Noted documentary filmmaker Ken Burns returned to Chicago this weekend to screen his new baseball film, “The Tenth Inning.” Tribeca Flashpoint CEO Howard Tullman and Academic Dean Paula Froehle caught up with him at the screening.

This week at Tribeca Flashpoint, we’re proud to host an advance screening of the new film Sin Bin with director Billy Federighi.

A team of eight Tribeca Flashpoint students and recent graduates recently completed work on this coming-of-age comedy, filmed here in Chicago starring Michael Seater, Emily Meade and Bo Burnham.

Film synopsis from screen writer/producer Chris Storer:

Sin Bin is a high school take on The Apartment and the constant quest to find our own personal space. The film explains what happens when Brian, a high school senior, loans out his van, lovingly-referred to as “the Sin Bin,” to his friends as a spot to bring dates and serve as a portable apartment. While the film is a teen comedy, it quickly turns into a story of friendship, family, and Chicagoland… a comedy about the first time and how we get there.

The film is ode to John Hughes, a nod to the struggling teenagers striving for a place to call their own. Using the sights and sounds of Chicago, the trials and tribulations we all face growing up will be lovingly recreated.

On Tuesday, the screening will begin around 5pm, followed by a brief survey for all the guests followed by a Q&A with the director.  Guest feedback will be considered when the director makes the final cut of the film.

This week, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival announced its winners, and two Flashpoint Academy Productions took home two honors: Best Cinematography went to Pete Biagi for The Collector, and Best Visual Effects or Animation went to el relojero: The Clockmaker’s Revelation.

Want to see what all the buzz is about? Watch the winning films below!

After Fox News Reporter Lilia Chacon’s recent visit to Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, first year Game & Interactive Media student Michael McDowell shares his reflections on her story.

Lilia Chacon was a speaker for Tribeca Flashpoint’s Jumpstart series, which brings industry professionals to campus to share their experience and expertise with students.

Fox News reporter Lilia Chacon recently visited Flashpoint and delivered an eye-opening speech titled, “Don’t wear high heels to a gang war.” While the title is interesting by itself, the inspiration behind the story was just as fascinating.

Ms. Chacon recalled a moment in her career when she was covering a story on a gang shooting in a Chicago neighborhood. While broadcasting from the crime scene with a heavy police presence, the suspects came back and opened fire on the crime scene area. Consequently, a shootout between the police and the suspects ensued.

The cameraman continued to roll despite the haze of bullets flying through the air, while Ms. Chacon unrelentingly delivered the report as they followed close behind the policemen. After a few exchanges, the suspects fled to a nearby alley.

The police pursued with Ms. Chacon and her cameraman close behind. They got to the end of the alley that was shaped in a form of a T. Suddenly, a car swerved in on one side as four men hopped out and a police car swerved in on the opposite end with three officers in it. Lilia Chacon and her faithful cameraman were stuck in the middle of another gunfight!!!

While I enjoyed the story, the real treat of Ms. Chacon coming to Flashpoint was the personal testimony of her passion for delivering the facts to everyday people like you and me. Her message seemed to transcend the field of Film & Broadcast. Being a first year Game Development student I felt just as stimulated as any Film & Broadcast student there.

As she continued with her speech, she revealed the sacrifice that her career demands. She spoke on her lack of a social life and how she often has to disappoint close friends and family all in the call of duty. While I listened to her talk about her life, I was inspired by her story because I feel we take for granted the passion, hard work, resourcefulness and dedication it takes to make it in the so-called glamorous career of news reporting. We rarely get to see the grind that it takes to succeed in a career as demanding as journalism.

During her speech I also realized how important the work is that Ms. Chacon and other reporters like her do. Hearing what goes on behind the camera allowed me to have a better respect for her and her craft. During my commute home, I briefly reflected on how informed and well versed I am on current events, and acknowledged it’s all a result of the hard work that Lilia Chacon and her colleagues put into reporting. Their constant digging, pursuing and following up reaps the reward of a more informed population and satisfies the passion of these news professionals.

I am not sure if reporters hear this as often as they should, but thank you. Society deserves to be informed and to know the truth, regardless of how ugly it is.

By the way, the shootout story ended with her winning an Emmy (1 of her 6). I hope she continues the great work that she does and keeps telling the story, whatever it may be.

- Michael McDowell

On Friday, April 16, 2010, journalist Lilia Chacon spoke to students as a part of Tribeca Flashpoint’s Jumpstart Speaker Series. Film & Broadcast student Thomas Merry shares his reflections.

