We're pleased to announce that the Governor's latest appointment to the Maine State Film Commission is our very own Film Production Manager, Tara Gardner. The Commission is a board of volunteers, appointed by the Governor, who advise the Maine Film Office, which works to expand and improve Maine's in-state production industry and help all Maine-made film and television projects succeed. "I am both honored and delighted by the Governor's invitation to join the Maine Film Commission," says Gardner. Having come to Maine Media after years working as a producer on shows like The Chris Rock Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, Gardner brings her creative expertise and endless rockstar connections to all of our film programs. Now all Maine filmmakers will benefit from her skills. "I'm happiest when I see talented filmmakers from around the world connect, share vision, and raise the level of their art and their ability to tell stories," says Gardner. We're all excited to see the work she does to promote film and television projects here in Maine, and know the industry will be better off with her involvement.
News
When the tulips are just starting to open and the harbors are sprouting moorings like dandelions, it's hard to imagine getting on a plane and flying far away from Maine. But we have to admit that, yes, there are other interesting and beautiful places in the world. Where? Well, how about Prague, Beijing, Paris, and Lisbon? Maine Media's Destination Workshops are a great way to shake loose what you think you know about filming and photographing in other cultures. You will travel with the knowledge of an insider, and enjoy the freedom to break down your own creative barriers, gain a deeper understanding of another culture, and learn to tell the story of what you learn in your own unique voice. Our instructors know their destinations intimately, and will introduce you to their favorite paths less travelled, and to other artists and visual storytellers along the way. You will also eat very, very well. You might not even miss the lobster.
Summer Destinations
May 19-25 The Streets of Paris, with Peter Turnley
June 9-15 The Light of Lisbon-The St. Anthony Festival Workshop, with Peter Turnley
July 10-16 Streets of Paris Bastille Day Workshop, with Peter Turnley
July 12-21 The Personal Project - Beijing, China, with Arlene Collins
July 19-27 Prague: The Magical City, with Frank Rehak & Jana Kopelentova Rehak
Sept 8-14 The Streets of Paris, with Peter Turnley
Jennifer McClure Wins Editor's Choice Award at Review Santa Fe
Congratulations to Jennifer McClure for her Editor's Choice-winning series, Music From A Farther Room. Primarily shot here at Maine Media during Cig Harvey's The Personal Story workshop, McClure's introspective images were described as "compelling and beautiful" by Vanity Fair's photography director, Susan White, who juried the award. A fine art and documentary photographer based in NYC, McClure turned to self portraiture after a lengthy and isolating illness. "I started my project Music From a Farther Room during Cig Harvey's class at MMW last summer," says McClure. "Cig not only showed me how to bring emotions and ideas to life as photographs, she also gave me a concrete plan on how to continue making work after the class. I would not have made this project or win the award without her help."
Cig Harvey will be back at Maine Media this summer, teaching The Personal Story starting on July 7, and Visual Books For Photographers starting on Oct. 6.
We were thrilled to hear that photographer, printmaker, and educator Craig Stevens was recently awarded the first Susan Carr Educators Prize by the American Society of Media Photographers. The prize, named for ASMP's long-time education director who passed away last fall, is awarded annually to a person who has made a significant contribution over their career to the education of imaging professionals. We certainly could not imagine a person more derserving of this honor than Craig Stevens, who has been instructing and inspiring students here at Maine Media since 1974. Known as something of a pied piper, Stevens is legendary for leading students gently but firmly through critiques, and for his ability to kindly push artists out of their comfort zone and into surprising new creative places. In addition to being a treasured presence here at Maine Media for almost four decades, Stevens is also a Professor of Photography at Savannah College of Art & Design.
Want to experience Stevens's amazing teaching style for yourself? Join him for Experimental Digital Printmaking starting on July 14, or Personal Vision and the Expressive Print starting on August 18. Congratulations, Craig!
Siri Beckman, a master of wood engravings, opens the first of two Printmakers in Conversation exhibitions at Pho Pa Gallery in Portland. Join us at the gallery for an opening reception on Wednesday, May 8, from 5-7pm, and later for a free artist's talk on Sunday, June 19 at 2pm. Her solo show will run from May 8 through June 8.
Located in the former site of the Addison Woolley Gallery at 132 Washington Avenue, Pho Pa is a collaboration between photographer Jon Edwards, independent curator Bruce Brown, and Maine Media Workshops + College. Stay up to date with everything happening at the gallery by visiting Pho Pa's Facebook page.
Join us in the height of summer fun season for a homecoming in true Blue Dot style. Bring your pals from back in the day, and celebrate MMW+C’s 40th anniversary with us here on campus. There will be volleyball, barbeque, music, and more than a few colorful stories! We’ll celebrate the special alumni opening of Mentor: 40 Photographers, 40 Years at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, as well as the Focus on Faculty exhibit in our own gallery. One $40 ticket admits you to all the scheduled events happening during the weeknd. Come home to Maine. We’ve missed you.
Be sure to make your reservations early. It’s one of the busiest weekends in midcoast Maine. And don’t forget to pick up one of our limited edition 40th anniversary t-shirts when you buy your ticket!
Scheduled Activities: Saturday, August 10
- 10:00am - 12:00pm Registration at Haas Building welcome desk
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch under the tents on campus
- 1:00pm - 4:00pm Campus tours, volleyball, connect with friends
- 4:00pm - 6:00pm Mentor show opening at CMCA
- 4:00pm - 6:00pm Focus on Faculty show opening at Maine Media Gallery
- 6:00pm - 7:30pm Dinner on Campus with live music from The Pete Kilpatrick Band
- 8:00pm - 11:00pm Presentation with slideshows, tributes, and a toast to the founder
The National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas was an amazing adventure in 2013. HUGE thanks to our sponsor B&H for giving us some space and attention in their booth. They are always hospitable, helpful, and such avid supporters of MMW, it's great to share space with them. We were blown away by the booths, products, and style of Canon, Sony, Arri, Steadicam, and all of our sponsors who exhibited. Highlights: lectures from Daniel Pearl and Vincent Laforet, face to face time with professionals across the media spectrum who support us in so many ways, and the opportunity to meet prospective new sponsors that we hope to bring on board to get our students the best and newest gear. It wasn't warm or sunny in Las Vegas that week, but it didn't matter because there was so much to do at the convention, we rarely made it outside.
Maine Media environmental communication instructors Bridget Besaw and Gary Braasch will be presenters in an upcoming two-day session in Portland, Oregon about photographing and producing socially and environmentally conscious stories. Collaborations for a Cause is a short course in the kind of engaging photojournalism and filmmaking that can not only gain people's attention, but also encourage action and spark collaboration. Presented by Blue Earth Alliance and Ecotrust, the April 26 and 27 conference will feature presentations from top photojournalists, advertising creatives, social activists, and NGO leaders about the new spirit of creative storytelling.
For photographers and filmmakers interested in learning more about creating powerful visual tools for communicating important environmental issues, be sure to check out Besaw and Braasch's week-long workshops here at Maine Media this summer. Braasch's Photography for the Environmentalist starts on June 23, and Besaw's People in Nature: Conservation Photojournalism will run during our Environment Week, August 11 through 17.