Only week two at BDFI, and already I feel so at home with my professors and classmates, enthralled with my subject matter, and excited about my upcoming projects. Inspiration is not hard to come by when surrounded by such high caliber creative individuals, and the guidance offered by Patrick and Fred is so clearly rooted in years of in-depth experience in the industry.

I love how Patrick tells all these real stories to convey certain lessons about the industry—“the 58 takes story” is a favorite.

Lectures on pitching, casting, locations, and the technical ins and outs of shooting are valuable beyond price—I simply can’t imagine having dived into the industry without all this insider information. The vernacular of the trade is seeping into my everyday speech, which thrills beyond belief and impresses my friends and roommates—always a plus.

Patrick’s theory of “ballistics” editing was a specifically exciting lecture—how to make footage look and feel like a good movie does, how to create something that acts upon its audience the way a good film should: with clarity, artistic movement, and emotional resonance—I was enthralled.

Our first editing assignment has allowed me to put this knowledge to work and it’s amazing to see it all come together by way of your own hand. What had previously seemed like such a mystery is made so clear and the philosophy of effective mixing and editing is so vastly interesting to me—I will forever watch movies with a different eye now!

The daunting task of editing in Final Cut Pro, which I had previously never laid eyes on, has been removed of its veneer of terror by Sharif, our incredibly cool and friendly editing teacher who is appropriately, staunchly anti-mouse. Eric is always available for techno-help and the facilities are unparalleled—“I get to edit my little movie in here??” was my first reaction to the state-of-the-art editing suites.

I couldn’t be more thrilled with my experience at BDFI thus far, and I can’t wait to start shooting and carve out a little room for myself in this industry with the help of the tools given to me by this wonderful program.

Adria Kloke

Being involved in the program feels like a natural progression from the production experience I’ve accumulated in the last year.

Ultimately I decided to participate in this program because I do not see my possession of a bachelor’s degree in film as the end of my filmic education. If I want to make a living with movies, then I felt it was worth it to immerse myself in a program such as this which would aid my growth as an aspiring filmmaker.

In my most recent production course prior to this class, I felt that as much as I was gaining extensive experience with movie projects, quality of production wasn’t always an emphasis. I am pleased that this course is structured around fewer projects and emphasizes mastering the material to the fullest extent possible. This is what I felt was missing from my previous production class.

The material that I’m learning will be beneficial to me in both practical and professional ways. Although a lot of the basic concepts I already have experience with - like movie editing and screenwriting format/structure - I like that this program is teaching me how to hone and build upon my skills in those areas.

However, I do feel less confident in my editing and screenwriting abilities; those are the technical elements that I hope to improve, so I am glad that these aspects of movie-making are also being covered.

I’m really excited that I am also finally learning skills that will be of vital importance in my future career, like scouting actors and locations. Although the program is an intensive and will require a lot of work and dedication, this is not foreign to me. I feel like I am competent enough to meet the challenges of the class.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised on the first day of instruction to find that the professors in the program encourage film storytelling that is honest, authentic, and true to life.

In my mind I usually associate professional and skilled filmmaking with contrived, artificial storytelling - the complete antithesis of the kinds of movies that I enjoy watching and ultimately want to make myself. But it has been proven to me that this isn’t always the case, and it doesn’t have to be. In this way, the philosophy of the Institute really resonates with me.

This, along with the kinds of seasoned instruction and training that this program is endowing me with, will hopefully enable me to blossom into a more confident filmmaker.

Whereas I was previously reticent to share my movie ideas for fear that they would expose and reflect too much of myself, I’m finding that I can use that as an advantage.

I do want to make my mark in the film world, but I want to do it without having to jeopardize my integrity or my vision. Part of that integrity lies in my desire to succeed in the industry without necessarily having to situate myself geographically in the region itself (the region being Los Angeles/Hollywood).

Although I know that this will inevitably be a detour, I’m finding validation in the filmmaking resources - including BDFI - that the Bay Area has to offer. I would much rather spend time truly polishing my skills here than throwing myself blindly and naively into the film business down south.

I enjoy being in a class with a mixture of people I do and do not know, people who do or do not have backgrounds or aspirations in film. I’s a testament to my belief that you do not have to be a filmmaker to understand how or why films work - you just have to love it and want to learn about it.

Although film is a medium and an industry, it is not self-contained. It interacts with and reflects and challenges multiple other disciplines and people and ways of thinking.

It’s wonderful to see that the make-up of the class is diverse in this respect and acts as a microcosm for how the industry itself actually works. I feel that by being in this group, I am simultaneously able to learn more about movies and share my own knowledge about movies with others - which is a position that I enjoy.

My only complaint about the program is that I wish I had known about the institute sooner. I hope that I can establish a more permanent, long-lasting relationship with the institute - whether or not that comes in the form of instruction.

