As the film industry expands into Michigan, the Center for Continuing Education at Macomb Community College is offering several programs to help area residents learn more about the business opportunities behind the camera.
“We are excited to be able to bring in a number of people with experience working on Hollywood films to lead our Film Industry Training Class,” said Fran Sturtz, director of continuing education at the college. “The training will be hands-on and directly applicable to what is currently happening in the motion picture industry.”
The Filmmaking Industry Training class will be offered in two formats. The first will be 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, Feb. 2-13, at the Macomb M-TEC, Van Dyke and Tank roads in Warren. The second class will be 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, March 28-April 26, at M-TEC. The cost for the class is $2,300.
The Filmmaking Industry Training class will be led by Jennifer Schaefer, a Michigan native who is the founder of PowerGirl Pictures and has been the producer of Kiss The Bride, Latter Days, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me and other movies. Additional instruction will be provided by C. Jay Cox, a writer-director; Chris Anthony Miller, production designer; Laura Brody, costume designer; Jeanne Van Phue, makeup artist; and Ashley Fox, hair and makeup artist. All the instructors worked together on the making of Kiss the Bride and also have other credits on major films.
The program will cover a number of areas, including locating and applying for movie industry positions. Students in the class will also create, produce and edit their own short film.
In addition to the Film Industry Training program, Macomb is offering a free informational career workshop on opportunities in the growing film industry. The workshop will be offered 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at South Campus, 12 Mile and Hayes roads, Warren.
A two-session class on Directing Your Film, recommended for beginning or intermediate producers and directors, will be offered 6:15-9:15 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6-7, at the Pankow Center in Clinton Township. The cost of the class is $99.
Macomb’s Center for Continuing Education is planning additional training in various aspects of the movie industry – including lighting, hair and makeup, costume design and wardrobe – in the spring.
For more information or to register for any of these programs, call 586.498.4000, e-mail continuinged@macomb.edu or visit www.macomb.edu/cce.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 59,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
(586) 445-7271
heatond@macomb.edu