Where Would You Like to Go?!
Film-Making Workshop in Iceland
Featuring Academy Award Nominee: Martin Bell
July 22 - August 3, 2012
Mary Ellen Mark and her husband, Martin Bell will conduct a Photography & Film Making Workshop in association with Icelandic artists Einar “Effi” Falur Ingolfsson and his wife Ingibjorg “Inga” Johannsdottir. Mary Ellen and Effi will teach the photography workshop together. Martin will teach the film-making workshop. Inga will supervise the logistics of both classes including the operation of the darkroom and editing facilities and the guest lecturers at the Reykjavik School of Visual Arts.
In advance of the workshop we will supply a long list of possible story ideas for consideration by both photography and film students. Some examples: music festivals, fisherman on a ocean going boat, a summer camp for disabled children, gay parade, swimming pools in Reykjavik, workers in a geothermal plant a fish factory and a magnesium factory, Blue Lagoon volcanic spa, Icelandic horses, and spectacular landscape locations that are among the most beautiful in the world. Some of the music events require travel for a few days, those of you who choose that will have to let us know in advance so we can make those plans.
The two classes will meet together for the first day’s group critique and the final critique on the last day—as well as the evening sessions. The exchange of ideas between the film and photography students will be very productive.
Icelanders speak English and Danish widely, so there is no need for translators.
On working in Iceland
In the summer of 2005, I was asked to produce five photographic portfolios for the Morgunbladid Newspaper. One of the projects I requested to photograph was a school for disabled children in Reykjavik. The newspaper arranged for me to spend a day at Öskjuhlíðarskóli. It was an unforgettable day. I immediately fell in love with the children as I followed them through their daily activities, which included a swimming class. It was in that swimming class that I met one young boy that especially won my heart. This boy walked with the aid of a walker with unimaginable effort and was fearless in the water. He used precious few words but had a strong presence. I took many photographs of him swimming. On the bus ride back to school, he sat in front of me and kept leaning around his seat to make sure I was still there. His name: Alexander. – Extract from - Extraordinary child by Mary Ellen Mark-
…During the seven weeks that we spent in Iceland (over three separate trips), my husband Martin Bell, made a film, “Alexander”, focusing on Alexander and his relationship with his parents (Steinunn & Palli), grandparents (Edda & Siggi), friends, teachers, and even his dog; Rocky. Martin’s film also visits Öskjuhlíðarskóli, Safamýrarskóli, and Lyngás. The film shows how the teachers and caretakers make a strong connection with the higher functioning disabled children as well as with children who on the surface seem unreachable. - Extract from: Extraordinary child by Mary Ellen Mark-
Led by filmmaker Martin Bell, this film-making workshop is geared towards people who are transitioning into the world of video film-making. It is not a technical class, but will focus more on the construction of a narrative film story. The workshop starts on Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 with a group dinner at a local restaurant where we will join the photography workshop students and instructors. On July 23 both workshops will meet for a group critique.
The film students can present up to 10 minutes of work to be critiqued. You will discuss what you might be interested in shooting during the class. Students will receive a list of possible subjects in advance so they can give it some thought and start working right away. In some cases, the subjects will require additional travel, so advance arrangements need to be made. During the workshop each student will produce a 1-10 minute film. Students will start shooting on Tuesday, July 24. Each person will schedule a 20-minute appointment to meet with Martin every day so he can review the progress and give shooting and editing advice. (Students traveling outside of Reykjavik to shoot will meet with Martin upon their return.)
The one-on-one meetings with Martin will be scheduled for a regular time, but the shooting and editing schedule will be up to each student. Students should bring their own video camera and a laptop with their own editing software. The Reykjavik School of Visual Arts will have Macintosh workstations with Final Cut Pro available. (This workshop will not include editing software instruction, but there will be someone at the school to address small issues and problems). Each evening, both the photography and film students will come together for a group class. Mary Ellen, Effi, Martin, and Inga will show you their work. Other Icelandic photographers and filmmakers will come as guest speakers to show their work.
On the last day of the workshop both classes will have a group critique where the films and edited photographs will be presented. That evening, everyone’s work will be presented in a local gallery. This workshop will provide a framework to all film students to have a better understanding of shooting and editing a film while offering a wonderful opportunity to experience Iceland.
1. On the first evening the class meets at a local restaurant to have your first dinner together.
2. On Monday, July 23rd, there is a general session to discuss the possible assignments you will be shooting. One on one discussions will take place throughout the day at the REYKJAVIK MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHY.
