Learning the Hollywood way

Education is an investment. That’s why some people even travel far and wide just to be at par in their field, especially in the field of filmmaking. Kacy Andrews, CEO of Bigfoot Entertainment, says there’s no need to travel miles and endure long flights to learn the art of movie making the Hollywood way since International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT) is just less than an hour away by plane from Manila. It is located in Mactan, Cebu near the picturesque coastal area of the Queen of the South. Aspiring filmmakers and movie workers will learn the ropes of the business from the masters.

“They are well-equipped with the practical knowledge and state-of-the-art facility,” boasts Andrews of how IAFT students and graduates are ahead of their contemporaries.

That’s true. The academy is part of the19,617-square meter Bigfoot Entertainment which produces independent feature films and TV programs and provides educational and corporate services. Attached to the school are Bigfoot studios where students can do pre-production, production and post-production work with multimedia production services.

Students can enjoy the 75-seat Dolby Mix Theater, an automated dialogue replacement suite, foley and editing suites. The campus has spacious classrooms, a computer laboratory and a library. There are also dance and acting studios.

Cebu is also a perfect background and good source of subjects (like its people and places) for students’ film work and production. The place inspires students’ creativity to see and show what they can do as movers and shakers of the local film industry.

IAFT is also a melting pot of different cultures because about half of its student population is composed of foreigners. They hail from countries like Australia, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Local students and their foreign counterparts can talk about film trends and issues with a global perspective.

Since the academy is part of Bigfoot Entertainment, students have the chance to work on and behind the camera for the company’s feature films (Irreversi, Deep Cold, The Dogwalker, The Curiosity of Chance, 3 Needles, Midnight Movie) and documentaries (USS Cooper: Return to Ormoc Bay). They can also join company-produced TV reality shows like last year’s Hollywood Boot Camp. The reality show was aired on Q-11 and flew Pinoy young filmmakers to L.A. to be part of Midnight Movie which will be released in the market this year. Minco Fabregas snagged the two-year contract prize from Bigfoot.

Another TV show to look forward to is Screen Test. The reality and game show gathers 15 actors vying for a starring role in a motion picture. Bigfoot also grants the winner a one-year acting contract.

IAFT offers diploma and certificate programs in filmmaking. The four nine-week diploma program covers a comprehensive study in filmmaking and offers internship opportunities at Bigfoot and Fashion TV. The two nine-week certificate program, on the other hand, provides basic filmmaking skills like directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound production and editing.

The academy also has short-term workshops in 3-D animation, guerilla filmmaking, music video production, acting, digital photography, non-linear editing and musical theater.

IAFT will also launch diploma and certificate programs in the performing arts. Both programs cover theater history, voice, acting and movement. The diploma in the performing arts introduces students to new ideas like scene study, musical theater, script analysis and acting for TV and  film to explore.