Catalina Film Festival launches Institute workshops

Ron Truppa, founder of the Catalina Film Festival said he and his team are celebrating another successful milestone.

The Festival launched the inaugural Catalina Film Institute last weekend, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 23–25.  It was a hands-on filmmaking workshop, helping groom future filmmakers of Hollywood.

“This was a great experience for all of us,”said Truppa, executive director of Catalina Film Festival and artistic director of the Catalina Film Institute.

Ron Truppa, founder of the Catalina Film Festival said he and his team are celebrating another successful milestone.

The Festival launched the inaugural Catalina Film Institute last weekend, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 23–25.  It was a hands-on filmmaking workshop, helping groom future filmmakers of Hollywood.

“This was a great experience for all of us,”said Truppa, executive director of Catalina Film Festival and artistic director of the Catalina Film Institute.

“We as professional filmmakers love giving back because we all know how hard it was to navigate through this business when we first started off,” he said.  “Now that we live in the digital film era, where anyone can pick up a semi-professional camera and shoot, we want to make sure future filmmakers still care about quality stories, film technique and production value.  We love coming to the Island to do this. Participants included student filmmakers from Avalon High School, San Francisco Academy of Art, University of Southern California, and New York Film Academy. Filmmakers shot, edited and screened a rough cut of their short film over the two-day workshop.

The Catalina Film Institute is a sibling organization of the Catalina Film Society; both are subsidiaries of the Catalina Film Festival, Inc.  Entering into its third year this September, the Film Festival is a non-profit organization designed to celebrate and promote independent film, Catalina Island’s rich history and natural beauty.  

The Film Institute included instruction from celebrity Guest Director Renee O’Connor (Xena), Ziggy MrKich (founder and director of San Pedro International Film Festival), Gena Vazquez (Co-Chair of IndieCon), veteran actors Paul Buxton and Jed Sura, and Chuck Liddell (Catalina Film Historian).  

“I loved all parts of the program,” said Justus Ramming, 14, of Avalon High. “From the workshops to filming, all of it was an amazing experience.  Plus I got to meet new friends along the way.”  

Ramming was referred by one of his mentors, someone very familiar with Avalon’s artistic youth.  

“I’m honored that some of our local youth got to participate in such an unique experience which they were able to pull from their Kids At Play knowledge,” said said Sean Brannock, executive director of Avalon Community Service and Recreation Department and artistic director of Kids At Play. “It’s amazing to see new traditions being born thanks to Ron Truppa and all his crew,”

Some of Avalon’s established film professionals and aficionados were also on hand to help.

“Working with the CFI crew was pure joy, on-location filmmaking at its funnest.  I’ve worked on a number of shoots and I can tell you that working with Ron’s student crew was almost indistinguishable from working with the pros,” said Jim Watson, resident and professional filmmaker.  

“I’m a proud supporter of the Catalina Film Festival,” said John Talsky, a resident and local filmmaker. “Its dedication to promoting the Island while inspiring our youth is impressive. It was first with the Catalina Film Society’s monthly screenings this past year, and now with the addition of this Institute.  I hope everyone tries to take advantage of working with the professional filmmakers Ron and his team have coming to the Island throughout the year.”

According to organizers, the Film Institute was made possible by its supporters:

The city of Avalon, Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce, Seaport Village Inn, Steve’s Steakhouse, Catalina Flyer, Hotel Metropole, Cafe Metropole, Entertainment Law Partners, The Cafaro Group, Monster Energy Drink, 1907 Water, CSQ Magazine, The Motion Picture Yacht Club, GreenHouse Studios, PrimeStar Insurance, Uprinting.com, TRUPPA Entertainment, and the Catalina Island Conservancy.

“Thanks to all of our sponsors for making the launch of the Catalina Film Institute this weekend possible,” said Truppa.  

The Film Society will continue screenings on the Island every second Saturday of the month throughout 2013. The Film Festival will return in September of 2013. For more information, visit CatalinaFilm.org or visit the Film Festival at Twitter and Facebook @CatalinaFilm or e-mail mia@catalinaff.org.