Comic-Con Film School 101:Preproduction and Screenwriting—Comic-Con Film School is back for another four-day, nuts and bolts course on how to make a movie for very little money using available video hardware and software. Whether you're shooting your first Fortnight fan film, or that story about the leather-clad girl who hunts Trolls, this course will take you from script to final product so that you too can enter your own movie into the CCI-IFF. This first class covers the specifics of preproduction on the cheap, including screenwriting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing-up, and getting equipment for nothing. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (head of programming Vision Entertainment), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer/star of Breaking Barbi), Nick Murphy (writer/director of All Night Skate), Josh Perilo (creator/writer of Hindenburg), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).
Independent Movie Making Across the Borders—Mitch Hyman (Bubba the Redneck Werewolf), Dirk Sholar (Violent Realm), Romulo Molina (RomneyRo Films), Frank Rodriguez (Gran Fiesta de Cine Mexicano), Alejandro Soltero (Vieja Escuela) and Rolando Ruiz (Homisapiens Films) talk about the challenges and rewards of making your own movie here and around the continent, and share what they have learned making theirs. Moderated by Sebastian M. Fink.
Comic-Con Film School 102:Production—Day 2 focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques to lighting on the cheap to crew positions you need (and don't need) to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (head of programming, Vision Entertainment), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer/star of Breaking Barbi), Nick Murphy (writer/director of All Night Skate), Josh Perilo, (creator/writer of Hindenburg), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).
Mobile Filmmaking: How to Make a Movie with a Smartphone, Tablet, Drone, GoPro—Mobile Filmmaking is becoming the next big thing. You have heard of movies that used smartphone cameras to shoot, but you may still not be convinced that you can make a movie yourself using a smartphone from your own back pocket! Smartphone cameras now have the capability of shooting 4K—which makes mobile filmmaking now a possibility to be taken seriously. Meet the Founder of The International Mobile Film Festival in San Diego Susan Botello (S. Botello Productions) and San Diego Mobile Filmmakers to share with you the ins and outs of what you need to get started as a mobile filmmaker. Do you need an app? Can you use microphones? How do you stabilize your videos for a smoother more professional look? Do you need a million dollars? Panelists will answer your questions and present some cool filmmaking tools and accessories. Learn to edit on the phone (or computer) and share your films with the world. With moderator Machelle Noel (GeekRockTV).
Intro to Documentary Filmmaking—Do you want to make a documentary about a subject you’re passionate about? Edward Doty (Life in the Cage, Documentality Podcast) moderates a guided discussion on the basics of non-fiction filmmaking. In this panel you will learn the basics of making your first documentary, from pre-production all the way through finding distribution. Joining Edward will be Mike J Nichols (Last Play at Shea), Jennifer Tocquigny (Gamemaster), Jessica Hernandez (The Punk Singer), and others.
Comic-Con Film School 103:Working with Actors and a Crew—Day 3 deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy without anybody making a dime. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (head of programming Vision Entertainment), Vera Vanguard (writer/producer/star of Breaking Barbi), Nick Murphy (writer/director of All Night Skate), Josh Perilo (creator/writer of Hindenburg), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica) and actors Megan Rees,Kelsey Walmer,Dylan Rourke and Bradley Upton.
Stop Motion as a Special Effect—Animation-effects heroes past and present including Eric Adkins (Mars Attacks! original stop motion unit) discuss the often-cantankerous history and future of stop-motion animation as a special effect. Moderated by Open The Portal creative director David Braun.
Cinematic Weapons of Mass Destruction—Ever wonder how those explosions and battles in the movies really happen? Or about the science and technology that make those onscreen gunfights, sword fights, and blasts look larger than life? This group of firearms, pyro, and armor experts will unveil their trade secrets—with cool videos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. They'll also offer tips on getting into the business, and the necessary certification and training. With panelists Thomas Seymour (Criminal Minds, Hollywood Weapons), miniatures expert Robert "Hutch" Hutchins (Apollo 13), Dimitri and Beckie Timohovich (Team America World Police, Burning Man), and Sword and the Stone founder/master blacksmith Tony Swatton (Thor, Man at Arms). Moderated by Fast Company's Susan Karlin.
Selling the Hit—What you Always Wanted to Know About the Stunt Industry (In Memory of Eric Cajiuat)—Stuntmen and stuntwomen from Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Jumanji, Captain Marvel, and countless more discuss their experiences and offer advice on getting into and navigating the stunt industry in movies and TV, as well as how the industry has changed and is changing. Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.
Comic-Con Film School 104:Postproduction and Distribution—The final panel of this comprehensive course on microbudget moviemaking revolves around what to do after your movie is shot. Panelists will go over the basics of postproduction on your home computer, as well as what software to use for editing, graphic design, sound design, and visualFX, and how to optimize your movie for uploading to the Internet. Panelists for the class include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (head of programming Vision Entertainment), Nick Murphy (writer/director of All Night Skate), Josh Perilo (creator/writer of Hindenburg), and Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica).