Bianca Beyrouti

I randomly found Berkeley Digital Film Institute (BDFI) and feel that finding such a professional, serious film school was a twist of fate. After finding the flyer for a music video workshop, I called about a month before the program was to start and explained my interest in the course.

From the first conversation I had with Patrick Kriwanek, I really appreciate how polite and welcoming the school has been. Even when the desired enrollment didn’t take place, Mr. Kriwanek still invited me to participate in the “Producing and Directing” intensive summer course. I felt very welcome and encouraged to participate, even though my previous experience in film is very small.

I was really impressed when I first came to the school. The building was easy to find, and parking wasn’t a problem. I think it’s an excellent idea to offer prospective students a chance to sit in on classes. This gave me a good idea for how the school is taught. Everyone; from Mr. Kriwanek, to other students, to the guard sitting at the front desk are welcoming. I instantly got a good vibe from the class I sat in on, and could tell everyone was excited to be there, and more importantly excited about film.

Since I started the course, I am amazed by how professional and organized each class is. I feel that every lesson, no matter how simple or complicated is thoroughly explained. More importantly, I feel everything I have learned (so far) is what is important towards my success in becoming a great filmmaker.

I have looked at other film schools to attend, and have taken film courses, but no place has been this professional. I feel the important concepts are taught directly. I have always been somewhat scared of private film and art schools because I didn’t want my creativity and originality to be manipulated, changed, and damaged.

I was nervous and intimidated when I first started BDFI, because my prior skills and experience is little to none. My confidence was quickly regained by how helpful the teachers and other students are.

I also feel my personal potential will expand because I am encouraged to share my personal creativity. Everyone is positive towards helping each other grow as an artist. It is an environment where creativity is shared and carefully critiqued, instead of a competition. Everything is an open discussion between students on helping with projects and executing visions.

When I have questions or need help with an assignment, someone is always available. Plus they are highly knowledgeable of the topic. All types of technology, mentoring and services are available for me to make the very best of this course.

Probably most important of all, I can tell that everyone at BDFI is here because of the common love of film. It’s obvious that they love their job and want to share their knowledge of success with people who strive to be equal, respectable professionals.

Brooke Schmill

So I have been at the summer program at BDFI for about two weeks now and it is fantastic. I am learning so much and I absolutely love it.

It is really fast paced, because of the 10-week limit, but it is worth it, no question.

I am taking classes at Cal and working so it definitely keeps me busy. We have gone over casting and location scouting recently and I have several options for both. There is so much that goes into filmmaking that people don’t realize, and that I didn’t even realize myself until now.

I really enjoy the screenwriting class because it allows for our creative side to come alive. I have SO many ideas for films and it is getting very hard to choose just one of to really pump out a final script, I just keep changing my mind and thinking of new things.

It really is fascinating how characters seem to just create their own fate once you develop them. And the infinite possibilities and outcomes of the story make it quite difficult to keep our first film down to only three minutes. We read a few scripts this past week, which were all amazing and most people went over the 3 page limit, which is currently my problem as well. Hopefully, I will be able to be concise as well as thorough in my final draft.

Editing class was overwhelming at first because the first day Sharif just showered us with tons of key commands and instructions on how to navigate through final cut pro. I have worked with it very little before, so I was unaware of a lot of what he was introducing to us.

However, since the class, his instructions have been on colossal help and have allowed me to edit much faster and certainly much more efficiently than I would have otherwise on my own. Our fist assignment due date is coming up quickly, this Thursday in fact.

We are supposed to edit clips from a movie to music according to Ballistics, which Patrick gave a lecture on in class. The theory of ballistics really does make a huge difference in film editing and is of tremendous consequence if one really wishes for a beautiful and stylistic final product.

I had a little trouble at first getting final cut onto my laptop but as soon as that got fixed up, I started working with it as well as Mac the Ripper and MPEG Streamclip to compose my short 1 minute “music video.” I am already at about a minute right now so I think that I will definitely go longer, for the whole song ideally, but that really depends on how much other work I have to do this week, so I guess we’ll see on Thursday!

Patrick’s classes on Tuesday’s are especially enlightening. He unquestionably has just so much experience in the film industry and can tell us so many things that can be of real use when we embark on our careers. From how to work with cast and crew to making sure there are enough bathrooms on set, he is the expert. So much just goes unnoticed and people overlook the simplest of things, but in doing so create the worst of disasters. For this reason, he reminds us constantly of the importance of being prepared and staying calm and professional.

The whole class is really starting to feel more and more comfortable and open. My classmates are all wonderful and very friendly and everyone seems very willing to help each other out, which is great because we will all probably need each others help at one point or another. I think this is going to be a great learning experience for all of us and will undoubtedly shape us into the filmmakers we wish to be.

