonsense blue-print for better learning their craft, aquiring more power and control over their circumstances and parlaying an entry-level (or even temp job) in the industry into a major career break. This course is highly-recommended for anyone that aspires to work for a major network, studio, production company or other corporate entertainment company.

Anthony Q. Artis Run Time: 1 hr. 45 mins.

__________________________________________________________


YOUR INSTRUCTORS


ANTHONY Q. ARTIS, The Video Evangelist

Anthony Q. Artis is a 15-year veteran of the film and TV industry and the author of The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide (Focal Press 2007) and the upcoming The Shut Up and Shoot Freelance Video Guide (Focal Press 2011). His features and shows have been screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, the IFP Feature Market, Slamdance, and on MTV. Most notably, Anthony produced the 2003 IFP Feature Market grand prize-winner, Shelter, Associate Produced the IFC-backed feature documentary, Paper Chasers, and served as a Segment Producer for the popular MTV reality series Flipped. He has worked professionally in positions as diverse as producer, gaffer, cinematographer, special-fx make up, sound mixer and location manager. Having established a presence in television and the indie film world, Anthony founded the production and guerrilla film training company, Down and Dirty DV, LLC. As CEO and producer for the company, Anthony has produced dynamic attention-grabbing video projects for TV, DVD and the Web for clients such as Focal Press, Elsevier Publishing, The Clive Davis School of Music and FUSE-TV in recent years. Apart from production, Down and Dirty DV, LLC has come to represent a strong international brand of no-nonsense guerrilla filmmaking instruction. The company’s premiere publication, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide, has been the best-selling film book on Amazon.com and Neilson’s Bookscan list for more than a year now. After less than a year on the market, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide was adopted as required reading by NYU, Chapman University, and dozens of other notable film schools around the world. Apart from his duties as CEO of Down and Dirty DV, LLC, Anthony teaches as an adjunct film professor at NYU’s, Tisch School of the Arts, where he also manages production equipment for all grad and undergrad Film and TV students.

PETE CHATMON, The Complete Filmmaker

In today’s age of New Media, writer/producer/director, Pete Chatmon is the guy you want behind the lens. Whether feature filmmaking, commercials, music or viral videos, Chatmon develops content with one focus: to engage and entertain audiences and consumers through honest storytelling. Previous credits include the romantic dramedy PREMIUM, starring Dorian Missick, Zoe Saldana, and Hill Harper, 761st, a documentary on the first black tank battalion in WWII narrated by Andre Braugher, and a variety of new media campaigns for clients including Classic Kicks, New York University, and The Salvation Army. Chatmon is also the recipient of the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival “All Access” Program’s Creative Promise Narrative Award for the bank heist screenplay $FREE.99, written in collaboration with Candice Sanchez McFarlane. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Chatmon has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Variety, and on Fox Business Channel. Double 7 Film, his film production and marketing boutique, is based in NYC.

BENJAMIN AHR HARRISON – The Video Whiz Kid

Benjamin Ahr Harrison grew up in America’s most diverse city, Oakland, CA. At the age of twelve he took a summer course in ocean science and decided that his childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist just wasn’t for him. Thereafter, he committed himself fully to his Plan B career of becoming a filmmaker. He attended NYU’s Kanbar Institute for Film and Television Production for his undergraduate education. He is now an award-winning screenwriter and has directed music videos that have screened on MTV and BET, as well as racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and MySpace. He still maintains a keen interest in ocean and space science, though his taller-than-average build will always stand in the way of his Plan C career: becoming an astronaut. This puts him in the dire position of needing absolutely to succeed in the world of filmmaking.

__________________________________________________________


Location & Schedule


Date: Saturday – March 27, 2010

Location: New York City – West Village/Soho Area (venue TBA by 3/1/10)

Schedule:

9:00am – Down and Dirty Filmmaking: Guerrilla Tactics – Professional Results

10:30am – Break 5mins.

