Guerrilla Filmmaking Class (Film Theory)

BEGINNING FILM CLASS AT THE NEON VENUS ART THEATRE:

Making Indie Films Guerrilla Style (a theory class designed  to take you through the step by step process of completing a film–from Screenwriting to Festivals)

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FOR A COMPLETE TEACHER’S BIO (Lissette), REEL: 

http://www.lissette.biz/film-classes

To sign up for this class please call Lissette at 310-428-4236

PRICES (vary according to city):

$125 for a 4 week session (Las Vegas).  One hour classes, but sometimes class goes over 15 minutes.

$150 for a 4 week session (Hollywood). One hour classes, but sometimes class goes over 15 minutes.

 

neonvenusarttheatre@yahoo.com

We offer classes at two locations.  You can either pick your session to be in Hollywood or in Las Vegas (there is a Wednesday session in Las Vegas, and a Sundays session in Hollywood).  Please pick the city that is convenient for you and we will sign you up for the class.

Neon Venus Art Theatre (locations:

7023 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038

Next Session Will Start Sunday January 17th at 12:00 noon (Hollywood)

Next Session in Las Vegas will Start January 13th at 6:00pm (1404 S. 3rd St., Las Vegas, NV 89104

 CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This Class is for those of you who are thinking about writing your first short, making your first doc or your first indie film, or for those who wants to brush up on some film concepts, and review the filmmaking process.  This class is designed to be a fun class that will take you from writing the screenplay to pre production, production, editing and festival promotion.  It’s an overview and a ‘checklist class’ for the beginning filmmaker or for whoever who could use a little extra brainstorming before going into their next project.  A realistic class for the independent filmmaker with an original vision, who wants to work in the industry, but who also wants to start developing a vision of their own, so that they can show their work to potential investors, etc.  I’m basing the class on what I learned through my Master’s Degree in Telecommunication Arts (Video and Film Production) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, what I learned working in film offices in NYC, on my own set, and on a few great filmmaking books and articles written by professionals in the industry.   Mostly I will address Guerrilla techniques to making indie films, especially for artists who wants to express themselves without breaking the bank.

Actors or others involved in movie production are also welcome to take this class.

BIO, REEL:

http://www.lissette.biz/film-classes

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Class 1

Screenwriting Overview

        Deciding the goals for your film

        Brainstorming

        Finding and Creating Screenplay Ideas

        Story Concepts

        Creating and original and marketable story

        Primary Characters/Secondary Characters

        Plot Structure

        The First Page

        The First 10 pages

        The Three Acts (creating plot points, writing the climax, resolution, etc)

        Screenplay Format

        Rewrites

      

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Class 2:

Behind The Scenes – Shooting Promotional Photography and Video for your project 

Pre-Production 

                    -Storyboarding 

Camera Placement – Building Shot Sequences

                                Blocking  

                                Action 

                                Cutaways

Planning Lighting, composition, camera angles, shot lists

Close Ups, Medium and Long Shots 

Panning, zooming, tilting, using a dolly

Line of Action

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                    -Planning Your Budget

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                    -Selecting the Crew

                                                Director    Producer    Assistant Director

                                                Director of Photography    Gaffer    Grips 

                                                Production Manager 

                                                Production Designer   Art Director    Costume and make-up  

                                                Script Supervisor

                                                Sound Mixer — Boom Operator 

                                                Casting Director

                                                Production Assistants

                                                Photographer

Plans and Sketches

Choosing Your Camera

Casting

Creating A Website For Your Film  

    The Table Read

     -Rehearsals

    -Location Scouts

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 Class 3:

Production

Matching Action 

Continuity

Setting a Tone, Setting a Style

ACTING WORKSHOP

-Providing a Relaxed Atmosphere

-Evaluation of the Scene

-Understanding Place

-Entrances and Exits

-Improvisation

-Moment to Moment, Acting is Reacting

-Humor, charm

-Where is the Love?

-Conflict

-Physical State

-Degree of Emotion

-Understanding Choices

-Details

 

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Class 4:

Finding an Editor

Editing Basics

The Importance of a Trailer

FESTIVALS

Writing Your Electronic Press Kit

Getting Press Coverage

Don’t Forget the Hype

Selecting Festivals and Festival Strategy

Marketing at Festivals (postcards, posters)

The Most Popular Festivals

Attending Parties (And Organizing Events)

Finding Distribution

 

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Instructors Bio:

Lissette has an Advertising degree from Ohio State University (with honors), and a Master’s Degree in Telecommunication Arts (TV Production, Film Production/Screenwriting Studies) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (awarded a full fellowship).   Her main goal after graduation was to perform in front of the camera as a singer and to direct her own music videos for music channels.    Her vision became true in 2003 when she directed and produced 4 music videos for her own band (Neon Venus), a full one hour rockumentary, a short and a few promos for MTV Espanol, VHUno and MTV Puerto Rico.  Her band received airplay every year since 2003 till around 2007.  She was able to finance these projects by using guerrilla filmmaking and indie shooting techniques.

In 2008 she opened the Neon Venus Art Theatre in Las Vegas with her husband.  They have expanded and opened a second performance space in Hollywood, CA. (neonvenus.com)

Both educational facilities focus on offering affordable education for students looking to start a career in the arts.  The theatre offers classes in different art disciplines, but is mostly focused in photo, film, acting and voice instruction.  Lissette and her husband also support classes by other teachers, theatre programs for children through their non-profit organization, and have also produced music shows, plays and Improv shows for local and regional acts in Las Vegas, and now in Hollywood.  Hollywood events will include actor’s scenes showcases, sketch comedy events, and screenings for directors, designed to enhance the marketability of emerging actors and filmmakers.

Earlier in her career, Lissette videotaped castings at Video Portfolios in New York City including clients such as Calvin Klein, Elizabeth Arden, Paramount Pictures, etc.  She also worked as a professional photographer for musicians and actors during the early 2000’s (lissetteart.com)

Her classes both in Hollywood and Las Vegas include: Feature Film Production for Indies, Screenplay Writing for Indies, Guerrilla Filmmaking (Film Theory), Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Photography (Studio and Location).

(lissette.biz)

Lissette is now developing a second documentary, more music videos for her band and her first feature film.   She networks with other artists through her theatre’s classes, events, shows and industry events.