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Photo by Lennen Madere
Join Serac Adventure Films on an expedition:
What better way to learn about adventure filmmaking
than to complete an adventure film?
Founder and active filmmaker Michael Brown leads the Serac Adventure Film School courses. Documentaries Michael has directed have won more than forty international film festival and industry awards. He is the recipient of three national Emmy Awards from five nominations and has filmed on all seven continents during fifty expeditions. Michael has been to the top of Mount Everest four times. While he has always loved telling stories (he grew up in family of adventure filmmakers), he has a passion for science and has used this skill in productions for all of the major networks.
Michael has also collaborated with MacGillivray Freeman on IMAX films as a co-director and director of photography. In addition to making films, Michael is a public speaker, adventure guide, teacher and writer.
Instructor Ryan Ross has worked with Serac Adventure Films and MacGillivray Freeman IMAX film crews on five continents. He has been a producer with Serac Adventure Films for over three years and coordinates the company's Adventure Film School.
Join us at the next Serac Adventure Film School and complete your own adventure film. What will your story tell?
"At the end of the school, every student emerges with a solid short film and the tools necessary to take their filmmaking to whichever horizon they seek. That's untouchable." --- Karen Malmqvist
Serac Adventure Films will guide you through the stages of successful filmmaking:
Pre-Production: Learn how to create a compelling story while planning for your
film making expedition.
Production: Experience the thrill of adventure while directing your own film on a unique adventure. Students travel to exotic locations worldwide.
Post-Production: Edit your film with Final Cut Pro and create a final DVD. Past student films from the Serac Adventure Film School have been selected for film festivals, won awards, and aired on national television.
"I had high hopes for the Serac Adventure Films school... and they were vastly exceeded. It is an excellent blend of hands-on instruction, outdoor shooting, editing and basic film making concepts. I learned more in three days than I ever could have learned on my own, and had a great time doing it." --- Andrew Mclean
Use of new editing computer equipped with Apple Final Cut Pro software
All editing and post-production instruction
Student film festival celebration
International expeditions cost an average of $7,000 and generally entail two weeks in the field and one week of editing in Boulder, Colorado. Tuition includes:
Use of new editing computer equipped with Apple Final Cut Pro software
All editing and post-production instruction
Student film festival celebration.
Q. What sort of shape should I be in for an expedition?
Each expedition is different, but you will get the most enjoyment and education out of the Adventure Film School if you are reasonably fit and have a willingness to spend extended periods in the outdoors.
Q. How should I train for my expedition?
Each expedition member will create a different training plan, but a good start is a training plan based on hiking, biking, and climbing throughout the week. Increase the duration of your workouts as you progress.
For more information of help with a training plan, please contact us.
Q. What happens if different people on an expedition have different ability levels?
The team is only as strong as its weakest member! There will be multiple guides on the expedition, and depending on varying ability levels, the guides may split into different groups to accomodate everyones fitness level.
Q. What is the student to instructor ratio?
We strive for a ratio of one instructor for every four students. This allows for one-to-one training at many times during the course and ensures that all students receive excellent mentoring throughout each stage of the film making process.
Q. What are students responsible for?
For week-long domestic courses:
Travel to and from the school's location
Discounted hotel rooms (while not out in the field)
Personal outdoor gear (when applicable)
Video camera and accessories
External hard drive (for media storage)
All meals (except for orientation dinner)
For international expeditions:
Travel to and from the school's location
Personal outdoor gear
Video camera and accessories
External hard drive (for media storage)
Discounted hotel rooms for Boulder editing session
All meals during Boulder editing session (except for orientation dinner)
Q. Should I bring my own camera?
Yes. The camera should have a FireWire output and be compatible with Apple editing systems. Contact us for more info on specifications.
Q. Are scholarships available?
Unfortunately, scholarships are not available at this time, but we are currently pursuing opportunities with different sponsors that may create scholarships in the near future. We do offer discounted adventures to friends and family members who come along as subjects for students' films. We also offer tuition discounts for returning students.
Q. Do I need a visa to participate in courses abroad?
The need for visas depends on the course and we will notify you if visas are necessary. You will need a current passport for all international courses.
Q. Who owns the footage I shoot?
Students share the rights to the footage with the Serac Adventure Film School. This agreement legally allows us to promote the Adventure Film School while furthering student opportunities by posting the footage and films across the internet, submitting to film festivals, and airing them on television.
Q. Can I get college credit for these courses?
We are currently looking for universities to offer credit for this course in partnership with the Adventure Film School. However, our Adventure Film School prides itself on hands-on learning and the training you receive is immediately applicable. The primary goal of each course is for its' students to walk away from the school with the confidence and skills to continue making their own films well into the future.
Q. What is your refund policy if I cannot attend after signing up?
If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the costs we have incurred to reserve your place in the school. In the event of severe weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal, family or medical reasons we will refund the unspent portion of tuition at our discretion. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.
Q. What outdoor equipment will I need for the schools?
We provide a comprehensive list of suggested items when you sign up for a film school. We will assist students in finding the gear they need.
Our most gear intensive course is the Colorado Backcountry Film School. For this course we have a special partnership with Bent Gate Mountaineering, who gives us student discounts on rental equipment including avalanche beacons, shovels, probes, skis, boots, poles and more.
Q. Do I have to carry my own gear?
On trips requiring gear transportation, each student is responsible for carrying daypacks with necessary camera equipment, extra clothing, snacks, and water. The rest of the gear will be carried by porters, sherpas, pack animal, or other means.
Q. How large will the expedition team be?
In order to keep the class size small, expedition teams consist of no more than 12 students.
Q. Who attends the Serac Adventure Film School?
All ages, demographics, and nationalities with an interest in filming and the outdoors attend the Serac Adventure Film School. Q. If I am traveling solo, will I have a private room or will I have roommates?
We like to room solo travelers together to promote comradery, but if you desire a private room we will make arrangements.
Q. How far in advance do I have to reserve my spot in the Adventure Film School?
The sooner the better. We recommend reserving at least 2 months in advance. There is limited availability since expeditions are limited to 12 students.
Q. Can I make my own travel arrangements?
You may determine your own flight arrangements and itinerary if you wish, otherwise we recommend Sally Berg Adventures (Sally Berg, 303 880 8072) or The Travel Society (Dana Welch, 303 563 6225).