10:40am – How to Make a Million Dollar Video…without a Million Dollars – 1 hr. 20mins.

12:00am – Documentary Interview Bootcamp 1hr. 20mins.

1:20pm – LUNCH BREAK

2:20pm – Psychology and Technicality of Directing – 1 hr.

3:20pm – Fundraising & Pitching – 1.5 hr.

4:50pm – 10min. Break

5:00pm – How to Learn, Break In, and Rise Up in Show Business – 1.5 hr.

6:30pm – Q&A (15mins.)

7:30pm – After Party (ca$h bar)

__________________________________________________________

Get Tickets

At major conferences and institutions across the country, you would easily pay $200.00 or more for 8+ hours of hard-to-find info like this. But we’re guerrillas like you and know it’s a recession, so we’re giving you 50% OFF the going rate, so everyone can afford to invest in their filmmaking future.

6 seminars, 3 speakers, 8+ hours

Only $99.00

Early Bird Discount Ends March 6th!

After February 28th price will increase to $120.00

*Price includes exclusive film training and job resource handouts. Please note that due to high demand and group pre-registrations, there are a very limited number of seats for this premiere seminar series.

FREE Giveaways Just for Registering Early

Each Wednesday leading up to the event we new will raffle off a chance to win one of 4 valuable filmmaking prizes on The Double Down Film Show, but only up until March 6, 2010. So if you’re slow, you blow. Here are the rewards of being early:

  • Signed DVD of Pete Chatmon’s indie feature “Premium” starring Avatar’s, Zoe Saldana and Hil Harper.
  • Signed copy of “The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide” by Anthony Q. Artis – the #1 film book on Amazon.com and Neilsen’s Bookscan List!
  • A DVD of the Independent Feature Market Grand Prize-winning drama, “Shelter”, produced by Anthony Q. Artis
  • One hour of consulting w/ Anthony Q. Artis ($150 value!)
  • One hour of consulting w/ Pete Chatmon ($150 value!)

One winner will be announced each Wednesday night until all prizes are gone.

We hope to see you all there!

-Anthony, Pete and Ben

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

FREE Down and Dirty Filmmaking Bootcamp - Oct. 28th. - REGISTER NOW!

***Hurry up and register. This event is FREE and filling up fast. ***

Down and Dirty DV, Panasonic and B&H Photo Video Superstore present a full-day of FREE intensive filmmaking instruction for emerging indie filmmakers. This unique one-day event will arm you with the knowledge you need to produce a film, whether it be a narrative or documentary on a sensible budget as well as how to get the most out of essential film making tools.

Topics include:
  • Down and Dirty Filmmaking: Guerrilla Tactics for Professional Results
    An overview of specific guerrilla film making philosophy, tactics, and procedures that can be applied to any budget, any camera, any time. Learn the mindset and specific practices it takes to maximize your film making resources and increase production value. This is our most popular crowd-pleasing seminar.
    Run Time: 1 hr. 45 mins. - Presented by Anthony Q. Artis
  • Documentary Interview Bootcamp
    An A-Z overview of all the facets for conducting a successful interview - from the technical practices of camera, audio and lighting to the practical techniques of planning and conducting interviews. This workshop is perfect for aspiring documentary filmmakers, small businesses, corporate videographers, and video journalists who are looking to expand and sharpen their skill set.
    Run Time: 1 hr. 30mins. - Presented by Anthony Q. Artis
  • Feeding Housing and Transporting Your Crew
    When your budget is tight, you really can't afford to put your money anywhere except up on the screen, but you've still got to take care of your crew. This seminar will cover common creative lower costs options for crew meals, transportation and housing. Guerrilla film guru Anthony Artis, will share tips for keeping your crew happy on budget with specific examples from his work as a producer on the award-winning film “SHELTER” and the IFC-backed road documentary, “PAPER CHASERS.”
    Run Time: 45 mins. - Presented by Anthony Q. Artis

