On-Location Academy

Story Board's programs center around giving high school aged filmmakers hands on experience with various aspects of filmmaking while interacting with professionals from the unique disciplines within the film arts. These initial programs are referred to as the On-Location Academy, OLA for short, and the two primary tools of Story Board's OLA programs are: OLA Workshops and OLA Productions.

OLA Workshops

OLA Workshops are one or two day events where Story Board invites film professionals to give a short seminar on a specific aspect of filmmaking. We encourage workshops to be hands-on interactive events when possible; where students feel like they can ask any question without feeling foolish, and where filmmakers can interact with students and share their skills as well as stories. Past workshops (2006-2007 school year) have focused on camera work, lighting, editing and sound. Future workshops may include subjects such as screenwriting, directing, producing, special effects, stunts, set building, wardrobe, makeup and effects makeup. Essentially any aspect of filmmaking that student filmmakers may find helpful in their own film work may be turned into a workshop.

OLA Productions

OLA Productions are rigorous, immersive, multi-day programs where high school aged filmmakers are able to experience a film production from beginning to end working with a professional film crew as an Apprentice. Apprentices are selected through an application process, and participation requires a serious commitment from the student, as they will be given pre-production instruction and mentoring, in additionto their normal "work" on the project. After completing an OLA Production, a student will have a firm grasp of the various departments and jobs associated with filmmaking such as: camera, grip/electric, wardrobe/makeup, sound, editing, and production. OLA Productions give students skills and experiences that they can immediately apply to their own film work, at home or in class.

Saturday, September 27th, 1:00-3:00pm

The Art of Adaptation

The Loft Literary Center, 1011 Washington Ave South, Suite 200, Minneapolis, 55415

Bix Skahill, a professional screenwriter with Hollywood credits including the Warner Brother's comedy Chain of Fools, will share insights, thoughts and guidelines into the process of taking the text of Pinocchio and adapting it into a 3-5 minute short film!

Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:00-9:00pm

The Visual Story: Directing

TPT, 172 East Fourth Street, St. Paul, 55101

You've written your script, now how do you shoot it? Meet with Sundance Director of Photography, Greg Winter, and Film Professor, Ann Sorenson, to discover the power of camera placement, shot size, and finding the right image.

Wednesday, November 12th, 7:00-9:00pm

Creating a Look: Production Design

MN Opera, 620 North 1st Street, Minneapolis, 55401

Learn from local masters of special effects makeup and production design how to create "a look" for your film!

Saturday, December 6th, 1:00-3:00pm

Creating a Game Plan: Producing

Northwind Lofts, Studio 206, 2400 North Second Street, Minneapolis, 55411

You will leave this workshop with your production game plan! Bring your script, shooting schedule and location ideas. Local professional filmmakers will help you create the most efficient and resourceful shooting schedule for your film.

Monday, January 12th, 6:30-8:30pm

The Final Stage: Editing

HDMG, 6573 City West Parkway, Eden Prairie, 55344

Participants will gather with professional editors at HDMG (post production house) and screen their rough cuts. These editing pros will share ideas on how to solve problems (every film has them!) on pacing, storytelling and continuity.

February 12th, 2009

Screening of "Pinocchio - Story, Stage, and Screen"

Parkway Theater

Bring your friends and family on February 12th, 2009 to The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis to see your story on the big screen! A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the student whose film is chosen at the screening as the Audience Choice Selection; the film will be shown at the Minnesota Opera's website as well as the Ordway Center.

Story Board joins TCYMN (September 2007)

Story Board became an official member of TCYMN (Twin Cities Youth Media Network) in September of 2007. TCYMN promotes, advocates for, and shares resources with the community of youth media makers and youth media arts educators. One of Story Board's students, Kelly Curtiss, also participated in TCYMN's student film festival as a curator. The festival was a held at the Walker Arts Center.

3rd Annual Indie Film Gala (October 2007)

On October 1st, Story Board hosted its 3rd annual Indie Film Gala at Picosa on the River. The gala attracted members of the local film and theater industries, film and art educators, film fans, students, local businesses and politicians, and youth media supporters.

The Gala raised funds for Story Board's workshops and On-Location Academy productions. It also brought visibility to the area's Independent Film Community.

Gala participants enjoyedshort film screenings by local directors and high school students, an edgy fashion show by costume designer, Deborah Fiscus, and live performances by local artists including swing quartet, Swing Set, and comedian, Ari Hoptman.

Screenwriting Workshop (November 2007)

Professional writer-director, Steve Larson (recipient of fellowships from the Sundance Institute and the McKnight Foundation), worked one-on-one with students to take their stories to the next level.

This two-part hands-on workshop provided students skills to develop their ability to write visually, create specific and uniquecharacters, and craft a compelling story for the screen.

Script Submissions (January 2008)

A panel of film professionals and educators selected high school students screenplays most appropriate for Story Board's Screenwriting Showcase (February 2008).

Story Board Screenwriting Showcase ' Live Table Read (February 2008)

In February Story Board showcased 4 high school screenwriters through a live table read of their scripts. Local professional actors brought each students story to life in front of a live audience at The Loft Literary Center. The script, Bomb,by high school senior Michael Curran-Dorsano wasselected as the Best Of for the 2008 Story Board Screenwriting Showcase. The script was used as a teaching tool during Story Board's spring programs.

Production Workshop (April 2008)

In April students gained a better understanding of the role of a producer on a Hollywood film, corporate video, and commercial. Guest producers Tom Lynch, Jillian Nodland, and Jason Wallace provided hands-on mentoring to students. Working in small groups, each producer assisted students in taking a big vision and breaking it down into manageable steps. Producers also talked in detail about creating production schedules, crewing up a project, and being creative with resources.

Mini Film Camp (June 2008)

This two day intensive film camp included a brief orientation of various departments on a film set including: directing, camera operation, lighting, and continuity. Students developed their own shot lists using the script, Bomb, the official script selection from Story Boards 2008 Screenwriting Showcase.Students ended the first day of the camp working with Lee Sandberg, a professional Director of Photography, to pre-light the film set. Through this hands-on exercise, students learned how lighting increases the production quality of a film.

Day two offered students a full day of production. Student rotated throughout several set departments and received serious hands-on experience. Students used portions of the script, Bomb, as the production material. However, the focus of Day 2 was for students to receive as much hands-on experience as possible. Professional filmmakers were on the set to advise and assist, however, students called the shots!

Lights, Camera, Editing at the Apple Store

Ever wonder why movie stars eyes seem to sparkle? Know why you'd use a Crane versus a Dolly or a Steady Cam? What is Titling and how can it help set the tone for your films?

Students joined us at the Apple Store at the Mall of America on November 4th, 2006 to get answers to these questions and more at a free On-Location Academy Workshop / Made on a Mac event. Students got a up close look at professional equipment, learned tips and shortcuts about camera work, lighting and post production from professional filmmakers.

Professinoal Post Production at HDMG

During the course of this 2 hour workshop, students were introduced to the workflow and environment of one of the busiest post production houses in the Twin Cities, HDMG.

They met the HDMG team of creators and saw their work in editing, graphics, and sound, and toured a state-of-the-art post production facility with editing suites, sound studios and a render farm.

In January, the television show "Whatever" stopped by the set of the 2007 On-Location Academy production "Good Morning" to catch some of the excitement, and talk to some Apprentices about working with professionals on a film.

Visit the Whatever website to read more www.whatevershow.com.