2009 DecemberRSS Feed
Screenwriter David N. Weiss on Process in 250 Words or Less
Two hundred and fifty words? Easy for you to say. What on earth would I write about? What does anyone ever write about? Hmmm… What do I usually do in this situation? Well, I usually start by opening a journal page, much like this one. And I begin typing questions to myself. Who’s story is [...]
My “Favorite” Movie or A Confession from an Elitist Snob
If you’re not a cinephile it may not make much sense that a film history teacher and a rabid film goer/watcher/maker/snob wouldn’t have a favorite film, but I don’t. My top 10 are constantly changing and are never in order of importance (that’s if I can get to 10. Usually I get to 9 and [...]
CU: The Hardest Working Man On-set - Josh Ensink (07)
Josh Ensink (07) is not ashamed to admit it, his introduction to film making was completely accidental. He shared his story while driving home from a long day as the Travel Coordinator for The Gun, a feature film currently shooting in Grand Rapids. The film stars Curtis “5o Cent” Jackson and Val Kilmer.
A friend of [...]
CFA Turns Filmmaking into Fundraising - Watch the Films Here!
Always willing to try something new, Compass Film Academy is creating a weekly web-series to air in conjunction with their year-end giving campaign.
The four-part series (possibly five) parodies life in and around the Academy during the final month of fundraising, and was written specifically for the alumni.
“The impetus for the whole thing was really the [...]
Animation Master: The Software that could Land You a Job at Pixar
Computer animation is all the rage these days. Since Pixar popularized the format, more and more 3D animated films have been released every year. When you wake up in the middle of the night with the next Toy Story in your head, what are you to do? How are you going to make your masterpiece?
Your [...]
Title IV and the Starship Enterprise
It wasn’t long before I realized that entering the realm of Federal Title IV Student Aid mirrors the dismantling of the Starship Enterprise.
For readers unaware, Compass is currently in the early stage for approval to administer Federal student aid. This is a huge leap forward for the school, and its one that no one will [...]
Growing Pains: The Wild World of Post Production
Post-production is the catch-all term for all the steps in the production process that come after filming. By the time most projects get to post, the crew is long gone, the set is taken apart, and the gear is stowed…but a lot of hard work remains. Post is where all the pieces of the jigsaw [...]
Circuit Success: Tips for Navigating Film Festivals # 1
As the Director of Programming at the Sarasota Film Festival, and the Artistic Director at the Newport Film Festival in Rhode Island, Tom Hall is a busy guy. To grab his attention is a challenge, and to keep it, takes even more. He sifts through hundreds and hundreds of films a year, trying to [...]
CFA Shines as Co-Host of Film Office Advisory Council Luncheon
The Michigan Film Office Advisory Council (MFOAC) and a slew of Michigan’s top filmmakers enjoyed a networking luncheon hosted by CFA and the West Michigan Film Office (WMFO) in late November. The meal followed the MFOAC’s quarterly meeting held at the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids.
While the luncheon primarily allowed filmmakers and small businesses opportunities [...]
