I want to express to you the unique and real experience that I had while sitting in on a class at the Berkeley Digital Film Institute this last monday 06/23/08. I’ve been a avid film fan for the last 20 years and want to take my home films to the next level with a goal of becoming a Producer/Director of quality films.

What I found was a caring and realistic approach to what is only offered at a post-graduate level for Directors and Producers that is distilled into a 16 month program. This particular class size consisted of 9 creative thinking people ranging in ages from their 20’s to 50’s. This was a remarkable group that not only cared about their own projects but took a concerned and thoughtful interest in those of their classmates projects as well. This was a complete and utter surprise to see such a level of knowledge taught in such a nurturing way. No egos were involved; just the love of the project.

This is a school that not only provides upper level knowledge but promotes this in a very attentive and loving environment; with such a small sized class the students are thrown into the realm of understanding the very importance of cooperation needed to complete their projects.

As a result of this experience; I have decided to become a part of this program.
Michael Hurley

This week at B.D.F.I. was very exciting for me. To begin, we started the
week learning about sound and how to operate a boom microphone. Opposed
to the strictly visual nature of the program thus far, this was a welcome
change of pace in addition to being immensely informative. Patrick cut
his teeth in the business as a sound tech, so having all that experience
relayed onto us was very cool. Antoher big event of that week the stands
out in my mind is the guest lecture with Debie Brubaker. Having one of
the most respected producer’s in the bay area come in is a testament to
the pull B.D.F.I. has in the bay, as well as the amazingly close-knit
relationship shared by entertainment professionals here. Debie was very
cool and laid back. It was refreshing to see someone in her position that
is so cordial and polite. Just goes to show that good things do happen to
good people. Antoher amazingly cool person in the industries elite that
we had the pleasure of meeting this week was Randy Quaid. He and his wife
came by to show part of an independent feature that they’de been working
on during their recent vacation to Texas. It was edgy, dark, and twisted,
so naturally I liked it right away. Randy’s acting was fantastic.
Going further, it was a chance for many of us to see him in a
totally different light and attaining a whole new range than he had ever
previously attempted. It was exhilarating to see an actor of his
reputation still willing to take chances and explore that recluse,
shakespeare spouting, fur wearing degenerate artist in himself. I’d have
to say it was a pretty amazing week here at B.D.F.I. and it makes me
wonder what’s in store for us next week.

Thank you for having me out to audition yesterday. I had a really good time and was impressed by the professionalism and hospitality that you and your colleagues showed. It was good to get to talk to you for a bit too before reading. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you in making your casting decision.

All the best - keep the rubber side down,
Harold

I applied for PA on a short film shoot.  I called the director and told her all the experience I had at BDFI in the past 16 weeks.  The next day she promoted me to Assistant Director.

The director said she had more confidence in me as an AD than the original person she hired.

My horoscope has never been so right on!

“You’re crackling with good energy and can’t wait to take on the day! It’s a good time to focus on projects that involve big change or require big ideas to carry out — you’ve got them all day long!”

Ever since I started at BDFI I feel like a world of knowledge and opportunity has opened before me. I wake up everyday excited and go to bed early to keep my energy up.

I’d like to compliment Patrick and the teaching staff at Berleley Digital for the fine job they’re doing in training future film makers. I’m impressed by the professionalism of the students and their dedicationn to producing quality projects. I have been doing acting work for other film schools in the Bay Area for several years, and in my book, you guys are the best.

As an actor, sensitive folk that we are, little things sometimes make a big impression. On the occassion of my first encounter with Berkeley Digital students (an audition), I was met in the waiting room by a student on the production staff, who offered to run my lines with me.(so that I might be better prepared for the audition ).” What?”, I said to myself., “that’s the first time that I’ve had an offer like that in the several years I’ve been working with student film makers.”

Other little (and thoughtful) details, like closure with actors (whether they were cast or not), thanking them for auditioning, are furthur indicators of the outstanding training these students are getting.

I recently saw the first cut of a short film I did at the school. The short was directed by a first year student and was a quality piece in my view. Production values were wonderful I thoroughly enjoyed working with the director and his chosen crew. They were great.

I’m looking forward to doing more films with your talented group.
Keep up the fantastic work.

Dick M, actor.

Peter Burns writes:

[1] TALENT:
I’m having terrific meetings with my principal actors.

Jim Hiser, a SAG actor of 10 years, has committed in the lead Principal role of the “Vigilante.” I met Jim over coffee in his Montclair neighborhood and I ran him through the story as well as his character. We initiated collaboration on designing the character. I also told him that I plan not to reveal the entire story to all of my talent. He agreed that this could be a positive directorial strategy in order to get certain performances from actors. Jim secured his SAG membership on Nash Bridges. Jim is also an active stage actor. I’m looking forward to his creative contribution on this project.

Shannon Nicholson has met with me three times this month at cafes in Alameda. We’ve had a lot of fun discussing the project and making casting wish lists. She has more than earned a credit of Associate Producer from me, again. She’ll be playing the role of “The Vigilante’s Mother.”

I’ve got two actors coming up from Los Angeles. One is a SAG actor, she’ll be playing “The Seductress” and another will be playing “The Lover.” I’m working on accommodations for these actors.

