Category: Film Making

SPARK! Paxson First Grade World Premiere

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The pinnacle moment of an eight week SPARK! filmmaking residency program at Paxon School came Thursday, March 17th during the World Premiere of Mrs. Roos’ Class: The Movie. Roxy Film Academy instructor Aaron Roos welcomed excited Paxson parents, 1st Grade students, and faculty. Fresh organic popcorn and juice boxes were had by all.

Filmgoers were enamored by the film, which featured students acting in skits which grew out of their Community Curriculum. It’s all about the people and family that make our world a community. As the credits rolled at the end of the film, the soundtrack that played the kids music class performance of “We’re Growing Up, Waaaay up!” An adorable final moment of this event came when the film cut, but  the mini-audience members continued to sing the next lines of the soundtrack at the very top of their lungs.

Mrs. Johnstone’s first grade class is in their seventh week of the SPARK! filmmaking residency program at Paxson Elementary. Their film will premiere at the Roxy on Friday May, 6th.

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Andrew Bujalski at the October Production Intensive

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TAlfred+P+Sloan+Foundation+Reception+Prize+4iZcoUiDVPplhe Montana Film Academy is proud to welcome the first mentor for our October Production Intensive: indie luminary Andrew Bujalski.

Drawing comparisons to John Cassavetes, Eric Rohmer, and Mike Leigh, Bujalski is one of the key figures in 21st-century indie cinema. As writer, director and editor of the graceful, intricate comedies Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation, he pioneered a style of clever, humane, low-budget film that critics called “mumblecore.” His own films move smoothly beyond simple critical formulas, though—2013’s Computer Chess, which won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at Sundance, is a dark comedy about isolation, ambition, and the limits of human potential.

Production Intensive students will get to attend a facilitated discussion with Bujalski, and they’ll have the chance to see his most recent film, Results, which opened at Sundance 2015. Bujalski will also be in attendance at the inaugural Montana Film Festival, held from October 1-4.

Production Intensive Students Invited to Montana Film Festival

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Students at the October Montana Production Intensive will receive an All-Access VIP Pass to the Montana Film Festival. The Montana Film Festival kicks off Thursday, October 1, featuring new independent films, Montana premieres, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and great evening parties—and production intensive students are invited to all of it. Register here for the intensive.

The inaugural festival will welcome guest writers, directors, actors, and industry professionals to experience Montana’s hospitality and breathtaking locations, and to connect them with the local talent they will need to start making movies here. As All-Access Passholders, students at the production intensive will get to meet all of these professionals in person, including director Andrew Bujalski, one of the most influential indie filmmakers in the industry, and actor Mya Taylor, one of the stars of the festival juggernaut Tangerine. Select filmmakers will be presenting exclusively to production intensive students during Saturday’s session at The Roxy.

Other highlights of the festival include four made-in-Montana movie premieres, a lineup of current festival hits, and a Montana film retrospective—featuring classics by Michael Cimino and Arthur Penn—that draws attention to the state’s past, present and future cinematic glory. Special events will spark conversation, introduce students to filmmakers and expose the creative workings of the craft. Register today for a fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and found a new generation of Montana film.

See the full roundup of films and VIP event schedule here.

Production Intensives – Starts Saturday May 2nd

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PI_LogoProof copyWe’re gearing up here for opening weekend of the 2015 Montana Production Intensive. This weekend is going to be a great gathering of Montana filmmaking professionals, students and newcomers to the industry.

Montana’s own Allison Whitmer will be our amazing guide through the weekend, along with professional mentors and special guests including Film Commissioner Deny Stags and Rachel Gregg, Nik Griffith, Jeri Rafter, Lily Gladstone, Andrew Rizzo, Aaron Roos, Mike Steinberg, Mark Schogren, JD Jacoby, Dan Molloy, Heidi Dubose, Andrew Bassett, Mike Schweizer, Claire Dryer, Alex Escarsega, Gary Burton, Brooke Swaney, Skye Bennett, John Witham, Max Kubisiak, Austin Davis, Alex Anderlick, Austin Davis, Cheyenne Simmons and Jen Haas. Thank you to everyone on the team for making this an amazing educational and professional development opportunity.

Follow us @theroxy406

Follow us @theroxy406

Summer Camp 2015 – REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Summer Camp 2015

The Montana Film Academy’s summer filmmaking camp is a fun and memorable summer program at The Roxy Theater.

During this week-long camp, students will learn the principles of filmmaking from start to finish and produce a film. We’ll start with exploring how to build a story, train on camera and sound, get out shooting and bring it back to the editing room. Students will learn new skills, collaborate and explore putting their visions onto film.

Monday June 22-26th, 2015  @ 9 am – 5 pm at The Roxy Theater

Ages 10-16 recommended.

For questions and more information contact us!

Sign up for a 3 Day Film Camp at Parade of Lights! Saturday December 6th

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Join the MFA film squad as they have a blast creating films throughout the weekend. Learn awesome tech and creative skills!Movie-making-Boy-and-clappe

Preproduction, Friday, Dec 5th, 4-6 pm

Production, Saturday, Dec 6th, 4-8 pm

Post-production, Sunday, Dec 7th, 1-4 pm

More info and online registration…

Missoula 2014 Parade of Lights  Saturday, December 6, 2014

Get in the Holiday spirit at the 12th Annual Parade of Lights brought to you by the Missoula Downtown Association! This all-day family event includes numerous children’s activities and projects, the arrival of Santa Claus at the Florence Building, and concludes with the Parade of Lights and the lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree at the Red XXXX’s on North Higgins Avenue.  Parade – 6pm  Tree Lighting – 6:30pm

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MFA Run and Gun Film Squad: Sept 19-21

This class is full. All Hooted up! Please stay tuned for upcoming classes.

Run with the MFA into a filmmaking intensive during Hootenanny and Sunday Streets Missoula. Hootenanny is a weekend of over 20 events including movies, music, puppets, workshops and ninjas at The Roxy September 19-21st. Hootenanny Logo Lime-Teal

Develop a story Friday, train on camera and sound Saturday, and get out and shoot with your team Sunday during Sunday Streets Missoula. This course is going to be fast and seriously fun.

Day 1:     Friday 9/19 – 4-6 pm: Production team and story development.

Day 2:     Saturday 9/20 10-12 pm: Tech Training.    1-4 pm: Shooting Hootenanny.

Day 3:     Sunday 9/21 11-4 pm: Shooting at Sunday Streets!

All equipment is provided and no experience is necessary.

MFA students will have all-access passes to the whole Hootenanny weekend for films and other events.  Hootenanny will feature classic and contemporary films, music by Whizpops! and Sandman The Rapping Cowboy, puppetry by Bat Honey, yoga, dance and animation workshops, ninja training and much more. Opening night features the classic film ET at 6 pm with a special flavor from Big Dipper Ice Cream!

Space is limited to 10. 
For questions and more information contact learn@montanafilmacademy.com or call (406) 728-9380
Course registration is $100.00 and includes All-Access Pass to the Hootenanny.
Ages 10-16 recommended.

For questions and more information contact us.