Education Partners

 

 

There are emerging LF opportunities for educational institutions that develop curriculum, broadcast programming and outreach events such as conferences, conventions and film festivals.

Curriculum Developments

In February 2002, Sheridan College (Ontario, Canada) began offering a Large Format (LF) filmmaking "primer" as part of a one-year, post-graduate course called the Advanced Television and Film Program.

The Sheridan College LF Primer (an elective module) is a weekend field trip to the IMAX Technology Center in Mississauga, Ontario. The primer includes 16 hours of classroom instruction and some basic, hands-on experience with IMAX camera equipment. There are no assignments or exercises.

As far as we know, Sheridan College is the only educational institution in North America that offers an introduction to the world of LF Media development, production, distribution and marketing.

The current Sheridan College offering works well for students who can attend school on a full-time basis. However, it is less accessible to professionals who have other commitments, or, just want to learn more about Large Format filmmaking.

A New Approach

In Southern Ontario and Southern California, there appears to be a limited market for a 2-week (80-hour) short course in LF Media Production. This short course would be complimentary to an elective module like the one that is offered by Sheridan College (Ontario).

The first two weeks of classroom time would focus on LF theory and exercises which hi-light the differences between the regular, small format media and the microcosm world of Large Format.

This classroom time would be followed by several months of official "student status" at the school so students can complete 2-3 practical assignments in LF cinematography, LF compositing, LF animation and LF audio production, on a part-time basis.

During this period, students may be invited to join a Student Production Group and participate in a Student Project Opportunity volunteer work term.

The film school would become a base-of-operations for the Student Producer and their newly formed Student Production Group. The students would need full access to the school facilities and services so they can develop their audio presentations or LF short film projects, or, contribute to a LF feature film in production.

A Student Project Opportunity usually requires a one-year, part-time commitment from the Student Producer(s): less for the volunteer members of the Student Production Group.

This new program approach would be targeted at experienced film and broadcast professionals who; (1) want to gain practical training and work experience in Large Format filmmaking on a part-time basis and; (2) want to pursue Large Format filmmaking work opportunities, in addition to their regular film and television work.

NOTE: All assignments, exercises and SPO proposal elements can be done using Digital BetaCam and 16mm film. Both formats can simulate the LF experience for one viewer per screening; provided the school has access to a large, high definition 4:3 plasma screen or video projector.

Broadcast Developments

…work in progress!

Events Developments

Every year, the Large Format industry produces 20-30 new LF "films" that range from "works-in-progress" to finished short films that are ready for distribution. The Toronto and Los Angeles areas have mainstream film festivals that could support a LF short film event at their local IMAX theatre, using these new works.

With suitable sponsorship, it should be practical to package 10-20 of these works into a 45-minute presentation that could debut as an event at a shorts festival and then, later, be distributed to other mainstream festivals as a fundraiser.

The Next Step

During the early stages of curriculum development, educational institutions would likely retain the services of members of the LF Advisory Group.

The LF Group can act as industry consultants, arrange meetings and assist in the development and delivery of course material. They can also provide support for an emerging Student Producer, or film festival organizer, by acting as liaison between LF industry suppliers, service providers, producers and distributors.

Updated on November 11, 2003

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