Pittsburgh Area University Film Students:

The Pittsburgh Film Office, Chatham University, Carnegie Mellon University, CCAC, Duquesne University, La Roche University, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh are inviting you to participate in Pitch-Burgh: The Virtual Screening! Two minutes of your work will be showcased in this virtual event.

Everyone is invited to participate, but priority will be given to those that shared their projects with us live at the January Pitch-Burgh event.

To submit your project, please fill out this Google form:  https://forms.gle/ShUrCwbYVp5LLtT9A

An unlisted YouTube video upload will be required.

The deadline for submissions is June 29

The final selection of work will be curated by a group of fellow students in an anonymous format.

 

If you have any questions about submissions or Pitch-Burgh: The Virtual Screening, please email Katie Fahringer at [email protected].

ANATOMY OF A MOVIE
“What was the screenwriter thinking?” a unique way to learn a unique craft
SPECIAL EDITION!!
SETUPS & PAYOFFS

Most of the screenwriting process takes place away from a keyboard and desk. The story, the situations, character introductions, subplots, story points, setups & payoffs, “gags,” transitions, edits, “slug lines”, etc. are all thought about long before the writer downloads screenwriting software onto their computer. Many times—if not most—the ending is known before the beginning is.

There are numerous things a writer of a screenplay must think about when building their story. Setups and Payoffs are one of the most important (think of an out-of-shape Rocky struggling up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (the Setup) and then flying up those steps later in fighting shape (the Payoff) .

We will be using technology to show you a video with clips from well known—and some not-so-well known—movies to give examples of Setups and Payoffs.

This is the first Anatomy of a Movie presentation using Zoom. It’s not the future—it’s the “now.”

There is nothing harder to write than a motion picture screenplay. The writer can’t use the First Person or the Third Person to explain what is going on. There is a limited range for the length. It is a format unique to itself.

But if you can “train your brain” to think the way a screenwriter (actually any writer) must, there will be ancillary benefits to your professional and personal lives, and you may be able to write books, articles, business plans, love letters, etc.

No charge. Discounts given to “Fade In” screenwriting software and the “Write Your Script” class.

DATE: SUNDAY MAY 3RD
TIME: HIGH NOON (also the title of a great movie)
VENUE: YOUR LIVING ROOM, DEN, BASEMENT, KITCHEN, PORCH…
(“Ctrl & Click the link below to register. Registration is limited)

https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upAvcu6uqTIvHNQYARLjV3MQ5T44U0T7sfMM

(shared by Ken Kaszak)

eLearning Academy 

Production Accountant 101 Certification Courses

Get in-depth courses focusing on industry tools and techniques related to film and television production back office functions, beginning with the Production Accountant series.

The first 2-series course began Thursday, April 2, but it’s not too late to join and catch-up online! Currently available courses include:

  • Production Accounting 101 (a $649 value)
  • SmartAccounting 101 (a $199 value)

Courses are FREE for freelancers and available through Friday, May 15, 2020. Register at my.ep.com.

School is back in session! The Motion Picture Association invites you to join the first virtual Film School Friday

Heroes, Villains, and Everything In-Between: Behind the Scenes of Hit Film and TV Shows, will feature creative industry leaders who have worked on shows including Star Trek, Game of Thrones, Watchmen etc.

 

Please see the below details for more information. We hope you’ll be able to tune in!

Friday, April 24, 2020

2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT)

To RSVP: Visit the Motion Picture Association’s Facebook Event Page

Join the Conversation: #FilmSchoolFriday | @MotionPictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Make the most of this unprecedented break from production by investing in you.  Entertainment Partners wants to help production professionals – whether you’re new to production or a veteran – with a series of free career enhancing workshops.

These live daily webinars are organized in two tracks:

  • The Business of Production covering crucial laws, regulations, and tax issues facing the production world, with a specific focus on understanding how COVID-19 is impacting our industry. Learn more.
  • And, Production Technology. A series of live workshops on how to use our industry-leading production technology tools. Hosted by EP experts with decades of hands-on production experience, these courses are the perfect way to learn new skills or take your existing skills to the next level. Learn more.

Sessions begin Wednesday, April 1st. View the course list and sign up today!

https://theproductioncommunity.force.com/s/master-series

 

eLearning Academy 

Free Production Accountant 101 Certified Courses

Get in-depth courses focusing on industry tools and techniques related to film and television production back office functions, beginning with Production Accountant series.

The first 2-series course begins Thursday, April 2:

  • Production Accounting 101 (a $649 value) – Begins Thursday, April 2
  • SmartAccounting 101 (a $199 value) – Begins Wednesday, April 15

Courses are FREE for freelancers and available through Friday, May 15, 2020. Just visit my.ep.com, and click “register now”.

