Public Services
The film program at Cape Fear Community College was first started in the fall of 2002. Back then it was only a certificate and has since grown in popularity making it necessary to push for the program to become a Diploma. Spring of ’08 began implementing new 2nd year courses. Make-up/Wardrobe, Intro to DEA were added. Fall ’08 will push even more 2nd year classes and we hope to offer a 2 year Associates beginning Fall’09. Now, the small group of students that started the program pales in comparison to the average of nearly fifty students a semester.
Students in Film and Video Productions use several types of cameras to shoot their class projects. This past year has seen our line of cameras upgrade to HD. We now shoot on Panasonic HVX-200’s on 16 g P2’s, JVC HD-100u’s. Our SD Cameras include: a JVC-GYDV 5000 used to create a professional quality for larger projects, Sony DSR-300’s, Canon XL-1s used for most of the field filming, and two Canon ZR-40 palm cameras used for some of the lesser quality projects. In addition to the cameras, three light kits complete with accessories, tripods, field monitors, filters, booms mikes are all available to gain an understanding of all aspects of filming.
The technology available to use in these classes is more than helpful to gain an understanding of film. For matting and special effects, students use a portable 8’ by 20’ green screen. The newly built sound studio gives students hands on opportunity to learn about recording and mixing music and other audio media. A set, donated by Dawson’s Creek is in a continual state re-construction with the set of “Zeke’s on the Levee” recently being finished and a student produced Zeke’s 2 episode series shot.
Students will look forward to a hand-on learning experience with a project-based curriculum designed to build a foundation for future film-makers to build on. The FVP Department has done well in film festivals around the country as well as here in Wilmington. Our Students are a big part of the Cucalorus Film Festival, the Final Cut Film Festival, the One-Take Film Festival, and have had several entries accepted to numerous other festivals. Our classes are diverse, taught by local professionals, offer a rare and valuable insight into what it takes to become (and make a living) a member of Wilmington’s Film Community. Our Advisory Board includes: Johnny Griffin (Wilm. Film Commish) Jim Holladay (Wilm. Camera Services) Francine DeCoursey (Producer) John Ferguson and Mark Rudolph (Cine Partners) Les Franck (Producer, UPM) Dan Brawley (Cucalorus Film Festival) Raeford Brown (WECT)
The editing stage is also covered. In the classroom adjacent to the course’s lab room, Intel MacPro’s, Macbook Pro’s, Powerbooks, several top-of-the-line G5 Macintosh computers. These are complete with a variety of software used for editing. Final Cut Pro is one of the primary programs used as it covers a broad area in basic editing. Other programs include: After Effects for special effects, Live Type for creating unique text and titles, and Sound Track and Pro Tools which are used for creating music and sound effects. Also for the post editing stage, DVD Studio Pro is used to create a professional looking DVD menu for the finished project.