  • How to Learn, Break In, and Rise Up in the film making business
    No one ever said breaking into the film and tv industry was easy, especially during an economic crisis! If you've recently graduated from film school, or are looking to make a career transition, then this seminar is the perfect introduction into the real world of film and TV. This is a one of a kind seminar guaranteed to inspire and motivate and fully-arm attendees with the attitude and counter-intuitive wisdom they need to advance in the film and tv industry.
    Run Time: 1 hr. 45 mins. - Presented by Anthony Q. Artis
  • Panasonic’s newest AVCCAM cameras, tools, and AVCHD workflow
    Residing at the core of your production is the camera and workflow. The essential tools are the new Panasonic AG-HMC40 camera that shoots video and stills, the HMC150 that shines with amazing low light quality (especially good for challenging light situations), the AG-HMR10 playback/recorder and the AG-HCK10 POV CAM.

    This professional equipment will be fully explored, along with Panasonic’s latest affordable AVCCAM products in which you’ll learn how to integrate their high end capture and playback capabilities into your workflow.
    Run Time TBD - Presented by Bernie Mitchell
This event is free, but you must register to attend.

*CLICK HERE TO REGISTER*

This event WILL sell out, so register now.

Your Speakers:
Your instructors at this all day filmmaking Boot camp will be award winning industry insiders and professionals, Anthony Q. Artis and Bernie Mitchell. This will be a no-nonsense, intensive, and illuminating day that will surely benefit your professional career and increase your knowledge in the practical, technical and creative aspects of film making.

Anthony Q. Artis
Anthony Q. Artis originally hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and has made his home in New York City for most of the last 15 years. There he has honed his skills as a straight up digital guerrilla. He has worked professionally in positions as diverse as producer, gaffer, cinematographer, and narrative projects and survived more low-budget shoots than he cares to admit. His feature films and TV shows have screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, the IFP Market, Slamdance, Cinequest, as well as on MTV, The Independent Film Channel and The special-FX make up, sound mixer, and location manager just to name a few. Anthony is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Since graduating, he has crewed and produced a variety of television, documentary Education Channel.


Bernie Mitchell
Bernie is an Emmy nominated Producer/Director/Writer/Editor, Multimedia Person of the year, and DVD Association Hall of Fame member, whose experience includes; overall responsibility for the launch of a global hi-def TV, Radio and Web network, running a marketing consulting and multimedia production company, writing a book and surviving the dot.com madness. Besides running Silver Platter Productions, he is the Panasonic AVCHD Evangelist and a consultant on Panasonic's P2 workflow. Bernie has shot many hours of high definition images, published articles, presented lectures and demos on hi-def world-wide; including The Idiatrod Race, in Alaska at minus 67 degrees. Previously, Bernie was Senior Producer/Director for iPIX Movies, an immersive internet and DVD experience. Bernie produced and directed "Atlantis: Once Upon A Time", the first iPIX Movie to be streamed over the internet. He created and posted daily immersive images from the Olympics in Sydney and the Burning Man Festival.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

New Excerpts from Ant's Guerrilla Filmmaking Crash Course

I have a confession to make...I am a dedicated film and video maker and have been for more than a decade now, but my current reality is that I have actually come to enjoy teaching others what I've learned through the years more than actually doing it.

Don't get me wrong, I still stay on my video and filmmaking grind and I still like it, but teaching it, inspiring others and making light bulbs go off in new filmmaker's heads really gets me fired up and I love doing it. I could (and have) done it for 8 hours straight many times. Hence this entire Down and Dirty DV project that's developed over the last few years.

So to that end, here's a few quick tidbits of FREE and valuable (words rarely seen together) guerrilla filmmaking advice that I offered in my last Guerrilla Filmmaking Seminar at the B&H Event Space.

There's only so much time on the radio show and blog to get into specifics, but in the seminars and products I can break things down in more detail. If you like what you see and want to get he whole presentation including all the illustrations, slides and inappropriate humor, this entire seminar is available on DVD HERE.

