News

Columbia University Screenwriters Find Inspiration at Maine Media

In January, Maine Media hosted twelve students from the Columbia Film MFA Program. They stayed for a week, working intensively with their professor. We arranged for a timely delivery of a foot of fresh snow, transforming Rockport into a silent and serene winter wonderland.  We think it made an impression. Here's how one student described her time here: 

Every screenwriter spent all his or her life searching for a perfect room. 
To study. To think. To feel that every thrill as one's pen inks the paper.   
This one has no walls.

Blessed with the bluest sky, the whitest snow, and the warmest souls.  
The clarity of it.  The serenity of it.  The simplicity of it.  
This room inspires, fascinates, and touches.  You.

So you behold. You linger. You venture on. 
You dance with your shadow in the woods.  
You listen to the leaves whispering to one another.  
You watch the melted snow meander its way home.

Your thoughts overflow.
 
You close your eyes. 
At first you hear nothing.
Then everything.  
Footfall.  Snowfall.  Leaves fall.  Your heartbeat.
 
This is your room.
====
  
Best,
Yen-Chiao Huang

Destination Sicily

Time is running out to join master street photographer Peter Turnley on an unforgettable journey through the strange and colorful Easter rituals of Sicily. From March 27 to April 2, capture the remarkably emotional and visually striking preparations and processions that overtake the narrow streets during Easter week. A unique mix of Christian and pagan rituals, these celebrations offer unlimited opportunities for visual storytellers. If you've never experienced one of our Destination Workshops before, you will really be in for a treat. Based in Palermo, but moving from village to village over the course of the week, you will learn how to capture the "decisive moments" in everyday life, and return home with a 15-image collection of your work. Peter Turnley will not only help you refine your vision and your technical skills, but also help you conceptualize your images into a dynamic visual narrative. We've also heard that the food is pretty darned tasty.

Sometimes A Week Is Just Not Enough

We've seen that look hundreds of times. It's Saturday, and your workshop has ended.  You've been put through your paces, challenged and encouraged by your instructor and peers. You had your short crisis of faith, followed by a breakthrough that sent you speeding along with your creative drive pegged and your mind reeling with ideas. But now it's time to go home. Sometimes a week is exactly what you need to get moving again. But sometimes it's just not enough. For those of you who want to dive deeper into the creative process, take on more complex projects, or prepare for a professional career, Maine Media has what you need. This year, think about joining us for one of our long-term programs and leverage the reach and connections we've built with renowned professionals, industry giants, and master artists. Whether it's a four-week documentary workshop, a six-week work study, a 12-week residency, a 30-week Professional Certificate, or a three-year MFA degree, our long terms programs will launch you light-years ahead. Our programs are designed to suit every skill level, from novice to master, and are tailored to meet your interests.  Give us a call, and we'll guide you to the program that's right for you. 

All Courses Live!

Our fabulous new 2013 catalogs are making their way around the country right now. But we know you need some instant gratification. Everything that is in the catalog is now on our website, ready for booking. You'll find the most impressive line-up of courses and world-renowned instructors we've ever assembled. Plus, we have a ton of new ways for you to nab that inspiration you're seeking. Whether it's signing up for a workshop during one of our new Theme Weeks, enrolling in our new Professional Certificate in Visual Storytelling program, taking the plunge in our new Independent Filmmaking Certificate Program, or joining us as we celebrate the spirit of mentorship with our major exhibition, Mentor, you and your work will be sparked to life here in Maine. We can't wait to see you!

Young Artists, Get Ready!

Keep an eye on your mailbox. Our new Young Artist Program brochure is on its way to you right now, and it’s got everything you need to know about this summer’s workshops inside. The line-up is mighty sweet, if we do say so ourselves. You’re going to want to come.  Don’t procrastinate.  Spaces are limited, and we want to make sure you get into the course that sets your heart a-flutter.

ALUMNI NEWS

Photography Workshop Inspires New Feature Documentary

Film producer and Maine Media alum Tanya Sleiman is currently in pre-production on a new feature-length documentary about street photographer Helen Levitt called 95 Lives. Considered by many critics to be one of the most celebrated but also least known American photographers of her time, Levitt documented life in New York City for more than 70 years, and is considered a transformative figure in the art of street photography. Sleiman first learned about Helen Levitt in a Maine Media workshop taught by Jeff Rosenheim. How will one of our many workshops inspire you? Best of luck, Tanya!

From 95 Lives: Penny Wolin with her image of Levitt’s hands holding a vintage image of the young Levitt

Faculty News

Congratulations to the ultra-talented sound mixer Mark Ulano on his third BAFTA nomination for his work on Django Unchained! If you haven’t seen the film yet, you’ve certainly heard Ulano’s work on other award-winning films like Titanic, Inglorious Basterds, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Iron Man, and Terminator: Salvation. Want to learn from the best? Sign up for one of Ulano’s two Production Sound Mixing workshops being offered this summer and fall.

Maine Media Partners with New Portland Gallery

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of a new gallery devoted to exhibiting photographs and works on paper by Maine related artists.  The PhoPa Gallery, located in the former site of the Addison Woolley Gallery, is a collaboration among photographer Jon Edwards, independent curator Bruce Brown, and Maine Media Workshops + College. PhoPa will divide its schedule between showcasing works by MMW+C students, alumni, and faculty with exhibitions organized by Brown and Edwards.

PhoPa’s debut exhibition will feature the work of award-winning photographer and Maine Media alum, Melonie Bennett. Opening on February 14, Bennett’s Bad Ass documents life in the Portland club scene, as well as a raucous week-long Caribbean cruise with Kid Rock and his band. 

Bad Ass runs at the PhoPa Gallery, 132 Washington Ave., from February 14 through March 30, 2013, with an Artist’s Talk on Sunday March 17 at 2pm. For more information call: 207-317-6721 or 207-415-4279. We hope to see you there!

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