Zsigmond, Kovacs To Mentor 2003 Hungarian Masterclass;
Kodak Sponsors Student Observers

Over thirty-seven next generation filmmakers will
participate in the 2003 Masterclass conducted by the Academy
of Drama and Film and the Hungarian Society of
Cinematographers (HSC) in Budapest, beginning August 24
through September 7. Sixteen student participants were
chosen from CILECT-member schools (Centre International de
Liaison des Ecoles de Cinema et de Television), and Kodak
will sponsor 11 student observers for the duration of the
two-week course.
'This Masterclass is a gathering of some of the world’s most
promising young filmmakers,' says Janos Xantus, director of
the workshop, and one of Hungary's most prominent directors.
'It is a re-affirmation for them that filmmaking is a
collaborative art form with a universal visual language.
This is a unique opportunity for these young people to learn
from and work with their talented peers from diverse
backgrounds under the guidance of some of the world's most
gifted cinematographers.'
The faculty will be led by Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC (Close
Encounters of the Third Kind, The Deer Hunter, The River,
Deliverance, Ghost and the Darkness) and Laszlo Kovacs, ASC
(Easy Rider, Paper Moon, Five Easy Pieces, My Best Friend’s
Wedding, Two Weeks Notice), who will be supported by some of
Hungary's leading filmmakers.
'Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond have made a profound
impact on the art of filmmaking,' says Xantus. 'Students and
other young filmmakers everywhere in the world look to them
for inspiration.'
The Board of Professors of the Academy of Drama and Film
chose the participants from more than seventy worthy
applicants based upon their showreels and recommendations by
their instructors. Most of the participants are aspiring
cinematographers, however occasionally young directors and
writers qualify hoping to gain insights into the
collaborative art and craft of visual storytelling.
The 11 Kodak-sponsored film students reign from Spain,
France, Poland, England, Austria, Germany and the
Philippines. They are Marc Gomez Del Moral Guash of Centre
Calassanc d’FP; Patricia Anatazio of La Femis; Kuba
Lubniewiski of the National Film, Television & Theatre
School of Lodz; James Brailsford of Sheffield Hallam
University; Tim Tomicek of Filmacademy Vienna; Stefan
Grandinetti and Alexandra Czocz of Hochschule fur Film und
Fernsehen Konrad Wolf in Potsdam-Babelsbert; Stefan Vorbrugg
and Susanne Kurz of Hochschule fur Fernsehen und Film in
Munich; Pascal Schmit of Filmakademie Ludwisburg; and
Patricia Monzon of the University of the Philippines.
Student observers are selected based on their interest in
cinematography and in conjunction with their school on the
recommendation of a faculty member.
'This unique gathering of culture and knowledge makes this
Masterclass a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' says Janet
Anderson, marketing director for Kodak in Europe. 'Young
film students on their quest to learn the art and craft of
cinematography have a chance not only to enhance their
skills, but network with their peers in an open exchange of
ideas about the art form.'
The Masterclass is structured to be a truly hands-on
experience. The students of the Masterclass will form teams
and take turns filming short exercises on sound stages at BK
Filmstudio. Zsigmond and Kovacs will offer guidance designed
to help them think about what they are doing and why. After
processing, their reels will be screened followed by an open
discussion.
'This is a process that some of these students rarely
experience during their film school studies,” notes
Anderson.' This course is designed to help prepare them to
enter the real world of filmmaking. For these reasons, Kodak
continues their long standing support of the Masterclass.'
There will also be screenings of classic and contemporary
films followed by discussions with the prominent
cinematographers who photographed them, including Lajos
Koltai, HSC, Ivan Mark, HSC, Andras Nagy, ASC, Elemer
Ragalyi, HSC, Gabor Szabo, HSC. A closing ceremony will by
highlighted by the presentation of awards and certificates
of completion to the participants and observers.
Kodak, through its worldwide Student Filmmaker Program, has
been a primary sponsor of the Masterclass since its earliest
days. In addition, the company is providing tangible support
for the 2003 Masterclass, including instructional programs
that will offer demonstrations and insights into new and
future generations of film and hybrid motion imaging
technologies.
'We believe in these talented young filmmakers, and feel
that it is our obligation to provide a foundation for them
at this formative stage of their careers,' says John Mason,
director of the Kodak Student Filmmaker Program. 'We will
listen and learn about their expectations, and assure them
that we will be there for them in their future endeavors.'
For more information about the Masterclasss visit,
www.kodak.com/go/student.