 

“What was the screenwriter thinking?”
a unique way to learn a unique craft

Most of the screenwriting process takes place away from a keyboard and desk. The story, the situations, character
introductions, subplots, story points, set-ups, “gags”, transitions, edits, scene descriptions, etc. are all thought
about long before the writer downloads screenwriting software onto their computer. Many times—if not most—the
ending is known before the beginning.

In this presentation, we are going to show one of the “great movies you’ve never heard of,” and dissect it during a
showing to determine (the best way we can) what the screenwriter was thinking during the story structure and
the outline process.

THE MOVIE: “Once” (2007)
Cool award-winning Irish movie with
unique love story, great music (and
one of the best scenes ever!)

DATE: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020
TIME: 12:30p to 2:00p
SITE: Carnegie Library
South Side Branch
2205 E. Carson Street
COST: FREE! (attendees entitled to 20% discount on “Fade In” screenwriting
software and the “Write Your Script” class)

THE PRESENTER
Ken Kaszak is the developer of the “Write
Your Script” class. This class features the
“Thinking Like a Screenwriter” method,
which enables students to write a script
while maintaining work and family
commitments and to take advantage of
the “ancillary” benefits of writing.

Information on Ken and the class is
available via email at:
[email protected]

MoonDocs® 2019 – The 3rd Annual Documentary Filmmakers’ Open House

Robert Morris University, 6001 University Boulevard, Moon Township, PA 15108

Friday, November 1, 2019 12:00 pm – 6:00

Saturday, November 2, 2019 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

 

2019 Keynote Filmmaker: Fall 2019 Visiting Documentary Filmmaker at RMU – Eva Weber, award-winning London-based German filmmaker

 

Registration:  $40 in advance, $50 on site

Students with valid ID (checked on site): $10 in advance, $15 on site

Register at:

http://intranet.rmu.edu/center-for-documentary-production-and-study/events/moondocs-2019-program-and-housing

 

MoonDocs® 2019 Program

Friday, November 1, 2019 12:00 pm-6:00 pm

  • Production Sound Workshop: Capturing Quality Production Sound on Shoots
  • Inside Indie Filmmaking
  • Exploring Financial Options for Film Projects
  • Lighting and Camera Workshop: Setting Up a Documentary Interview
  • The Three Rivers Film Festival: Exhibiting Cultural Diversity and Cinematic Innovation in Southwestern PA – Exhibitions Director at PCA&M Joe Morrison and 3RFF Guest Curator Benjamin Ogrodnik

 

Saturday, November 2, 2019 9:30 am-4:00 pm

  • A Masterclass with RMU Fall 2019 Visiting Documentary Filmmaker Eva Weber:

“Building Your Career as a Filmmaker and How to Use Festivals to Make Your Name”

  • 4×4 Film Challenge: Show 4 minutes of your project and pitch the next production steps for 4 minutes. Submit projects to Documentary Film Strategist Nadine Patterson at [email protected]
  • Current and Future Trends: From Streaming to Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Workshop
  • Plans for MoonDocs 2020

 

Event location:

Robert Morris University (http://rmu.edu/ ), Wheatley Center

6001 University Boulevard, Moon Township, PA 15108

Driving directions: http://publicsafety.rmu.edu/university-map-and-directions

 

MoonDocs® is an open networking and learning event for experienced and aspiring filmmakers, artists, educators, students, cultural workers, and others interested in filmmaking, production, socially conscious arts, diversity, and learning about how to get one’s work to audiences. MoonDocs® is organized by the Center for Documentary Production & Study and Media Arts Department at Robert Morris University.

RMU Media Art Department is a community partner of Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival.

Training the Media Makers of Tomorrow

Link: https://www.wqed.org/next-generation-fellows

WQED’s NextGeneration Fellowship training program seeks to enhance the skill set of college students and community media makers by providing actual working experience for emerging creators. Four individuals per year will participate in the training program. Fellows will learn about the editorial process by developing, researching, writing, shooting and editing their own productions. In 2018 the Next Generation Fellows will focus on a different aspect of our changing city.

Apply for a Next-Generation Fellowship:

If you’d like to submit your resume for consideration for the next Fellows session, please send your resume and cover letter to Minette Seate at [email protected]. Resumes must be received by March 13, 2019. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and residents of the City of Pittsburgh.

RSVP: http://www.wifmpit.org/event/set-etiquette?instance_id=2886

Whether you are already working on set, you’re an actor or new to the business, you NEED this informational panel discussion with industry experts.

Learn set etiquette from the professionals that work every day in the business who want YOU to be more professional.

Some of what we will cover:

  1. Roles on Set – Who does what and when
  2. Chain of command
  3. Introduce yourself
  4. Proper terminology used on set / Lingo
  5. Only the director says “cut and action”
  6. Save your comments
  7. Equipment rules
  8. Be Ninja Like
  9. Showing up on Time / Call time is work time
  10. What to wear on a set  etc., etc., etc. etc.

RSVP and more information: http://www.wifmpit.org/event/set-etiquette?instance_id=2886