[2] Contacting SAG/AFTRA:
I’ll be submitting my Preliminary paperwork to Fatna Sallak-Williams of the local S.F. SAG/AFTRA office letting them know that I’ll be shooting with 2 of their members. I’ll do this as soon as I have my locations nailed down.

[3] Locations:
I require two locations. An art gallery and a basement with a long hall and separate room. I’m meeting with Jane Austin of The Oakland Film Office next Thursday to scout the old Miller Library Building basement.

[4] The script is coming along. Research, bouncing drafts of intelligent creatives, capital one credit card applicationcredit card balance transfer ratecredit card debt reduction calculator,pay off credit card debt,credit card debtcalculator card consolidation credit loanbest credit card rate,best rate and deal credit cardannual card credit fee nocard credit ecommerce processing transaction,ecommerce credit card processingcard consolidation credit debt helpunsecured visa credit cardconsolidating credit card debtcard citi credit premierpass,business card citi credit,citi credit cardcard credit processing serviceshell gas credit cardfree credit card consolidation,card consolidation credit freebank one credit card offerbill card consolidation credit debt life partner,credit card bill consolidationinstant approval uk credit cardbad card credit history,bad credit history credit cardcredit card consolidation calculator,calculator card consolidation credit deb ?,calculator card consolidation credit lobest card credit deal,credit card deal,best card credit deal transfercredit card offer,opt out of credit card offer,card compare credit different from offeruk credit card loan,card credit loan ukbank card credit ge moneycard credit point reward visa,visa reward credit cardfree unsecured credit card with bad credit,bad credit visa card,bad credit credit cardchase credit card for small business,chase business credit cardbank card credit offer onegas reward credit cardamerica bank card credit securedlow interest credit card consolidation loan,card consolidation credit loancash back business credit cardbank card city credit national,national city bank secured credit cardapplication card citi credit statusbank card credit first premier secured,bank card credit first premiercredit card debt relief nonprofit,card credit debt disabled relief,credit card debt reliefdownload free real ringtonesfree ringtones for lg phonetotally free ringtones,totally free ringtones for sprint phone,totally free ringtones for verizonfree britney spears ringtones,britney spears ringtonescellular customer free ringtones uscingular free from ringtonescellular download free ringtones uscingular free ringtones wirelessdownload cell phone ringtones,download ringtones to cell phone from pc,download ringtones from computer to cell phonec139 monophonic motorola ringtones,c139 keypress motorola ringtones,c139 motorola ringtonesnokia ringtones tracfonedownload free mobile ringtonespolyphonic ringtones t720cricket free phone ringtonescrazy download free frog ringtones character development and reading comparable screenplays all helps a bunch!

Thanks for reading.

More to come …

I just finished the second and final day of my BDFI tour and I am still buzzing with energy and excitement. I could not have ever imagined this visit going as well as it has. The facilities, faculty, equipment and students were above and beyond any preconceived notions I had of BDFI.

Where to start? I have to begin with the hospitality and personality and Patrick. He was kind enough to pick me up from the BART station both days and I knew right off the bat that I was going to enjoy the school. Any nervousness I had prior to my tour was quickly dismissed when I began talking to Patrick. He was so helpful and accommodating, with my tour and overall trip to the bay area (recommending restaurants and the must sees of downtown San Francisco).

The Saul Zaents media center, which houses BDFI, has a long legacy which quickly becomes apparent to any visitor who notices all of the movie and music posters on the walls. I love the environment that Patrick has created, allowing the students to feel that they are in a business setting. The editing suites, rather than long tables of computers, the interactive round tables in the classrooms, rather than desks, and the overall sense of community of the students and faculty all contribute to a wonderful environment that inspires creativity and teamwork.

I was able to sit in on three classes during my visit, all of which greatly contributed to my understanding of the advantages of BDFI. The first was video editing with Sharef, which reminded me of an editing class I have had before, but with major advantages. Sharef was so engaging and helpful to every student, covering a lot of material, while making sure that each student has a comfortable grasp on every trick and tip.

After a brief discussion of my love for sound design in films, Patrick dropped me off at the BART station to conclude my first day of the tour. I was about to head back to my hotel when I got a call from Patrick. He told me to come back up and that I had to sit in on one more class with MARK BERGER! What an experience! Before class started I sat in an editing sweet with Jonathon and Mark Berger, as they went over a scene from Apocalypse Now with all of the audio tracks separated. To be able to sit with him, while he discussed his creation was a pleasure. It was definitely a surreal experience, and one that I will tell to all of my friends back home.

Berger’s lecture was on sound design theory and was one of the most exciting and informational lectures I have ever been a part of. He is so experienced and competent, that all of the students seemed to be fully engaged in the lecture. That one lecture was the equivalent of twenty lectures at the UK, where I attend now. I thanked Patrick a million times over for calling and picking me back up, because the experience was one I will always remember.

The last thing that I feel I need to express is the companionship of the students at BDFI. Patrick mentioned that they build an environment where the only competition is self-competition, and it really shows. Everyone is highly motivated and focused, while being completely devoted to his or her fellow students. I had quite a few opportunities to speak with the students, which really broadened my view of the advantages of BDFI. They all spoke similarly about the fact that everyone finds their niche very quickly here, while still allowing everyone to be Producer and Directors. Everyone was very helpful and I just want to that the students and faculty for a great tour and making me feel at home.

Thanks.

click image to enlarge
Lonnie (Ted Barker) freaks out before committing to his dream.