WAMPA Filmmakers Academy

Classes are offered year-round for the film hobbyist and aspiring professional. Experts in all aspects of film production conduct workshops and seminars, and offer opportunities for fledgling filmmakers to meet others in the industry. Classes offered have included “Beginning Filmmaking,” “Advanced Filmmaking,” “Advanced Lighting and Design,” “Acting for the Camera,” “Production Design” and “Writing for the Screen.”

The Guts and Bolts of DIY Filmmaking

Dive in head first with the real time production of a feature-length zombie movie being made in Wichita. KPTS producer Stacey Jenkins will cover preproduction basics with writer/director Rodrick Pocowatchit covering production basics and bringing students up-to-date on the film’s journey to production so far. Learn how a bare bones production can come to life with little money and a lot of spirit in this six session class. Students will spend two sessions with each instructor and two days on the set as part of the film’s crew.

Rodrick Pocowatchit is from the Pawnee, Shawnee and Comanche nations and is a lifelong Wichitan. As director, screenwriter, producer and editor, he made seven short films and two independent digital features, “Dancing on the Moon” and “Sleepdancer.” He won several awards, including a special jury prize from the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco for promising newcomer, and received intensive training from the Sundance Institute’s screenwriting labs. As an actor, he most recently appeared in “The Only Good Indian” starring Wes Studi and directed by Kevin Willmott, which made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Rod also writes a weekly film column and regularly reviews movies for The Wichita Eagle, where he is also an award-winning senior designer on the newsroom’s page design staff.

Stacey Jenkins is a seasoned producer and director with more than ten years of experience in the TV industry. Stacey has produced and worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Oregon Public Broadcasting and Portland Community College Media department, and currently works at Wichita’s KPTS Channel 8. Stacey has taught film and video classes at the Wichita Center for the Arts, CityArts, and Wichita State University.

• May 26, 28: Instructor Stacy Jenkins (7-9 p.m. at KPTS, 320 W. 21st)
• June 2, 4: Instructor Rod Pocowatchit (7 p.m., location TBA)
• June 6, 7: Shooting on set (All day, Independent School, 8301 E. Douglas)

Cost for all six sessions: $100 per student.

For more information, email: classes@tallgrassfilmfest.com.