Weekly Class Materials
1
Intro to Filmmaking
(Pre Production)
Sat. Feb. 3, 2024
You will learn the different types of shots and how to film them on your phone. The instructor will review some of the big moments in filmmaking and showcase how to execute the 5 most basic film frames (close up, wide shot, mid shot, long shot, and over the shoulder). The class will discuss why they decided to join the Silver Screeners and what they enjoy about films/filmmaking. Participants will pair up to try and complete all 5 frame types on each person’s phone. Their homework will be to choose a theme for their short film, practice using their phone to film and research their film topic from home. You will also sign up for a free Canva account. (the free StudioBinder Account is for extra credit)
2
Choosing Your Theme
(Pre Production)
Sat. Feb. 10, 2024
You will declare your theme and create your production schedule, shot list and storyboard. Participants will share their themes and why they chose them. The instructor will go over the elements to consider when drafting a production schedule (filming, stock footage, pictures, music, sound effects, and VO/on camera talent). The instructor will assign the members a production team. There will be 4 members to each team. Each member will direct their own film. The teams will create production schedules for each member’s film (4 schedules per team). Each team member will fill a different role on each film, so they get a chance to try out each role and learn the skills of each role. Their homework will be to finish their production schedule, shot list and storyboard before.
3
Production Time! Part 1
(Production)
Sat. Feb. 17, 2024
Your production team will start filming all of your team members’ films. Each team will use their production schedule as a guide to get the shots they need for each member’s film. They will be allowed to go off site (if needed) to shoot shots. The instructor will remain at the host site to help field any questions that may come up during the shoot. Their homework will be to review the footage they shot and think of any pick up shots they might need to get in the next session as well as any shots/interviews they will need to shoot at other locations during the week.
4
Production Time! Part2
(Production)
Sat. Feb. 24, 2024
Your production team will finish filming all of your team members’ films.Each team will use their production schedule as a guide to get the shots they need for each member’s film. They will be allowed to go off site (if needed) to shoot shots. The instructor will remain at the host site to help field any questions that may come up during the shoot. Their homework will be to review the footage they shot so far and to film any pickup shots they have left to get.
5
Post Production Time! Part1
(Post Production Production)
Sat. March 2, 2024
You and your team will start the post production process. The instructor will show the class the basics of film and audio editing (cutting footage, cropping a shot, inserting music music/audio/sound effects, transitions and titles). She will introduce the class to the two tools Vimeo. She will also discuss the basics of copyright law and introduce them to archive.org and other public domain resources. Each participant will open their free Vimeo accounts. Each team will review their footage and start editing. Their homework will be to review the task based videos the instructor created on the course webpage, so that they can become more familiar with the editing tools. They are encouraged to keep editing during the week.
Post Production Time! Part2
(Post Production Production)
Sat. March 9, 2024
You and your team will finish the post production process. Each class member will complete their rough cut in class and show the instructor to get feedback and hands on help. Their homework will be to review the task based videos , so that they can become more familiar with the editing tools. They must complete their final cut (if they did not finish it in class) and send it to the instructor two days before the short film showcase.
6
Class Showcase
Sat. March 23, 2024
Join us at our host organization, The Miller Beach Arts and Creative District (540 S Lake St, Gary, IN 46403) on Saturday March 23, 2024 from 6pm-8pm for our Short Film Showcase. The community is welcome to come and see all the cool movies the Silver Screeners created during the course.
Class Description
Ever dream of making a movie? Then The Silver Screen Filmmakers Club is for you! We will meet in person on a weekly basis for 6 sessions this winter. There are 12 slots available, preference is given to people 65 and over. Members will learn how to shoot short documentary films on their phones and work as production/post production teams. Additionally, you will learn a brief history of filmmaking, how to use editing software and decide which online platform is the best fit for your film. The course is being taught by Award-winning writer/ filmmaker, Jessica Renslow who lived and worked in Hollywood for a decade and now resides in her hometown, Gary, Indiana. Classes will meet at our host organization, The Miller Beach Arts and Creative District (540 S Lake St, Gary, IN 46403) on Saturdays from February 2nd-March 9th 2024. Additionally, they will also hold a Short Film Showcase (on March 23, 2024). The community is welcome to come and see all the cool movies the Silver Screeners created during the course. The class is being funded by a grant from The Indiana Arts Commission's Lifelong Arts Initiative. Contact Jessica Renslow here to book your slot.
Teaching Artist Bio
Jessica Renslow is an Indiana based filmmaker. With twenty years of production experience, she has 700+ credits, as she cut her teeth in episodic TV. A 2003 graduate of Ball State University, she received a BA in Japanese language/culture and Telecommunications. She was a 2002 David Letterman Award Winner for her feature-length screenplay, “Stained Glass Graffiti” and helped produce/direct segments for the Emmy Award-winning entertainment news program “Connections Live!” (WIPB-TV). After graduating, she worked as a teacher and translator for the Japanese Ministry of Education in rural Hokkaido for three years appearing on a variety of NHK shows and radio programs for her community development work. She spent a decade working in Los Angeles for major studios and producing passion projects. 2007 marked her directorial debut with her feature film premiering at the LA Women in Film Festival. She received her master’s in education from California State University in 2012 with a focus on instructional design, new media production and leadership. She translated and adapted the 2013 Sundance International Filmmaker Award-winning script “Spectacled Tiger.” In 2015 she returned to the Hoosier State and has spent the past eight years helping educational institutions, nonprofits and governmental entities adopt new technology. From 2015-2020 she had several short documentaries premiere in film festivals across the US. From 2018-2020 she co-hosted Issues and Answers Wednesdays on WLTH covering a range of local/national/international stories. In 2020 she received an Individual Advancement Program grant from the Indiana Arts Commission for her writing. 2022 marked her return to scripted filmmaking with the award-winning premiere of “Method: A Voice Actor Prepares.” She is one of three Hoosier filmmakers awarded a 2023-2024 Unearthed Film Project Grant from Indiana Humanities. Her work has aired on networks such as The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and PBS. Some of her works are available on the following streaming services: Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. Ms. Renslow is an advocate for independence within the disability community. She is looking forward to facilitating her first course geared towards 65+ learners as part of the 2023-2024 Indiana Arts Commission's Lifelong Arts Initiative. She feels that bridging the digital divide is a mode for positive change and equity.
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