-Felicity Trevino

My experience at BDFI has been entirely positive. I am in the third week of the 10 week summer intensive at BDFI. To have found a resource of such experienced, helpful and professional film teachers in the Bay area has been a pleasant surprise.

I came to BDFI with a history in photography, writing and fine art, up until the course I had had no experience in editing, production or directing. Not once have I felt intimidated by my lack of knowledge, rather the staff have made me feel encouraged and inspired.

Although our course is compact, we have already written short scripts and are about to begin casting. Upon completion of the program, we will all be proficient in Final Cut Pro, have solid screenwriting foundations, and will know what to expect as Producers/ Directors.

The school is comprehensive in it’s dedication to producing well rounded, educated film makers. The courses offered during the summer include screenwriting, editing, production and direction.

Class size remains small, so an intimate, productive and uninhibiting class environment is fostered.

Each of the teachers at BDFI are more than generous with their time and vast experience and there are a wealth of tutors available. While the atmosphere is quite relaxed; our deadlines, along with the level of work demanded, results in a great work ethic that can be felt upon entering the building.

Along with excellence in teaching and a fantastic reputation, BDFI has a wealth of equipment. There are top of the range cameras available for use, excellent sound equipment, editing suites and a green screen room.  

All of these factors combine to make BDFI an incredible facility and program. I am thrilled to recommend it to any burgeoning filmmakers.

Louisa de Cossy

I just started the 10 week Summer Intensive Program at the Berkeley Digital Film Institute and I love it!

I checked out ALL the film programs in the Bay Area, searching for one that would give me hands-on experience and enough knowledge to walk away confident in my skills as a Producer and Director.

Other traditional film schools were not for me because I wasn’t interested in learning film theory and the cost and long term commitment freaked me out.  And the shorter classes offered by other schools didn’t seem to be worth the cost, nor did they appear to have a proven track record for their graduates. I was beginning to think that what I was looking for did not exist in the Bay Area!

Then I learned about the BDFI summer program.

It has a hands-on emphasis, an impressive faculty, and it was the perfect length to fit in with my commitment phobia. My interest is in making documentaries so I wasn’t sure if I would fit in. I spoke to a few documentary filmmakers for advice. They all said that it is important to develop your storytelling skills and what you learn by doing fiction is transferrable to making documentaries.

So I made a last minute decision to go for it and was really nervous about it.  But on the first day I knew immediately I made the right decision!

The teachers are working professionals in the industry so they can tell you real stories of being on set and offer real world advice. The classes are small so you get individual attention.

And I like the unique collaborative atmosphere with all the students in the school. So not only are you crewing on your classmates films, you are also getting peer advice from students ahead of you.

The summer program just like it’s name is indeed intensive. You start pitching ideas and writing your script right away. I enjoy the pace because I want to “do” not just talk about it. I look forward to going to class (never thought I’d say that!). Anyway, back to working on my script. See ya…

Lyn D.

When they say ten week intensive, they mean intensive. It’s only been two weeks, but I feel like I’ve learned so much and I feel way more productive than I would have been without this program.  I mean what else would I be doing this summer? 

Probably making big plans to make a crappy movie with my friends and never actually getting around to doing it.  At BDFI I am forced to be productive and take action with the hope that all this will be habit forming.  As of now, I have pitched ideas to my class and started writing a script.  It still needs work, but “writing is rewriting.”  I’m also hunting down locations and learning how to deal with a casting call. 

Students from classes ahead of us are always around, and they’ve been really helpful in giving us advice.  Which is fantastic, because they have been, and are, going through all the things we are doing: pitching, writing, rewriting, location scouting, casting, shooting, editing, everything!

The faculty here is great.  Patrick, the dean and our directing teacher, is just the nicest guy.  He makes himself available to us students, always there to answer your call and he is very encouraging of our work. 

Fred, our screenwriting teacher is another great guy.  He’s patient with us, when ask questions and ramble on about our pitches and stories.  And he wants to get an idea of what kind of things we are interested in personally, so we can, hopefully find our own voice. 

Sharif, our editing teacher, is just fantastic.  He’s another one that makes himself available and makes sure we are all on the same page.  He really knows his stuff.  I mean, I am using Final Cut Pro for the first time ever and I am already feeling comfortable with it.  After two sessions, I already feel better about my editing skills.  What’s great, though, is that I am learning what I will get the most use out of.  There’s no beating around the bush with this guy.  

I’ve met some great people so far, too.  The small class size allows us to get to get comfortable with one another quick and become a unit. 

What’s amazing about this semester’s group is the amount of women we’ve got.  With the exception of our T.A., I’m surrounded by bright, ambitious women of all ages and backgrounds who want to make movies! 

