Upper Valley media professionals share their trades and talents in master class-styled “media labs.” These hands-on workshops can stand alone or work together to provide a comprehensive introduction to digital media arts production.  (Fee assistance is available; contact info@uvjam.org)

Fall 2021 Media Labs

img 7811.aCinematography

Sunday 10/24, 1-4pm or Wednesday, 12/1 6-9pm

Curious to learn how to give the ordinary that “cinema magic”?  In this introduction to cinematography, we will explore how camera and lighting choices shape motion pictures, creating new visual realities to tell your unique story.  From depth of field to focal length, 3-point lighting to chiaroscuro, this workshop will help inspire you to paint with light.

Peter Ciardelli received his BA in Theater from the University of Vermont and his MFA in Media Studies (Film Production) from the University of New Orleans. He has worked on music video, commercial, television and feature film projects in a variety of capacities. He worked in the editing department on What Lies Beneath (2000), becoming an apprentice editor on Cast Away (2000) and assistant editor on Collateral Damage (2002). Peter edited the documentary Stories from Silence, Witness to War (2003) and the short films Respect for Acting (2009) and Pearl (2012), and My Life in Houses (2014); he was one of the cinematographers for The War Tapes (2006).

unnamedDigital Narrative: Introduction to Digital Media Arts

Wed. 11/3, 6-9pm or Sat. 11/6, 1-4pm Choose any point of influence:  a brand, song, picture, feeling, story: develop a digital collage, draw/scan and digitize.

Apply applications of concept creating different outputs through graphic or video applications.

Example 1:  Digital art collage based on an experience/Cognitive imagery around self identity.

Example 2: Rock band (logo, video bumper, Facebook banner, tshirt/sweatshirt design)

Participants define the process in this hands-on workshop using Adobe Creative Cloud digital media tools.

A Little about Myself

Education 2004-2008 Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY Bachelor’s in Fine Art Communication Design

I started my career as a signmaker’s apprentice in 1997. I graduated from Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY in 2008 where I earned my BFA. My senior projects divided into four fields: branding, studio photography, motion design, and an advertising course at JWT.

While attending Pratt, I interned at Wunderman where my team won an internal pitch for Citibank. I interned in print production for Mcgarry-Bowen on projects for Kraft, Reebok, and Disney.

After graduation I formed a freelance collective and began work in New York City. The majority of projects 2008-2014 were branding & motion design.

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Documentary Filmmaking

Sat. 11/13 1-4pm or Thurs. 11/18 6-9pm

What documentary topics do you want to explore, who are your primary subjects, what do you want to communicate, who is your audience, what will your challenges be?  And… here is a camera, don’t forget to charge the batteries, use a tripod, these are microphone options… With a little… how do I raise the money?  And how do I budget a documentary film?

This hands-on workshop will be both conceptual and nitty gritty. Bring your ideas for a documentary, a work-in-progress, or just yourself.

 

Recently arrived in the Upper Valley, award-winning filmmaker Tamsin Orion spent the previous thirty years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Throughout her career, Tamsin has produced long and short format documentaries and informational productions, with a focus on innovative higher education, social justice nonprofits, and the arts. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Tamsin managed programs in homeless shelters and explored Alaska as a commercial salmon fisher. She initially discovered a passion for filmmaking at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. Her first public production was with a working group of women from five regional Cable Access TV stations, who collaborated to produce an annual film and arts festival broadcast on International Women’s Day. Tamsin went on to earn a Master’s in Documentary Film Production at Stanford University, and then launched her production company Tamzina Films. She has traveled to work on all continents except Antarctica.

L10 MarionEdits Aug2021 1Interview Techniques for Podcast, Livestream or Documentary

Tuesday 11/16 6-9pm

Better interviews mean better guests, better audience engagement and better results for your podcast, livestream or documentary. You have so much more control than you realize – in the tone AND the substance of your interviews.

For about 30 years I’ve conducted interviews behind the scenes, but even more important I’ve been helping the people like you who are in front of the camera or the mic.

We’ll cover interview styles, preparation, and process and leave plenty of time for Q&A and discussion.

Marion Abrams is a content creation coach & consultant with deep experience in podcasting and video creation, she built Spartan’s podcast from an audience of 0 to over 35 million views & downloads, and has worked on a range of projects from social media advisor on a gubernatorial campaign, to creating the the documentary film “Flood Bound”, to directing TV ads for Vermont Lottery. On her podcast “Grounded Content” she explores what works, what drives customer actions, and where the lines are between persuasion and manipulation. For 30 years she has helped businesses, organizations and individuals clearly convey their message. Today Marion continues to work with Spartan and is a podcasting coach & consultant helping thought leaders, business leaders, and podcast hosts to design and elevate their presence to drive tangible results.

“I recently had the privilege of joining Marion’s workshop as part of a local writing club. Not only was her presentation chock-full of great info, but she also wove in great stories about her experiences. Make sure to come with some questions you’d like to have answered, and don’t hesitate to participate in the Q&A—she’s incredibly generous with her answers and ready to share insight into how to make your interviews great. 100% would recommend!”

—Steve Carroll, host of Ycdidi (You Can Do It, Do It) podcast

“Marion’s seminar was enlightening and informative, with plenty of practical, easy-to-apply tips that will serve across a wide variety interview contexts. Her ease and authenticity as an interviewer is apparent in her instructional style, which is laid back, accessible and informed by a deep knowledge of the podcast and documentary film industries.”

