bluesky media anything is possible under a bluesky
One of the few free resources available on the web dedicated to helping those who want to learn more about the craft of film and television production.  
home      our team       services      press      watch us       instruction      merchandise       contact us

Upcoming Events

Exciting programs and seminars that teach production like no other course out there.

 

 

Walter Graff Lighting Seminars
Location Lighting Seminar

What better way to immerse yourself in lighting feature than to be on location, lighting various interiors set-ups with a 20 year pro!

Now you can have that opportunity. Walter Graff is proud to offer a series of location lighting seminars in September of 2005. These one-day, seven person classes will do what no other class can, take you on location, lighting between five and seven different set-ups (depending on how much time the day allows). You aren't a spectator but part of the crew, actually working with Walter and the rest of the team as if this was a feature film with the purpose of creating a dramatic feature. This hands-on course will help you focus on cinematography and will concentrate on you seeing a vision and executing it, creating a consistent look, technical considerations and teach you more about lighting for dramatic than any course can.

Using a one-bedroom apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan and using a script describing the settings as a template, Walter will walk you through the following set-ups (at least five of these set-ups will be guaranteed during the day and all if time allows):

1. Kitchen scene (Long tight kitchen and options)
2. Living room dialog on a couch (modeled lighting)
3. Bathroom scene (Tight space and creative ideas)
4. Outdoor (rooftop terrace) Daytime Exterior
5. Outdoor (rooftop terrace)Night Exterior
6. Night Bedroom scene (Desk lamp and window light)
7. Dining Room Eating Scene (Options for creating a look)

Who should attend this seminar? Anyone that is looking to make a feature film on formats such as DV and thinks lighting is not their strong point or anyone that has some limited lighting experience that wants to take their knowledge to the next level. Being this is a hands-on course, even if you feel "green", by the end of the day you will feel more confident as you will know terminology and the methods we use on feature film sets.

To put it another way, you can watch all the films you want in an attempt to learn how to light but unless you have someone showing you how it's all done, you many never come to appreciate the nuances involved in location lighting. This course will give you a behind the scenes, hands-on approach. There is no better way to learn lighting than to do it by 'jumping in'. Walter Graff speaks a language anyone can understand and clearly and cleverly demonstrates the tricks of the trade. This is in interactive course where you not only follow the lead, but are allowed to modify it, to answer your own questions about looks, and various elements of lighting.

These courses will take place one day, each week during the month of September, on every weekend day of the month (depending on demand), rain or shine. Best of all, since many who are interested in producing their own shorts or features are often limited in regards to budget, Walter will take a minimalist approach, only using a limited number of lights and grip equipment taking a very low budget approach and showing you that budget need not dictate outcome. In the end you will see that the adage "Less is more" really makes sense.


We will be shooting with DVX100 camera. You should walk away from this seminar with the following:

- Knowledge of How to Create Properly Utilize Depth of Field
- An Understanding of Theme and How to Create Visual Continuity
- An Understanding of How Filters and Use of Color Can Enhance Your Production
- That you Don't Need a Truck-load of Lights To Make Beautiful Pictures
- A Better Understanding of How to Extenuate Life on Film
- The ability to tackle your own project with new insight and courage

Pre-paid cost for one-day-seminar is $175.00 US

This money will be completely refundable if you can not make the seminar for any reason or if this seminar is not what you thought it would be.

Approximate Seminar Timeframe: 10am-7pm

Breaks will include food and drinks.

 

REMEMBER THIS SEMINAR HAS ROOM FOR ONLY SEVEN PEOPLE PER DAY AND REGISTRATION MAY BE CUT OFF AT ANY TIME!!!

The tentative days of each seminar are below. Due to scheduling conflicts and group requests, and/or participation, we may change or cancel a day to suit demand.

Click any one day to sign up and pay. All payments are made securely through Pay Pal. You may also pre-pay with a check or cash by sending an email to info@bluesky-web.com

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO USE AN EMAIL ADRESS WHERE WE CAN CONTACT YOU. ALL INITIAL CORRESSPONDANCE FOR PARTICIPANTS WILL BE VIA EMAIL SO DON'T USE AN ADDRESS THAT IS NOT YOURS OR ONE YOU DO NOT CHECK OFTEN. MAKE SURE TO USE A VALID PHONE NUMBER TOO!

Saturday, September 10
SOLD OUT!

Sunday, September 11
SOLD OUT!

Saturday, September 18
SOLD OUT!

Sunday, September 19
SOLD OUT!

If you want to be on our mailing list click here and put "mailing list" in the subject line.

 

About Walter Graff

Walter Graff has worked in the field of commercial, feature film and industrial /broadcast television since 1982. He has successfully worked in more areas of production than most others work in a single career. Walter has a unique combination of technical and creative knowledge that has helped him to excel in many areas of production. He has directed numerous single and multi-camera broadcast, dramatic, and commercial productions. Walter was a highly regarded network level lighting director and has worked with many organizations such as NBC, ABC, ESPN, and  NIPPON TV. He has consulted and designed numerous TV studios over the years. Walter is a also respected cinematographer who has lensed over 2500 shorts, features, corporate and network programs. Walter has also produced content for nearly 40 broadcast shows and an equal number of television pilots.  He was a pioneer in creating the look and feel of seven daytime talk programs in the nineties. His innovative producing technique and shooting style is considered by many industry peers to be the precursor for today's reality programming. Walter has earned numerous industry accolades including EMMY awards, Telly Awards, and New York Festival Awards to name a few.

 

Page updated 8/5/2005 8:00pm

 

Check it out!

Order Cool Lighting Merchandise

Subscription Lighting Newsletter delivered to your email address

Production Message Board

 

 

 

 

NYC / 444 E. 82 Street - Penthouse, New York, NY 10028 Ph. 212 517 5237

West. Mass / 310 Market Hill Road, Amherst, MA 01002 Ph. 413 549 4846

Bluesky Media/Hellgate Pictures, Inc. © 2004