MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

JULY 2023

Alumni Accomplishment

Congratulations to Andrew Opitz (‘23)! Andrew has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Student Academy Awards in the Alternative/Experimental category for his senior thesis film “Jazz.” You can watch “Jazz” as part of the Best of Film at Mason Showcase, traveling in the fall. Great work, Andrew! We are so proud of you.

Location Change for

Ice Cream Social and Production Fair  

Film at Mason’s Welcome Back Ice Cream Social and Production Fair is scheduled for Friday, September 1st at 2:00pm in Dewberry Hall (updated location.) Following the event, we will have our Best of Film at Mason Showcase screening in the Johnson Center Cinema from 4:30pm-6:30pm.  

Best of Film at Mason 

Best of Film at Mason is a traveling showcase of recent notable and award-winning student films. This year’s program features work including documentaries, narrative shorts, and senior thesis films. The screenings are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.  

This year, the showcase has three screenings. For more information, visit film.gmu.edu. 

Friday, September 1  
4:30pm-6:30pm  
Johnson Center Cinema (George Mason University, Fairfax Campus) 

Thursday, October 5  
6:00pm-8:00pm  
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22201)  

Saturday, October 14  
11:00am-1:00pm  
Washington West Film Festival (ShowPlace ICON Theatre at 1667 Silver Hill Dr., McLean, VA 22102)  

Congratulations to our eight films selected: 
Countdown (dir. Jaiden Williams)  
Radio Silence (dir. Sujay Khona)  
Jazz (dir. Andrew Opitz)  
Whirled of an Artist (dir. Bodhi Bryan-Roig)  
We're Only Strangers (dir. Jennifer Vu)  
Pequeno Gigante (Little Giant) (dir. Mauricio Alarcon)  
Sonda (dir. James Bah)  
Surrender (dir. Tiffany Vu) 

Fall 2023 Spotlighted Courses 

Seats Still Available! 
FAVS 399 Podcasting: Audio Storytelling with Professor Amanda Kraus 
Are you looking for a fun class to take in the Fall? Consider FAVS 399: Podcasting: Audio Storytelling with Professor Amanda Kraus. Students will learn how to develop and produce a podcast step by step. From writing and casting to recording and editing, you will be responsible for the concept and completion of two episodes. This course is scheduled on Mondays, 10:30am-1:10pm, in the Art and Design Building AB 1005. To register, enter CRN 83572. 

*Open to all majors 
*FAVS Authoring elective 
FAVS 366 Video Production for Social Change with Professor Rebekah Wingert-Jabi 
This course reflects a professional production environment where student teams, under the instructor’s supervision, produce effective pieces for local community based non-profit organizations. Students will work with a real-world client and develop storytelling skills that advance the client’s mission. Students will develop a creative concept and strategy, a budget, and a statement of work and contract. Small teams will then produce their client projects, with a focus on connecting with an audience. This course is scheduled on Mondays, 10:30am-1:10pm in the Art and Design Building AB 1007. To register, enter CRN 78532. 
*Open to all majors 
*Authoring elective 
FAVS 225 Introduction to World Cinema (Multiple Sections and Instructors) 
This course explores examples of many kinds of films from around the world, including documentary, fiction, and experimental. Students will learn to analyze film language and structures, with attention to cinema's many contexts, including economic institutions, historical events, political and social issues that shape and are shaped by movies. Multiple sections of this course are offered. View the times and dates on Patriot Web. Search for CRNs 77425, 82786, or 79954. 
*Open to all majors 
*Mason Core Arts 
FAVS 260 Video Editing for Film with Professor Rebekah Wingert-Jabi 

This course will instruct on the theories and technical expertise pertaining to video editing by utilizing various video editing software. The course will combine lectures, discussions, and demonstrations with hands-on projects. This course is scheduled on Thursdays, 10:30am-1:10pm in Innovation Hall 233. Search for CRN 82871.

*Open to all majors 

Welcome2Mason Part-Time Job Fair 


Wednesday, August 23rd 
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 
Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center 

During Welcome Week, Career Services is inviting on-campus employers and local companies seeking part-time employees to attend this Fair. Some employers at the Fair will require a resume as part of their job application, so don't forget to work on your resume before the event. 

Faculty Achievement 

Professor Justin Plakas is presenting, It’ll Do Till It Gets Here... at Wisconsin-based Levee Contemporary. 

The exhibition features paintings and sculptures created over the past two years and includes artwork that was fabricated at the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX) as part of his Affiliated Faculty research. This collection of vibrant and playful works reflects on the interconnected themes of loss and love, the transformative journey of new parenthood and the power of memory. 

The exhibition runs through the end of August.  

https://art.gmu.edu/2023/06/26/justin-plakas-itll-do-till-it-gets-here/ 
Global Horror Film Professor Tommy Britt's new essay, "Being and Knowing the Found Footage Monster in The Curse of Professor Zardonicus" was published in Horror Homeroom's latest special issue, which is all about found-footage horror movies. 

Staff Spotlight

This past April, Evan Bowen visited Las Vegas to attend the 100th annual NAB Show, hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters. They were able to walk the show floor, meeting with vendors such as Black Magic, Canon and Aputure. They also attended quite a few Post/Production World workshops, including “Da Vinci Resolve Insider Techniques” and “Camera to Cloud Workflows for Production to Post”. They’re extremely thankful for this opportunity and excited to share the knowledge and skills they gained with the rest of the program! 

Film Opportunities and Resources   

Festival Submissions:  
Contests and Grant Opportunities: 
  • The Black List and GM Incubator Fund are accepting applications for the Writer-Driven Shorts Program, which will grant two emerging filmmakers with $100,000 in production funds to shoot a short film based on their feature scripts. Submission Deadline: August 15, 2023.

Workshops:
Internship Opportunities: 
  • Washington West Film Festival 
    Deadline to Apply: July 25 
    Internships at the Washington West Film Festival offer students and recent graduates opportunities to work closely with professionals in the film festival industry. Washington West is a dynamic learning environment with access to supportive mentors who help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical skills and program development experience in a variety of positions from programming to development. Internship projects are based upon the need and availability of professional staff. 
    To apply, send completed application, cover letter, resumé, most recent academic transcript (official or unofficial), and writing sample (2-3 pages) to interns@wwfilmfest.com. 

  • Washington Performing Arts Communication and Creative Media Internship
    Deadline to Apply: July 30
    Send a cover letter indicating the desired internship(s), resume, and contact information for two references to interns@washingtonperformingarts.org. View full job posting on Handshake (Job #7993851.)

  • For a full list of internship opportunities, visit the Film at Mason Internship Database. The second tab (“JOBS”!) has the most updated listings of companies and organizations looking for Film at Mason interns. 
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We want to hear from you! If you have news you would like to contribute, please send it to film@gmu.edu. We are looking for regional film events and updates from Film at Mason alumni. Keep up-to-date on all the current Film at Mason news at film.gmu.edu.

Film and Video Studies
College of Visual and Performing Arts
4400 University Dr. MSN 5D8
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-3287 | film@gmu.edu
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