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The Beautiful World of Alfonso Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón won the BAFTA for best director for his latest work Gravity a proud achievement for any film director. In light of this event, we are taking look at the cinematic styles that closely defines his career and led up to this moment. Cuarón’s…
Lights, Camera, Action: Odd Jobs On Set
There is a dedicated team of on set film crew members behind every moment of movie magic. From lights, to sound, to art direction, each department is essential in its own way. But what role do production assistants and others in entry level…
Must See Film: Nebraska
Director Alexander Payne squeezes humour like a pimple in his bleakest comedy to date. “Nebraska” reveals embarrassing family truths that are hard to ignore. Shot in black and white, stark desolate farms populate the Midwest plains and Interstates…
Making a Film: From Concept to Completion
Every great film begins with an idea – but the work really begins when you start turning that idea into a film, as Documentary Diploma alumni Javier Ojer discovered. A collaborative project between Javier, classmate Mik Turje, and the Pull…
Must See Film: Fruitvale Station
Based on a true story, Fruitvale Station has won numerous awards since it began the festival circuit at Sundance this year. The film tells the story of Oscar Grant III, a 22 year old from Hayward, California who was shot dead by Bay Area Rapid…
Must See Film: Like Someone In Love
Every now and then a film is mistaken for a masterpiece and achieves international acclaim despite an unimaginative and tedious plot, such as “Amore”. Then there is the case of the hidden masterpiece: warmly embraced by festival audiences…
Marketing Your Documentary in the Social Media Age
Social media has revolutionized the way people market their business, and documentary film is no exception. It's true that little can replace the buzz created by a festival appearance or jampacked screening, however social media can help you…
In Focus Film School Presents: Compassion Club
In the summer of 2011 In Focus Film School students Katrina Chowne and Suzanne Street interviewed Compassion Club of BC participants to discuss how the program has changed their lives. What’s the first image that comes to mind when you…
Crowdfunding Tips for Independent Filmmakers
Funding independent films is never easy. The difficulties receiving grants and finding other sources of funding is a full-time job beyond the time it takes to actually work on the film itself! Salam Films is a Vancouver-based…
In Focus Film School Presents: Man's Best Friend
Whistler and Pemberton are renowned for their majestic mountains and scenic beauty. As tourist destinations that draw over a million people every year, any damage to their reputation can cost residents their businesses and livelihoods. A…
In Focus Film School Presents: The Doorknockers
Municipal elections tend to have the lowest voter turn out, and Vancouver is no different. As one campaigner in The Doorknockers notes, voter turnout in the city’s 2008 municipal election was a paltry 28%. Braving the cold, hostile…
In Focus Film School Alumni News: Katherine Krampol
Katherine Krampol’s charming mini-doc, made at In Focus Film School, examines modern beauty and old world ideals. "Show Me Your Teeth" looks at her Romanian lineage and some modern-day insecurities through a focus on her “snaggle tooth,”…
