Upcoming Classes & Workshops - San Francisco Film Society

Upcoming Classes & Workshops
The Screenwriting Track
The Producer Track
The Production Track
The Documentary Track
The Film Studies Track
Programs for Educators and Youth
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Full Calendar

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

SFIFF53 Members Night
March 31, 2010; programs 7:00 & 9:15 pm; reception 7:30–9:30 pm

FILM ARTS FORUM

SFFS Film Arts Forum: Tales from Terror Town
Monday, April 5, 7:00 pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

53rd San Francisco International Film Festival
April 22–May 3, 2010

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt: Life, Death and Very Large Utensils
Friday, April 23, 7:30pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

An Evening with Walter Salles
Wednesday, April 28, 6:45 pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

An Evening with Robert Duvall
Friday, April 30, 7:30 pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

An Afternoon with James Schamus
Saturday, May 1, 1:00 pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

An Evening with Roger Ebert and Friends
Saturday, May 1, 5:30 pm

SF INTL FILM FESTIVAL

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Stephin Merritt
Tuesday, May 4, 8:30 pm

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Upcoming Classes & Workshops

Most classes are held at the San Francisco Film Centre (39 Mesa Street in the San Francisco Presidio) or the Ninth Street Independent Film Center (145 Ninth Street). Please read the Classes & Workshops FAQs before enrolling.

Download the Winter/Spring 2010 Filmmaker Education calendar (pdf)

To begin exploring class and workshop offerings, click on one of the categories listed below:

Screenwriting

Level II – Complete the Journey

Instructor: Lisa Rosenberg

SOLD OUT This class focuses on creating a dynamic structure, developing characters and theme and making thoughtful, innovative dramatic choices. Students will complete a first draft of a 90- to 120-page screenplay.
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Ten sessions: Thursdays, January 28–April 15 (no class April 1); Tuesday, April 20, 7:00-10:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$425 SFFS member
$455 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Level I – Launch Your Screenplay

Instructor: Lisa Rosenberg

SOLD OUT This class introduces students to the art of storytelling for the screen through lectures, discussions, writing exercises, film clips, workshops and peer critique. Get grounded in the basic elements of the craft and complete the first act of a three-act screenplay.
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Eight sessions: Tuesdays, February 2–March 23, 7:00–10:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$345 SFFS member
$375 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Professional Development

The Producer Track

Instructor: Various instructors

This track gives participants many of the skills needed to produce an indie narrative or documentary film. Learn from pros who are actively working and setting trends in the Bay Area independent film community.
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See individual class descriptions for dates and locations.

$280 SFFS member
$350 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

The Legal Framework for Your Film, Video or Business

Instructor: Peter Franck , Richard Lee

This course will unravel many of the business considerations that filmmakers must be aware of when starting their project. Topics include forming a legal entity, insurance, accounting, and the nature of contracts and funding issues related to grants, loans and investments.
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Thursday, February 11, 7:00–8:30 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$10 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

SFFS Fiscal Sponsorship Orientation

Instructor: Michele Turnure-Salleo

Whether you’re a filmmaker with a seed of an idea, are heading into production, have just finished your rough cut or are putting your distribution strategy into action, fiscal sponsorship can help you access funds from foundations and donors. This free seminar is essential for filmmakers seeking fiscal sponsorship from SFFS.
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Tuesday, February 16, 7:00–8:30 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

Free SFFS member
Free general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Pitch Masters

Instructor: Michael Dougan

If you can’t pitch your idea effectively, no one’s going to buy it. This two-day intensive seminar presents a variety of approaches to condensing stories and projects to their most essential and exciting elements in preparation for sharing them with potential collaborators and funders.
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Two sessions: Wednesday, February 24; Wednesday, March 3; 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$100 SFFS member
$115 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Filmmaking and the Law

Instructor: Peter Franck , Richard Lee

Gain knowledge of how to secure and keep usage rights for subjects, interviewees, events and archival materials. Special attention will be paid to copyright registration and rights of privacy formalities, fair use, Creative Commons licenses and distribution agreements.
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Thursday, February 25, 7:00–8:30 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$10 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Grant Writing Essentials

