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News Archives February 8, 2010 - Our first-ever "Let's Make a Sci-Fi Movie!" production course, offered through Salt Spring Arts Academy, just concluded last week. I leave my students with some measure of regret as I realize how many more things we might have accomplished. So many ideas-- so little time! Unlike other courses I've taught, due to the more challenging nature of this production (the use of special effects, the ambitious script written by one of the students, our small class size, etc.) we weren't able to complete all of the scenes, nor finish editing during class time. Never fear, though! We already talked about ways of making what we have work, so my final job will be to finish editing the movie into as complete a story as possible, using some techniques we discussed for making our story's holes work-- we could then say, "We MEANT to do that!" I had originally intended to run another production course starting this month through June, but unforeseen circumstances have necessitated cancelling this offering. For the foreseeable future, I will not be offering any more movie-making courses. This could change if my schedule permits, and if I find a venue where editing equipment can remain for the duration of a course. Please e-mail me if you would like to be added to my contact e-list. Sometimes I send out movie-making news, tips, and info about upcoming courses, so that way we can stay in touch!  October 22, 2009 – Wow! Such an outpouring of love and appreciation from our small but dedicated audience at the 2009 Island Youth Film Festival! Thanks to all of you who came out to support our up-and-coming generation of movie-makers! Your cash contributions to the food bank came out to $33 in addition to the many food items for the food bank! September 2009 - FrogTalk Media is now accepting entries for the 2009 Island Youth Film Festival, to be held October 21 at the Fritz Theatre. Share your home-made and/or student-made productions with us! Entry is free! May 29, 2009 - This year, I'm working with Salt Spring Arts Academy to offer my courses. My long-term plan is to build a Media Arts program through Salt Spring Arts Academy, complete with camera equipment and editing workstations. Until we have a permanent location, though, classes will continue to meet wherever we can find the room, so I don't yet know where our classes will be held this summer. We plan to meet within walking distance to multiple filming locations in downtown Ganges. Please e-mail me if you would like to know as soon as I do! January 7, 2009 - Happy New Year, Everyone! This year, I am hoping to expand our programs to include advanced editing courses for students who have previous experience filming and now want to REALLY have some fun!! Also, some parents have expressed interest in taking courses, so that is something else in the works. However, in order to offer advanced editing, I need to acquire two more workstations. These, along with my laptop can then accommodate up to six students in a class, two per workstation. If anybody knows of workstations I might be able to use for this, please contact me! Alternatively, I could teach students on their own equipment if they already have PCs or Macs with editing software. But not everyone has their own equipment; and workstations aren't especially mobile, so I'm still working through those issues. Acoustic Planet Music has kindly expressed interest in hosting my classes at their studio on Saturdays, so as soon as I iron out the details, I'll get the word out to you all. Please e-mail me if you have any ideas or suggestions though (or interest in attending!) and/or if you would like to be added to my e-mail list for announcements, etc. (I promise I will never share your information without your consent!). Love to you all, November 8, 2008 - Thanks to everyone for your entries and attendance! We had a great turnout for our first festival and raised over $70 in addition to the many food donations for the food bank! Stay tuned for next year's festival! October 28, 2008 - Movies Made by Salt Spring Kids 2008 Film Festival will be presented at the Fritz on November 7th. Seating begins at 4:45 pm, and program starts promptly at 5:00 pm. Admission is free, but please bring food bank donations, and be sure to support the Fritz by buying pop-corn! Five shorts will be shown, and at the conclusion, willing filmmakers will be on hand to answer audience questions. If you'd like to help spread the word, please feel free to print posters (Adobe Acrobat .pdf format, 30 mb). September 17, 2008 - This summer's productions from the "Let's Make a Movie! Just for Kids" program will be presented at the Fritz Cinema as part of the "Movies Made by Salt Spring Kids 2008" Film Festival, to be held in October. August 26, 2008 - Unfortunately, our PREMIERE at Starlight Cinema was cancelled due to rain. What a week! Never fear, we are now looking into premiering at the Fritz Cinema, although depending on scheduling, it may not be soon. My teaching assistant Daniel and I will be creating the DVD menu on Friday, and then we'll make copies for all the students afterward. Please contact me to arrange your copy to be mailed to you if you've already left town! August 18, 2008 - GRAB YOUR picnic blankets, pillows or lawnchairs and head on out to Centennial Park this Sunday, August 24th, at nightfall (aprox. 9:00 pm) for a PREMIERE SHOWING of our 2008 summer productions as part of Island Star Video's Starlight Cinema. Along with our short films, audience members will be treated to the feature presentation “Nim's Island”. Admission is free, but please bring foodbank donations. June 11, 2008 - GET READY to join us for another exciting production season! Sign up early, as classes fill up fast.
Please contact Cindy with program questions, and Acoustic Planet Music for registration information. Dear Santa Claus and Friends,December 19, 2007 - This year has been very special. I am so grateful for having had another opportunity to teach "Let's Make a Movie! Just for Kids" workshops this summer and work with such energetic, creative children. Our student film festival at the end of summer was well-attended and hopefully enjoyed by all, especially by those whose hard work resulted in such entertaining movies! We had only one video camera incident all summer. The camera fell on its face when the tripod tipped over (yikes!). Thankfully, it continued to work, but I finally got it serviced in October and learned that it would need an expensive replacement part. As a result, there will be no more taped shooting with that camera (sadly!). So last month I splurged on the purchase of a new Cannon HV20-- a consumer-grade high definition video camera capable of close-to-filmmaking quality with its 24-fps "cinematic" setting. The camera has been getting fantastic comparison ratings, although everyone recommends also purchasing a wide-angle lens. Hopefully next summer it will get used to its capabilities by our young filmmakers. Well, Santa, here's the thing. My husband informs me, "No more equipment!" until I pay off my recent purchases (for instance, the new laptop this summer that replaced one damaged during my Fall 2006 course). But I still have lofty dreams of offering other interesting courses this coming year, which would benefit from a few additional items. So, in case you are in a position to help, I thought I'd make a list, because I've been very, VERY GOOD this year:
And Santa, please double-check to make sure all of these deserving people are on your "Nice" list:
Michele MacKenzie and Greg Esposito They provided the class location, advertising and registration services for my past courses and have been so wonderful to work with. And Greg's guitar sound-effects for our sci-fi film last summer were super awesome!
Judy Francis She took a chance offering my course last Fall, and hopefully doesn't regret it!
Harry Burton His incredible dedication to organic apple farming, promotion of local food production, organization of the annual Apple Festival, and encouragement of me as a filmmaker have left me forever indebted to him. Our apple documentary collaboration should keep me well-occupied this coming year.
Valla Eiriksson She generously shared precious space in her glass studio with me this month, having heard my crazy idea for offering "You on Video!" Christmas video messaging and fully encouraging my hasty enterprise, even adding me to her planned advertising for the month. What a wonderful friend! Well, Santa, that's about all. Don't get frost-bitten as you make your rounds this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love,
Cindy Jacobsen P.S. - did I forget to mention I was Very Good this year?!
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Send a Holiday Video Message to your friends and loved ones everywhere!December 4, 2007 - In the spirit of the season, Cindy Jacobsen of FrogTalk Media and Valla Eiriksson of Avanti Glass Studio have teamed up to provide this very unique service:
Contact Avanti Glass Studio at 537-9476 (or toll-free at 1-866-457-2476) to make your 1/2-hour appointment. Pricing starts at just $29.95. 5% of proceeds will benefit Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.
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Saves paper and postage - nothing to wrap! |
Let's Make a Movie!
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Check out more details of Let's Make a Movie! |
