2009 NovemberRSS Feed
Welcome to Elixir
There is no better name for a publication that honors the effort and work of our alumni and friends in the film industry. As we highlight and celebrate the great work being done, we hope that you are inspired, invigorated, and we hope that you get involved.
Confessions of a Migrant Film Worker
I have discovered no guide or book that warns of the lifestyle of the migrant film worker. And, as I have traveled from one film to the next, I have pretty much made every mistake there is. It is with that in mind that I share my experiences with you:
The allure to this industry is [...]
Evan Koons to Shave Head and Raise Money for Compass
Industry Relations Specialist Evan Koons has vowed to shave his head if Compass Alumni can cough up at least $6,000 during the Academy’s year-end fundraising effort.
Koons’ stunt was done in conjunction with an anonymous donor who pledged to match all gifts to the Academy up to $100,000. Simply put, the $6000 to Bic Koons’ head [...]
CU: Mr. Kairos - Karl Koelling (08)
When Karl Koelling (08) relocated his family and fledgling video production company from a small, touristy town in Northern Michigan to Grand Rapids, on almost all accounts his timing was horrible.
Not only was he early into starting his business, he was nearing 40, married with kids, and—if that’s not enough—going back to school.
“Everything external told [...]
Ten Tips for Writing a Great Screenplay
Ever wonder how to write the perfect screenplay? You know, that great script that’ll sell for a million bucks, get produced, earn billions worldwide, win you an Oscar, and ensure your place in the annals of Hollywood lore
More than Props and Paint: Life in the Art Department
“Everything in film is done deliberately,” instructor and mentor, Roger Schutter, told me early on in my training. It was a bombshell. The implications, at the time, made the mountain that is “filmmaking” seem insurmountable. Could I be that “detail-oriented?”
I always knew that I loved art and film and that I belonged somewhere in [...]
Industry Opportunities for Alumni Only on Elixir
Available only through the Elixir website, Compass alumni will now have access to the latest job and internship opportunities throughout the state and country.
Complete with password protection, the site will contain pertinent contact information for production companies and shows in need of employees and crew.
While Compass already emails all job leads directly to the alumni, [...]
Jing: The What-for of How-to’s
For those who may be wondering, the answer is: 14 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes, and 30 seconds. That is how long it takes for a son to answer all of his father’s mindless questions about switching from a PC to a Mac. Which is a shame, too, because with a handy piece of software [...]
Hopeful Notes - An Intern’s Experience
Steaming bathroom curtains. Cooking 15 pots of spaghetti noodles on four burners in 20 minutes. “Crowd-controlling” a herd of giant, biting ants –
One thing about interning in the art department of the film Hopeful Notes is there was no typical day. There was no typical task. When I arrived home at night and my roommates [...]
