Upcoming Workshops

An overview of all the resources of Scribe Video Center. This orientation session will direct you to the resources, workshops and programs that can get your project off the ground. Scribe staff will be on hand to answer your questions and to give details about all our program offerings. If you are new to Scribe, please plan to attend one of these introductory sessions.

Using pioneering software from the MIT Media Lab it is now possible for students of all ages to learn programming in a fun and easy environment. This workshop -- with renowned computer scientist, inventor and artist John Henry Thompson -- will begin with an introduction to Scratch, which allows users to create and share interactive stories, games, music, and art. Students will also be introduced to other tools for learning and exploring creative programming.

Dyana Williams and Derrick Sampson, hosts of the weekly music program “Soulful Sunday” on OldSchool100.3, will present a survey of the skills sets necessary to be a solid broadcaster and to execute a meaningful show, whether it is a music, talk, or news program.

Entertainment attorney Jackie Borock will help filmmakers navigate the legalities of contracts for production, crew, talent, scriptwriter agreement, option purchase agreement, and distribution.

Presented in partnership with Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association (PIFVA)

Using green screen techniques, students will produce short videos exploring the theme “I Am,” or “We Are”. Students will learn the basics of setting up a green screen, lighting, shooting and the post-production process of working with green screen footage.

Rebuilt from the bottom up and priced for a broader market, Apple’s Final Cut Pro X represents a marked departure from Final Cut Pro 7. From the importing of media through the editing phase and to the final output, this workshop will introduce you to FCP X’s revamped workflow, which uses “storylines” as opposed to FCP 7’s tracks. You will also learn how to make effective use of FCP X’s most powerful features, including titling, basic effects, transitions, and newly integrated elements of Apple Color and Soundtrack Pro.

Have you written the first two acts of your screenplay and need some help and inspiration to finish it? Take this workshop with screenwriter/director Tanya Hamilton and get advanced instruction in story, plot, structure, pacing, dialogue, and character development. You will also develop critical reading and writing skills through close readings and thoughtful critiques of your own and fellow participants’ screenplays.

A hands-on introduction to Scribe’s latest camcorder acquisitions: Sony’s NEX-EA50UH, featuring an APS HD CMOS sensor and 16.1 megapixel still photo capability and HXR-NX70U, a compact professional-ready camera designed for rugged environments and inclement weather.

An overview of all the resources of Scribe Video Center. This orientation session will direct you to the resources, workshops and programs that can get your project off the ground. Scribe staff will be on hand to answer your questions and to give details about all our program offerings. If you are new to Scribe, please plan to attend one of these introductory sessions.

What is the process of producing a documentary film for theatrical release? Lisa Marie Russo, co-founded Fly Film, the London based production company that has produced some exceptional theatrical releases, such as Terrence Davies The Deep Blue Sea; Swandown, a collaboration between artist film-maker Andrew Kotting and writer Ian Sinclair; and most recently the Ken Loach’s documentary, The Spirit of ’45. Russo, who is a major creative force in the international film world, began working in media here in Philadelphia. She will talk about the work of producing a documentary for theatrical release and her current projects.

Poetry, performance and video documentary are allied art forms in the age of hip hop. In this writing workshop, conducted by world renowned poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker, participants will mine from their life experiences to create performance works for the camera, paying particular attention to the sound and rhythm of words. The workshop will culminate in the video documentation of participants’ new poetry works.

A hands-on introduction to Scribe’s latest camcorder acquisitions: Sony’s NEX-EA50UH, featuring an APS HD CMOS sensor and 16.1 megapixel still photo capability and HXR-NX70U, a compact professional-ready camera designed for rugged environments and inclement weather.

In this Master Class, Ben Kalina will discuss the consistent elements of producing an environmental justice documentary. How does your budget dictate the approach, your equipment, and your crew? How do you pick a subject? Or, if the subject has picked you, how do you choose the storyline? What is your perceived market and audience, and how does that influence how you design and when you begin your outreach? Are you considering traditional-, self-, or hybrid distribution? Is a feature documentary the best or only way to go? Ultimately, if your goal is to make a difference and to have an impact, what might that look like and what's the best way to make that happen? This workshop is intended for filmmakers at any stage of their project, from pre-production through outreach and distribution.

Ben Kalina's latest film Shored Up screens as part of Scribe's Producers' Forums series on Tuesday, August 20, 7PM at the International House Philadelphia

Premiere Pro works on both PC and MAC systems. Through hands-on exercises, this workshop will teach students how to import, manage, and encode media; efficiently navigate Premiere’s workflow; and make use of editing tools for effects and transitions. Students will also learn how to encode projects for distribution via web, disc and mobile devices.

A hands-on introduction to Scribe’s latest camcorder acquisitions: Sony’s NEX-EA50UH, featuring an APS HD CMOS sensor and 16.1 megapixel still photo capability and HXR-NX70U, a compact professional-ready camera designed for rugged environments and inclement weather.

Improve your interviews and voice-overs by learning to acquire the best-quality sound for audio documentaries and multimedia productions. In this four-part class, we'll discuss the best gear to use (and some good-enough alternatives) and techniques for using that equipment. Learn when to use an omni-directional mic, a shotgun, a lavalier, or a boundary microphone, and where to place them. Do you need a pistol grip, or a boom, or will a firm grip on the mic suffice? When are the built-in mics on the recorder good enough? We'll talk about avoiding background noise and distortion, and what to do when you can't. We'll also cover computer-based processing and editing techniques for improving your recordings once they've been made.

Each student will produce a short video based on their in-class experimentation with different modes of storytelling, including Japanese haiku poem and the personal essay. Students will be introduced to video camera operation, sound, editing and digital media production techniques.

Have an idea for a video documentary project? This intensive workshop will help you identify and pursue research questions that will make your idea valid and workable. The goal of the workshop will be an effective research plan that will help you refine your concept, content, and focus, as well as shape your artistic approach and style.

A hands-on introduction to Scribe’s latest camcorder acquisitions: Sony’s NEX-EA50UH, featuring an APS HD CMOS sensor and 16.1 megapixel still photo capability and HXR-NX70U, a compact professional-ready camera designed for rugged environments and inclement weather.