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Collins College Film Class Creates Indy Film and Launches Website to Help Other Aspiring Film Makers through the Process

Tempe, Arizona (March 23, 2007) – A Collins College advanced visual-effects class who developed an independent film is launching a website on the steps involved in the process. Students are launching the website to assist other aspiring independent film makers and students.

“For approximately 20 weeks, we have been running class like a professional production studio. Nine advanced media arts students enrolled in Collins's bachelor of arts program wrote and created a short movie while simultaneously tracking the required steps to develop a website of their behind-the-scene efforts,” stated Michael Bostick, Collins College visual effects instructor.

The film Portal is a science-fiction adventure that involves time travel from an ancient Mayan city. The plot centers on achieving immortality through the discovery of three portals. One of the main characters is aware of the portals' powers. The other character's knowledge of how to reach eternity slowly evolves as the story unfolds.

Because Collins has made a substantial investment in high-definition cameras and accompanying technology, the film was developed very inexpensively. A high-definition camera eliminates the need for film, significantly reducing costs.

The entire film was shot using a green screen. A green screen requires minimal props, costumes and location shots. It allows movie makers to digitally add backgrounds and special effects.

Students recreated the Mayan city by using a realistic miniature model and camera techniques to create the illusion of a large, ancient city.

According to Bostick, the website also underscores the fact that film making is a long and tedious process. One of the key elements of making an on-time, on-budget movie is planning. For every scene created, students had to draw a story board. This ensured that when filming started every detail had been strategically and creatively thought through, including lighting angles and the position of each actor and all of the props.

“The Collins concept is to learn by doing and to provide as many real-world challenges as possible to students. As a college instructor, I am continually asking myself, am I adequately preparing my students for a career? This type of class project ensures that students are getting the type of experiences they will encounter in their professional work,” said Bostick.

The class will be entering the short film at local and national film festivals.

To view the film trailer and learn about the steps involved in making an Indy film, visit: www.mediafarm.tv/portal

 

About Collins College

Collins College, a school of design and technology, provides students with career-focused education. Approximately 2,000 students from across the nation attend Collins College. Collins offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in animation, game design, visual arts – game art, graphic design, Graphic Design, interior design, film & video production, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. For more information on Collins, visit www.collinscollege.edu.

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