3. Upon reviewing all assignments and talking about your interests you will be given an individual assignment or theme to shoot and edit over the course of the workshop. Einar and Inga live in Reykjavick and have many ideas and contacts in the area to make the most out of your workshop
4. Students will shoot and edit every day for eleven days. Review, edit and critique sessions will require that you bring a computer.
5. Each student is given a specific time to meet individually with Martin according to whether you have enough material for the review session or not. These meetings are held at the Reykjavik School of Visual Art.
6. Every evening, the class comes together at the school to discuss your progress, and to see the work of local artists and filmmakers.
7. The film showcase will take place on Friday, August 3rd. This is the first time you’ll see each other's work from Iceland. It will be fascinating and exciting to see the film each student produced during the workshop.
8. We have our final dinner Friday night and everyone leaves on Saturday, August 4th having learned more about how to shoot and edit a film.
Martin Bell: started out as a freelance cinematographer for documentaries and drama on English television before coming to the U.S. 20 years ago. Martin is at ease in both documentary and narrative storytelling. He has directed such documentaries as Academy Award nominated "Streetwise", which followed the lives of runaway kids on the streets of Seattle and “Circus of Dreams” set in the Indian Circus for National Geographic Television. He has directed narrative features films including "American Heart" starring Jeff Bridges and "Hidden in America", featuring both Beau and Jeff Bridges.
July 22-August 3, 2012
Featuring:
Iceland is a country of beauty and contrasts. Known for its dramatic landscapes and natural marvels, it has been an inspiration for artists for centuries. We have specifically chosen these 13 days for the workshops because it is a time of great activity in Iceland. There are several music festivals and a huge gay parade the following Saturday. There are also many themes and events to be photographed in and around Reykjavik.
Mary Ellen Mark and her husband, Martin Bell will conduct a Photography & Film Making Workshop in association with Icelandic artists Einar “Effi” Falur Ingolfsson and his wife Ingibjorg “Inga” Johannsdottir. Mary Ellen and Effi will teach the photography workshop together. Martin will teach the filmmaking workshop. Inga will supervise the logistics of both classes including the operation of the darkroom and editing facilities and the guest lecturers at the Reykjavik School of Visual Arts.
In advance of the workshop we will supply a long list of possible story ideas for consideration by both photography and film students. Some examples include: music festivals, fisherman on a ocean going boat, a summer camp for disabled children, gay parade, swimming pools in Reykjavik, workers in a geothermal plant a fish factory and a magnesium factory, Blue Lagoon volcanic spa, Icelandic horses, and spectacular landscape locations that are among the most beautiful in the world. Some of the music events require travel for a few days, those of you who choose that will have to let us know in advance so we can make those plans.
The two classes will meet together for the first day’s group critique and the final critique on the last day—as well as the evening sessions. The exchange of ideas between the film and photography students will be very productive. Icelanders speak English and Danish widely, so there is no need for translators.
Mary Ellen Mark on working in Iceland:
In the summer of 2005, I was asked to produce five photographic portfolios for the Morgunbladid Newspaper. One of the projects I requested to photograph was a school for disabled children in Reykjavik. The newspaper arranged for me to spend a day at Öskjuhlíðarskóli. It was an unforgettable day. I immediately fell in love with the children as I followed them through their daily activities, which included a swimming class. It was in that swimming class that I met one young boy that especially won my heart. This boy walked with the aid of a walker with unimaginable effort and was fearless in the water. He used precious few words but had a strong presence. I took many photographs of him swimming. On the bus ride back to school, he sat in front of me and kept leaning around his seat to make sure I was still there. His name: Alexander. – Extract from - Extraordinary child by Mary Ellen Mark-
….During the seven weeks that we spent in Iceland (over three separate trips), my husband Martin Bell, made a film, “Alexander”, focusing on Alexander and his relationship with his parents (Steinunn & Palli), grandparents (Edda & Siggi), friends, teachers, and even his dog; Rocky. Martin’s film also visits Öskjuhlíðarskóli, Safamýrarskóli, and Lyngás. The film shows how the teachers and caretakers make a strong connection with the higher functioning disabled children as well as with children who on the surface seem unreachable. - Extract from: Extraordinary child by Mary Ellen Mark-
The workshop starts on Sunday, July 22, 2012 with a group dinner at a local restaurant. On Monday, July 23rd, all portfolios will be reviewed in a group setting including Mary Ellen, Effi, Martin, and Inga. Each person will spend about 10 minutes presenting their portfolio and talk about what you have decided to shoot during the trip and how you might use this experience to become a better photographer. At the end of the critique, each student will be assigned a specific time to meet with Mary Ellen and Effi each morning. Students will start shooting on Tuesday, July 24th. Every day, until August 2nd, students will go out on their own totake pictures based on the assignments chosen between you and your instructors.
