Annual Virtual Event

For the hour I will talk to our filmmakers about  how the actor can participate in the overall process of drawing an emotional response from the viewing audience alongside the other elements of the film. The other elements are screenplay, direction, editing, lighting, sound and score. I will have two to three trained actors available for demonstration. Because this is for film the actors will be seen on a monitor or screen. They may or may not be present in the building. I will also talk about and give a demonstration on Layering a character

Join Gary Adcock as he walks you through the concepts,  terms and toolsets used in creating a virtual production. Designed as a historical lesson and broad overview for producers, directors, and crew looking toward working in a virtual volume in the near future.

Learn best practices for achieving the longest lifetimes from your traditional lamps, and also how to identify common failure modes.

This class is a 45-minute introductory lecture on what the role and responsibilities are of the digital loader on a traditional long-form narrative set.

This class focuses on sourcing funding and creating a dynamic Impact campaign to foster awareness. 

Presented by the Chicago Society of Composers & Lyricists, join us for a panel discussion with Chicago-based and major award-winning composers as they discuss best practices for how directors and producers can elevate their projects with custom music. The panelists will share lessons learned, how they compose music for different projects, and how working with composers can elevate the storytelling experience.

Do you want to take a static prop or costume piece and add a dynamic element to help bring it to life? Using the newer circuit python-based platform, Bekonix, we'll be talking about ways to add various lighting effects, sound effects, and some servo and animatronic type effects to your work, and with Bekonix, doing so without previous coding knowledge.

We will review some basic components and power sources to use with the smart controller and then get hands-on with some light soldering and a few components to build your own special effects.

Attendees will need a laptop with wifi and Bluetooth capabilities and an email address to create an account with Bekonix before the class. There is a computer application and a phone app to install as well.  An affiliate link will be provided for account sign-up.

LED stages, Unreal Engine, camera tracking—the new frontier of virtual production is exciting and full of possibility. But when should you consider VP for your production? In this class, we will examine the best case scenarios for virtual production, when it saves money and when it’s an unnecessary cost. We’ll cover all types of projects, from commercials to features and episodic series, and show cost breakdowns directly comparing VP to location shooting.

Topics to include:

-Examine the strengths and weaknesses of virtual production

-Show how VP can make sense for projects besides sci fi and period pieces

-Explain criteria for when you should consider it for a shoot

-Show cost breakdowns of virtual production vs location shooting

Whether for-profit or nonprofit, the right business entity can help you protect intellectual property, manage risk, and facilitate partnerships and investment. Discover how your choice of business model can support your creative endeavors.

Gives an overview of the different business account types and documentation needed for each. 

This class aims to provide the understanding of key network terms and an overview of the common AV network protocols. This class also teaches and demonstrates the configuration of Luminex networking and lighting products. This class is best suited for show techs, sales reps, basic system designer or people that will be using the Luminex product line that need a basic understanding of configuration and use.

This panel delves deep into the world of artist residencies, retreats, and labs, the differences and similarities, and particularly what screenwriters/filmmakers can take away from these experiences. Our discussion will cover ways to break out of your creative slump by finding a cohort of inspiring peers, explain the importance of being exposed to other art forms, and examine how a different creative process can enlighten narrow-minded views of our profit-driven industry. We will also provide practical tips about applying to these programs, financial solutions, and approaches to mental health.

A version of this panel is being conducted at SXSW in March 2024 and moderated by Chicago filmmaker Curtis Matzke. This would be a continuation of that discussion with a new group of filmmakers with different perspectives

This class will be taking a dive into my pre production process for a recent short film I shot in February of this year called AIDA. 

This will involve the scouting process, blocking the actors, and creating a top down lighting graph. This will also cover the fundaments of framing, shooting into the L of the room, upstate lighting, and creating salt and pepper lighting to add interest to the frame. 

Kicking off  the Main Stage for FIlmscape Chicago 2024, members from the Illinois Film Office once again join us to share insights bringing both INDEX and the Sundance Film Festival to Chicago this summer and where the Prodcution community is headed for the 2024 and 2025 film seasons.

