ATVF and MA in the Toronto Star

Check this out:

http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/schoolsguide/article/1065386–sheridan-students-enjoy-films-festivals-and-floating-poetry

In the Toronto Star today is a story about Sheridan’s participation in the Engage international film school exchange this past summer.

ATVF 3×3 Screenwriting Contest for 2011

The ATVF screenwriting contest for 2011 is currently underway!  You can find details here:

http://www.atvf.ca/contest

The deadline for submissions is October 6, 2011.

The Start of ATVF 2011/12 Approaches

ATVF Class of 2010/11

We are just a few weeks away now from the start of the Fall semester.  Faculty are still away on their summer break, but they will soon be returning to start preparations.  Us techies have been slugging away all summer, and we are picking up the pace currently to make sure everything is installed/fixed/purchased/updated to start the new year (for more info look here).

It seems like the graduates from the 2010/11 class have generally been doing very well since they left us in May.  Many had really good internship experiences.  Many have now found full-time positions.  If you weren’t able to join us for the year-end event in May, here is a summary of the award winners:

1. Meaghan Carey  - Silver Medalist – PS PRODUCTION SERVICES KICK START AWARD
2. Viki Posidis  - Academic Achievement –- CANWEST GLOBAL MEDIA/JOURNALISM AWARD
3. Emmanuel Lachapelle and Ryan Kirkpatrick – Award for Cinematography -RICHARD LEITERMAN AWARD
4. Stephanie Ouaknine  - Academic Achievement – TECHNICOLOR
5. David Kalinauskas  - Academic Achievement – TECHNICOLOR
6. Paul Marrin   - Academic Achievement – TECHNICOLOR
7. Brooke Fifield  - Academic Achievement – 2^nd Highest GPA – PANAVISION AWARD
8. Thelon Oeming  - Academic Achievement –- PANAVISION AWARD
9. Christopher Ouimet  - Academic Achievement –- PANAVISION AWARD

In other news, Sheridan graduates have had some success this year with entries to the Toronto International Film Festival.  In the Canada First programme, Media Arts graduates Yona Lewis and Calvin Thomas, are screening their feature film Amy George.   Yonah and Calvin wrote, directed, edited, and shot the film.  Also screening at TIFF, a short entitled A River in the Woods produced by ATVF graduate Allison White.

Stephanie Ouaknine receiving her award from Judy Gladstone. Judy is the current Chair of the ATVF Program Advisory Committee.

Cast and Crew of Asylum

Recent Festival Screenings

Bread & Kisses, an ATVF film from 2010 was recently screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival.   Director, Katherine Fitzgerald, was in attendance and reports that it was a great experience with a lot of opportunities for networking.

Abra Cadaver, also an ATVF film produced in 2010, recently won the Best Student Horror Short award at the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival in Arizona.  It was also screened in the YoungCuts Film Festival in Montreal in September.

Breaking Point, is scheduled to screen at the London Short Film Showcase on Nov. 6.

If you are an ATVF alumni, and you would like me to post a note about a recent or upcoming festival screening for your film, please send me a note!

Donall McCusker, Co-Producer of The Hurt Locker, Visits Sheridan

Donall McCusker, co-producer of the Academy Award winning film, The Hurt Locker, visited Sheridan last Thursday, October 14.  He presented to a joint gathering of the Advanced TV & Film class and the Media Arts class.  He communicated his insights into the challenges of producing films in the Middle East.

The Art of the One Page

When meeting with execs, always bring something to leave behind. That something is usually a one page, and maybe a one sheet (mock movie poster).

Some people will tell you not to bring one, others will say they’re not necessary, but the truth is, a one page is absolutely essential to sell your script.

A one page is a simple concept. Tell me your story on one sheet of paper.

Here’s how to make a one sheet:
Generally, the title’s at the top, followed by a logline – a simple one sentence description of your film – then a synopsis. Your synopsis should be in a act one, act two, act three format, all split into separate paragraphs.

Pitching to the pros

Hi guys,
My name is Robert McCallum and I was in ATVF for 04-05, & 05-06. I focused in writing, producing, design and directing while at Sheridan and it’s all paid off.

So why am I suddenly on this blogpost thing boring you with credentials? I’m hoping to help and lift the curtain on taking meetings and pitching to professionals – the people who can change your life just by saying, “yes!”

In 11 days, I’ll be entering gauntlet and pitching two scripts to about 25 different companies.

The prep process for this event is a long journey unto itself.

So here’s my open invite to email me questions about how I got here, advice for you in your career, thoughts on story dilemmas, and what to expect when taking your material to market or how to market it.

Drop me a line
Rob@pyreproductions.net

Link to Greg Chown’s Blog

I’m attending our ATVF Primer class this morning.  We shuffled things for Primer this year so that each of our ‘Master Class’ instructors gets some time to explain their discipline to the entire ATVF class.  Today, Greg Chown (Production Design), Brian White (Lighting and Camera), and Stephen Barden (Sound Design) are giving presentations.

Turns out that Greg Chown has a WordPress blog now (I thought that grads from Greg’s class might be interested):

http://gregchown.wordpress.com/

Musings after 10 Years of ATVF

September 7, 2010

Sheridan Institute

Oakville, Ontario

Musings at the beginning of year 10.

ATVF is entering its 10th year of activity this semester. This is my 7th year as coordinator and today is orientation day at the Trafalgar campus.  What’s the continuing thrill you might ask? I think that we are always very curious about  what the “next batch” of some 40 “odd” students will bring to the table. Each year’s new student group is different of course.

ATVF Instructor, Vladimir Kabelik, Nominated for a Gemini Award

Congratulations Vladimir Kabelik on your documentary, “So Far From Home” being nominated for best writing!

Vlad is the founder of the ATVF program and served as the co-ordinator of the program for many years.   He currently teaches documentary filmmaking for both the ATVF program and the Media Arts program at Sheridan.

You can find the press release here:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2010/06/c7290.html