Smartphone Filmmaking, in person with David H. Wells
October 21st – December 16th
This workshop is for people who want to learn to make better videos with their smartphone and create engaging short video stories on any subject. Techniques and strategies presented can be applied to filmmaking in any format, or topic, but in order to focus on strategies for better videos, and not the technology, we will be working with smartphones.
Learn to use the Movie Studio in your pocket…
In this workshop you will put the concepts and techniques presented into practice, creating an edited short film from video and sound captured with your smartphone. Classroom instruction will provide participants the opportunity to use readily available software to put the capture and editing techniques presented into practice to turn their captured content into a final video to be screened at the end of the workshop.
Equipment Requirements: Attendees are expected to provide their own Smartphone and Laptop. No subscription based software is used.
The prospect of making short films may seem daunting and overwhelmingly complex, but it’s not. As photographers, you already have many of the skills necessary to be successful with moving images. You know how to compose a frame, how to use the best light available, and how to work with digital-imaging technology. You also own a highly portable, easy to use, incredibly high quality video making camera with great built in image stabilization, it’s in your smartphone. This class is aimed at artists who want to make videos with smartphones, telling brief visual stories, by recording video and sounds on their smartphones and then editing them together into short videos, of anything of interest, be that of your travels, your family, your work, etc.
About David H. Wells:
A Photojournalist turned filmmaker David Helfer Wells is known for his in-depth photo essays and visually compelling films. One publication editor described him as a “…specialist in intercultural communication and visual narratives that excel in their creative mastery of light, shadow, and more recently sound, stills, and video.” He worked as a newspaper and magazine photojournalist for publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and New York Newsday, as well as Fortune, Life, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Sunday New York Times, and Time magazine. His films have been juried into festivals worldwide. He was honored with the Necati Celik Prize from the Hak-Is International Short Film Festival and the Best New England Documentary Short from the South East New England Film Festival. Wells has taught this workshop around the world including for the Santa Fe Photo Workshops, Maine Media Workshops and the American Society of Media Photographers.
The Essence of Essaouira, one of David’s award winning Smartphone films. More projects are included below…
The introductory material will be provided ahead of time, while in person classes will be held at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts. Classes will run on consecutive Wednesdays, October 21st, 28th and November 4th, and then switch to biweekly, with sessions on November 18th, December 2nd, and December 16th, to allow more time for your story and project development.
One of the most important lessons of the workshop is to use your photographer’s eye when capturing video in order to shape that viewer’s experience and the narrative by using the kind of camera work techniques which photographers already know.
Workshop Schedule:
In person: At the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
Before the first Class:
Please email us at gallery@riphotocenter.org and let us know what brand & model smartphone you have and what Operating System your laptop is running. Plan to come to the first class prepared to share a little about your background and level of interest in filmmaking and video.
In Person Classes:
Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
October 21st, October 28th, November 4th,
November 18th, December 2nd & December 16th
The workshop concludes with a screening of the edited version of each student’s film.
Who is the workshop designed for?
The workshop is designed for photographers who are interested in improving their video production and storytelling.
Where is the workshop?
This workshop will take place in person at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts in Providence, RI.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the workshop is $775. You can purchase your seat in the workshop below.
Additional films made with a smartphone by David H. Wells:
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org
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