These first days of the new year have been busy in the office with renewals and class sign-ups. Check out the new Training Schedule and the new 2012 Program Schedules in the column to the left.

Two New Courses – New skills are required in a new year so we have challenged two local professionals to bring their best in short form filmmaking to our lineup of workshops. These classes with noted writing instructor Matt Perry and talented line producer Nate Schemel, will fill up fast. Don’t be left behind – call now 456-8600 ext. 0 and sign-up with a credit card for only $50 – need not be an Access Sacramento member to take these two workshops. Excellent training for the many short-form film festivals organized by Access Sacramento’s “Place Called Sacramento”, Sacramento Film and Music Festival, and Sacramento International Film Festivals.

Writing Short Movies with  Matt Perry – Ask any film professional and they will all agree “It all starts with a good script”. Want to make a short film for entry into a local festival like the “Place Called Sacramento”? Want to learn how to organize your next great You Tube creation? This is the writing class for you. In only three sessions, professional screenwriter Matt Perry covers elements essential to any new screenwriter.

Session 1 – The Rules of Conflict, Dramatic Structure and Beats, Proper Screeenplay Format
Session 2 – Creating Interesting Characters, Writing Good Dialog, Mastering the Short Form Film
Session 3 – Writing Means “Re-Writing”, Upping the Dramatic Stakes, Eight Pages – Three Acts

February 11, 25 and March 3
Saturdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Coloma Community Center
Gold Run Room
4623 T Street
Sacramento (95819)
Fee = $50

Short Film Production Tips with Nate Schemel – Film and television production is a “team sport”. Efficient planning, selecting the right cast and crew, knowing how to pull many schedules together, and a thousand other questions must be addressed to complete even a short movie. How do you find “good people”? How do you know a skilled tech from a beginner? What “do’s and don’ts” should you concern yourself with on-set? Production scheduling? Craft services? Liability insurance? Permits? HELP!

Nate Schemelis an experienced field producer in TV and film production. He was the lead producer on HGTV and DIY Network’s “Turf War”. Additionally, he is the co-founder of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival. In four, Saturday 4-hour sessions he will help you prepare. Whether you are just beginning and need to know very basic information or perhaps you are skilled but in a narrow field and need a better understanding of the “big picture”, this is the class for you.

Session One — Keys to Good Storytelling and Tips for Selection of Cast & Crew
Session Two — Pre-Production Planning, Shoot Scheduling, and On-Set Production Tips
Session Three — What to Expect from a Good Editor, Music Choices, Editing Efficiencies
Session Four — Overview and Q & A Discussion
March 17, 24, 31, and April 7
Saturdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Access Sacramento
Gold Run Room
Fee = $50

NOTE: You need not be a member of Access Sacramento to take these two classes. For More Information about this class or others go to www.AccessSacramento.org or Contact Access Sacramento 916-456-8600 ext. 0