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Michael Conti's Make-A-Short-Film Two-Day Intensive

Offered by popular student demand, this exclusive weekend intensive workshop takes you from script to screen. Students will learn by doing. Write and shoot a short film using in-camera editing. On Saturday, screenwriter Amanda Conti will focus on being resourceful, and finding the “aha” moment that quickly moves a short film along by working with time, place, and character limitations. Discuss the basic structure of a script and ways to use experiences for life’s writing assignments!

The end result will be a class inspired five-minute script, ready for production the following day. On Sunday, director Michael Conti will help students devise a storyboard, block out scenes, and direct the script using only in-camera editing. With a digital video camera (for the class to share), Michael will demonstrate camera functions, in-camera editing, and other techniques. A professional lighting kit will be available. Learn basics of using both natural and artificial light. Everyone will get to try several roles, including writing, directing, acting, lighting, and shooting. Invite friends and family to view the completed short film Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

Special note: While students would get the most out of the two-day intensive, it is not a requirement to sign-up for both days. Either way, students are welcome to Sunday’s screening. Amanda Conti has written numerous screenplays and plays. She is also a published poet and professional copywriter. Michael Conti was an early adopter of the emerging technologies of digital video and computer-based non-linear editing software. Breaking new ground on the “fast film” movement, Conti directed over fifteen short films in the span of one year. He is known internationally and his films have been shown in many places locally. He is also the executive director of the Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival in Boulder.

Amanda and Michael Conti first landed in Hollywood in 1987. Amanda Conti is the creative muse behind many of Michael’s short film projects. In her own right, Amanda has written numerous screenplays and plays. She is also a published poet and professional copy writer.

Special Note: While students would get the most out of the two-day intensive, it is not a requirement that students sign-up for both days. It really depends upon the student’s interest level, and either way, if a student just comes to writing session, he is also welcomed to return for Sunday’s screening.

If you are a former student, and would like to recommend this course, please do so! We will keep doing it as long as people are interested and are having fun!

Michael's Recommendations:

The Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival - Make a Short Film in 24 Hours, in-camera editing! Considered Best New Festival by Denver's Westword Weekly in 2004. Returns to Colorado in October 2006!

Group101 Films Colorado - Make a Short Film a Month, for Six Months! Over 250 members, and growing stronger with monthly screenings at the Starz FilmCenter in Denver.

Most examples below except where noted, were shot in-camera by each class utilizing the script from a short script created by the class in the previous day. All these shorts are only slightly edited for presentation, including titles and credits. Click the date to view the short film from each class.

If you are interested in attending any of these future classes please sign up through the Colorado Free University. Other classes may be scheduled if there is enough interest and one-on-one tutorial is always available. Contact Michael for more information at 303-449-1515. Please recommend the class to someone else who might benefit!

Screen captures from various classes listed below [click or mouse over for more details]. All videos are shoot on consumer grade cameras from the Sony Hi8 DCR-TRV730 to the JVC MiniDV D25OU. Final editing was done on Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5.

Previous classes

Michael Conti's Make-A-Short-Film One-Day Intensive

In the course of a day, the students in Michael Conti's class will take a script, break it down into a story board, and then devise a shot list based upon camera placement, and will then shoot it in continuity (that is, in the order as it appears in the script). It is shot using in-camera editing only which means the camera goes on and off without the recourse to rewind, and do it again. There is no opportunity for post production. The benefit of this exercise is that the students learn through the act of doing, how to compose a scene and how each scene leads from the preceding scene to make a whole.

Most examples below except where noted, were shot in-camera by each class utilizing the script from a short film, HELLO TIGER. All these shorts are only slightly edited for presentation, including titles and credits. Click the date to view the 5 minute film from each class.

Most examples below except where noted, was shot in-camera by each class utilizing the script the previous day’s class. All these shorts are only slightly edited for presentation, including titles and credits. Click the date to view the 5 minute film from each class. You will need FREE QuickTime Movie Player for Playback, and a high speed internet connection to download as each example is around 10 MEGS (only 2 minutes to download with DSL/Cable).

Additional Resources:

Visit Michael Conti's Bookshelf to find books that help in the creative process of short film making.

Alchemy 4 is Michael's multimedia company, and he is always interested in seeing the best happen for clients when it concerns providing directing, editing and producing services.

Copyright 2006 Crazy Wisdom Films All Rights Reserved.