Visiting Filmmaker Workshop

Susan Buice and Arin Crumley

Boston University Summer Term is proud to present its third annual Visiting Filmmaker Workshop. This series of workshops provides students of film with access to award-winning filmmakers, allowing for the exchange of ideas and dialogue in a hands-on setting. Each summer, under the guidance of professional filmmakers and video artists, students explore topics of filmmaking from the conceptual to the technical to the practical.

Last year the Visiting Filmmaker series featured Leighton Pierce, whose films, videos, audio compositions, and installations have been lauded worldwide. This year we are proud to present two visiting filmmakers, Four Eyed Monsters co-directors Susan Buice and Arin Crumley. For this workshop, Buice and Crumley will discuss how the Internet and online resources provide innovative and alternative paths for media distribution and career development—especially for DIY filmmakers.

COM FT 519/552 Special Topic: Visiting Filmmaker Workshop with Susan Buice and Arin Crumley

Launching Yourself: Promoting and Distributing Media in the Digital Age
May 27–June 6 2008

Over the past decade, the Internet has begun to fulfill its promise as a conduit for connecting artists with their far-flung and disparate audiences. Whereas traditional media outlets—from television networks to film festivals—have gatekeepers who determine what can or cannot be seen, the Web is an anarchic theatre in which anyone is welcome to put on a show. That’s both the good news and the bad news, for while it’s now possible for virtually anyone to make and distribute their work via the Internet, it takes savvy and perseverance to get your efforts noticed amid the cacophony of this media free-for-all.

The purpose of this two-week workshop is to take you through the first steps of developing a public identity for yourself and your work. During the first week, Susan Buice and Arin Crumley, directors of the acclaimed feature Four Eyed Monsters, will give hands-on instruction in topics such as:

• How to establish a brand for yourself or your project online
• How to use the Web to connect with an audience (and sell your work)
• How to use digital resources to get the most out of the festival circuit
• How to exploit free services on the Web to promote your work

During the second week, students will work independently to complete assignments that take them through the steps of promoting and distributing a specific project or set of projects.

This workshop is for students and professionals who have completed at least one film or video production that they feel is worthy of public notice.

The workshop may be taken for 2 or 4 credits. COM FT 519: 2 cr. Tuition: $1000; COM FT 552: 4 cr. Tuition: $2000

Summer 1 (May 27-31, June 2-6)*:
A1 COM FT 519: 2 credits
A2 COM FT 552: 4 credits
Mon./Tues./Wed./Thurs./Fri./Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Charles Merzbacher
*Note late start and early end date.

For further details about the Visiting Filmmakers Workshop, please contact us directly at 617-353-5124.