Finally, a new post and new videos

Posted on September 21, 2016 by cstallings

Okay, it has been a busy summer and we did not have a chance to get anything posted during that time. However, with a new semester comes new news. We are feverishly working on a new cinema degree (Associates of Fine Arts) to begin in the fall of 2017. Finally, students will be able to attend NOVA and get a degree in what they love – film!

We will keep you updated on the progress but we are moving in the right direction.

Also, we had three projects our students were working on in the spring and we are finally starting to see them come online…

The students completed a short film based on a screenplay from a writer in London. Check it out here and in the “Videos” page of this blog:

Also, the students did a commercial for Hometowne Auto & Tire. If you visit their Facebook page, you can see it posted there (and I encourage you to do so and watch all their other exciting content – they are a wonderful company built on the platform of excellent customer service); but, here is also a direct link to their Youtube posting of the video:

And, finally, the students completed a music video for exciting up and coming artist Cameron Pierson of Ohio, who is signed to local record label Potomac Records. The song and video will be officially released on October 4th, so you will have to come back then for its premiere.

Filming Time

Posted on April 13, 2016 by cstallings

The students in PHT 131 (Video II) have been very busy lately with their end of the semester film shoots. They wrapped the shoot for their narrative piece (a short film based on a script from a London screenplay artist) two weeks ago and that has entered post production. In addition, this past weekend, they shot a music video for artist Cameron Pierson of Ohio, who is signed to a label with our local Potomac Records (see location still above).

See her Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/cameronpiersonlive/

Then, the class filmed yesterday with the assistance of the Video I class (PHT 130) for a commercial for Hometowne Auto & Tire:

https://www.facebook.com/hometowneautorepair/?fref=ts

We will soon post all three videos to this blog site once all post production has been completed. We will also post more stills from the shoots but here are some pictures from the set of the music video for “Down,” by Cameron Pierson with special guest Lyrion Neely.

[Pictures courtesy of Jason Pierson]

NOVA Woodbridge Film Program 2014 Promo Video

Posted on November 7, 2014 by cstallings

Here is our promotional video from September’s film shoot.

We tried to give it a Film Noir feeling and actually added grain to the final grading and converted it to black and white to stay with the era.

(Watch it in HD if the settings do not default to it)

Spring class registration starts next week, so I hope potential students will be interested in our classes here at Woodbridge.

Behind the Scenes Stills

Posted on October 1, 2014 by cstallings

As we work on the post production of our latest promotional video for NOVA Woodbridge, I wish to share some stills from student Megan Robertson.

You get a chance to see our two wonderful actors, Shea Davies and Rick Kain, as they prepare for their roles and, then, make the parts come alive. They were both sensational in their talent but, also, both very professional.

You will also see our wonderful makeup artist, Tiffany Roop, of TDR Artistry as she preps our actors.

I would also like to thank Sabrina Chandler of Center Stage LLC in Occoquan, Virginia, for working with us on the wardrobe. She is an excellent resource for those in the area in need of wardrobe.

Most of all, in these photos you will see a collaboration of students and faculty members working together to make art. You can also see the set construction of the detective’s office, including the light reflecting his name through the glass of the door. And the fake windows were used as our main lighting source, with the exception of a mood setting practical lamp on the table of his desk.

Some of the photos show the set while the house lights are on and others give more of an idea of the richness (though simplicity) of the lighting design.

Enjoy a look behind the scenes while you wait for the final product to come alive in post production.

Free advertising

Rick Kain as the PI

Shea preps her hat

Tiffany makes the femme fetale come alive

Studying lines

Rick on set

Shea takes her mark

Actors rehearse

One view of the set

second view of the set

Students work behind the set

wardrobe adjustment

Our detective discusses his character

The detective enters his office

Getting the floor image to work

Paige hard at work

Still at it

Reviewing the shot

Kelly and Jonathan share a laugh on set

Jonathan planning the shot

Getting the lighting correct

Fish eye view of Demetrius hard at work

Still at it

Chris explains the shot

Jonathan and Demetrius plan the next set up

Coaching the actors

Shea enters the scene

Chris watches on (the bald head is the give away)

Getting it right

Discussing the best way

Aaron doing audio

Prepping audio for the next shot

NOVA Woodbridge Film

NOVA Woodbridge Promotional Video

Posted on December 6, 2013 by cstallings

Here you go…

Here is the promotional video that was created for AMC theaters that debuts today (make sure you chose to watch in HD to take advantage of the intended quality).

