AFFMedia Labs
The AFF Media Production Labs are Workforce Development/CareerExploration programs featuring Master Classes, Lectures, Workshops, and Media Production Experiences, intended to empower NYC Residents between the ages of 16 and 30, providing them with essential skills, hands-on experience, and valuable connections, so they can pursue industry careers in film/tv/digital media production.
Disabled, Neurodivergent, and/or ELL youth are welcome in the Labs. We don’t like to separate groups into “special programs” since our goal is to increase inclusion and representation. Just let us know what accommodations you need and we will do our best to meet them.
This year, the lab classes will be offered ala carte so participants sign up for the classes they want to take. Priority will be given to participants who attend multiple classes and are taking specific series including Filmmaking (Producing/Directing), Marketing, and Media Career Exploration. Please note that only those participants who complete (with good attendance) a Lab Series will be invited to attend the free weekend G&E training, Film Development Lab, and/or Kaufman Studios tour (dates TBA in NOV).
THE AFFMEDIA LABS are funded partially by grants from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and Flushing Town Hall and partially by the generosity of our partners Kaufman Astoria Studios, Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens, Canon, Gotham Sound, Samansa, Nana’s Lighting Service, and MiniKorn who offer Space, Master Classes and Workshops. The rest is subsidized by the Astoria Film Festival.
Students with CTE WBL hours or intern hours or students in various college intern programs might be able to get paid or get class credits through their programs for their participation in the labs.
CLICK TO REGISTER
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MEDIA CAREERS WEEKEND
AT THE ZUKOR THEATER, KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS
Schedule as of Sept 10 (subject to change)SAT OCT 3
10-11:45am - WORKSHOP: Gotham Sound. Production Sound
12-1:30pm MASTER CLASS: Director/DP Frank Sun. The Filmmaking Process
1:45-3:15pm PANEL: ON SET CAREERS
Frank Sun - Director and DP
Christopher Opopo- Costume Designer
Ruth Fernandez - Local 798 HMU and Groomer
Jules Rico - AC/Camera Op
Solomon Sylvester - Camera Operator | ARRI SRH 360 Tech| ARRI Trinity 2 Tech
Kingsley-Wynn Ukuku - Production Assistant, Marvel Studios
3:30-5pm - PANEL: MEDIA CAREERS
Golda Calonge, Senior Counsel, Upgrade Inc. (Entertainment Law)
Stefanie Malachi, MA, CSM, PMI-ACP - Senior Project Manager at NBCU News Group Digital
Paul Hawxhurst, Senior Tech Specialist, CANON USA
Mariana Díaz-Wionczek, PhD - Children's Media Producer, Rosie’s Rules and Dora the Explorer
Eddie Soto Creative Director, Digital Marketing at ABC, Disney, MTV
Gibran Saleem, Filmmaker/Screenwriter
SUN OCT 4
10am-12pm - WORKSHOP: Filmmaking Basics -Camera Shots/Angles/Movement + Pitching with Nina Fiore, Astoria Film Festival Founder
12:30-2:30pm WORKSHOP: Intro to Gaffing&Grip (G&E) with Nana’s Lighting Service
3-5pm - WORKSHOP: Camera Sound and Lighting Equipment Drills with Astoria Film Festival Instructors
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FILMMAKING LAB
HYBRID
SAT OCT 3 & SUN OCT 4 10am-5pm at The Zukor Theater (workshops, master classes, panels)
WED OCT 7 & WED OCT 14: 6:30-7:30PM IN ZOOM Pre-Production Meetings
SAT OCT 17 AND SUN OCT 18: 10AM-2PM: FILMING (AT VARIETY)
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MARKETING LAB
HYBRID
SUN OCT 4: 10AM-5PM at The Zukor Theater - Filming Basics (Camera, Sound, Lighting)
WED OCT 7 7:30-8:30pm ET Entertainment Marketing Intro IN ZOOM with Daniela Camargo
WED OCT 14 7:30-8:30pm ET Media Development and Distribution - Yunah Chung
WED OCT 21 7:30-8:30pm ET John Gill, Emmy-Winning Editor
WED OCT 28: 6:30-7:30PM ET IN ZOOM Assistance with Creating a Pitch Deck and Social Strategy - Nina Fiore
WED NOV 4:7:30-8:30pm ET IN ZOOM Pitching a Series - Bryan Korn
WED NOV 11: 6:30-7:30PM ET IN ZOOM Assistance with Creating a Pitch Deck and Social Strategy - Nina Fiore
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MEDIA CAREER EXPLORATION SERIES
IN ZOOM
WEDNESDAYS 7:30-8:30pm ET
OCT 7 Entertainment Marketing- Daniela Camargo
OCT 14 Media Development and Distribution - Yunah Chung
THURS OCT 15 8-9pm EST - Events/Community Experience - Tikki Mitchell-King
OCT 21 Pitching a Series - Bryan Korn
Oct 28 Artist Representation - Halle Mariner, Agent
NOV 4 Editing - John Gill
NOV 18 HR/Recruitment - Rosalie Vitale-Alava
