News

MMC's MFA Retreat -- A Time for Critique, Collaboration, and Community

Maine Media College’s low-residency requirement makes it possible for filmmakers, photographers and multimedia artists to earn a master’s degree while continuing with life and work at home. November 14-16, 16 master’s candidates, 3 master’s applicants and 4 student auditors came to Rockport for the biannual Master of Fine Arts retreat.

Program Coordinator Assistant, Melissa Page, explains, “Before the retreat, candidates submit the work for review by MMC faculty and fellow students. Once on campus the candidates are divided into groups where they share their work, participate in discussions and presentations, and collaborate with peers.”

MFA candidates also enjoy one-on-one sessions with faculty, mentors, and advisors. During this time, candidates review their degree progress and plan upcoming semesters. The goals of the retreat are to foster intellectual and artistic growth, collaboration and community involvement. Through participation in the retreat critiques, students work toward rigorous self-evaluation and growth. MFA applicants, after completing the admissions procedure, attend MFA retreats to meet with faculty, receive feedback on their work and to complete a formal review prior to admission into the program.

The four-day MFA retreat is also open to students interested in learning more about the program. Click here to learn more about Maine Media College, the MFA degree, and admissions. The next retreat occurs April 27 - May 1; participants must register by March 28, 2011.

Lucie Lights Up for Photographer, Jim Krantz

Jim Krantz, an alum of the MMW residency program, is the Lucie Foundation's International Photographer of the Year! Chosen from 20,000 entrants representing 103 countries, Jim’s winning work, The Way of the West, features a combination of still photography, motion photography and animation.

Krantz studied with many of the “greats”, including among others: Ansel Adams, Paul Caponigro, Antonin Kratochvil, and Eva Rubenstein. Jim recalls his three years with Ansel Adams, “[he] gave me the key to the rest of my career. He helped me understand that technical proficiency is the entrée to artistic expression.”

Worldwide photographers and media experts gather yearly at the Lincoln Center for the Lucie Award’s gala ceremony honoring the greatest achievements in photography. Lucie, the statue presented to winning photographers, takes her name as a tribute to the influence that light plays in photography.

Maine Media is pleased to be a partner of the The Lucie Foundation, a non-profit organization which supports both professional and novice photographers by providing grants for new project ideas or for work in progress on a specific series. The Foundation focuses on supporting innovative work and aiding artist visibility through exhibiting winning work in a “metropolitan gallery setting.” Added to this, the Lucie Foundation publishes the winning work in book format.

Click here for more information on The Lucie Foundation and here for Jim Krantz’s winning work, The Way of the West.

Business as Usual for Tim Whelan Now at the Maine Media Gallery

Pillar of the community, friend to visual artists and noted authority on all things photography – especially books; Tim Whelan is back and better than ever! Thursday, November 18 at 11:00 am Tim takes up residence in the Maine Media Gallery located on the first floor of the Shepherd Building, 18 Central Street in Rockport Village.

Highlights from the Photography Collection of Tim Whelan, a special Maine Media Gallery exhibition, opens December 7. The community is cordially invited to a celebratory reception from 4 – 6 pm that day.

“For nearly two decades, Tim and his bookstore have been an integral part of the Workshops experience,” says Charles Altschul, president of MMW+C. “When he told me about his plans to close his shop, we immediately began to explore the possibility of collaborating in our new space and are absolutely thrilled to be able to make this happen.”

“I am excited by and grateful for this amazing opportunity. The Workshops has been a huge part of my life for the past twenty years. It’s where I met my wife and most of my friends, and learned about photography from the classes and lectures. The new gallery space is spectacular. Please stop in to have a look at books and see the gallery show when you visit Rockport,” Tim says with his characteristic, contagious smile.

Lore has it that when Tim first ventured out in the bookstore business on Main Street in Rockport, his wife, Lisa, encouraged him by reminding him of the incredible harbor view in front of the shop. As luck would have it, Tim again has the harbor in eyeshot, this time, right in his backyard. Welcome home Tim, we all have missed you!

For bookstore and gallery hours please visit our new Gallery & Store webpage.

