My first semester at Calarts is officially done, and I already feel like I’ve learned so much! My favorite classes have got to have been my Cinematography workshop and Film History classes!
The Cinematography workshop was all about getting hands-on experience with all of the equipment that BFA 1s have access to from The Cage (a storage room with all of the film equipment for the entire Film & Video school). Last semester, we got to play with DSLR cameras and lots of different kinds of lenses, learn all about lighting, and even test out one of the Cage’s dollies! It felt like every day in class I was learning loads of new things. I already feel like a pro after just one semester!
Speaking of The Cage… I have been lucky enough to get a job there! Most of the other workers are either upperclassmen or MFAs, so it feels really special to be working there. My job is mostly inventory, but that has given me access to all of the equipment in the cage, and how to handle each thing with care. Lenses, light kits, analog film cameras, sound equipment, cameras that cost more than my tuition, etc. It’s especially cool because half of that stuff, we won’t even have access to until our 4th year, but I’ve already learned how it all works!! The most fun part about the job is really just seeing how much equipment I have access to at this school. There is so much being offered to the students, and I can’t wait to use all of it! Working at the cage has also been a great way of socializing; interacting with older student workers if I’m ever on the same shift as them, or answering questions/making the orders for older students.
In my other classes like Digital Editing and Production Sound, we’ve learned how to use mix-pre’s, Davinci Resolve for editing, playing around with foley recordings, etc. etc. Every class I have had has been super resourceful, and I cant even imagine the amount of knowledge I will continue to gain during my 4 years here. Besides film, I’ve also gotten to exercise my years of acting experience a few times so far, between practice scenes for class, or helping out a friend with a short film! So excited for the next 3 1/2 years.
