Preface: The production of a videofilm faces many challenges (and often more than other artistic forms of expression). One of the most important is finding low-cost technical resources. A few institutions in Boston are committed to helping independents by facilitating affordable access to production and location equipment. Furthermore, these institutions provide education in the domain of film and video. I want to introduce the apparently three most important organizations in this context.

Film/Video Resources in Boston

Briefing by Michael Ruf
12/22/2000
CCT698 - Practicum

1. Boston Film/Video Foundation

BMVF is a non-profit membership organization for independent film & video in Boston.

a) Address:
1126 Boylston Street (next T-Stop: Copley Place, Green Line)
Boston, MA 02215
phone 617-536-1540
fax 617-536-3576
e-mail info@bfvf.org
Homepage: http://www.bfvf.org

b) Membership
The basic membership costs anually [[section]]50.

c) Equipment
It offers eqipment in two ways:
(1) Low-cost in-house editing facilities: Digital non-linear and 16mm editing equipment at subsidized rates.
(2) Cooperative discount arrangements with local vendors. Equipment members (equipment membership costs annualy $100) have access to commercial vendors for location equipment at a savings of 20 - 40% (Note: For non-commercial projects).

BF/VF's members can furthermore apply for a sponsorship to fund their projects.

d) Education:
BF/VF offers workshops, courses, classes and labs in the field of film, video and digital media arts education. Topics are for example: film/video editing, documentary film/video making, film/video production, directing/acting, scriptwriting, cinematographer/lighting directing.

To illustrate the structure of these classes, I show the description of one of them:
,,Extended Computer-Based Editing with Final Cut Pro
This class, designed for those students who need more time on the FCP, allows students to explore and practice what they have learned in class, at home, and at work. Also includes six additional hours of lab time. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Macintosh computer interface or film editing, or completion of Intro to Editing or Computer Based Editing with Final Cut Pro. Limit: 5 * 4 sections. Section A: Saturday, January 27, Sunday, January 28, 10 am - 4 pm, Mondays, January 22, 29 and Tuesdays, January 23, 30, 6-9pm. Section B: Monday, February 26 -- Thursday, March 1, 6 - 9 pm, Saturday, March 3rd, and Sunday, March 4, 10 am - 4 pm Section C: Saturdays, March 10 & 17 and Sundays, March 11 & 18, 10am-4pm. Section D: Saturday, May 19, Sunday, May 20, 10 am - 4 pm, Monday, May 21 - Thursday, May 24, 6 - 9 pm Tuition: $660/ members, $710/nonmembers (NU 2)."

The catalogue can be directly downloaded: http://www.bfvf.org/education/catalog.pdf

e) Statement of a B.U. faculty
"BF/VF is the oldest, most respected local home for aspiringfilmmakers - it's the place you go when you're just starting out, the place to find peer support once you've become a `somebody', and finally, it's the place to which you give back when your day is over. There is no more devoted, more passionately involved filmmaking center in our area..."
Mary Jane Doherty, Film Production Faculty, Boston University


2. Cambridge Community Television

,,CCTV provides a public forum for Cambridge residents to participate in both local and global interactions using electronic media. CCTV offers video production workshops, access to equipment, and channel time on three community cable TV channels, plus access to computer hardware, software, training, and the Internet."


a) Address
675 Massachusetts Avenue (next T is Central Square, red line)
Cambridge, MA 02139
phone: 617-661-6900
fax: 617-661-6927 Fax
email: feedback@cctvcambridge.org
http://www.cctvcambridge.org

b) Membership
There are different possibilities how much one has to pay: 
Video        Computer    Combined                                                      
$40          $40         $60           Access Member - Basic Rate                      
Discounted                                                                             
Options:                                                                               
$25          [[section]  $35           Discounted Access: Must volunteer in office     
             ]25                       for 4 hours.                                    
$90          $90         &150          Family Membership                               
$15          $15         $15           Elder & Youth Members 65 and over, or 17 and    
                                       under


c) Education
,,CCTV offers a wide range of introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in video production for television. Our intent in these workshops is to give you a solid background in basic video production and then set you loose to create your own programming for CCTV's channels."
,,All introductory video courses are offered free of charge to members; intermediate and advanced courses typically cost between $15-$30 per course."
Courses are offered in three fielss: studio, remore, and edit.
For example, studio courses are devided in ,,beginning studio," ,,intermediate studio," and ,,advanced studio." The intermediate studio course, for instance, is described as follows:
,,Intermediate Studio
Three 3-hour sessions, plus one shoot - $45; Prerequisites: Beginning Studio workshop In-depth look at the equipment and techniques used for Studio lighting, Studio audio, technical directing, using the Grass Valley switcher, and creating titles using the Laird Character Generator. For now, these topics will be treated in separate sessions, enabling those who have completed some to enroll in just those they haven't taken yet; contact John Donovan for details. Students who complete this course and participate in a subsequent Studio shoot will be certified as Studio Lighting and Audio Engineers, Technical Directors, and CG Operators."

The complete course schedule can be also be found in the internet: www.cctvcambridge.org/html/involved/train/vidschedule.html


3. Somerville Community Access Television

a) Address
90 Union Square
Somerville, MA 02143
phone: 617-628-8826
fax: 617-628-1811
email: info@access-scat.org
http://www.access-scat.org

,,The primary goal of Somerville Community Access Television (SCAT) is to facilitate the free expression of diverse ideas on Somerville's Channel 3 and other appropriate media in accordance with the First Amendment right of free speech.
SCAT does this by providing production facilities, technical assistance, and training to any Somerville, MA individual, group, organization interested in producing non-commercial programming."

b) Membership
,,Equipment Member":
Individual fee: $40/ year
Senior (65+) or Youth (under 16): $20/ year
A member enjoy free use of the studio and production facilities

c) Equipment

SCAT equipment use is FREE to all members for all non-commercial projects. (See membership info for details). Non-members or members working on commercial
projects may rent SCAT's equipment at the following rates:
Production                                                                           
SVHS Camcorder Package       1 hour                       $10                          
                             Half day                     $40                          
                             Full day                     $80                          
Post-Production                                                                      
Analog editing (version A)   1 hour                       [[section]]15                
(version B)                  1 hour                       $25

d) Education
The Basic Production classes are free to SCAT members.
The courses regularly offered are:
(1) Orientation, (2) Basic Studio Production, (3) Studio directing, (4) Basic Portable Production, (5) Intermediate Portable Production, (6) Advanced Portable Production.

The ,,Studio Directing" course, for instance is described as follows:
,,Prepare yourself to lead a crew and work with talent in a studio production. Learn the aspects of overseeing a show, and the commands to direct the crew. Understand the thinking behind the selection of shots. Master the techniques to minimize on-air mistakes and the tricks to fix them when they do happen. For the second class, you will direct your first shoot mentored one-on-one by the instructor."