For Your Eyes Only – a PDN / MMW+C Exclusive

Maine Media students and alumni here is your opportunity to save 55% on a 1-year subscription to PDN and PDNonline.

PDN, known in the industry as a trusted, unbiased source of news and information on every aspect of photography for 30 years, is the essential resource for the professional photography industry. Each issue of PDN showcases cutting-edge photographers, innovative techniques, new products and technology while providing essential business information.

FIND YOUR NEXT JOB: Research the people and companies who are buying and assigning photography

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Branding, marketing and legal strategies for running your business

PURCHASE THE BEST EQUIPMENT: Unbiased, hands-on product reviews

IMPROVE YOUR CRAFT: Innovative photographic techniques

Subscriptions also include subscriber-only access to PDNonline.com and 5 FREE Photo Source guides!

Visit PDN for your special subscription offer.

Don't Delay! Order Your MMW Gift Certificates by December 20th

A Maine Media Workshops + College Picture Perfect Gift Certificate makes the ideal gift for that photographer, filmmaker or media artist on your list. No worry about sizes, colors, or duplicates; that creative one who means so much to you can select from more than 400 course offerings.

We will provide you with a gift certificate in any amount, include our 2010 catalog and send both of you our new 2011 catalog in early February. If you want to light up the life of someone near and dear to you, give them the Picture Perfect gift!

Gift certificates are valid for 24 months from date of issue and are non-refundable.

Call our toll free number 877.577.7700 or order online by December 20 to make someone's Christmas wish come true.

Photography Contest Puts Focus on World Health

For 113 years BD, a medical technology company, has provided emergency relief and long-term humanitarian aid worldwide. BD realizes the “power of the photograph” and is searching for images and image-makers through its “Hope for a Healthy World Photo Competition.” Images will be used in the Trusted Partners campaign and in the Horizons traveling photo exhibition, which is designed to draw attention to urgent global healthcare needs and to highlight the activities of the company’s partners.

Entry categories are: Best Global Health Story, Best Health Image, and Best Global Health Multimedia. Cash prizes are $5,000 for professional entries and $2,500 for amateur entries. Entry fees, based on one image or a related series of no more than 10 images, are $35 for professionals and $25 for amateurs. Winning work will also be recognized at the LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph and at PDNonline.

Do something to promote world health. Do something to promote photography and multimedia. Don’t delay – the deadline is November 30. Visit bdphotocompetition for more information.

Grab the Gear, Get to the Street and Shoot!

International cinematographer and alum of the MMW summer residency program, Diego Rosenblatt, advises those interested in cinematography to “do things, experiment and ask questions.”

Rosenblatt began his film career at age 19 while studying communications in college. Working as a video assist operator, Diego interned with renowned regional and international directors in Uruguay. He explains, “I live in Uruguay, a little country located in South America where the film industry started not long ago. In the last twenty years we have grown and we work more and more on the international stage with successful productions for Europe, the USA, other places worldwide, and brands such as Suzuki, Subway, and Urban Outfitters.”

“Maine Media is one of the most well known places in the audiovisual world and was the most recommended place when I researched where to study. Being supported by major companies such as ARRI, Panavision, Canon and Kodak among others, MMW provides the latest equipment in the market and that is very significant for a cinematography student. Learning from, working with and exchanging thoughts with premium professionals in the industry such as Mark Raker, Steve Fierberg ASC, Russell Carpenter ASC, Douglas Hart, Rexford Metz ASC and others is an amazing experience.”

After completing his summer residency at MMW, Diego became director of photography for one of Uruguay’s largest production companies, Metropolis Films. His work in local and international advertising campaigns, short films and music videos certainly supports his promulgation,  “I love cinematography and the way it complements and enriches any story.”

Diego advises new filmmakers, “Talk with experienced people in the business, research and take pictures. The market is getting more competitive each day and there are talented people working out there, you should be able to make a difference, be committed and responsible with each project. That is what makes the difference many times. In the end, it all comes down to grabbing the gear and getting out to the street and shoot.”

Click to view Diego's photos and films.

Winter & Spring 2011 Courses Now Online

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