Since we also had the actors and equipment and time, we did a quickly shot series of three “behind the scenes” videos of our actors pretending to be characters that were actors. Do you follow?

It all helps set up the promotional video.

Check back for future versions of the promotional video as we will put at least one extended version of the promo and one special edition version too. We will be posting them in the video section of this blog too.

We would like to create more of these in the future, so check back to this site often and remember you could be a part of the excitement by taking film classes at community college prices. Yes, we love an underdog!

Former Students Complete 48 Film Project

Posted on September 10, 2013 by cstallings

Though our film program is still somewhat new, it is great that some of our students have already banded together to complete projects outside of our classroom assignments. The students in our Filmmaking Club have worked on several smaller projects and continue to aid each other in their creative endeavors.

In addition, I am really proud to announce and share the work of five of our students from our PHT 131 class this past spring semester. They participated in and completed a short film for the Richmond 48 Film Festival. Here is their work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDru4s88lpA

Exciting Events For PHT 131

Posted on February 20, 2013 by cstallings

Here is a look at some of the fun things the students in PHT 131 (Video II) have done so far this semester:

A seminar with our theatre director, Dr. Eric Trumball, to discuss casting for films.
A workshop from local director John Poague.
A “field trip” to DC Camera for their open house event to view and play with all of their equipment, including some great cinema cameras.
A hands-on demonstration on steady cam movement.
Next week, we have a lighting demonstration from a lighting tech at VOA (Voice Of America).

We will be updating more on the class events in the future.

It’s Been Awhile

Posted on November 16, 2012 by cstallings

Just an update of the busy semester that has been:

The campus theatre department just wrapped on their production of “Bus Stop.” It was a fun time with some notable acting talent. Hats off to Dr. Eric Trumball for his creative direction.

PHT 130 students finished principal photography on their class music video project. We enter post production now and everyone is anxious to see the final outcome. Also, these same students are working on their final video projects and their class documentary. They are keeping busy but, hopefully, getting a great experience in the process.

Kelly Cochran, English faculty, is leading her dramatic writing students through the steps needed to write a script. One lucky student will have his or her work created into a short movie in the spring by the students in the PHT 131 (Video II) class. We are excited about this collaborative process. I will just have to contain my enthusiasm until the semester starts.

The Filmmaking Club has been working on their own projects, both as individuals and an entire group. They finished auditions this past week for the main roles of their group project. I won’t reveal any plot details until the production is completed. Just keep checking back to find out the status on this project.

And what about Professor Bryan Brown, you may ask? He has been involved in just about everything to do with film on this campus. In fact, he has planned a big event for November 30th, but you will have to read the other blog post to find out what he has cooking…

New Course Offerings and New Program

Posted on September 25, 2012 by cstallings

Good news, there is finally a General Studies degree with an emphasis on film studies (pending final approval). Now you can explore more of the film classes offered here on the Woodbridge campus of NOVA.

Also, an actual degree in film and media study/production is still in the works and we hope to have something done over this year. We will keep you posted.

Until then, please know you can enroll in the General Studies degree with an emphasis on film studies and take some of the courses mentioned in this blog, including PHT 130 and PHT 131 for film/video production and there will be a new course offered next fall (2013) for digital editing (PHT 274). The course will not only delve deeper in editing techniques but we will explore motion graphics and color correction.

PHT 274 will be the course for all those interested in getting involved in post-production.

Film Exposed

NOVA Woodbridge Film/Video Classes

Category Archives: PHT 131