Story Board provides educational programs for student filmmakers and support for independent film. Story Board values the history and knowledge that professional filmmakers bring to the craft and also values the aspiring student, and the stories they want to tell. Our programs bridge these two generations of filmmakers. Story Board's On-Location Academy offers students the opportunity to apprentice or be a production assistant on an actual film set with experienced visual storytellers.
Independent film impacts the community both economically and culturally. Productions bring more than dollars into the community; they also bring publicity and visibility to local people, places, and issues. Story Board is committed to fostering independent film through its programs and to benefit the community at large.
To provide opportunities for student filmmakers to work with experienced film professionals, and to support independent film.
Story Board envisions the art and craft of filmmaking accessible to all students.
We value the mentoring process
We value responsible storytelling
We value access to technology
We value the unique perspective of young people
We value cultural and gender diversity
Sarah Morreim
Founding Board Member, Director of Operations/Communications
Sarah Morreim is a professional headshot photographer and the founder of CCE Productions.
Since 2002, she has directed and written three independent short films, completed
her last film, Good Morning, in August of 2007. Sarah has worked as Associate
Producer, Unit Project Manager, and Assistant Director on numerous local independent
films. Since 2005, Sarah has produced four major fundraising events for independent
filmmakers and nonprofit organizations and works professionally as an Event
Producer. She is a member of IFP/MSP and a founding member of the Minneapolis/St.
Paul WIFT chapter.
Ann Sorenson
Founding Board Member, Director of Programs
Ann Sorenson is an Associate Professor of Film at Northwestern College and the founder
of MiniApple Productions. She has directed a number of shorts; her last one, Test Tube,
was her MFA thesis film for Columbia University. She is a member of IFP/MSP, NAB and
WIFTI.
Grant Wood
Founding Board Member, Executive Director
Grant Wood joins Story Board after thirteen years as a technologist and executive working
with high-tech and traditional brick and mortar startups as well as his own software company.
He studied theater at St. John's University, and works as a Producer, Co-ordinator and Assistant Director
on Independent Feature Films, Short Films and Commercials.
In the spring of 2005, The First Annual Indie Film Gala was held to raise funds for the short film TEST TUBE, filmmaker Ann Sorenson's masters thesis project for Columbia film school. As a part of the project, Ms Sorenson icorporated interships for high school students to participate in the production. The success of this experience, not only for the students, but also the fimmakers involved was the inspiration for creating Story Board and the On-Location Academy.
Below you can read testimonials from some of the students who participated in TEST TUBE.
I would definitely recommend this internship experience to all film students. It was so amazing to see the progression from script to screen and all the work, hours and creativity that go into every single decision. I learned a lot from the producer and found that I have natural ability in that area of the filmmaking process.
~M. W.
I went into the internship on Test Tube not knowing what to expect. But once I started working, I learned about the effort that goes into every little thing. From this experience, I learned a lot about lighting and the consequence of preproduction. I applied this knowledge to my own work last fall.
~T. H.
Being an intern on set felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity. The film crew took me under their wings and before I knew it, I was laying track for the dolly. I worked hard, got tired and loved every minute of it.
~A. D.