—Jodie Vinson, Program Manager, What Cheer Writers Club & cohost of The RIters Resource podcast

“As a new podcaster, the session with Marion was full of tips and suggestions that I can use right now in making my show be the best possible. I was reminded of some key tips in best practices and walked away with some new ideas! Marion’s approach in sharing her knowledge is open and accessible. It was a treat to have access to her expertise!”

—Dennise M. Kowalczyk, host/producer of Artclectic New England podcast

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Screenwriting

Monday 11/15 6-9pm or Sunday 11/21 1-4pm

We all possess a voice, unique to our lives as individuals. In my workshop, I will focus on helping our artists enhance their voices, while also applying structure into the stories they wish to tell. We will begin with screenwriting’s basic principles, from the premise, through the relationship between character and plot. Prior to the course, I will read and present excerpts written by our participants for the group to workshop. In these sessions, our purpose will be to uplift and empower our peers with the tools and insight that will bring each of their stories to more solid ground. This is a safe space for artists as individuals, no matter the level they enter the workshop at. Our only intention is to become better story tellers in this course. This includes myself!

Rivers Cahee is a screenwriter and learning filmmaker from Lafayette, Louisiana. Introduced to these art forms during his time at Dartmouth College, he pivoted from the football program to pursue the arts. Upon his graduation, Rivers completed two short films and was also awarded the James Joseph Kaplan ‘Filmmaker of the Year’ award. He is now stationed in New York City, where he is beginning his career as a television writer for AMC studios. Most importantly, Rivers is an introverted extrovert whose biggest passion is the exploration of the human condition, through lived life.

241543358 393070942219096 6784180512053406063 nDigital Music Production

Wednesday 11/17 6-9pm or Saturday 11/20 1-4pm

In this hands-on workshop, I will share my current interest: orchestral music composition to  for film and video games.   We will use GarageBand (for Mac) and a free version of the BBC Orchestra (any platform), which will be provided at the CATV studio and can be downloaded on participants’ own laptops, if they want.   We will explore the storytelling power of music as well as the nuts and bolts of creating it with entirely digital tools.  Depending on participants’ interests, we may also touch on producing electronic dance music.

Chris Lehmann  I am a composer, producer and musician based in New Hampshire. I have experience playing guitar and piano, but almost all of my music is created electronically. In my 10+ years of producing I have released over 30 original songs, and created many tutorial videos on YouTube to help others interested in music production. I am interested in all types of music, but recently my primary interest has been composing orchestral music in the style of what is heard in film, tv and video games.

Richard Waterhouse

Acting for the Screen

Friday 12/3 6-9pm or Sun 12/5 1-4pm

Get out of your head and into the action. Working with actors is my passion. It is my mission to draw out your most alive, present, and proactive performance – embracing your uniqueness and channeling it into every role that you play.  In this workshop we’ll explore the particularities of acting for the screen.  Refresh your craft or try something brand new – open to all levels.

 

Richard Waterhouse is an acting instructor at Brown University and teaches online for University of the Arts. He is one of the founders of Fuller Road Artist Residency in Newbury, VT. Richard began his career as an actor and member of three professional acting unions and then transitioned to teaching approx. 25 years ago. Richard has founded two 48 Hr. Film competitions, one at the Green Mountain Film Festival in Montpelier, VT and another in Bradford, VT. Directing credits include Working for We The People, the independent feature film, Young, Single and Angry, the award-winning short, “Respect for Acting,” and stage plays, Love Alone (Shaker Bridge), Lives of the Great Poisoners (Brown Univ.), ‘8’ the play (Chandler), Kimberly Akimbo and The Little Dog Laughed. Richard produced the short film, “Pearl,” starring Dan Butler and Tony award-winning actress, Frances Sternhagen.

SDG directing 1Digital Film & Video Editing

Wednesday 12/8 6-9pm or Sunday 12/12 1-4pm

Got a camera roll filled up with footage you don’t know what to do with?  A film you shot that isn’t getting the audience reaction you hoped for?  Hours of documentary footage at risk of never getting seen?   We will explore the magic of editing to help you make more meaning out of your moving images.

Starting with the fundamentals of the “cut” and techniques of juxtaposition, montage, match cutting and match action, to more audacious editing styles unleashed by digital media.  Participants  can bring projects or practice on ours in the CATV media lab where we’ll get hands on Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere.

Samantha Davidson Green (MFA, Film Production, UCLA) joined CATV as Executive Director in 2021, bringing her background as an independent filmmaker, public media television executive, and film and theater educator of K-12, Dartmouth and lifelong learners at Osher@Dartmouth.  She has deep roots in the Upper Valley where she is dedicated to nurturing the uniquely rich civic and cultural life that characterizes our community.

Production Orientation at the Briggs Opera House

This orientation introduces prospective producers to the Briggs Opera House space for live, live-streamed and pre-recorded events.  It includes a tour of the house, backstage, and technical spaces; an overview of the lighting, sound, and projection systems; safety requirements; and house management functions.  It is required for any community groups or individuals who will present events in the BOH.

ChicoSchedule directly with Chico Eastridge, Senior Producer & Technical Director