FTP Supports and Encourages Somebody Studios Seminars!!
Jennifer Dawn of Forbidden Tears Productions LLC out of Arkansas is backing the most recent Seminars being promoted by Somebody Studios and Steven Bernstein. In a recent interview in asking her why she feels so adamantly about these seminars she replied, “These seminars are extremely relevant to many producers and directors and to crew members alike. When you are on a set and wanting to produce greatness what better way to do it than to learn from those who are great. In speaking with Mr. Bernstein he had so much to say, and... as he said, so little time to say it. Our time as producers and directors is quite limited given our schedules, so the best way to catch us is in one of these events we give or speak at. His words in our conversation this morning rang so true and even in the most briefest of moments were filled with such detailed and important information that it is invaluable and should be soaked up like a sponge.” I asked Ms. Dawn what it was that Mr. Bernstein had told her and this is what she had reported to me.
"I understand your desire for low or simple lighting, though oddly it is often achieved through the use of a lot of lights, but small ones hidden in the set. The problem with small lights is they drop off quickly and can be harsh when near the subject. A simple paper lantern on a painter’s pole is one of my favorite methods of lighting, with virtually nothing else, just let the light drop off naturally. It’s so soft it doesn't look lit, just painterly. Or I might have two or three moving paper lanterns operated by the electrics and because the light is so soft even as we move them the audience doesn't notice and the lighting setup is simple, very quick and very beautiful; so much to say, so little time." Steven Bernstein
“You see why the greats are so important to learn from,” stated Ms. Dawn, “their knowledge can be extremely valuable and save a lot of time in your learning process through trial and error. Mr. Bernstein has worked with the best and as I had told him; one day I will work with him and we will rock the world together as he has done with so many others. Hard work pays off, and that is something he and I have in common. The value in knowing that many want to be great, but to truly be great you have to put in the hard work to get there. He is a pleasure to talk to, and will be a genuine gem to work with. Get to these seminars everyone…gain what you can and glean the knowledge of greatness.”
The Best Online Film Seminars in the World!
Finally, there are seminars from a real feature filmmaker, who is a successful writer, director, cinematographer and producer; for one time only, this year in June and July.
Rarely are seminars offered by real feature filmmakers, which make this unique.
Somebody Studios is offering special online film seminars taught by an American Society of Cinematographers, Directors Guild of America, and British Association of Film and Television Arts, Multi Award-winning Filmmaker, Steven Bernstein. There will also be a limited number of tickets available for those who want to attend the seminar in person in Santa Monica, CA.
These unique seminars will only be available once this year and this is an exceptional opportunity for those who want to hear the legendary lecturer Steven Bernstein. Steven has written, produced and directed multimillion-dollar feature films and shot award-winning films as a cinematographer, including the Oscar-winning Monster, as well as big studio action films like Murder at 1600, and comedies like The Waterboy and White Chicks.
Mr. Bernstein also literally wrote the book on film production, the best-selling Film Production, which has been used at institutions and universities around the world.
Mr. Bernstein is an ASC nominee for his work on Magic City and he won the Sloan Award for his film Decoding Annie Parker which he wrote and directed.
What makes these lectures special is not only the breadth of Steven Bernstein's experience, but his genius as a lecturer. He has spoken all around the world and students and attendees universally agree there is no one quite like him for clarity, excitement, and humor. The lectures are a lot of fun. You won't forget your experience if you watch one or all of these special seminars.
But as delightful as the lectures are they shouldn’t diminish the recognition of just how much Mr. Bernstein knows. Consider this; as a director he has directed some of the finest actors in the world, all drawn by the quality of his unique writing ability, including:
John Malkovich (Oscar nominee)
Helen Hunt (Oscar winner)
Samantha Morton (two-time Oscar nominee)
Aaron Paul (Emmy winner)
Richard Shiff (Emmy winner)
Bradley Whitford (Emmy Winner)
Tony Hale (Emmy Winner)
Rhys Ifans (British Academy and Television Film Award winner)
Rodrigo Santoro (Screen Actor’s Guild nominee)
Romola Garai (two-time Golden Globe nominee)
Rashida Jones (Emmy nominee)
Alice Eve
Zosia Mamet
Maggie Grace
Ben McKenzie
And he has worked with these actors on other film projects:
Charlize Theron
Jeffery Dean Morgan
Olga Kurylenko
Christina Ricci
Bruce Dern
Sarah Silverman
Jon Favreau
Joe Mantegna
Denis Leary
Annabella Sciorra
Marlon Brando
James Caan
Brigitte Fonda
Diane Lane
Dave Chappelle
James Woods
Peter O'Toole
Chloe Grace Moretz
Paz Vega
Omar Sharif
Cathy Bates
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Terry Crews
Alan Alda
Wesley Snipes
Peter Bogdanovich
Simon Baker
Laurence Fishburne
James Cromwell
Kevin Pollak
Emmanuelle Chrique
Kerry Washington
Tracy Morgan
Danny Huston
Chloe Grace Moretz
Paz Vega
Omar Sharif
Cathy Bates
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Terry Crews
STEVEN BERNSTEIN, SCREENWRITER
Steven Bernstein is also a successful screenwriter and has been particularly busy the last few years with five feature films and a television series pilot commissioned from him.
He has a unique approach to writing screenplays, but he also brings a lot else to the table because of his expertise in so many areas of filmmaking. With over 30 years of working in the film industry on nearly 100 feature films, television pilots and series as well as many commercials and promotional films he has learned what works in a screenplay, what will draw actors and how to integrate visual elements with the written word.
STEVEN BERNSTEIN, DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER
Steven directed the multi-award winning Decoding Annie Parker starring Helen Hunt, Samantha Morton and Aaron Paul, which he also wrote and produced. He also directed the soon to be released Dominion which he also wrote and directed, starring John Malkovich. Steven starts shooting his new film Last Resort later this year and his TV series Althea and Angela next year. He has directed and produced many commercials and music videos.
STEVEN BERNSTEIN, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Steven worked as a cinematographer for over thirty years. He was nominated for American Society of Cinematography award for his work on the series Magic City and has won or been nominated many times for his work on feature films, TV shows, commercials and music videos. He shot the Oscar-winning Monster, the early films of Noah Baumbach, big studio action films with both the first and second unit and some of the most successful comedies of all time.
THE SEMINARS
Seminars can be viewed online from anywhere in the world or live in person to a limited number of attendees.
All in person live seminars will take place at:
The Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Once you register for an online seminar you will be contacted via email with log in details for the seminar.
