In this class designed for women of all backgrounds and communities, we turn to female directors such as Lynne Ramsay, Jane Campion, and Claire Denis for inspiration in visual storytelling. We’ll begin by screening selected clips, followed by group discussion to spark ideas for writing a short script. Class participants learn the basic principles of writing a screenplay as well as valuable insights on how to stage a scene, direct actors, and the camera. Participants work with the class members as their cast and crew. Activities include: screening of scenes and learning how the meaning is constructed through film language; generating ideas for short scenes; creating a shot list; and principal photography and editing. Though not required, it is helpful to have beginning to intermediate level knowledge of film production. Bring a laptop to write and an external drive to download media.

Tuition: $100 regular/$50 low-income

Jila Nikpay’s narrative and documentary films explore the dynamics of power between the individual and the society. Her films have been screened at the Walker Art Center and various international film festivals as well as broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television (TPT). Her recent documentary Dreaming with Lola will be broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television and screened at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival and San Francisco Green Film Festival in spring 2017. Nikpay was a Fulbright Scholar finalist in 2014 and a film fellow at Syracuse University in 2013 and 2015. She has an M.F.A. in film production and film studies from Syracuse University, New York. Currently she teaches film at Augsburg College and is an M.F.A. mentor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. View samples of her work at jilanikpay.com.

Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full to be valid. Registrations are accepted beyond registration deadlines as long as space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 5 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund by PayPal (online registrations, minus PayPal fee) or credit/debit card (phone or in person credit/debit card registrations) within 5 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class if scheduled in the same calendar year.
• For those wishing to cancel a registration prior to the class registration deadline, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee (plus PayPal fee if applicable). For registration cancellations received after the registration deadline but prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee (plus PayPal fee if applicable). As of a class start date, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given.
• Tuition is not prorated for missed class session

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