April Producers Club - Documentary Filmmaking

Our next Producers Club workshop is going to be an exciting topic. We will be discussing documentary filmmaking and the art of storytelling with video.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 19. There will be a social "hour" at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and an opportunity to mingle with other attendees, followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. More information is available on our website.

Producers Club workshops are free and open to the public. If you would like to attend the workshop, please RSVP with Communications Specialist Ben Vinar.

If you missed our Producers Club workshop in February, the video recording of it is now available on our YouTube channel. Please be sure to subscribe so you know when other videos are available!

Battle of the Cameras

We recently sent out a survey to current members to gauge your interest in some new equipment. The results showed that many of you are interested in new camcorders for field production checkout.

We have acquired two different cameras that we would like to test out side-by-side in order to help us decide which one to purchase, and we need your help! If you are currently certified in our field production class, we ask that you stop in to BCAT at some point throughout the month of April to test out these cameras and give us your feedback.

Your feedback is very important to us, as the cameras we decide to purchase will depend on your interest! Please contact BCAT staff to schedule a time to test out these cameras in the coming weeks.

Teen Video Boot Camp

Available spots for Teen Video Boot Camp are filling up quickly! The youth program, sponsored by BCAT and SWTV will take place at BCAT Monday-Friday, June 25-29, 1-4 p.m. Throughout the course of one week, the students will learn how to use professional video cameras, and create a short film as a group.

The camp is open to youth ages 12-17 who live or go to school in the Bloomington or SWTV viewing areas. If you are or know someone who would be interested in joining the camp, contact BCAT today to sign up!

BCAT Welcomes a New Member

BCAT welcomes a new member this month. Rainer Einsmann is a Bloomington resident who is currently taking production classes and eventually wants to create a show titled The Monkey Speaketh about a man who found out his DNA is 20% orangutan. Welcome, Rainer. We look forward to seeing your production!

April 2018

Contact BCAT

Ben Vinar

Communications Specialist

952-563-4980

bvinar@bloomingtonmn.gov

For class information, studio and channel schedules, and more, visit: www.bcat16.org.

Connect with us!

BCAT Hours

Mon. - Thurs., 1 - 9:30 p.m.

Every other Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Visit our website to see what weekends we are open.

Quick Tips

The main video elements of a good documentary are "a-roll" and "b-roll." A-roll refers to the interview footage, and b-roll refers to the supplemental footage that compliments what the interviewee is talking about.

This can be video that you shot yourself, stock footage, pictures, maps, etc. Anything to help get the point across. Just make sure that whatever you use, you have the copyright for that material.

For more tips and information about how to create a good documentary, RSVP for our upcoming Producers Club workshop!

Mark Your Calendars!

Producers Club

Thursday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.

Teen Video Boot Camp

June 25 - June 29, 1-4 p.m.