BIFF workshops -- that's edu-tainment!

At the Boulder International Film Festival, simply showing films is definitely not enough. As always, we will be providing a number of activities that will allow our festivalgoers opportunities to interact with and learn from film experts. These folks hail from across the country, and there are some in our own backyard of whom you may not be aware.

In the past, we’ve brought you workshops with screenwriters such as John August (“Big Fish,” “Go,” Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) and Amy Fox (“Heights”). We’ve learned about documentary filmmaking from the award-winning Jim Butterworth (“Seoul Train”). We’ve even sat down with a gallery of regional film critics, to learn about life in the dark with deadlines.

This year is no different. We are proud to present two workshops this year, in conjunction with Boulder Digital Arts, one of the top educational resources in the country for digital artists and creative professionals working in film/video, web/interactive, photography and graphic design. Plus, our friends at Mighty Fudge Studios are letting us use their fun and funky space for the sessions.

WORKSHOP #1: Making a Short Film

Presented by BIFF and Boulder Digital Arts

Saturday Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to noon

Location:

Mighty Fudge Studios

1017 Pearl St., 2^nd floor

Do you have a story to tell -- but you want it to look better than a home movie? This two-hour workshop will help you through the key steps toward more effective storytelling on video. There will be a practical demonstration with camera and lights, as well as a description and discussion of key steps to an effective production. The concept. The planning. The shoot. The edit, and the final show, we will cover what you need to know.

• Distill your story to make a compelling narrative.


• Create a shooting script.


• Plan your logistics.


• Optimize your resources, actors, crew, locations.


• Shoot effectively.


• Pick the right format and tools available.


• Get good coverage.


• Edit a compelling story.


• Test your movie for feedback and revisions.


• Deliver your film effectively, for a live showing, the Web, or DVD.

Tickets are $25 each and can be bought ahead of time or at the door.

WORKSHOP #2: Animation Station

Presented by BIFF, ASIFA Colorado and Boulder Digital Arts

Sunday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon

Location:

Mighty Fudge Studios

1017 Pearl St., 2^nd floor

From the two-dimensional drawings of Looney Tunes to the computer-animated processes of “Tron,” animation takes many forms and has come a long way in the past century. Animation is both a science and an art form. Take an exciting journey into the basics of animation with this two-hour workshop. Learn how animated movies are made and about the process used when creating an animated film. Create and work with different instruments used to explore the science of animation. During this workshop we’ll be working towards an animated short that will be screened on YouTube. We’ll also discuss the 12 principles of animation used in every character-animated movie.

The workshop will take place in an actual animation studio that produces many cartoons and music videos. If you have any interest in finding out more about what goes into an animated film then this workshop is for you – don’t miss it!

This workshop is FREE and recommended for participants 13 years and older.

So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars, get excited and get ready to learn!