Class Hours & Information
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Building Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today
No diplomas, no credits, no bull...
just a whole lot of knowledge!
Comic-Con Film School (CCFS) returns in 2007 and offers four sessions filled with practical
information for both the novice and experienced filmmaker. The Film School's
main "professors" are
Sean Rourke and
Valerie Perez.
Sean Rourke
Sean Rourke is a VisualFX editor at Digiscope in Santa Monica. His screen
credits include
The Legend of Zorro and
Freddy vs. Jason. His filmmaking
experience started with a 12-part Internet series,
Amanda Hades. He and his crew
made a feature film,
1st Person Shooter, which screened at Comic-Con in 2004. At
that time, Sean pitched the idea of a "film school" to Comic-Con. The premise
was to create a practical presentation for the budding filmmaker: a nuts-and-bolts
class on how to make your first movie, without spending a lot of money,
using consumer-level video equipment and desktop software.
Valerie Perez
Valerie Perez works as an information technology analyst for a small city in
Southern California. She's spent the last three years exploring producing,
acting, creating digital video effects, and developing pyrotechnics for
Tears of
the Dragon, an homage to the Lara Croft
Tomb Raider character. Directed by Nick
Murphy, it had its world premiere in early 2006. Valerie is a Comic-Con Film
School "alumnus," using the knowledge she gained at Comic-Con to do her own
film.
What you can expect from
Comic-Con Film School
Over four days, CCFS walks attendees through the fundamental steps of
filmmaking, from writing the initial script all the way through to authoring the
DVD. The classes utilize a number of panelists who have made their own movies
and share their experiences.
An important aspect of Comic-Con's ongoing efforts to promote indie filmmaking
on all levels, CCFS offers attendees something they won't find at other events.
"What we try to do is demystify the process," says Rourke. "There are so many
problems that can be avoided on a first project. This class is designed to give
the next generation of filmmakers a heads-up on what they can do to actually get
to a finished movie, without having to max-out credit cards or lose several
thousand dollars of a relative's money." Perez adds, "The panels help folks feel
like they can express themselves and try something new. Even if they don't use
something they specifically learned from the Film School, after attending a
session it all seems more accessible. We offer people tips to save money, stay
sane and, for many looking to shoot more action oriented films, help keep them
safe."
Thursday, July 26
10:30-12:00 Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting—For
the fourth year in a row, Comic-Con Film School returns with a four-day, hands-on,
nuts-and-bolts series of classes on how to make movies for very little money,
using available video technology and desktop postproduction software. Whether
you're shooting your first steampunk space opera or that story about the ninja
girl who hunts zombies, this course will take you from script to DVD so that
you too can enter your own movie into the CCI: IFF. The first class covers the
specifics of preproduction on the cheap, including screenwriting, casting, scheduling,
location scouting, crewing up, getting equipment for nothing, and so on. Panelists
for the class include Tim Cunningham (writer/director, Xtracurricular),
Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames
and Tears of the Dragon, a Lara Croft fan film), Nick Murphy (director,
Tears of the Dragon), Aaron Shoenke (director, Batman Legends
and Patient J), and Sean Rourke (writer/director 1st Person
Shooter).
Friday, July 27
10:30-12:00 Comic-Con Film School 102: Production—Day 2 of the four-day
course on micro-budget moviemaking. Today’s class will focus on the specifics
of production, from shooting techniques to lighting on the cheap, to crew positions
you need (and don't need), to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little
money as possible. Panelists for the class include noted director of photography,
Kyle DeVriendt, Tim Cunningham (writer/director, Xtracurricular),
Valerie Perez (producer/star, Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames
and Tears of the Dragon, a Lara Croft fan film), Nick Murphy (director,
Tears of the Dragon), Aaron Shoenke (director, Batman Legends
and Patient J), and Sean Rourke (writer/director, 1st Person
Shooter).
Saturday, July 28
10:30-12:00 Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew—Day
3 deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy
without anybody making any money. Panelists for this class include Tim Cunningham
(writer/director, Xtracurricular), Valerie Perez (producer/star,
Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames and Tears of the Dragon, a Lara
Croft fFan film), Sean Rourke (writer/director, 1st Person Shooter),
and actors Susan Smythe, Brian Stevenson, Kat Steel, Jack
Conway, and Brad Upton.
Sunday, July 29
10:30-12:00 Comic-Con Film School 104: Postproduction with a Spotlight
on Editing—The final day of our comprehensive course on micro-budget moviemaking
will revolve around what to do after your movie is shot. Panelists will go over
the basics of postproduction on your home computer, as well as what software
to use for editing, graphic design, sound design, visual FX, and finally, how
to burn your finished product to DVD. We will also take an in-depth look at
editing from tips and tricks to technique and style. Panelists for the class
include professional editor Graeme Lowery (Road Rules, Simple Life),
Tim Cunningham (writer/director, Xtracurricular), Valerie Perez
(producer/star Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames and Tears of the
Dragon), Nick Murphy (director, Tears of the Dragon), and
Sean Rourke (writer/director, 1st Person Shooter.)
