It will be back to the basics when Low Key Art's Inception to Projection filmmaking class returns later this month.
Taught by filmmaker Jen Gerber, the class is open to 12 students who will learn the basics of filmmaking and then film their own short film at the end of the course.
"This year we're returning back to the foundations of Inception to Projection and hosting the traditional class," Gerber said. "In the last couple of years, we've tried some variations of the program where we've had an advanced directing class, a feature-length screenwriting -- last year was the sketch comedy writing and the documentary boot camp.
"I felt now it's time to return to the original foundation of just the traditional short film and let the students decide what their film will be," she said.
The decision to return to the standard class, Gerber said, was for the newer students.
"Originally, the reason we tried some spin-offs of the class is because we've had so many repeat students, but now we've had such incredible interest in just the foundational program, so I felt like it was time, and even in our early registration, we're seeing a lot of newcomers in our program, which I'm really excited to see," she said.
"So it's a six-week program where students write, direct, produce and edit their own film. It's fast and furious, certainly an intense six weeks, but it feels so good to have a finished film by the end of the journey," she said.
Previous students are welcome to sign up again, Gerber said, "And I'm still coming up with ways to engage our alumnus of our program, because they still have stories they want to tell and we want to figure out a way to still support them, so I'll probably still be putting together a few variations throughout the summer."
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Most of the course will be held virtually, with all the initial classes taught over Zoom, but the production and then the editing "obviously is in person."
Prior to the pandemic, all the classes were held in person, but being able to teach the classes virtually has been a positive for the program, Gerber said.
"What's been really great is since the pandemic we've started hosting them online and what that does is we have students all around the state that join and they just have to come to Hot Springs for a couple of days during the production, but it's been cool do it that way and I think we've been able to reach more people and have a wider range of voices as part of the program, which has been really great," she said.
"It's all aspects, so, and I really try to gear it to filmmakers of any level -- if they've never picked up a camera or if they've been making movies for many years -- there's still something to learn because you're still crafting your story for the first time and it's really helpful to have a community of people that are championing your story," Gerber said.
"You can workshop your script in the class, get feedback and have assistance with casting with production with post-production, those tools are still essential," she said.
"You can't make a film by yourself, or you can, it's very, very hard, and with this program you get everything included. You get cast, you get crew, you get production resources and then the editing facility as well, so it's all in one and I think no matter what level you are at, there's something to be gained from the program," she said.
The class starts April 19 and ends on Memorial Day weekend. Gerber said the class was almost filled up as of Thursday.
All of the films created in the class will be shown at Arkansas Shorts, the short film festival that always runs on the first Saturday of January.