2005 Desert Reel Film Festival Workshops

All workshops will be held in rooms 117 and 118 of Wilkerson Hall on the Odessa College campus. Workshops are limited to 35 people. Register by e-mailing ivantony03@hotmail.com


Lighting, Rick Owens
9 - 11am
We've all seen 'em -- shots that were filmed too dark or have too much light. Getting your lighting right -- especially out in the field -- can be a challenge for beginning filmmakers. Filmmaker Rick Owens will teach you the tricks of the trade and demonstrate best practices for out in the field.


Guerilla Marketing and Self Distribution of Your Film, Kelley Baker
9 - 11am
Independent filmmaking is alive and well, it's independent distribution that is dead.
At a time when "independent" films have to have a star and at least a couple million dollar budget, how do you get your films seen? Forget Sundance, Miramax, and PBS. These places get hundreds of submissions a year. From wooden nickels to Web sites, to press kits and reviews Kelley Baker walks you though different ways to get an audience to turn out for your screenings. He challenges you to assess the real market for your film and provides examples of other filmmakers getting their work out, after their films were turned down by traditional distributors. You've already made the thing, what good is it doing sitting on your shelf?


Writing for Films and Television, Andrew Bowen
11:30am - 1:30pm
This workshop will cover the basics for getting started. This includes proper formatting, creating a good story and breaking it down. Also covers character development, proper page count, writing for production, the red flags for potential readers and what people are looking for. Sample Screenplays and Teleplays will be available and information about Final Draft/Final Draft AV and other writing programs.


How to be a Lean, Mean, “Green” Machine, Jon Alvord
11:30am - 1:30pm
Even though he worked on "X-Men," you could call Jon Alvord the Toxic Avenger! In this workshop - the first of its kind in West Texas - you'll learn about "green" set construction and how to select materials that are healthy, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, natural, sustainable and recycled in order to keep you and your crew healthier and more productive.


Acting, Melissa Crider
2 - 4pm
Melissa Crider's talent and beauty have landed her on screens both large and small, most recently as a guest star on the hit crime drama "CSI." She has also appeared in the award-winning indie film "The Haven" as well as in "Powder," "Gigli," " Mulholland Drive" and "The Beast."


Editing, Jon Alvord
2 - 4pm
Successful film editor Jon Alvord will lead this editing workshop for the beginning to intermediate level filmmaker. Jon's workshop will focus on several concepts, including: editing for action; conceptual ideas of editorial; how to organize your film shoot; how to sort through your film in preparation for editing; and helpful hints in anticipation of heading into post production