Instructor: Michele Turnure-Salleo

Learn how to craft an effective blueprint proposal for your project that can be adapted for multiple applications. Discover how to create a compelling logline, background, synopsis, treatment, fundraising strategy, marketing and distribution plan, key personnel bios and project status reports.
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Tuesday, March 2, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Obtaining and Clearing Music Rights for Film, Video and the Internet

Instructor: Peter Franck , Maryam Soleiman

This seminar reveals the secrets to content acquisition and the intricacies of music rights and fair use. The basic structure of copyright law will be covered, as well as the process of acquiring new music, gaining the right to use existing music and more.
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Thursday, March 11, 7;00–8:30 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$10 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Scheduling and Budgeting for Motion Pictures

Instructor: Debbie Brubaker

Conducting a screenplay budget breakdown from the elements in your script is an essential process that will improve your chances of getting it produced. Break down your script to identify easy dollar-saving fixes that won’t adversely effect overall quality.
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Tuesday, March 23, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Publicity and Marketing for Filmmakers

Instructor: Anna-Mae Chin , Hilary Hart

Learn from San Francisco International Film Festival insiders how to get the most out of your festival experience and utilize fests as platforms to market and publicize your films. Get tips on preparing to attend a festival with or without a film, preparing a press kit and stills, hiring a publicist and much more.
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Wednesday, March 24, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Webinar: Selling Films Online

Instructor: Danae Ringelmann

This online-only class will demystify online distribution. Learn how to promote and sell your film on the Web and receive feedback on your project. Grasp an overview of the emerging platform of online distribution and decide if it’s an appropriate model for your film.
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Wednesday, March 31, 7:00–9:30pm

Online

$25 SFFS member
$35 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Webinar: Indie Film Fundraising Online

Instructor: Danae Ringelmann

Do you need to raise money for your next film? Are you a filmmaker trying to make sense of all the tools on the Internet? This online-only class will familiarize you with the trends, tools and companies pioneering DIWO (do it with others) funding and filmmaking.
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Wednesday, April 7, 7:00–9:30 pm

Online

$25 SFFS member
$35 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Webinar: How to Ask People for Money

Instructor: Holly Million

This online-only class demonstrates how to develop relationships with individuals and ask them to make financial contributions to your film. Learn how to fundraise fearlessly, describe your film in succinct and compelling ways and make a successful ask.
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Saturday, April 17, 10:00 am–12:00 noon

Online

$25 SFFS member
$35 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

The Fundraising House Party: How to Party with a Purpose and Raise Money for Your Film

Instructor: Morrie Warshawski

House parties are a powerful and flexible way to inspire individuals to donate to your project. Learn how to harness this great tool to fundraise for your project. Draw on the deep experience of author/consultant Morrie Warshawski.
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Monday, April 19, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Documentary

The Documentary Track

Instructor: Various instructors

Creating an effective documentary that stands out and gets noticed is challenging. This track is designed to help filmmakers create a documentary from the inside out.
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See individual class descriptions for dates and locations.

$725 SFFS member
$840 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Ethics in Documentary Film

Instructor: Bill Nichols

Are there basic ethical principles in documentary filmmaking? What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to his or her subjects? What builds trust and what erodes it? Join documentary theoretician Bill Nichols as he investigates these questions.
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Monday, March 8, 6:00–9:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$15 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Producing and Directing Documentary Films

Instructor: David Brown

This intensive two-day workshop covers crucial issues of producing and directing a documentary, including selecting a provocative topic, researching the subject, writing a proposal, fundraising, preproduction, casting, directing, technical craft and more.
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Saturday–Sunday, March 13–14, 10:00 am–6:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$180 SFFS member
$200 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Production

The Production Track

Instructor: Various instructors

This foundation-building track offers an ideal mix for participants who are beginning the process. Students who have completed this track will be prepared to enter the Screenwriting Track as well as advanced seminars in cinematography, documentary and professional development.
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See individual class descriptions for dates and locations.

$700 SFFS member
$800 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

The Craft of Producing

Instructor: A.D. Liano

Today’s film market requires independent producers to have a marketing and distribution plan that goes beyond merely applying to festivals. A.D. Liano will help you conceptualize and implement marketing strategies that will help assure a film release that meets your goals.
Read more...