Also, it's still in the discussion stages, but I think I'll be teaming up with the good people at B&H again in the very near future to offer an unprecedented educational opportunity for knowledge hungry guerrillas. So stay tuned for an official announcement in the coming weeks.

For now enjoy this newly released video clip...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tonight - Weds. April 29th - on The Double Down Film Show

Tonight on a special EXPANDED edition of The Double Down Film Show we'll be sharing a private webinar originally given for Turn Here Productions that gives some key tips and tricks to documentary and corporate production.

  • How do you get good documentary "performances" from "real people"?
  • What can you do in low light situations?
  • What are some of the most helpful tools for doc filmmakers?
  • What's a "ghetto light kit"?
Shut Up and Shoot Doc Guide
The answers to these questions (and much more) will be revealed tonight in a special hour and a half episode as show co-host, Anthony Q. Artis, will expand on the info in his best-selling book, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide.

Join in the chat room to have your doc production questions answered live. Call in questions after the webinar- time permitting.

The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!

Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen To It Online Here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow


*PS - If you can't tune in live, you can still stream the show or save the podcast to your iPod later at the site above.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Career Seminar @ DCTV This Week


This Friday night December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm I will be returning to one of my favorite filmmaking establishments in New York City - DCTV a.k.a. Downtown Community Television (DCTVNY.org). If you are anywhere near NYC and in the documentary scene…you need to get down with DCTV if you aren't already.

I think this organization is a “must join” for any serious documentary filmmaker in the city. They provide equipment rentals, multi-level classes, editing facilities, and great panels and master classes, including one with yours truly this coming Friday night.

And the best part is that it's a non-profit operation, so everything is completely affordable, goes to help fellow filmmakers and the people and warm energy in that place are incredible. They have Open Houses several times throughout the year and classes and seminars all year round. They also have an excellent free filmmaking workshop for teens in NYC.

I will be presenting an inspirational and one-of-a-kind seminar on breaking in and making a way for yourself in the entertainment industry. Let's be real- there is crazy competition in this industry. It's not enough to just be good at what you do and it's not enough to just "know somebody".

How does one break into showbiz? How do you get that first entry-level job? And what do you do once you get it? You need to come up with proven and bonafide strategies to infiltrate- then rise up where you want to go in this industry or you're gonna waste a lot of time just spinning your wheels in circles.

In this unique seminar I will discuss:
• Filmmaking Training Resources
• Getting Ya Mind Right
• Film School vs. Self Teaching
• Moving to L.A.
• Industry Job-Hunting
• Local Fimmaking Resources
• My 5-Phase Double-Secret Strategy for Moving Up…Anywhere

SNEAK PREVIEW AUDIO CLIP:
"The Qualifications to be a Filmmaker" (.mp3)
Click HERE for more info, directions or just cop your tickets below:
$30/DCTV & Shooting People Members
$35/Partner Organization Members (IFP, NYWIFT/CWNY)
$40/Non-Members
Ticket includes a copy of The Shut Up & Shoot Documentary Guide – a $35 value!

(And if you already have the wonderful book, use it as a fabulous gift to a filmmaking friend this holiday season!)

Purchase Tickets here:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49369 or call 1-800-838-3006.


Brown Paper Tickets is a fair-trade, low-fee ticketing company, and is the only place to purchase tickets to DCTV PRESENTS Screenings & Events.

December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm

DCTV | 87 Lafayette Street | New York, NY 10013 | 212-966-4510 | www.dctvny.org

Friday, September 19, 2008

Client's Corner - Ian Hutchinson

Many people confuse the terms "Down and Dirty" and "Guerrilla" filmmaking as somehow being inferior or half-assed filmmaking methodologies or philosophies that compromise quality and professionalism.

These are the very same type of people that marched the well-uniformed British Army in straight orderly lines across open fields while a ragtag bunch of American patriots whipped their ass with rusty muskets while wearing plain clothes and hiding and shooting from behind any available rock, tree or gulley.