I hope this is a sign of things to come.  It feels like something is shifting for the better in the film industry, but we will have to wait and see.  

Samantha Bennet

I honestly can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks at BDFI already!  It’s almost as if time speeds up exponentially every week.  I have learned a great deal in class, but I’ve learned even more on set.  We had our first shoot of the class today.  Laura shot her piece at a bar in the Financial District today, and I performed as Script Supervisor for the first time.  I also acted as gaffer along with our DP and Cameraman. 

You learn a lot in class with Mike, in terms of how to set up lights, etc., but I learned even more on set when it became critical to create good lighting.  There is nothing like being handed a C-stand and a flag and expected to mimic 5 o’clock at night, when it is actually 11 o’clock in the morning, to get you motivated.

My favorite class so far is my editing class, not only because that is where my main interest lies, but because our editing teacher is amazing.  He is brilliant in both the technical and the design side of editing.  I enjoy his class immensely. Sharif is a great teacher.

My favorite part of every class is discussing our projects in depth.  That is where what we are taught in class can be applied to each and every situation.  I feel that is the time that we learn the most.  I am a visual learner, so reading a script in class and having Fred critique it is much more helpful to me than discussing concepts which can, at times, be abstract.  All of our classes have been so helpful in getting us prepared for our shoot.  I also really appreciate that all of our teachers have volunteered their time outside of class to provide us with more assistance.

I am having a great time so far.  I am getting along very well with all of my classmates, and I realize the value of having people on your set that are not only reliable, but trustworthy and that will work hard for you to create a great project which can only be achieved through exceptional teamwork.  I am excited for my shoot, to see what can be produced with the great team I feel I have assembled.

Although I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to complete in the next week, I am optimistic, due to my incredible classmates.  I have relied heavily on the experience and knowledge of several of my classmates, which has helped me immensely. 

Raul, in my class, has been amazingly generous with his equipment, without asking for anything in return.  So many of my classmates have volunteered their time without demanding reciprocation. 

This is the spirit of camaraderie which I sought in other schools and could not find.  BDFI has created an amazing environment which breeds excellent teamwork and bonding.  I feel I will be friends with these people for a long time.  

Alisa Simonds

I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts of the past five weeks here at the Berkeley Digital Film Institute.

First of all, what is BDFI really and what do we do here? I get asked this question all the time. On the surface, it is a fairly new, private film school located in the Saul-Zaentz media center in Berkeley, California (If you don’t know what the Saul-Zaentz media center is, uh, well then look it up).

Beneath the surface however, is a little niche of reality the dean, Patrick Kriwanek, created so that students can come and pursue their aspirations of being filmmakers.

Like a scriptwriter who creates a world for the reader to live in, Patrick created a little subculture for student filmmakers to live in. Environment is important to me. Especially when it’s one where artists come to create. BDFI is definitely a place where creativity is encouraged, not stifled because it promotes a certain agenda.

Another interesting quality of the program is the quality of students. People who come here are not only serious about their learning but all seem to be great team players. Everyone crews on everyone else’s shoots and we even help each other in the story and script writing process. The students here do not selfishly work to promote their projects at the expense of others. This is refreshing.

Another interesting aspect of the program is the emphasis on learning all the skills and sub skills involved in filmmaking. The point of the school is not simply to become a filmmaker, but to be an employed filmmaker! During the course of the program all aspects of filmmaking are covered, e.g. producing, directing, editing, scriptwriting, light, sound, acting, etc. It is basically a vocational program for filmmaker.

Another intriguing characteristic along these lines is how each student is allowed to follow his or her area of particular interests. Some like to produce. Some are into directing. Some are tech geeks, editors, etc. You can essentially make the program fit whatever your particular interest happens to be.

Personally, I came to the program to help me be finish a documentary film. And as a combat veteran, I am also am interested in acting as a form of catharsis. So to that end, I am casting myself in some of my film projects. Again, you can shape the program to get whatever you want out of it.

In a nutshell, BDFI is a creative, supportive place for me to pursue my goals in filmmaking. It better be dammit, I was supposed to be living in Italy this summer.

Cheers.

It’s been a month and the level of experience that I’m getting is going through the roof at BDFI. The project on deck right now is the 3min short that is now in pre-production.

My time in completing this project has been a real blessing… writing the script has to be one of the more challenging parts of the creation process.

Luckily we have Fred and Patrick to help guide us on things in the script and also other little things that help to inspire the creative flow.  The second draft of my script is fit for shooting, pulled in actors with Saleah’s structure in casting calls and cast the roles in my first round of auditions.

Capitalized on a good location for the set at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in the city, now from this point on it’s down to working with the actors and crew so that we are all on the same page and can make the best scene possible.

Grady Coleman