48-Hour Filmmaker Boot Camps
Make a film in 48 hours! Learn the basics of filmmaking from professional filmmakers like Marisha Mukerjee, Rocky Smith and Alvoro Leite. In this intensive workshop, you will learn story development, screenwriting, shooting, and editing using professional techniques and equipment. Participants will come away with a DVD copy of their completed short film.
Instructors
Marisha Mukerjee (studied University of St. Andrews; studied film at Le Femis, lives and works in Springfield/Evanston, IL) is a Producer at Madrina Films and teaches screenwriting at Northwestern University, Evanston. Recently she has been working on experimental video installations, writing two televised mini-series, and production on an upcoming short film WONDERLAND, which she will be filming in Dayton this Spring. She This past Summer, as part of her Northwestern MFA she spent her summer in the Showtime Original Programming department, following Dexter and Californication, as well as at Playtone, Tom Hank's production company.
Rocky Smith (graduated WSU, lives and works in Springboro/Dayton) was the co-producer and co-director of Toughman, which premiered at the 2009 Big Lens Film Festival, and was awarded "Best Ohio Short" at the 2009 Oxford International Film Festival, and "Best Documentary Short" at the 2010 Geneva Film Festival. Smith has also worked as a key grip, sound department, stunts, and assistant editor on four award winning short films for the 48 Hour Film Project, a nationally recognized filmmaking event. Recently, Smith began working with former Orion, MGM, and Lionsgate Executive, Michael Katchman, at Rivercoast Films Distribution as a Sales/Marketing Associate. In addition, Smith is a former WSU cheerleader and currently works as a Cheerleading coach.
Alvoro Leite (BFA in Motion Pictures Production from WSU) is a member of the Ohio Arts Council, Artist in Residence Program. Currently, he teaches filmmaking at Stivers School for the Arts, in Dayton, Ohio. His short film “Lucky’s” played the Cleveland International Film Festival and was a semi finalist in both the Kodak Cinematic Images Competition, and the UAFW Fox Searchlab Program. He has been awarded an Individual Media Artist Fellowship from Culture Works. A former D.G.A Assistant Director trainee, he’s worked episodic television, as well as feature length films. Currently, he’s prepping to direct an episode of an upcoming, FilmDayton produced, web series.
Past 48-Hour Filmmaking Boot Camps
"I signed up for this program for the experience. My passion has always been in movies, and this program helped me focus on that dream. I loved being able to meet kids who share the same dream as I do—we all became friends instantly. This workshop increased my understanding of the art form as I have used what I learned in my film class at school. I now understand what it takes to be part of a team in the movie making process. I can use this program to help with understanding about due dates and working under pressure. This Boot Camp was way more intense than I anticipated, but it was “so” worth it! The Film Boot Camp was probably the best choice I have made in helping me reach my goal of becoming a filmmaker!" - Nancie Smith, Greene County Career Center
"Learned so much!" "Lots of fun." "Loved it - Thanks!" "Very well done; instructors did a great job helping each group." "Thank you for a great experience!" "Great friends, teamwork, a new skill and a new way of thinking and seeing the world." - Comments from the 2012 University of Dayton Bootcamp
It all started in January 2010, with 25 area high school students made five group films in 48 hours with Dayton’s best filmmakers at Wright State University’s famed Motion Picture Department facilities. Open to all Miami Valley high school students, FilmDayton instructors Marisha Mukerjee and Rocky Smith - along with 5 volunteer WSU film students - charged through the curriculum of brainstorming the loose theme of “Escape,” learning storyboarding, camera work, lighting, shooting, scoring, and editing and took off across the campus to create their story.
Participating students ranged from experienced young filmmakers, to a few that had never held a camera before, to two talented actors who experienced behind-the-scenes for the first time. The five completed three-minute films ranged from action-adventures to psychological thrillers and were screened to an audience of over 75 friends, families, and new fans late on Sunday night. Students received a DVD of their completed film and FilmDayton screened the films as part of the 2nd Annual FilmDayton Festival, May 14-16, 2010.
Check out one of the films here
Since our early boot camps, we have expanded the programming to match it to the interests and talents of adolescents, high schoolers, college students and adults - age groups range from 10 years old through adult. Boot camps can be arranged as a program for community centers, schools or businesses - adaptable for your specific needs. Students learn the skills of filmmaking as well as creativity, collaborration, critical thinking and working on a deadline. Contact Megan at MCooper@FilmDayton.com or 937-554-0031 to learn more.
