Students will learn how to storyboard and visualize the filmmaking process so they can develop well produced stories related to the subject matter they are filmming. They will develop a full understanding of film grammar, directing the human element, camera angles, composition, b-roll, editing styles, and why the soundtrack is so critical.

Each student is required to produce at least one short film that tells a story about people and their culture. A simple travelogue of the journey will not be encouraged. Students must communicate a personal vision, opinion and perspective in their filmwork. Some may prefer to develop several short 5-8 minute movies, while others may want to produce a longer single film of the whole adventure.

Students will develop specific skills as a film director, cameraman, editor and producer. Workshops will include techniques for lighting (2 point and 3 point basics), camera operation (lenses, focus, white balance, shutter speed, audio, etc), and digital editing (logging, edls, timelines, rhythm, audio and visual continuity, music, graphics,/titling, and digital effects). Since students will be acting as producers for their movie(s), they will also learn about film promotion, marketing, and budgeting.

When students complete their movie(s) they will be showcased on the School web site and the students will be encouraged to enter film contests, upload movies to other web sites that provide an audience (iFilm.com and AtomFilms.com), and also promote their film via DVD.
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Gain Professional Filmmaking Credits

Every student gains professional filmmaking credits by participating in the program since they will be contributing footage to several professionally produced "Semester-in-the-Air" documentaries that are edited each semester to promote global awareness, international creativity and cultural exchange.

Student footage and films may also be chosen for programming by the Discovery Channel, PBS, National Geographic and other commercial distributors. In the event student work is selected for commercial use, students will be professionally compensated by the Pritchard School of Digital Arts. Likewise, when student films receive awards from contests and the industry, the School will be recognized as the "producer" in the filmmaking process.
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What Semester-in-the-Air Offers

In addition to traveling around the world, meeting creative people from all walks of life, making their own movie(s) and earning professional film credentials, students completing the program will receive the following:

* Personal web site and master DVD for film promotion

* Official "Certificate in Digital Filmmaking"

* Free entry into the "RESFEST - Digital Filmmaking Festival" contest

* Letter of Recommendation for professional employment opportunities

* Alumni networking and discounts on other digital training programs and software
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Curriculum Materials for
DVD/CD-Rom Instruction and Textbooks

As soon as students have paid their tuition for the "Semester-in-the-Air" program, they receive curriculum materials for learning How to Shoot Digital Video, Editing with Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere(PC), Photoshop for graphics, and Cleaner for compressing digital video for the web (Quicktime, Real, and Windows Media).

The award-winning CD-ROM and DVD-based instruction materials are provided by Magnet Media who has created the digital media training series (DMTS) that features world-reknowned experts such as Michael Rosenblum, Zak Tucker, Bruce Heavin , MD Dundon and Evan Schectman.

Students also receive several textbooks that include Final Cut Pro and the Art of Digital Filmmaking by Jason and David Teague, Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos by Barry Hampe, The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) by Ben Long/Sonja Schenk, Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro by Michael Wohl, and Producing Great Sound for Digital Video by Jay Rose
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Laptop Video Editing

Several laptop workstations for video editing and web production will be provided for the students to share during their 6 week journey. Student work will be backed up using external hard drive storage and DVD burners.

Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops for maximum flexibility in editing their footage during the trip.

Digital Video Camera and Computer

Students must own, rent or purchase their own digital video camera and have a home computer with software for video editing. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops if they own one. The School can also provide excellent recommendations regarding hardware rentals/purchases.

In regard to a camera, we highly recommend purchasing the Panasonic DVX100B which is the top camera for professional filmmakers in the $3000 price range. The next recommendation is the Canon GL2 which is now under $1700. For the budget conscious, we recommend the 3 chip Panasonic GS300 which is around $500.

We do not recommend the HD cameras such as the Sony FX1 or the incredible Panasonic HVX200 unless students have a great reason (and a bigger budget) to produce High Definition films.

As for a computer, we recommend Apple laptops or workstations loaded with at least 1 gb RAM, 100+ gb of storage, and Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro, Photoshop Elements or Photoshop (full version), and Dreamweaver software.

In the event you want to purchase a Windows-based PC, we recommend Dell computer laptops or workstations loaded with at least 1 gb RAM, 100+ gb of storage, and Adobe Premiere, Photoshop Elements or Photoshop (full version), and Dreamweaver software. Other film editing programs like Avid Express DV can also be purchased if so desired.

Required software includes:
- Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro for Mac
- Adobe Premiere Pro for PC
(PC users may want to also check out Avid Express or Avid Free DV)

Recommended (optional) software for web production includes:
- Adobe Photoshop, DreamWeaver,
& Cleaner 6(Mac) or Cleaner XL(PC)

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Tuition and Travel Fees

Total Fees for Tuition and Travel: $18,000

$5,500 - Tuition for 12 weeks of instruction
Includes one-on-one and group instruction, "hands-on" workshops, online training, and award-winning curriculum materials and textbooks.

