A Review and a Contest: Movie Making
Mar 31st, 2009 by Michelle
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Highlights from the 2009 Christian Filmmakers Academy
Do you have a child interested in movie making?
Wondering where to start … how to feed their interest? How to give not only practical help but an inspiring vision of filmmaking as a calling?
You should definitely check out this substantial album of 20 CDs from Vision Forum’s recent Filmmakers’ Academy held in San Antonio in January.
More than highlights, this set contains a wealth of information and encouragement at an incredible value.
Read testimonies of those who’ve attended the Filmmakers’ Academy.
The Details
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! is a set of 19 audio CDs, each between 30 and 75 minutes, of live lectures, panel discussions or Q&A sessions.
Topics from this “technical book camp for aspiring culture changers” include:
- Cinematography
- A riveting call to see the importance of the Science Fiction genre
- The 12 most common mistakes of beginning directors
- Principles of photographic composition
- Practical tips on how you can improve a film in ten minutes
- How to understand and rightly depict violence in film
- A panel discussion with filmmakers such as Stephen Kendrick of Fireproof
… and much more!
Along with the 19 audio CDs is a DVD of slides from many of the lectures, including film stills being discussed.
Incredible value
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! teaches many practical aspects of filmmaking, but also examines the challenges and potential of how a Christian world view impacts learning the craft that you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Yet the cost of purchasing this product is a fraction of the cost of attending the Academy in person.
Also don’t forget to check for Vision Forum’s frequent generous coupons and sales.
For example, through midnight (CDT) on April 1, 2009, you can receive a free $50 gift certificate for every $95 of Vision Forum merchandise you order. (If you’re reading this after that deal expires, check Vision Forum. org for any current promotions.)
Who would benefit from this product?
Wondering if you should invest in LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!? I would recommend this product to …
- Christian teens or older children already interested in movie making
- Parents who aspire to move making who want to learn more AND instill their passion in their children
- Church or homeschool libraries
- Families interested in seeing a Christian influence return to the arts and our culture
- Anyone considering attending a future Filmmakers Academy
And if you’re wondering if people really act on the advice given by the San Antonio Film Festival and the Filmmakers’ Academy, I recently came across this competition organized by alumni.
CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS 36-hour CONTEST
On Friday, April 10, 2009 Christian filmmakers around the world will begin producing a three-minute story on video. 36-hours later they will upload their video to YouTube. Entries will be judged on Story, Cinematography, Sound, Performance and Editing. The winner gets $500.
Nathaniel Bluedorn, administrator of Christian Filmmakers.org explains,
Our goals with this contest are to (1) have fun, (2) showcase the stories Christians are telling today and (3) connect filmmakers. Christian Filmmakers.org is a growing network of faith-based filmmakers. We’re doing this contest to help build connections between Christian screenwriters and actors and directors – all types of film professionals – around the world.
The competition will begin at noon on April 10 with the publication of a list of seven “security elements,” three of which must be included in every film submission. This will verify that the film was produced within the 36-hour time limit.
More details on the competition, including a complete list of the official rules, can be found at Christian Filmmakers.org.
Christian Filmmakers.org is the outgrowth of a Google Group originally conceived as a means for maintaining contact among alumni of the 2005 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.