Wednesday, February 10, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Lighting Essentials

Instructor: Damian Lucas

Ideal for beginning cinematographers, lighting designers and directors, this illuminating class provides students with an understanding of basic lighting theory and techniques. Learn how to use standard motion picture lights to light a variety of setups and create great images.
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Saturday, February 13, 10:00 am–6:00 pm

Purebred Productions, 436 North Canal Street, South San Francisco

$165 SFFS member
$185 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Red Camera Orientation

Instructor: Jason Mitchell

Learn all about the Red One Camera through prep, production and conversion of RAW master files to several formats needed for postproduction. Gain knowledge of the camera system, menu, compatible lenses, recordable media and accessories, formats and record modes.
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Saturday, February 20, 10:00 am–4:00 pm

Purebred Productions, 436 North Canal Street, South San Francisco

$165 SFFS member
$185 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Advanced Lighting: Green Screen

Instructor: Damian Lucas

Understanding how to properly light a green screen is crucial for a variety of creative situations. Learn how to execute a flawless green screen shoot at this advanced hands-on workshop for gaffers, DPs, directors and videographers.
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Saturday, February 27, 1:00–5:00 pm

Purebred Productions, 436 North Canal Street, South San Francisco

$165 SFFS member
$185 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Sound Essentials

Instructor: Dan Olmsted

This hands-on class assists beginning and intermediate filmmakers with field recording and related issues. Learn about boom technique, microphones and recording devices, choosing and troubleshooting locations and organizing postproduction recording.
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Saturday, March 6, 11:00 am–5:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$150 SFFS member
$175 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

The Aesthetics of Editing

Instructor: Richard Levien

SOLD OUT. This class investigates the many competing issues that editors must keep in mind when cutting a film. Students will analyze early versions of scenes from documentary and narrative works, comparing them to the finished scene.
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Monday, March 15, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Shooting Digital Video

Instructor: Jason Wolos

Learn to use your HD or SD camera to its maximum potential. Ideal for first-time shooters and intermediate students who want to improve their shooting skills, this crash course will cover the basic operations of DV cameras as well as aesthetic considerations.
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Two sessions: Monday–Tuesday, March 29–30, 7:00–10:00 pm

Ninth Street Independent Film Center

$150 SFFS member
$175 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Postproduction Workflows: Shooting HD with Digital SLR Cameras

Instructor: Matt Notaro

In addition to still images, the new breed of digital SLR cameras also shoots HD video. Take control of a new and potentially industry-changing technology that affords low-light performance, a small form factor, and amazing depth-of-field.
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Monday, April 5, 7:00 pm–10 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$50 SFFS member
$60 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Film Studies

The Film Studies Track

Instructor: Various instructors

Designed especially for film aficionados and cinephiles, these classes develop an understanding of cinematic language that deepens viewer appreciation of experimentation in all genres.
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See individual class descriptions for dates and locations.

$45 SFFS member
$70 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Film Criticism: André Bazin

Instructor: Sean Uyehara

This class introduces some of the major rubrics of film criticism—ontology, epistemology, ideology, aesthetics and realism—and provides a foundation for formulating critical responses to cinematic works. Special consideration will be given to the writings of André Bazin.
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Monday, February 1, 6:00–9:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$15 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

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Herzog in Focus

Instructor: Bill Nichols

Werner Herzog belongs among that rare group of filmmakers for whom documentary and fiction filmmaking blur into a single quest—which in Herzog’s case, involves a search for “ecstatic truth.” Join Bill Nichols for an exploration of Herzog’s stylistic and thematic distinctiveness.
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Monday, March 22, 6:00–9:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$15 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Film Analysis

Instructor: Sean Uyehara

This class introduces students to the practice of close textual analysis, taking a neoformalist approach. Students will take an in-depth look at mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing and sound as keys to the development of narrative, narration and style.
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Monday, March 29, 6:00–9:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$15 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Representing the Holocaust

Instructor: Aaron Kerner

The Holocaust is referred to as incomprehensible, unimaginable and unspeakable; how can the supposedly “unrepresentable” be reconciled with the visual medium of film? This course examines artistic approaches to representing the Holocaust and how some of these complex historical and cinematic issues have been negotiated.
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Monday, April 12, 6:00–9:00 pm

San Francisco Film Centre

$15 SFFS member
$20 general

Enroll SFFS member

Enroll general

Labs

Master Class

Teacher Training

Youth Training