About the Digital Storytelling Initiative
With an endowment from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center serves as a sponsor of media arts training, a presenter of new artistic work, and a creative hub for University- and community-based practitioners through its Digital Storytelling Initiative.
The Digital Storytelling Initiative (DSI), a joint project of the Jonathan Logan Media Center and Logan Community Arts, partners with organizations on campus, in the South Side, and throughout Chicago, extending the Media Center’s reach and impact to fill community needs in access and training in digital production. Through workshops, summer camps, workforce development programs, feature presentations and more, DSI sponsors media arts training, showcases digital media work by emerging and established practitioners, and equips communities with the tools, resources and experience to tell their stories across borders and barriers
Production Institute
Presented in partnership with the Community Film Workshop of Chicago, the Production Institute makes high-quality digital production training accessible to emerging media makers from South Side communities. This program addresses the lack of affordable, intensive courses available to South Side filmmakers and media artists. Through a hands-on film production course taught by experienced instructors, the Production Institute offers participants the opportunity to advance digital production skills and build a professional portfolio.
If you can take away one thing from our info sessions, we hope that rather than being daunted, you are energized to advance your filmmaking journey! We hope that you take advantage of our Film Aesthetics classes in April as well as recommended YouTube channels (D4Darius, StudioBinder, DSLR Guide, and more recommended channels) to brush up on basic film, camera, and editing knowledge required of applicants. You may learn more aspects of filming with the application Filmic Pro and editing with Adobe Rush, for example. There's plenty of time to prepare a sample film for your application and learn the basics of filmmaking that if selected for the 2022 Production Institute cohort, you will only continue to build upon.
Production Institute Schedule Program Dates
– March 28: Virtual Informational Session
– March 29: In-Person Informational Session
– April 4–May 15: Application Open
– April 5, 12, 19, 26: Film Aesthetics Courses*
– May 15: Application Deadline
– June 1: Cohort Announced
– June 15–Aug 31: Production Institute Courses in Directing, Cinematography, Sound, and Editing
*Attending all four Film Aesthetics Courses is mandatory for all applicants of the DSI Production Institute. Contact Elizabeth Myles at ejmyles@uchicago.edu for details on how to make up missed classes to complete your application.
When does the program meet?
Film Aesthetics Courses
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Tuesdays, 7-9 PM
Production Institute Courses
June 15-August 31: Wednesdays, 6:30-9 PM, Saturdays 10 AM-2 PM
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
– 19+ years old
– South Side resident
– Not currently enrolled in a school or college program
– Attend all Film Aesthetics classes*
– Intermediate filmmaker
– Must have demonstrated skills in camera operation
– Pass a proficiency test
– Make $100 deposit for program participation
– Have a feasible project proposal ready when applying
All applications must be submitted by Sunday, May 15th.
*If you miss a Film Aesthetics course but are still passionate, dedicated, and interested in applying to the Production Institute, please email ejmyles@uchicago.edu to find out how to complete your application. Missed classes must be made up by May 15, the same day as the 2022 Production Institute deadline.
Film Aesthetics
What are the Film Aesthetics courses? Do I have to attend?
The film aesthetics courses will examine the visual art of film and establish shared language through screenings, lectures, and discussions. These are mandatory for Production Institute applicants.
When does the program meet?
Film Aesthetics Courses
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Tuesdays, 7-9 PM
Only applicants who have attended the four consecutive Film Aesthetics classes are eligible to apply.
If you missed a Film Aesthetics course but are still passionate, dedicated, and interested in applying to the Production Institute, please email ejmyles@uchicago.edu to find out how to complete your application. Missed classes must be made up by May 15, the same day as the 2022 Production Institute deadline.
Application Details
APPLICATION COMING SOON
Application opens April 5, 2022
Deadline: May 15, 2022
Apply soon!
The application is only eligible for individuals who attended the Film Aesthetic courses on April 5, 12, 19, 26
If you missed a Film Aesthetics course but are still passionate, dedicated, and interested in applying to the Production Institute, please email Elizabeth Myles at ejmyles@uchicago.edu to find out how to complete your application.
See Eligibility for a more complete list of requirements.
