BFA, New York University. Certificate in Producing, The New School. Co-founder and director of instruction at The International Film Institute of New York, currently working in collaboration with Sarah Lawrence College. Recent production credits include a feature-length documentary, Last Call (director and cinematographer), now in post-production and producer on the feature-length narrative, Central Avenue, scheduled to cast Marisa Tomei and Lorraine Bracco. A book-in-progress on cinematography lighting techniques is titled Lighting Tricks and ShortCuts. Staff member, faculty member, and head of the cinematography concentration at Columbia University’s Graduate Film Division, where he supervises students on thesis productions. Past work includes four one-hour specials on Latinos in the media for network television, short documentary projects, films, music videos, and industrials. SLC, 2009–
Undergraduate Courses 2024-2025
Filmmaking and Moving Image Arts
Advanced Short Film Projects II
Advanced, Large seminar—Spring
FILM 4200
Prerequisite: completion of Advanced Short Film Projects, Part I, in the fall semester or permission of the instructor
This course is a continuation of Advanced Short Film Projects, Part I. Part II will be a practical course, in which students (collaborating in crews) are exposed to a broad range of filmmaking skills through hands-on production experience and class discussion. The course will explore craft, aesthetic, production, and storytelling issues—all while working toward the production of projects workshopped, developed, and selected in Part I. Composed of directors, writers, producers, and technically proficient students, the faculty-selected group of 20 students will collaborate on producing eight short films, not to exceed 8-12 minutes in length. The spring session will cover preproduction planning, budgeting, scheduling, script breakdowns, shot listing, casting, rehearsing with actors, crewing, location management, script revisions, permits, insurance requirements, production-related agreements, camera preparation, lighting plans, and postproduction.
Faculty
Cinematography: Color, Composition, and Style
Open, Seminar—Fall
FILM 3463
This course will explore the roles associated with film production, focusing on cinematography and lighting for the screen. In addition to covering camera operation and basic lighting techniques, students will explore composition, color palettes, and application of a visual style to enhance the story. The semester will revolve around weekly exercises, followed by creating and producing original work. Work will be discussed and notes incorporated into the next project. In addition to the work completed during class times, students will be required to produce a short project, incorporating elements discussed throughout the semester, as part of conference work. Students will develop, write, shoot, edit, and screen a final project by the end of the term. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop that immerses the student in all aspects of film production. By the end of the course, students should feel confident enough to approach a film production project with the experience to take on introductory and assistant positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Working With Light and Shadow
Open, Seminar—Spring
FILM 3461
This introductory-level course will present students with the basics of cinematography and film production. They will explore cinematography as an art of visual storytelling. The cinematographer plays a critical role in shaping the light and composition of an image and capturing that image for the screen. Students will investigate the theory and practice of this unique visual language and its power as a narrative element in cinema. In addition to covering camera operation, students will explore composition, visual style, and the overall operation of lighting and grip equipment. Students will work together on scenes that are directed and produced in class and geared toward the training of set etiquette, production language, and workflow. Work will include the recreation of classic film scenes, with an emphasis on visual style. Students will discuss their work and give feedback that will be incorporated into the next project. For conference, students will be required to produce a second scene recreation, incorporating elements discussed throughout the term. Students will outline projects, draw floor plans, edit, and screen the final project for the class. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop that immerses the student in all aspects of film production. By the end of the course, students should feel confident to approach a film production project with enough experience to take on introductory positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Working With Light and Shadow
Open, Seminar—Fall
FILM 3461
This introductory-level course will present students with the basics of cinematography and film production. They will explore cinematography as an art of visual storytelling. The cinematographer plays a critical role in shaping the light and composition of an image and capturing that image for the screen. Students will investigate the theory and practice of this unique visual language and its power as a narrative element in cinema. In addition to covering camera operation, students will explore composition, visual style, and the overall operation of lighting and grip equipment. Students will work together on scenes that are directed and produced in class and geared toward the training of set etiquette, production language, and workflow. Work will include the recreation of classic film scenes, with an emphasis on visual style. Students will discuss their work and give feedback that will be incorporated into the next project. For conference, students will be required to produce a second scene recreation, incorporating elements discussed throughout the term. Students will outline projects, draw floor plans, edit, and screen the final project for the class. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop that immerses the student in all aspects of film production. By the end of the course, students should feel confident to approach a film production project with enough experience to take on introductory positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Previous Courses
Filmmaking and Moving Image Arts
Advanced Collective for Filmmakers and Screenwriters
Intermediate/Advanced, Seminar—Spring
This independent-study collective will provide a framework for advanced screenwriting and filmmaking students to pursue material toward an advanced project that could take the shape of a short film and/or screenplay. Led by a team of filmmaking and moving-image arts faculty, students will be interviewed during registration to evaluate their proposed material and their role on the project. The week-to-week structure of the collective will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual projects/groups as the semester progresses. The collective will be open to screenwriting, documentary, and fiction filmmaking students. Both individual and group projects are invited to apply to the class. Interested students should come to the interview prepared to present a project proposal.