It's not really these people's fault, they just have very limited imaginations, so they don't get it. It ultimately may take a few musket balls in the head and bayonets to the groin to make them realize the potential effectiveness of superior guerrilla tactics that don't depend on overwhelming numbers, superior weapons or endless resources.

As I see it as a bonafide DV Evangelist, guerrilla filmmaking (when done right) often takes MORE careful planning and execution to make the very most of limited resources. Every move has to be thought out, every contingency planned for, and every dollar stretched to make it up on the screen.

Sneak Preview
Down and Dirty Filmmaking: Guerrilla Tactics for Professional Results DVD



Down and Dirty Filmmaking DVD - Guerrilla Special Forces from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

(*This full 1hr. 22min. Seminar DVD will be available soon on this website.)


So to the Down and Dirty guerrilla filmmaking philosophy is not about being cheap and taking shortcuts that make things easier and compromise quality. Rather, it's about being ultra-efficient and using creativity, labor and planning to make up for your lack of resources and find a way to match or emulate the big budget filmmakers with half the money and crew.

The video below was done by talented animator/filmmaker Ian Hutchinson, one of my very first consulting clients. I helped Ian figure out where to put the (very limited) dollars in the budget for this project, so that they would have maximum impact onscreen.

People always ask me things such as should I rent a stedicam? A 35mm lens adapter? A Red Camera? A jib?...and my answer is different for every case, because it always depends on the COST vs. VALUE that that element brings to a particular project. In this case the big ticket item was a Steadicam operator and it was money well spent to execute the concept.

So don't get it twisted, I'm not a proponent of cheap and quick...I'm a proponent of effective and efficient. Peep Ian Hutchinson's video, Chocolate Pom Pom, below and see what can be accomplished with a small budget using creativity, hustle, an smart planning...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

FREE - Interview Bootcamp at B&H Aug.6th

Once again I will be rolling out some new premium seminar material at B&H Superstore Event Space in midtown Manhattan. This time up I will be giving a thoroughly engaging Interview Bootcamp. See event description below:

Down and Dirty DV's Interview Bootcamp - Weds. Aug. 6th - 11am -2pm

Come join us at the Event Space to hear the talented Anthony Artis give an A-Z overview of all the facets for conducting a successful interview from the technical practices of camera, audio and lighting to the practical techniques of planning and conducting interviews. This class is perfect for aspiring documentary filmmakers, small businesses, corporate videographers, and video journalists who are looking to expand and sharpen their skill set. After attending one of Anthony’s classes, you’ll walk away with a wealth of information and burst of motivation.


Joining Anthony will be Eric Drucker, from Lowel Lighting, who will be discussing different types of lights and how to control them so that we can use them to our advantage. Eric will demonstrate a range of lighting concepts using multiple techniques that will have you feeling confident about lighting interviews of different types.

Please understand that this is the first and last time that you will be able to get this full seminar live and in-person completely for FREE. Before I charge people for anything I like to test it out and tweak it to make sure that it is a superior value just like "The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide", so if you snooze, you lose. (I'll still be giving this seminar in the future, just not for free again.)

This is essentially much of the very same info that I teach to students in the Sight and Sound Documentary class at NYU's reknowned Tisch School of the Arts- only instead of over a full semester and at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, I'm gonna stuff and jam all the most important, succinct, and practical interview tips I can think of into your skull in the space of a few hours and for free...Not only that, but as an added bonus trainer, Eric Drucker from Lowel Lighting, will be there giving an interview lighting demo.


The B&H Event Space continues to be one of the best-kept little secrets around town. Every single month they give tons of free classes and seminars in various topics in photo, video, and multimedia. It's an incredible resource, especially for those of you who are self-teaching. All you have to do to go to any event is register. (Non-registered attendees will be permitted as space allows.)

Anyway, I hope to see you there. There will be a Q&A and booksigning of "The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide" to follow.

Location:
The B&H Event Space is located on the second floor of the B&H Super Store, located at 420 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001. If you are registered, please arrive at the Event Space entrance 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start.