This session will illuminate how the scope of the script fits into the budget. How different choices during the writing phase can shape the project scope.

The Op Podcast will be recording a live episode with camera operator Gary Malouf and 1st AC Matt Rozek, the A camera team on the award winning The Bear ! Host Dave Chameides will be discussing how the show does such great work on a humane schedule, what it’s like to shoot those amazing oners, how things have changed since the show has found such acclaim, and much much more! Check out The Op on Apple, Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found and come on down to listen in live!

Host Dave Chameides, camera operator and creator of The Op Podcast and Website (www.theop.io)

With the plethora of AI-integrated tools now available, how will using them impact your rights in your project? Elaine Wyder-Harshman and Gary Adcock share insights and highlight legal issues surrounding the use of AI-integrated tools in production and post.

The Cine Lens Manual sets a new standard in cine reference manuals, with a guide to the history and wide variety of  cinema lenses available.

This is a hands-on workshop focusing on individuals interested in joining the film and television community. Join Desmond as he guides students through the available jobs in the film and TV industry.

Teaching creative cinema professionals workflows for the fast-evolving virtual production market. This class will be a half instructional, half hands on. It takes usually around 2 and a half hours and by the end of the course, the participants will have a basic working knowledge of lighting for virtual production with Quasar Science products. Note: this is a technical heavy class, it will cover DMX and hardware principals for set lighting. It is not a class that focuses on lighting subjects. Having a rudimentary background with DMX is not required, but preferred to understand the course material. Attendees will leave the course with a google drive that has all the course materials and the instructors info for continued 1 on 1 learning.

We can’t all get paid to make the projects we want to make, but we can find balance in paid work and passion projects. Hear from 4 talented people on how they make it all work right here in Chicago.

The buzz around Generative AI has sent shockwaves around our industry, with ramifications everywhere from script writing to VFX and POST. 

Join host Gary Adcock, with Jay Holben, Andy Jarosz and guests as we have an open discussion about how, where and why Gen AI is not taking many of your jobs just yet.

This class is a 45-minute introductory lecture on what the roles and responsibilities are of the digital utility on a traditional long-form narrative set.

Are you looking to add that extra bit of history and realism to your prop, armor, or costume and not sure where to start? We will review ideology and techniques on basic surface prep, acrylic, and oil paint washes, highlighting and lowlighting techniques, additive and subtractive damage texturing, rusting, and emulating the passage of time! By the end of this, you will be armed to muck up your clean work sufficiently to better aid in your visual storytelling.  We will then get hands-on with a custom spearhead and put some of these techniques to use!

Highlighting the revolutionary Zeiss CInCraft Scenario camera tracking system this session will explore this revolutionary spacial camera tracking system on a live Virtual Production Volume.

Adobe's controversial changes to its terms of service went largely unnoticed at first. When users read them, though, they became alarmed at the implications for ownership, confidentiality, and control. Will Adobe's response be enough? Join Elaine Wyder-Harshman and Gary Adcock for a discussion of how to read contracts and the meaning of recent changes to Adobe's terms of service.

Join Writer and Director Jay Holben as he highlights the various ways to evoke emotion with lighting and lens choices. with examples from his new book "Shot Craft"

The Local 600 Sustainability Committee is excited to host a panel at Filmscape on sustainable production practices for our second year in a row. This year, we will focus on breaking down the myths attached to Sustainability On Set, for instance that it costs more to be more environmentally conscious. There is a mentality that larger production cities like LA and NYC have been integrating sustainability for years, and smaller film markets like Chicago are behind.

However, that does not mean that the Chicago film and television community has not also been working hard to address climate change. In our discussion, we will be bringing awareness to Chicago-based organizations that are dedicated to shifting productions towards a more sustainable future. We will learn about the progress that has already been made and what work still needs to be done.

