"Poly-Nation Film"

Questions?

Students with any multicultural/international experience or interests are welcome.

Anyone with extraordinary multicultural stories—whether you hated growing up in another country for a year or two, are a lost descendant of a diaspora, are a first, second, or third-generation immigrant, have parents who refused to speak to you in their language, or have even crazier experiences with multiculturalism.

This course will use students' identities and foreign films to teach basic and advanced film techniques.

Submit an application with a two min video, featuring the student holding two different flags and responding to the questions "Why do you need to express yourself?" and "What prevents you from expressing yourself?"

Click Here for the full application.

Email "[email protected]" for technical difficulties. Further questions will be addressed during the interview process.

Skills

Students learn the following:
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Story & Script Development

Creating Engaging Characters. Developing Compelling Conflict & Plot. Story Structure. Three-Act Structure. Hero's Journey. Story Circle. Comedy Structure. Writing Dialogue & Subtext. Creating Tension & Suspense. Incorporating Themes & Symbolism. Balancing Exposition & Action. Script Formatting & Industry Standards. Revising & Polishing Scripts.

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Camera Technicals & Movement

Camera Settings.  Aperture. ISO. White Balance. Shutter Speed. Frame Rate. Shot Types. Pan, Tilt, & Dolly Movements. Framing Composition. Rule of Thirds. Depth of Field. High & Low Camera Angles. Wide-Telephoto Camera Lenses. When To Use a Static Shot. Exposure. Camera Focus Techniques. Gimbal Operation. Handheld Techniques.

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Lighting & Directing Actors

Lighting Setups and Techniques. High-key, & Low-Key. Natural Lighting vs. Artificial Lighting. Lighting Color Temperature. Creating Mood and Atmosphere with Lighting. Blocking & Staging for Actors. Directing Emotional Events. Performance. Actor Rehearsals & Collaboration.
Building Character Relationships. Directing Non-Verbal Communication.

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Editing & Color Grading

DaVinci Resolve.  Cutting on action. Match Cuts. Creating Rhythm & Pacing.  Dissolves, Fades & Wipes. Color Correction & Color Grading Techniques. Achieving Consistency in Color & Tone. Enhancing Mood & Atmosphere through Color Grading. Integrating Visual Effects in Post-Production. Green Screen. Sound Editing & Mixing.

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Methods

In my role as an educator, I embrace a philosophy of teaching that empowers students to explore their creativity fearlessly. My teaching methods revolve around exploration and experimentation, project-based learning, and fostering a supportive learning environment.

Ultimately, my teaching philosophy centers on nurturing creativity, fostering personal growth, and preparing students to become confident and passionate artists. I aim to inspire a love for art and storytelling, empowering each student to find their unique artistic voice and express themselves authentically.

Join me on this exciting journey of artistic exploration, where we celebrate the power of creativity and unlock the boundless potential within each individual, embarking on an adventure of self-discovery too create art that speaks to the heart and soul.

Credentials

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Story First







My expertise is rooted in comprehensive research into a variety of storytelling structures, including the Hero's Journey, the Kishōtenketsu framework, Christopher Vogler's "The Writer's Journey," Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat!," Syd Field's screenplay paradigm, and many more. I'm passionate about helping students navigate the often confusing world of story structure, ensuring they don't feel overwhelmed or lost amidst the intricacies.

Education:

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and Production from Marlboro College, now apart of Emerson College.

My academic background equips me with a solid understanding of film theory and practical filmmaking techniques.

+Director with lots of acting experience.
+Educator with over 168 hours of taught intermediate and advanced film lessons.
+Writer with a portfolio of 78 short scripts and 1 feature screenplay.
+Skilled cinematographer who cherishes the interplay of light and dark.

Work Experience

As a teacher at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, I have extensive experience in guiding students through the process of creating compelling short films.

I have over 8 years of experience working in the film industry, including roles in production, direction, and post-production. My hands-on experience in various aspects of filmmaking allows me to provide practical insights to my students.

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Technical Expertise:

My in-depth understanding of filmmaking equipment enables effective teaching, covering gear, camera techniques, lighting, sound, and post-production. This expertise extends to cameras like the Pocket Cinema Camera's and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, lenses such as Sigma Art primes and Canon EF zooms, as well as software like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Additionally, I'm experienced with audio equipment like the Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun microphone and Rode Wireless GO lav mics, as well as software like Avid Pro Tools. My familiarity also extends to VR/360 filmmaking gear, including the Insta360 Pro 2 and Oculus Rift.

Contact Me

Any questions will be answered upon the first interview, but leave a message, and I'll get back to you.

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About me

Born in the U.S. but raised in Ghana, I found solace in the Anansi tales, which shaped my journey back to the U.S. Fueled by the wisdom of these trickster stories, I film to share authentic narratives, challenge borders of identity, and inspire fearlessness in embracing our true selves.