Avid (Nasdaq: AVID) has renewed its support for the Sundance Institute Directors Lab at Sundance Resort in Utah as part of the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of creative professionals, a key element of Avid Everywhere. Emerging filmmakers taking part in the month-long Lab will use creative applications and shared storage solutions–all powered by the Avid MediaCentral Platform–to help them hone their techniques.
The Directors Lab is an immersive, hands-on process in which eight independent filmmakers rehearse, shoot and edit scenes from their screenplays under the mentorship of creative advisors–accomplished directors, editors, cinematographers and actors. This year’s advisors include Sundance Institute president and founder Robert Redford, directors Kasi Lemmons and Catherine Hardwicke, actor Ed Harris, actor and director Christine Lahti, DP Caleb Deschanel, and editors Dylan Tichenor, Affonso Gonçalves and Lee Percy. After the Lab, the filmmakers receive ongoing support from the Institute, including creative and strategic guidance, production and postproduction resources, and financial support.
“Every year, emerging writers and directors participate in the Directors Lab to gain insight and guidance from experienced filmmakers,” said Michelle Satter, founding director of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program. “We’re very grateful for Avid’s continued support, which gives these singular filmmakers an invaluable opportunity to use the professional editing tools and workflows that the most accomplished film editors use.”
The 2015 Directors Lab is using the Avid Artist Suite’s Avid Media Composer, the non-linear editing solution, and the Storage Suite’s Avid ISIS 5500 shared storage solution.
“Avid is dedicated to developing the next generation of creative talent–a mission we share with Sundance Institute,” said Jeff Rosica, senior VP, worldwide field operations, Avid. “We’re immensely proud to once again support the Institute in developing directors, and we look forward to seeing how Avid Everywhere helps this year’s filmmakers bring their stories to life.”
Directors Lab alumni include Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Rodrigo Garcia and Kimberly Peirce. Creative advisors have included Alfonso Cuaron, Alexander Payne, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Tent, Barbara Tulliver, Sally Field, and Alfre Woodard.