Each student will meet with Mary Ellen and Effi every day for their individual edit and critique session of what you shot the day before. The rest of the day will be spent shooting, putting into practice the guidance Mary Ellen and Effi have give you. (You are required to shoot every day.) There will be a deadline each evening for everyone to turn in their film or digital files to have contacts made overnight. Students can shoot either film or digital. Each student is responsible for bringing their own camera and equipment—including a laptop for digital shooters. In the evenings, both the film and photography classes come together as a group for discussions. Mary Ellen, Effi, Martin, and Inga will show you some of their work. Other Icelandic photographers and filmmakers will come as guest speakers to show their work also.
On the last day of the workshop there’ll be a final group critique of all students (including the film students.) Each student will show the edited work they’ve made over the course of the class (the rule is that students must not show each other their work during the class.) A selection will be made of the three or four best images from each student. These images will be displayed that evening in a local gallery along with the film students’ projects. The photographs and films will also be compiled in a book that can be purchased after the class. This workshop will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to become a better photographer, as well as experiencing Iceland a most personal way.
1. On the first evening the class meets at a local restaurant and have your first dinner together.
2. Each student must bring his or her portfolio. On Monday, July 23rd, there is a general critique of each student’s work. It will be held at the REYKJAVIK MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHY.
3. At the end of all the critiques instructors can help you decide on an individual project to shoot over the course of the workshop.
4. Students will shoot every day for ten (10) days. At the end of each day, your film is processed, by a local lab (Fuji Film Lab) that processes C-41 (Color Only), or in The Reykjavik School of Visual Art darkroom for Tri-X. Students can shoot 35mm or 120mm film – and if you shoot digitally, you’ll have contact sheets printed by the C-41 lab. **There will be a limit on the number of images each student can shoot each day depending on the size of the class.
5. Each student is given a specific time to meet individually with Mary Ellen and Effi every morning. The work you have done the previous day is edited and images are selected to have work prints made. These meetings are held at the Reykjavik School of Visual Art.
6. Every evening, the class comes together at the school to discuss you’re progress so far, and to see the work of local artists. (During the workshop, you will not be allowed to show your work to the other students.)
7. The final critique will be held on Thursday, August 2nd. This is the first time you’ll see each other's work. It’s a fascinating and exciting way to see the images each student has produced. Even the less experienced students will make progress in the quality of their photography.
8. We put together a book of the best images from the workshop (3 or 4 from each student.) You’ll then have the option of buying a copy of the book, which is distributed during the closing evening.
Einar “Effi” Falur Ingolfsson: was born in 1966 and completed an MFA in Photography at the School of Visual Arts, New York in 1995. He spent 15 years as the Director of Photography of Morgunbladid, Iceland’s leading newspaper. His photographs have appeared in books, newspapers, and periodicals both in Iceland and abroad.
Ingólfsson's work includes photographs of authors, taken for various publishing houses, and photographic narratives compiled in a host of countries, including India, China, Bolivia, Peru, Australia, the United States, Canada, and the Faeroe Islands.
Ingibjorg “Inga” Johannsdottir is the director of The Reykjavik School of Visual Arts, the only specialized visual art school in Reykjavik apart from the Icelandic Academy of the Arts. There are around 100 full time students enrolled in the school each year and 800 part-time students. Ingibjörg studied printmaking in the Icelandic Academy of the Arts, graduating in 1992, and holds an MFA-degree in visual arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where she graduated in 1994. She has held private exhibitions and participated in group-shows, in Iceland and abroad, and has worked as print maker for various artists, in New York and in Iceland.
February 19-29, 2012 (Few Spots Left)
June 10-20, 2012
Mary Ellen Mark’s workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico is a 10-day intensive workshop for photographers of various levels. It’s a very successful and productive class that Mary Ellen has taught for more than 17 years. Many students have taken the class multiple times—and some have come back more than ten times!
National Geographic Photographer Tino Soriano Reveals Tips & Tricks to Undeniably Better Pictures!
Our Partners
Become a Fan!
Featured Guest Xperience!
“I thoroughly enjoyed my week in Mexico. Since I considered myself a beginner photographer in the scheme of things, it meant I only had a lot to learn, and that I did. As I figured it, it was sink or swim. When I returned home and started sifting through the 100’s of photos from the whirlwind week, I noticed the subtle but distinct improvements in my photographic skills as the week progressed. Thanks so much for showing me that the deeper waters aren’t so scary or difficult after all”
-Susan Van Manen