Cinema Production Basics
Date & Time
Location
2441 University Avenue West,
Saint Paul, MN, 55114
Parking & Building Entrance Information
Description
In this beginning-level course, students will learn both theories and practical application of cinematography, producing, directing, scripting, storyboarding, and editing. By the end of the course, participants will have worked as a group to conceptualize a script and develop it into a short movie.
In addition to providing extensive hands-on experience through production exercises and projects, the course places considerable emphasis on visual literacy and metaphor, and the application of film language. This includes the basics of storytelling, cinematography and lighting principles and techniques, and audio recording.
Students will also receive an overview of editing with Adobe Premiere Pro to complete the class project. Tuition includes two camera package rentals (camera, mic, and light kit) during the course for optional individual projects and further practice outside of class. For the final four sessions bring a hard drive or 32GB USB flash drive, plus headphones or earbuds.
Tuition
Instructor
Barbara Wiener
As a child, Barbara Wiener first wanted to be an astronaut but discovered that motion sickness would be a hindrance to the successful completion of training. Instead, she found herself drawn to telling the stories of the world around her. Barbara believes human beings are hardwired as a species to respond to stories and images in emotional ways. That means our modern media has significant influence to shape how we see ourselves and others. She believes sharing visual stories has the power to create the world we want to live in. That’s where making films comes in.
Barbara’s career in film and television and teaching has spanned 32 years. She was a senior and executive producer for 14 years at Twin Cities Public Television and has completed many independent feature documentaries since that time. Her arts and cultural documentary and performance work has received many awards including six Midwest Emmys and a Ciné Golden Eagle for her documentary film, Ida’s Story. Her work been seen in broadcast and screenings around the world, including the Walker Art Center’s Women with Vision, the New York International Film Festival, Chicago Silver Screen Film Festival, Women in the Director’s Chair, Denver Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival, which featured a piece called Curious George Goes to Hellmade with storyteller Kevin Kling.
In 2000 Barbara founded TVbyGIRLS, a nonprofit that collaborates with and mentors teen girls using the tools of filmmaking to develop critical thinking, leadership, and social change film work. Films made by collaborations with girls have been seen by audiences around the world and been awarded with four Telly Awards and a nomination for a student Emmy award. Barbara recently completed a documentary with Art from the Inside profiling the power of art programs for incarcerated people.
Barbara has taught many cinema production courses at FilmNorth and helped develop and instructed for the Stories 55 film program for older adults. She is also working on a series of creativity workshops for students 55+ called Adventures in Visual Storytelling. Barbara also teaches college students to think about films and our society at North Hennepin Community College and does work with AJ+, Zinc Video, and Pear Video in Shanghai, China.
Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy
- Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
- If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
- For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes).
- Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
- By registering for this class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding this class, please send us an email or call (651) 644-1912 ext. 2.