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Dear Dean, Professor, Workshop Leader or Media Conference Organizer,
CNN senior correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, once said, "If you tell a compelling story, they will watch." That's very true. But the larger questions for fledgling filmmakers are a) what is your
story? and b) who are you telling it to? My forte is in single camera, non-fiction storytelling. Today, this can encompass
unique elements in documentary filmmaking, newsgathering or visual communication. Recent influences in cinematic storytelling
range from direct cinema, cinema verite and the British Documentary movement to modern day political segs, bios, profiles,
reality television and cutting-edge video blogs.
Despite having been introduced rather late to film in the
1970s, my appreciation ranges across a vast spectrum: early cinema, Silent film, German Expressionism, Russian film, Italian
neo-realism, Third cinema and Celtic film. I love equally the works of the classic Hollywood directors, the "movie brats"
and many of today's cutting-edge, avante garde filmmakers. From art house to action flick, I'm a true film aficionado. Plus
a "boomer" who grew up with great 60s tv. A bowl of popcorn & Dick Van Dyke? I'm there.
Genre study - whether comedy, westerns, suspense or film
noir - has had an enormous impact in my approach to current cinematic storytelling and tv production, both secular & spiritual.
If you don't know what your story is, understand audience
expectations and receptivity, or perceive the normative
conventions of your chosen genre, then you're like a traveler without a road map: Be prepared from the start to get lost.
So, how can I help your aspiring students, artists or filmmakers
tell their stories?
Craig
EDUCATION/SPEAKING/WRITING
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EDUCATION:
Master of Arts, Film Studies
Conservatory of Motion Pictures, Dodge College of Film & Media,
Chapman University, Orange, CA (magna cum laude)
Bachelor of Science, Biblical & Theological Studies / Ministry,
Bethany University, Santa Cruz, CA
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CLASSROOM GUEST SPEAKER:
Biola University, Pepperdine University, Vanguard University,
Bethany University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Continental Theological Seminary,
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WORKSHOP
PRESENTER:
IGNITE Media Conference (2007), Latin America School For Correspondents + COICOM Conference - Cartagena, Columbia (2007),
Biola Media Conference (2005/2006)
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AUTHOR:
"7 COMMANDO TACTICS FOR SUCCESSFUL OVERSEAS TELEVISION
& VIDEO PRODUCTION" - NRB Magazine - Jan/Feb 2002
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AUTHOR:
"The Influence of Alexander Mackendrick
on the Kailyard Film Sub-Genre" - Chapman University Master's
Thesis - May 22, 2008, pp 181.
Synopsis: A heavily researched, in-depth
exploration of American-Scot film director, Alexander
Mackendrick, and his role in influencing a pocket genre of Celtic film. The thesis
successfully argued that Mackendrick - through Whisky Galore! and The Maggie - forever influenced future "kailyard" films
such as Local Hero, The Wicker Man, The Englishman, Saving Grace and Waking Ned Devine. Mackendrick introduced dark comedy, insider
conspiracy, foreigner humiliation and grown-up children to Celtic village storytelling
on film.
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