MAKE YOUR OWN LOW BUDGET FILM
Class Series

(September 2008 – January 2009)

Today many people are buying or borrowing a digital camera and shooting their own films.  Some people are running up debts making bad films.  It takes more than a camera and passion to make a good film.  Filmmaking is like building a car.   You have to understand what’s under the hood that makes cars go.   A film’s engine is a combo of having a solid script; extensive pre-planning; know-how in running a set; and great people skills!  

The three classes in the series cover these stages of low budget film production – Development, Pre-Production, and Production – and concludes with a one day shoot of a short film.   Our classes are intergenerational and open to all ages from teens (16 yrs and older) to 20s, 30s, 50s and up. 

FROM PAWNS TO KINGS Shoot

INTRO TO SCRIPTWRITING:  Written Blueprint for Making a Film (Development)
Tuesdays, September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28     
  6:00-9:00pm ($90)    

This course gives a comprehensive introduction to screenwriting and how a script is used by all departments as the ‘blueprint’ for making a film. Film stories are meant to exist in a real world with locations, wardrobe, sounds, and interesting characters. In this class you will learn proper script format; how to develop characters and story; and how to write “visually”. As homework each student will write a short one scene script.  Students will be cast as actors and do readings of the scripts.  Writers will receive feedback and suggestions for improving their script and then do rewrites.  The most developed scripts will be entered into the competition for actually being shot as a short film.    

GETTING STARTED IN FILM: Intro to Production Assistant
(Development & Pre-Production)   
Mondays, November 3, 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22    
6:00-9:00pm ($120)

This class is a primer on making a low budget film, from choosing a good script through planning, directing, and shooting your film.  (The focus is on directing, production design, and organizing a shoot – not on the technical aspects of camera and lighting)    The class will also cover the basics for getting started as a production assistant.      Students in this class will help choose the short script that will be shot in the MAKE A FILM class.  Short scripts in competition will be read before the class and then discussed.  A winning script will be selected.   The class will then help with Pre-Production planning for the one day film shoot.   Brooklyn Young Filmmakers will use the short films it has executive produced as case studies.   Presenters will include both emerging filmmakers and film professionals.    

FROM PAWNS TO KINGS Shoot

MAKE A FILM  
(Pre-Production & Production)   
Mondays & Tuesdays,  January 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27   
6:00-9:00pm
Shoot Date To Be Arranged   ($100)

Requirement:  You must have taken either Intro to Scriptwriting or Getting Started In Film  

We will make a short film from the script selected in the GETTING STARTED IN FILM class.   Emerging professionals will be recruited to head the camera and lighting departments.    Students will be involved as actors, department assistants, and production assistants.      Students will assist in a community scavenger hunt to secure donations of equipment, wardrobe, props and set pieces.    We will plan a one location shoot that will be done over the course of one to two days.   Brooklyn Young Filmmakers will then be responsible after the class is over for editing the footage into a short film.   Students will get their names in the credits.  

SCHOLARSHIPS  & QUESTIONS ABOUT CLASSES  

Brooklyn Young Filmmakers offers scholarship slots to residents of NYCHA public housing.   To apply for a scholarship or to ask questions about the classes, contact Brooklyn Young Filmmakers (718)935-0490 or classes@wearebyfc.org .

 CLASS LOCATION

Brooklyn Young Filmmakers classes are offered through the New York City College of Technology Division of Continuing Education at 25 Chapel Street in Downtown Brooklyn.   You can register directly with the Continuing Ed at (718) 552-1170.  

The BYFC “MAKE YOUR OWN LOW BUDGET FILM” Class Series is an offshoot of the BYFC “MAKE YOUR OWN FILM” Salon Series, which was funded in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).   The salon series concluded with the making of the short film FROM PAWNS TO KINGS.