$12,500 - 6 week Travel Package (All-Inclusive)

All-inclusive travel package includes: round-trip airfare from NYC to Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, Bali, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Costa Rica; all ground transportation with baggage handling and transfers; all hotel and sleeping accommodations; all meals and gratuities; extensive travel insurance (see details below); and digital video production costs that include "on-location" filming expenses for video interviews, 2-way radios, special events, plane and helicopter rentals for aerial photography, and additional filmmaking equipment (lenses, lights, tripods, batteries, laptops, dvd burners, portable hard drives, underwater camera housings, blank videotapes, and blank CDs/DVDs).

Not included in the travel package: transportation between students' home and NYC; food and beverages not included in group meals; deviations from the scheduled trip; laundry or room service; telephone charges or other items of a personal nature.

Please note that for students who would like single room accommodations in Ghana, Thailand, Bali, New Zealand, Tahiti, and NYC there is an additional fee of $2000. Single rooms will not be available on the Safari in South Africa or during the final week in Costa Rica.
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Application Process

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and apply online in order to be considered for acceptance. A phone interview will determine final acceptance. For the film trip, all students will need to have a current passport valid through 2007, and a drivers license or birth certificate for identification while traveling abroad.

Upon acceptance into the program, a $1000 deposit is required to reserve a space. Full payment for the program must be made no later than 60 days before the semester begins.

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Scholarships

The Pritchard School of Digital Arts provides three $1000 scholarships each semester to students who demonstrate exceptional talent for digital filmmaking. Students can apply for a scholarship as soon as they have been accepted into the Semester-in-the-Air program. Students will be selected based on academic history, communication skills, creativity and letters of recommendation.

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Travel Insurance from Travel Guard

The Travel Protection Plan has been selected for the Semester-in-the-Air program and Travel Guard International is America's leading travel insurance company insuring more than 4 million travelers each year.

The Travel Guard policy includes the following insurance coverage:

Trip Cancellation: Protects your travel investment if you cancel your trip for a covered reason.

Trip Interruption: Protects your travel investment if you interrupt your trip for a covered reason.

$1,000: Travel Delay Reimburses you up to $200 a day for additional accommodations or travel expenses if you are delayed for more than 6 hours.

$1,000: Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage & Travel Documents reimburses you if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while you are on your trip.

$200: Baggage Delay Reimburses you for the purchase of essential items if your bags are delayed for more than 24 hours.

$10,000: Medical Expenses Covers necessary medical expenses up to one year after the sickness or injury, provided you sought initial medical treatment while on your trip.

$20,000: Emergency Medical Transportation Covers evacuation and transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility.

- 24-Hour Medical Assistance - Includes physician monitoring, medical evacuation arrangements, emergency medical payments, prescription assistance, transportation of dependents, family visit, and transporation of mortal remains.

- 24-Hour Legal Assistance - Includes referral to a local legal advisor and advance of funds for bail and legal fees.

In addition, Travel Guard provides a 24-hour "911" travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance and toll-free assistant services for passport replacement, emergency messaging, emergency cash advance and bail bond assistance.

Upon acceptance into the program, students will fill out the Travel Guard policy information and may elect additional coverage if desired.
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Future Digital Filmmaking Programs

Due to popular demand the school is planning to develop Semester-in-the-Air that will also originate in Europe and Japan.

"The digital filmmaking scene is definitely thriving in all parts of the world and we believe we can provide an exceptional learning experience for both U.S.-based and foreign students eager to produce their first professional-quality movie in a 3 month timeframe," says program founder and president, John Pritchard.

Global communication and the creative arts lie at the heart of the Pritchard School of Digital Arts and the Semester-in-the-Air digital filmmaking program is commited to creating a strong network of international students and organizations.
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If you have any questions or feedback
please contact us at:
feedback@pritchardschool.com


Please note:
The information on this web site is prepared well in advance of departure dates. Due to the nature of the programs we provide, dates, hotels, modes of transportation, and in some cases, itineraries change. If this does occur, we will attempt to provide similar facilities but are not always able to do so. We appreciate your understanding.


©2006 Pritchard School of Digital Arts. All Rights Reserved.

World Travel Safety Plan

How Semester-in-the-Air Works

What Students Will Learn

Gain Professional
Filmmaking Credits

What the Program Offers

Methods of Instruction

Curriculum Materials

Laptop & Video Camera

Tuition & Travel Fees

Application Process

Scholarships

Travel Insurance