ARTISAN TRAINING

Categories: Adult,Blog,Teen

by Michael Chasin

Screenwriting Mentor, IAFT/Miami

 

Technology has made creating and exhibiting content easier than it has ever been.

But is all of that content on the internet true narrative entertainment—or really just distraction?

Perhaps these benchmark questions may help:

Was the content artistically created—or was it just a recorded event?

Did the content emotionally move the viewer—or just momentarily amuse them?

Did the content have a point—or was it posted simply because it could be posted?

Were the storytelling tools of script, actors, framing, lighting, sets, sounds, or music used in creating the content—or none at all?

If the answers were that the content was simply a recorded event posted to momentarily amuse without the use of any storytelling tools—then it was not narrative content—and was likely worth nothing more than a passing look.

So while anyone can post content—it doesn’t mean they’re filmmakers.

A filmmaker uses the tools of the craft like an artisan to create content that can inform, entertain, and emotionally move—all in almost invisible ways.

A filmmaker, like in any other craft—and art—requires training to become a true artisan.

That artisan training is provided by film schools—where the rigors of the craft are merged with each student’s unique artistic voice—to create narrative works that will more than momentarily amuse an audience, but will move an audience.

It is the artisan’s skill gained at film school that producers seek—and that audiences will more than look at—but will actually pay to see.

Michael Chasin
Author: Michael Chasin

Michael Chasin is an award-winning filmmaker with experience ranging from writing, directing, editing, and producing to screenplay consulting.  He founded and currently serves as Director of the ArtServe Film Maker Festival Series.  He’s also been a valued contributor to other festivals where he has presented screenwriting seminars and served as a Best Screenplay judge.  Michael has a boundless passion for filmmaking that he communicates avidly to his IAFT students in his classes on screenwriting, film finance, marketing, and distribution, film festival success, and career development. In addition to his Diploma in Filmmaking, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Masters in Human Resources Management, and a Masters in Business Administration. It's just been announced that Jordan Wall of The Glades will be making his directorial debut with Michael's short script, Greater Goode.