I recently attended a Jumpstart presentation by Lilia Chacon. Lilia, an accomplished reporter for Fox News Chicago, shared her path to success with me and my fellow Tribeca Flashpoint students.

She told several stories of her experience as a journalist, including how she wore high heels to a gang fight. But one story that specifically stuck with me was when she was still in school, one of her teachers mentioned that she had a misplaced sense of perfectionism.

I took that personally because in a way I have always been a bit of a perfectionist. I don’t want to make any mistakes and sometimes I become over critical of myself. Especially in writing a story or even directing in my studio production class, there is always something I wish I did better and tend to dwell on it too much.

For example, when I am writing a story, I think it is the best story ever; it feels perfect. When I sit down and read the finished product, all of a sudden it is a crappy story. I tend to nitpick. I start wishing I took another angle, or didn’t put a certain element into the story.

Or, when I recently directed in studio production class, I felt like I did a great job when I was done. However, when I watched it, I started picking out shots I didn’t like and lost confidence in myself because of this need to be perfect.

So during the Q&A session after the presentation, I asked Lilia how she kept from being over critical of herself. Lilia responded that you just move on to the next project, not worry about the past, and just keep moving. This hit home with me. You’re going to make mistakes and the best way to get by is to learn from them and move on.

I was surprised at how interested I was, and thought this was the best Jumpstart I have attended in my brief time here at Tribeca Flashpoint.

“Their portfolios blew me away. But really, it was their professionalism that was most impressive.” – Employer Quote from Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy’s inaugural job fair, Saturday, May 1, 2010.

With their resumes, portfolios and reels perfected, upcoming May 2010 graduates in Film & Broadcast, Recording Arts, Game & Interactive Media, and Animation & Visual Effects had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the heavy hitters of Digital Media Production.

As excited as our students were to meet with representatives from industry professionals nationwide, the recruiters themselves — representing companies such as Pilgrim Films, Disney Television Animation, Jellyvision, TLC (The Learning Channel), WB Games Chicago, and many more — were every bit as excited to meet the Tribeca Flashpoint Class of 2010.

A few quotes from employers:

“We came back to find another [2009 Flashpoint Graduate]. He was so great, we’re sure to find another here!”

“Why would I pay an agency $80K to do a spec spot, when I can give to the scholarship fund and work with a better group of talented individuals like your students.”

“I’m so glad to hear about Core Studies being such a focus at your institution. I was just interviewing a Harvard grad with a 4.0 – who couldn’t even look at me when he spoke!”

Congratulations to everyone who made the first Tribeca Flashpoint Job Fair a tremendous success, and an enthusiastic “well done” to our truly amazing soon-to-be graduates!

On Sunday, April 25th, 2o1o, Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy welcomed actor and Evanston, IL native Jeremy Piven for a PSA shoot to benefit Malaria No More.

This week, Flashpoint’s Women in Media joined Broadcast Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist for a behind the scenes look at CBS studios in Chicago. After their visit, second year Recording Arts student Elena Rubin shared her reactions.

Our tour of CBS studios with Mary Kay Kleist was an absolute blast!

Mary Kay was gracious enough to give us a comprehensive tour of the CBS floors where we had the chance to meet with anchors, producers, directors, editors and many more. Everyone was so warm and inviting and seemed genuinely interested in our career prospects and offered up meaningful words of wisdom that they have gained throughout the years in the industry.

Mary Kay finished up our tour by bringing us down to the main studio where we had the opportunity to see her and the rest of the anchor crew in action. We were all taken aback at how everyone handled their jobs with such ease .

This tour was incredibly inspiring and educational. Students from all media background (broadcast, film, recording arts, visual FX) will learn a ton from this terrific touring opportunity!

Flashpoint Academy Film and VFX students combined efforts to create a short video for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Stair Climbs. This video will be played over 6 million times in prominent skyscrapers citywide.

About Fight For Air Climbs:

Fight for Air Climbs are unique fundraising events for the American Lung Association. They usually happen in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve climbing multiple steps. Sometimes called a “vertical road race”, teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, with you challenging yourself or you racing against other people, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends. American Lung Association Climbs are also a wonderful way to support someone who has lung disease or as a memorial to someone who has passed away.

Watch the video here:

Flashpoint Academy Film and VFX Departments Combine to Create Video for American Lung Association (from Howard Tullman on Vimeo).