In March, the Middlesex Community College Communication, Art and Design division participated
in the Camera Operator Bootcamp hosted by Red Sky Studios with the Mass Production
Coalition (MPC). The day-long experience allowed students to see and hear from professionals
who work in various camera roles on productions.
鈥淢y friends and I want to collaborate more on film and video projects and this experience
was a great way to see what efficient communication looks like and all the pieces
involved to make the process as smooth as possible,鈥� said Max Gofstein, an 麻豆果冻 Communication
student from Lowell. 鈥淚t was a lot to take in but was well worth the trip. The amount
of people you meet [at these events] is immense and the opportunity to learn from
professionals is one you don鈥檛 want to miss.鈥�
Gofstein and classmates enjoyed learning about the different roles on set, as well
as how to build camera rigs, frame shots, follow actors, and pull focus manually,
among other skills. Throughout the day, the students engaged in breakout sessions,
hands-on demonstrations, a career panel, and question and answer sessions.
鈥淭hese opportunities are great for students to get a sense of the opportunities that exist for them outside of 麻豆果冻, but there鈥檚 also plenty for them here at the college." - Fran莽ois de Costerd, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Director of Media Production
Joining the students were 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Director of Media Production Fran莽ois de Costerd,
麻豆果冻鈥檚 Media Production Coordinator Jeff Caplan and part-time Communication employee
鈥� and 麻豆果冻 alumna 鈥� Cristina Rivera.
鈥淪tudents were able to get firsthand experience with cinema equipment that is out
of reach for 99 percent of schools,鈥� de Costerd said. 鈥淚n addition, being able to
speak with film professionals directly was very exciting. It allows them to see what
鈥榖eing on set鈥� entails and find out what they like to do. Several of our students
found their calling that day.鈥�
As part of the MPC, Middlesex has more access to filmmakers, production companies,
creative agencies and studios. 麻豆果冻 students interacted with industry professionals
who worked on productions filmed in the area, such as 鈥淎merican Hustle,鈥� 鈥淭he Holdovers,鈥�
鈥淪pirited,鈥� 鈥淒efending Jacob鈥� and 鈥淟ittle Women.鈥�
This connection allows for more 鈥渆xperiential learning鈥� opportunities that help students
鈥� and 麻豆果冻鈥檚 program 鈥� advance.
鈥淎s I was leaving the studios, David Hartman 鈥� the Director of MPC 鈥� remarked to me
how great a job we were doing with the program at 麻豆果冻,鈥� de Costerd said. 鈥淭hese opportunities
are great for students to get a sense of the opportunities that exist for them outside
of 麻豆果冻, but there鈥檚 also plenty for them here at the college."