26 Feb, 2012

Learn To Act, Write and Direct This Summer on the North Fork

Posted by Stacy

And the Oscar goes to… If this is something your child has dreamed about I have the perfect place to send them this summer. Whether acting, writing, or directing, all students will work side-by-side with industry professionals.

I want to tell you about the Manhattan Film Institute Summer Programs. There is a two week sleep-away film camp is for aspiring actors and directors ( for ages14-17 amd 18 & up) who will study in a world class facility on the North Fork of Long Island.

Actors will work with Bob Krakower, who is the acting coach of Westchester’s own Rooney Mara nominated for an Oscar and Wendy McKenna of the Good Wife.

This summer, MFI offers a two-week sleep-away film camp for Directors and Actors, and two one-week retreats for Writers and Actors. All offerings are held in the towns of Southold and Greenporton the East End of Long Island, New York. Film camp participants live in lakeside cottages and attend workshops at Peconic Landing’s Cultural Center and historic Brecknock Hall. Retreat Writers andActors live at the stunning Sunset Motel overlooking the Long Island Sound.

Budding Directors will work with both Tony Spiradakis who has directed Academy Award winning actors Timothy Hutton and Richard Dreyfuss and Jeff McCracken , who has directed and produced for over 20 years, including a film that was nominated for Best Picture, QUIZ SHOW, directed by Robert Redford, both are film professors at one of the top schools in the country – Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University, and both have worked with Academy Award level actors, writers and directors.

Guided by Jeff and Tony, Directors write a three-page script for two actors that will take place in one location (the “3-2-1” method).Directors cast from MFI Actors, scout locations, make shot lists,direct and shoot on a Canon 7D, and edit on Final Cut Pro. Your filmwill be screened at a movie theater, and you’ll leave with a polishedfilm (on DVD) for your portfolio.

There are also two one-week retreats for writers and for actors:

Chazz Palmintieri is going to teach the writers retreat, and his level in our industry speaks for itself. Many know Chazz Palminteri from playing the powerful role of Sonny, starring opposite Robert DeNiro, in “A Bronx Tale.” Or they saw him as Cheech in Woody Allen’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination. “A Bronx Tale” was a story Chazz developed from his own true life experience. Larry Moss is leading the actors retreat. Larry is one of the most renowned acting coaches in the world. – He is personal acting coach to Leonardo DiCaprio, and Oscar Winners Hillary Swank, Helen Hunt, to name but a few.

Students will be constantly supervised with a ratio of 5 students per 1 adult. Counselors have studied with our faculty, none are younger than 21 years of age, all outstanding role models. Along with having a personal relationship to faculty prior to coming, counselors are chosen for their ability to help students and for their talent as editors and cinematographers. This way, they not only provide a safe environment but also support the ongoing quality of the work.

For additional information, please visit the MFI website at www.manhattanfilminstitute.com

For immediate answers to questions, call MFI Founder, Tony Spiridakis, at 917-297-4486

*Manhattan Film Institute is owned by Manhattan Film Group