Faculty
Cinematography, Color, Composition, and Style
Open, Seminar—Fall and Spring
FILM 3463
This course will be an intensive, hands-on workshop that will immerse students in all aspects of film production, focusing on cinematography and lighting for the screen. In addition to covering camera operation and basic lighting techniques, students will explore composition, color palettes, and application of a visual style to enhance the story. The course will revolve around weekly exercises, followed by creating and producing original work; work will be discussed and notes incorporated into the next project. As part of conference work, in addition to the work completed during class times, students will be required to produce a short project incorporating elements discussed throughout the semester. Students will develop, write, shoot, edit, and screen a final project by the end of the term. By the end of the course, students should feel confident to approach a film production project with the expertise to take on introductory and assistant positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Cinematography: Color, Composition, and Style
Open, Seminar—Spring
This course will explore the roles associated with film production, focusing on cinematography and lighting for the screen. In addition to covering camera operation and basic lighting techniques, students will explore composition, color palettes, and application of a visual style to enhance the story. The semester will revolve around weekly exercises, followed by creating and producing original work. Work will be discussed and notes incorporated into the next project. As part of conference work, students will be required to produce a short project in addition to the work completed during class times, incorporating elements discussed throughout the semester. Students will develop, write, shoot, edit, and screen a final project by the end of the term. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop that immerses the student in all aspects of film production. By the end of the course, students should feel confident enough to approach a film production project with the experience to take on introductory and assistant positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Filmmaking Production Collective
Intermediate, Large seminar—Spring
Prerequisite: two semesters of production AND permission of the instructor; all interested students must interview
This course, open to intermediate/advanced students with works in progress, will provide a framework to pursue the production of an advanced-project short film. Students will be interviewed during registration to evaluate their proposed material and their role on the project. The week-to-week structure of the collective will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual projects/groups as the semester progresses. Course discussions will include script revisions, budgeting, scheduling, script breakdowns, casting, locations, crewing, equipment allocations, and preparations for postproduction. Students will complete a production book that will include all of the elements necessary to properly pursue the making of their project.
Faculty
Filmmaking: Visualizing and Creating Moving Images for the Screen
Sophomore and Above, Seminar—Spring
This course will focus on the role of the cinematographer and the production process as it relates to lighting and developing a visual style of a film/video project, concluding with the production of a short film. The course will cover camera movement, composition, framing, and artistic lighting and will provide students with technical and aesthetic knowledge of lighting for the screen. Throughout the semester, we will work with production equipment and set up exercises geared toward achieving different cinematic styles. This class is intended for those who have a basic understanding of the principles of camera operation and cinematography and would like to put their knowledge into practice. Each student will work on creating a lighting plan for an original scene to be produced in class. Conference work will be the production of a short film project by the end of the semester.
Faculty
Working With Light and Shadow
Open, Seminar—Fall and Spring
This introductory-level course will present students with the basics of cinematography and film production. Students will explore cinematography as an art of visual storytelling. The cinematographer plays a critical role in shaping the light and composition of an image and in capturing that image for the screen. Students will investigate the theory and practice of this unique visual language and its power as a narrative element in cinema. In addition to covering camera operation, students will explore composition, visual style, and the overall operation of lighting and grip equipment. They will work together on scenes that are directed and produced in class and geared toward the training of set etiquette, production language, and workflow. Work will include the re-creation of classic film scenes, with an emphasis on visual style. Students will discuss their work and provide feedback that will be incorporated into the next project. For conference, students will be required to produce a second scene re-creation, incorporating elements discussed throughout the term. Students will outline projects, draw floor plans, and edit and screen the final project for the class. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop that immerses the student in all aspects of film production. By the end of the course, students should feel confident to approach a film production project with enough experience to take on introductory positions with the potential for growth.
Faculty
Practicum
Filmmaking One-Week Seminar: ConnectLA
Open, Practicum—Intersession
January 8–January 12, 2024
Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM PT
This one-week filmmaking seminar, ConnectLA, is an immersive experience in which students will come together to explore opportunities in the film industry. The setting will be an ideal space to network, explore, and gain mentorship experience or connections in an environment conducive to learning under the guidance of faculty and industry professionals. It's a great start for students who are considering relocating to California upon graduation from school. Visit and hear from film-school alums and industry professionals: how they began the process of making contacts, exploring neighborhoods, and the creative ways in which they started to make inroads in the industry. Along with informative sessions, students will have the opportunity to explore technical aspects of the process through hands-on experience with film-industry technology currently used in production. The week will include production site visits, tours, and hands-on technical sessions with industry gear and crew. The program will be a fully guided experience offered in collaboration with Los Angeles-based rental facilities, instructors, and tech professionals. (January 2023 program highlights reel: www.vimeo.com/ifiny/connectla2023)
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