Columbia College Chicago students having tech problems can now log in to the new online FAQ and help system. In order to assist students with tech problems through the year, the F&V department has launched a Web based Help Desk.
The site has FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and users can request specific help in the following [...]
Tech troubles? Read the new FAQ
“Life Or Obama?” Documentary Shoot a Success
About two weeks ago, I organized the production of Life or Obama?, a film which focused on Notre Dame University’s invitation to have Obama speak at the school’s commencement.
From Friday to Sunday, I was on campus filming anti-abortion protesters, trucks with anti-Obama slogans next to graphic photos of aborted baby fetuses, and what came to [...]
Want to Learn About Documentary Fundraising?
Groundswell Films is looking for an intern this summer to help research philanthropic and sponsorship leads for The Robben Island Singers, a 360 Media Project. Fundraising is not the most glamorous part of filmmaking, but it is an absolute necessity if you want to make independent work. We are looking for a [...]
Welcome, new viva doc board members!
Friday night, May 8th, North Racine at Margaret’s house, Viva doc gathered together and
1. thanked for the past board members for their awesome job,
2. welcomed the new board members for their coming year,
3. threw a surprising congratulation party for Mario’s wedding, or mourned his end of bachelor life,
4. filled empty stomachs,
5. peeping in Margaret’s sweet [...]
5 Lessons from “The End of Suburbia”
It’s often worth watching documentaries that suck in order to learn what not to do as a filmmaker. While watching the 2004 documentary “The End of Suburbia” (available on Netflix but don’t bother) several lessons occurred to me. Here’s my new list of what not to do in my own docs:
1. Don’t make a movie [...]
Doc-makers should take a cue from “28 Days Later”
Personally, I’m a big fan of using “relative time,” in other words, using titles or narration or lower thirds or what-have-you to convey that time has passed in a relative sense rather than an absolute one (i.e. “6 months later…” instead of “June 24th, 2008…”).
Video the Vote: Volunteers Wanted!
The Doc Center’s Jeff Spitz writes…
Volunteer camera people, tech people and drivers
YOU Can Help Protect Voter’s Rights On Election Day With Your Video Camera
WHEN: November 1, 9:30 -11:30AM – Training, Columbia College 1104 S. Wabash, 4th Floor
November 4, all day, Hammond & Gary, IN; Milwaukee, WI
November 11, 7PM, Public screening and discussion, Columbia College 1104 [...]
How do you label your tapes?
When it comes to labeling your camera originals, the key is having a consistent format. How do award-winning local nonfiction production houses like Chicago’s own Towers Productions label their tapes? Towers has a huge on-site archive, and they’ve got thousands of tapes to keep track of, so you better believe they’ve got a coherent labeling system.
5 Quick things to check if the aspect ratio of your Final Cut clip looks funny
For one reason or another, the clip you just imported into Final Cut Pro looks squished or stretched. Here are five quick things to check to find out the reason why your AR is wrong.