Are you looking to add that extra bit of history and realism to your prop, armor, or costume and not sure where to start? We will review ideology and techniques on basic surface prep, acrylic, and oil paint washes, highlighting and lowlighting techniques, additive and subtractive damage texturing, rusting, and emulating the passage of time! By the end of this, you will be armed to muck up your clean work sufficiently to better aid in your visual storytelling.  We will then get hands-on with a custom spearhead and put some of these techniques to use!

Award winning DP Bjorn Amundsen will break down a commercial he’s shot from beginning to end. He’ll discuss how he works with the directory, agency, and the rest of the team to bring a concept from the page to the screen.

A panel of filmmakers and programmers discuss the unique strengths and challenges of Chicago as a film hub.

With all the discussions in our community about AI taking our jobs away, wouldn't it be great to understand how AI might assist us as we grow professionally? From the origins of machine learning to the latest advances in language models, we will cover the how and why of AI in a way that everyone can understand.

IATSE Local 476 Best Boy Set Electric Jaxi Alegria introduces the role and responsibilities of the set lighting technician. This is an intro-level class aimed at folks interested in joining the lighting world. 

With the rapidly evolving media landscape, the advent of AI tools, and new forms of content consumption, understanding the persistent, foundational concepts of communication provides a footing from which to pivot effectively in uncertain times. This class will cover practical concepts, replicable practices, and actionable tools that the director can use and master to accurately express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. The class structure will combine lecture and participation to express and demonstrate the topics to be covered.  

The Op will be hosting a discussion panel with local operators Gary Malouf (The Bear), Seth Thomas (Chicago P.D.), Spencer Gillis (Somebody Somewhere), Stephanie Dufford (4400) and Dave Chameides (Ozark) about the 85% of operating that has nothing to do with panning and tilting. Set politics, how to work with a team, how an A camera operator works with a B camera operator and much much more. A must for any operators, would be operators, or anyone interested in filming and the way sets work. The panel will be recorded and released after the fact as an episode on The Op podcast.

Host: Dave Chameides 

Panelists: Gary Malouf, Spenser Gillis, Seth Thomas, Stephanie Dufford

Back by popular demand, Dana Kupper will teach the responsibilities of a film loader and give hands-on time loading both 35mm and 16mm film magazines. Film is still alive and it’s important to learn the craft of film loading so each generation can continue to make filming with film possible. Kodak has generously donated film for this class. Space is limited so show up early to get in line for your spot!

Jennifer Reeder (director), Christopher Rejano (cinematographer), and Jason Culver (sound mixer) recreate a scene from the Chicago-based feature-length film "Knives and Skin," which they all worked on together in 2018. They discuss how they achieved what came to be the final product, and what they might do differently now with six years between themselves and the original conception.

Gives an overview of the different business account types and documentation needed for each. 

Witness this proof-of-concept of production that used only batteries and renewable energy. The class will start with a viewing of "A Dance With Light" by Robert LeRoy. The short film/ documentary was shot completely off the grid thanks to support from Nanlux, NUE, King Kong Production Vehicles, #setlife and many others. The film highlights the many benefits of this cutting-edge equipment and examples of how to integrate this equipment into today's production teams. Following the viewing, there will be a Q&A with the director, producers, and others involved in the filming. Hosted by Ellen White of Ecofixr (the first Chicago-based sustainability production services company).

This class will detail different benefits that sustainable practices can have on both the environment, productions image, and budget.

Join Justice Obiaya and Logan Crow as they share what  the Independent  Film Exhibition Conference is and what to should we be looking forward to at this gathering of many of the finest independent theaters and distributors as they converge in Chicago.

Are you confident you hold all the rights necessary to pitch your project to a distributor? Join us as we discuss the role that chain of title plays in safeguarding your intellectual property and ensuring that your project is ready for distribution.

With the ever increasing use of LED volumes Rosco will be highlighting their RDX lighting and digital background systems designed specifically for Virtual Production.

LED Volumes are on the cutting edge of modern film and television production, and ROE is leading the way in LED display systems for Virtual Production and is establish as the state of the art leader in advanced manufacturing technologies and revolutionary changes color & science behind today's Virtual Production.