My Hero

Yesterday, film critic and cultural icon Roger Ebert passed away after a long battle with cancer.

The man who gave America the "thumbs up/thumbs down" movie review really helped shape the way we view, and think about movies, and I for one owe so much of my love for, and understanding of, movies to this incredible writer and thinker.

Roger Ebert loved movies (even the ones he hated), and from him I learned that, no matter what you may think of a particular film, it has a place in our culture, it says something about who we are as a people, and to someone out there, it's the best movie ever.

I encourage you to read one of his reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times, his home newspaper for 46 years:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Rest peacefully, Mr. Ebert, and may you have "months and months and months in a beautiful valley with honey and nectar and zephyrlike breezes."

Pass this on to seniors you know:

Great Opportunity for a graduating senior!
“The Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) fosters the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian Institution and its resources. YAP a college preparatory and leadership program encourages graduating high school seniors to explore a wide range of academic and career opportunities through the lens of the Latino experience.

Up to 24 students are selected for an all-expense paid, interdisciplinary training seminar in Washington, D.C., and a four-week paid internship in a museum and cultural institution in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Smithsonian-affiliated organizations. Those selected to participate have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to the arts, sciences, or humanities as it pertains to Latino communities and cultures. Through this program, Latino youth are empowered to develop leadership and academic skills and foster pride in their own cultural heritage.”

 

Application Deadline:  Friday, April 12
For: Graduating Seniors
Cost:  All expenses paid
When:  late June – early August

 

When they access the online application- they’ll need to create an account 1^st!  Then have them search for Smithsonian Latino Center 2013 Student Ambassadors
Will need to submit:  an essay, copy of transcript (informal) & 2 letters of recommendation.

If the applicant needs an extension- they need to contact the assistant director at the number on the main page!

Wednesday, April 4th

First things first, props to Jose Payan.  This morning, I walked in to the classroom, set my stuff down, and found a nice note on my desk with a bunch of batteries.
Last night, Jose and his DWI Project Teammates had been working late on their project in the lab while I was at a meeting.  Jose noticed that the batteries sitting in the wall charger were fully charged, so he switched them out for me.  He put the charged batteries on my desk with a note, and filled up the charger with dead batteries that needed charging.  It might not sound like a big deal to you, but I'm always scrambling to find charged batteries (for wireless mice, microphones, cameras---you name it), and it sure does make my life easier this week.

That kind of gesture---doing something nice for someone else, when no one asked & it's not expected---really can mean a lot.  It totally made my day today, and helped remind me why I value working with all of you so much.


Now, onward....

Periods 3 & 7:  One week of shooting left for StopMo.  Next Wednesday is our last day in the Black Box.  Use your time wisely, grasshopper.  If you need to do some shooting during lunchtime, make arrangements with me ahead of time & I'll let you in to the Black Box.

Period 5:  StopMo Project is due next Tuesday.  You must have:

1.  Complete, edited image sequences that create the illusion of motion.  (10 points)
2. 3 Layers of Audio (when appropriate) that match what your team planned out on your original script.  If you planned to put it in the project, it should be there.  No excuses.  (15 points)
3. Title slide at the beginning, with the name of the project (5 seconds long), and FULL readable credits (at least 5 seconds long) that include: teammates' names and jobs, image credits, and music/sound credits.  Use the same citation method for sources that you used in January for your career research project. (10 points)
4. The final project should be exported to your Desktop as a full-resolution QuickTime file. (5 pts)

Your Evaluation form:

Week of April 1-5

Hi All, hope you had a nice long weekend!

First, the sad news.  YouTube is shutting down.  Check out their explanation here:

You Tube shutting down at midnight April 1, 2013 to select a winner. 

Serious about filmmaking?  Check out this amazing opportunity to connect with the film community in NM!  
From Dirk Norris, Program Mgr. at the New Mexico Film Office:
"We have a new program called the New Mexico Filmmakers Experience. It consists of monthly panel discussions on various aspects of filmmaking from the filmmaker’s point of view. 

On Sunday April 21 we will have our third panel entitled “What are the Kids Doing” and will be comprised of teenaged filmmakers. I have students coming from a couple schools and one student who is home schooled. I am looking for one more student. Do you have someone who would be interested in participating?

There will be a total of 5 panelists, talking about their experiences making film in New Mexico. Each panelist will be allowed to provide up to 5 minutes of content to show before the panel discussion begins. There will also be a Q and A portion from the audience. This event will be on Sunday April 21 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Santa Fe Center for Contemporary Arts."

Anyone interested in being on this panel?  Pretty cool opportunity to share your perspective on learning filmmaking.  Let me know if you'd like to do this ASAP!

 

Coming UP:  The submission deadline for the Digital Desert Youth Film Festival is next week!   Can't believe it snuck up on us already.
I really would like to at least have your Horror Films make it in to the festival, so I'm going to ask that a few folks stay behind in the lab to edit this week.
Wanna know more about the festival?  Visit:  The Digital Desert Website

We're sending off applications for The Emma Bowen Internship Program in the next couple of days.  If you're applying, please check in with me today to make sure you've got all your paperwork completed.

Periods 3 & 7:  With the exception of your Horror movie editors, we'll be shooting in the Black Box all week.  You should complete MOST, if not all, of your filming this week.

Period 5: At this point, I think everyone's done shooting, and we'll continue with editing.  Don't forget, you're being graded EVERY DAY on doing your part for editing.  I really do notice when you're focused, and when you're off-task.  Please support your team by doing your job.