Start By Learning The Craft
by Jessie Lilley
For decades, Monster Kids have dreamed of making the ultimate horror film and going down in history as being “The Great Horror Film Maker of All Time”. From 8 mm to Digital HD, kids the world over make monster movies in the back yard or in the local graveyard. How many of them go on to Tinsel Town? More than you’d imagine! But – how many succeed?
Very few. Those who do have usually pursued their dreams of film making by learning how to do it right. As with any art, there are ways, tried and true, that cannot be argued with, but if you don’t take the time to learn them you’re bound to fail time and again. So if you really want it, if the dream is the force that drives you, then take our advice and find a course of study through film school so your dream stands the chance of becoming reality. It won’t guarantee it of course, but it sure will give you a fighting chance!
With this in mind, we have been speaking with film schools large and small, all over the country. There are schools that specialize in make-up, acting, sound, lighting, you name it; and of course, schools that are specific to the craft of film making as a whole. I had the opportunity to chat with a gent who teaches a course that is simply tailor mad for Monster Kids. His name is Dan Galiardi and he teaches a course called Horror Cinema and Comics to Film at Five Towns College in New York. Mr. Galiardi took the time to discuss his class with me, and schooling in general.
Famous Monsters: You teach Horror Cinema and Comics to Film. May I have a brief overview of the course of study?
Dan Galiardi: The class on Horror Cinema is part film history and part film production class. Essentially we watch and analyze various horror films in class and discuss their themes and production techniques. Then, students have to produce their own horror shorts either on Super 16mm film or high def video.
As for the Comics to Film course I created it earlier around 2004. It follows the same format. We watch and analyze comic book films but in a parallel study with comic book history and culture. I had seen other colleges offering courses that studied comic books, mostly under the English department, but I wanted concentrate on the booming comic book movie genre and make our own superhero films. Thus, the final project of the class involves students creating a film of their own hero or a fan film of an existing hero.
I like to use group projects to educate students on proper professional filming techniques, but also experiment with my own ideas and have a little fun. Some are posted on youtube such as Kung Fu Killer Zombie (Horror Cinema) and Iron Fist: The Dragon Unleashed. I must warn you, I love campy action. [Pictured: TOP - Shooting The Dragon Unleashed, starring Albert Lamont as Iron Fist. LEFT - Lamont as Iron Fist in all his tattooed glory. BELOW - Some of the cast & crew of TDU.]
I also get to invite guests to class. Ken Kelly (artist known for KISS painted Destroyer and Love Gun covers), Larry Hama (artist/writer/creator of G.I. Joe comics) and Clive Young (author of Homemade Hollywood) all have presented.
FM: What other courses are available at Five Towns College for the film enthusiast?
DG: At Five Towns College our film program has courses in production, lighting and editing. I also teach a course in documentary production. I would say we are a production school. If you are creative and have great ideas for films, you can start shooting your freshman year. We are a strong cinematography curriculum. Several of the professors are fellow members of the International Cinematographers Guild – Bob DiGiocomo, the department director, and Sol Negrin, former president of the Guild and recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the ASC.
FM: Why go to film school, when everyone is an overnight star on YouTube?
DG: The main reasons I would go to film school are for the access to professional equipment and the opportunity to network with other filmmakers (and use them as your crew).
FM: Have you noticed a drop in student numbers over the last decade, or a rise?
DG: I have been associated with the school for over nine years now. I have seen it grow steadily. We have about 150 students in our film department. I think the school only has about 1,000 students total.
FM: That’s a fairly small student body. I would guess that makes it better for the student in that they would have more opportunity for one-on-one with their instructors.
DG: It does allow more interaction between professors and students as well as more access to equipment.
FM: Have any of your students gone on into a successful career?
DG: Several have gone on to be successful members of the New York film making community. Many of them are on Law and Order and movies shooting around the city.
FM: Please tell us your favorite horror films, both growing up and now.
DG: I love Universal Monster movies like Frankenstein and the Wolf Man. I also love zombie movies like Night of the Living Dead. Also, can you count Shaun of the Dead?
FM: Your favorite comics?
DG: I have to say I love silver and bronze age Marvel comics such as the Avengers, the Hulk, X-Men, and Iron Fist. In fact, we made a weird fan film of Iron Fist starring Albert Lamont – see the link above. It was also mentioned in the book Homemade Hollywood.
FM: Any message for the parents out there who want to throw out their kids’ collections of Wolverine and the like?
DG: Check the comics for any “key” issues before throwing them out. Most comics are not really worth anything especially those printed in the 1990’s and 2000’s. They were over printed and everybody saved them thinking they would be worth money. Remember a comic’s worth is based on the demand for that issue, its rarity, and its physical condition. Look for the first issue a popular character appears. For example, Detective Comics #27 (1st Batman 1939) in great condition sold for over a million dollars recently. In contrast, Batman comics from the 1990’s can be bought for a dollar.
Some key issues to keep an eye out for are: Action Comics #1 – 1st Superman (around $1.5 million) rare – many were recycled during WWII; Detective Comics #27 – 1st Batman; Hulk #181 – 1st Wolverine; Marvel Spotlight #5 – 1st Ghost Rider.
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And here I was hoping for a simple “Don’t Do It!” No question though, that this man knows his stuff. You can bet you’ll get an education matriculating with Dan Galiardi at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY. For more information on Five Towns College, go to their website at: www.ftc.edu or call them at 631-656-2110.
Check out some Student Films from Dan Galiardi class:
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