Randal Kleiser, director of “Grease,” has confirmed the attendance of several award-winning directors, producers and actors to lecture at the International Digital Cinema Workshop at California State University, San Bernardino this summer.n nThe three-week intensive workshop, scheduled for July 8-28, will begin with an opening ceremony at Cal State San Bernardino. Carl Weathers, the star of Best Picture winner “Rocky” and movies such as “Predator,” will be the featured guest speaker for the opening ceremony. nnn nThe workshop’s opening week guest speakers also include Martha Coolidge, director of “Valley Girl” and Oscar-nominated “Rambling Rose,” and Susan Zwerman, who produced visual effects for “Alien Resurrection,” “Men of Honor” and “Broken Arrow.” The week also will feature field trips to Universal Studios for a demo of its new Smart Stage, and the Light Stage at USC’s Institute for Creative Technology.n nAcademy Award-winner Jonathan Sanger, producer of “The Elephant Man” and “Vanilla Sky,” will speak in the second week of the workshop, along with John Badham, director of “Saturday Night Fever” and “WarGames,” as part of the directing track. Jeff Kleiser, known for his work on the “X-Men” franchise and the “Spiderman” ride in Florida, will instruct students during the digital track. Activities also include a field trip to Garner Holt Productions in San Bernardino.n n”I’m delighted to speak at the International Digital Cinema Workshop. For professionals and students, as well as film teachers, this workshop is designed for the total filmmaker,” said actress Diane Baker, who co-starred on film with Gregory Peck, was directed by Alfred Hitchock and appeared in the film “The Silence of the Lambs.” nnDuring the final week of the workshop, the directing track students will learn from Baker; Student Academy Award-winner Gregg Helvey, who will talk about how he made his short film; and Mark Travis, author of “Director’s Bag of Tricks,” who will share his secrets. Students also will attend field trips to Paramount Studios and to the Los Angeles Film School. The workshop will culminate in an all-day trip to Digital Day at the Directors Guild of America. The workshop will conclude with a wrap party reception at a private location in the Hollywood Hills.nnnnThe digital track addresses state-of-the-art developments in filmmaking technology, including the latest in digital production cameras and 3-D technology. The directing track is based on the teachings of the late USC School of Cinematic Arts instructor Nina Foch, who taught the “Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film” at USC and was also an instructor at the American Film Institute.n n”From the first day in her class I was blown away. Nina Foch’s teachings guided me to the Student Academy Award for my film “Kavi,” said Gregg Helvey.n nThe three-week International Digital Cinema Workshop will be held on the beautiful campus of Cal State San Bernardino, in collaboration with the university’s College of Extended Learning, Department of Theatre Arts and Department of Communication Studies. For more information, visit the International Digital Cinema Workshop website at www.DigitalCinema.CSUSB.edu, e-mail DigitalCinema@CSUSB.edu, or call (909) 537-5879.n nAbout California State University, San Bernardino California State University, San Bernardino is a vital public comprehensive university serving the San Bernardino and Riverside counties of Southern California. Founded in 1965, the university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master’s degree programs and education credential and certificate programs, as well as one of the first doctorate programs in the California State University system. Every program that is eligible has earned national accreditation. CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. The campus reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire. For more information, visit www.CSUSB.edu.
Margaret Perry Department of Theatre Arts (909) 537-5879 DigitalCinema@CSUSB.edu
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More