HideCommunity Film Workshop of ChicagoAbout Community Film Workshop of Chicago
The mission of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago (CFWC) is to provide access to media production that supports the development of independent media artists in underserved and underrepresented communities. CFWC’s programs in film, video, digital media, and design are designed to increase access and equity in media, and to give people of color, youth, and women the tools to create media and to transform their communities.
Margaret Caples
Executive Director, Community Film Workshop of Chicago
Derek Grace
2020-2022 Production Institute Lead Instructor
Keisha Chavers
2020-2022 Production Institute Teaching Assistant
Write Idea!
Write Idea! is an 8-week series of screenwriting workshops focusing on the idea-generative nature of writing scripts for the screen. This cohort-based program serves beginning to intermediate-level writers that are interested in learning and honing their skills alongside fellow South Side storytellers.
All workshops will be free & in person at the Logan Center for the Arts. Participants are required to follow building COVID-19 guidelines. Spots for this program are reserved on a first-come first-serve basis–not everyone that signs up is guaranteed a spot in the program.
Applications are now closed for the Write Idea! Screenwriting Workshops. Thank you for your interest in this program.
Program DatesProgram Dates
– Information Session: Wednesday, February 23, 7-8pm
– Sign-Up: Wed. Feb 23–Wed. March 2, 2022
– Workshop Dates: Wednesdays March 9-April 27, 6-8pmHideEligibilityEligibility
– South Side Resident
– 18+ Years Old
– Not Currently Enrolled in a school/college program
– Beginning/Intermediate Writer (all writing levels will be considered based on spot availability)
– Attend Information Session on Feb 23
– Must be able to attend all 8 workshops IN PERSON, following COVID-19 guidelines: https://arts.uchicago.edu/logan-center/visit/covid-19-updates
Write Idea! is a pilot program in its first year– programmers will use this experience and the feedback from participants to design more digital media programs for South Siders.
DSI Community Media Education Programs
Think It! Make It! Screen It!
Think It! Make It! Screen It!
A five-day film intensive held at the Logan Center, Think It! Make It! Screen It! (TIMISI) is a free program for youth ages 12 to 17 who have some experience with digital filmmaking. The course strengthens students’ knowledge of the basics of videography, lighting, sound recording and editing, with a focus on more advanced techniques to develop their own personal filmmaking style. The course also emphasizes filmmaking as a cooperative medium through collaborative coursework
HideStoryArts
StoryArts Summer Camp
StoryArts is a four-week arts and digital storytelling summer program for South Side middle school students. In partnership with the Logan Media Center and the Digital Storytelling Initiative, students work closely with teaching artists to learn about different elements of digital storytelling such as filmmaking, music production, spoken word poetry, and podcasting. Through hands-on activities and field trips, students explore their personal and community narratives through different artistic media, culminating in a final multimedia presentation.
Hide#MadeAtLogan Docuseries
#MadeAtLogan - Docuseries
The #MadeAtLogan docuseries is a media entrepreneurship apprentice program aimed at providing opportunities for emerging media makers to enhance their production skills. This docuseries was first piloted in 2018 in partnership with Nerdy Media. Six emerging media artists have participated by creating short films documenting Logan Center Community Arts programming. In 2019, with the launch of the Production Institute, the #MadeAtLogan DocuSeries expanded to include professional documentation opportunities for Institute graduates and alumni from other DSI media education programs.
DSI Community Media Partnerships
From adult workforce development to youth media education, all Digital Storytelling Initiative programs are made possible through a wide network of community partners. Facilitating and growing these reciprocal partnerships is core to the mission of the Logan Center. Jonathan Logan Media Center partners include:
- Think It! Make It! Screen It!
- StoryArts
- Nerdy Media
- Community Film Workshop Chicago
- Collected Voices Ethnographic Film Festival
- Mezcla Media Collective
- South Side Projections
- Invisible Institute
- The Oscar Brown Jr. Archive Project
- Kartemquin Films
The Jonathan Logan Media Center provides the necessary infrastructure that allows these efforts to thrive—facilitating programming, filmmaking, podcasting, and other forms of art and digital storytelling that engage diverse audiences. The staff of the JLMC work directly with users through workshops, formal partnerships, and individual mentorship to integrate arts and media technologies into their creative pursuits. In addition, the JLMC provides the specialized space and equipment necessary for a wide range of media production practices.
Alerts Sign-up