Ashton Avila

  • ABOUT
  • DIRECTING
  • WRITING
  • CASTING
  • TEACHING
  • PRESS
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • DIRECTING
  • WRITING
  • CASTING
  • TEACHING
  • PRESS
  • CONTACT

TEAcHING


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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH - ASIA CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT: FILM & MEDIA ARTS
COURSES
FILM 1110 - Introduction to Film & Media
Basic course in film and media arts aesthetics. Introduction to elements of ​film and media arts to increase appreciation, perception, and understanding.

FILM 1500 - Making Movies
An introduction to basic principles and techniques in digital motion picture storytelling. Students will create short works in a variety of modes, including live-action, animation, fiction, and non-fiction. 
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FILM 3820 - Short Screenplay
​This course provides instruction on standard screenplay formatting, story structure, character development and pitching. 


FILM 2240 - Diversity in Film
​Through screenings, lectures and class discussions, students will explore diversity, responsible storytelling and representation in film and television. The course will focus on topics including but not limited to: ​feminism, gender, sexuality, race and economic class systems. 

FILM 2902 - Busan International Film Festival
Students attend the Busan International Film Festival in Busan, South Korea where they attend screenings, networking events and broaden their exposure to international works and industries. 


FILM 3945 - Indie Filmmaking
In this course, students will collaborate on films with proper professional training in set protocol and utilize limited resources to produce films that look high quality while remaining within a limited budget. 
EVENTS
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UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
HARRINGTON SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
​DEPARTMENT: FILM/MEDIA
COURSES
Summer Internship Program
​Students and recent alumni from the University of Rhode Island team up with Los Angeles and New York Industry Professionals for mentorship through a production and networking opportunities after.

Talent Development Program
Talent Development recruits and serves high school graduates from Rhode Island with college potential, most of whom come from under-performing schools.

FLM 101 - Introduction to Film Media 
Introduction to techniques of film practice, film history, genres, analysis of film texts, and reading of film images in their aesthetic, cultural, and literary context.

FLM 110 - Introduction to Film Media Production Technologies
Introduction to single-camera field production styles and aesthetics with emphasis on camera operation, lighting and editing by means of fundamental critical studies, field projects, studio supervision and experience. Students learn screenwriting, editing, how to use the camera, lights and sound equipment.

FLM 206 - History of Film III: The 21st Century
A survey of world cinema in the 21st century, examining the production, distribution and exhibition of narrative, documentary and experimental among other forms of film. Discussion about how audiences have evolved since the early 2000s and how content has adjusted over time.

FLM 220 - Film Production Topics: Producing
This course will focus on the role of a producer both creatively and logistically. Students will learn to develop a project from idea/script, collaborating with key creatives in production, scheduling, budgeting and taking a project from its conception to delivery of the final product.  Throughout the course, the class will discuss narrative content in addition to unscripted, reality, commercial and digital content. Assignments will include interviewing industry professionals to better understand the role of a producer as well as assignments that focus on the actual producing, developing, scheduling, budgeting and marketing of productions.

FLM 220 - Film Production Topics: TV Development and Producing
This course will examine the process of creating a television series from the conception of the idea to production. Students will learn how to pitch for TV, create pitch decks, and learn what it's like in the writers room from guest speakers. Students will learn about pilot season, show runners and staff writing, specifically connected to narrative and reality based productions in Los Angeles. Students will interact virtually with producers currently working on networking and streaming shows. Through these virtual meetings, students will receive access to an LA network of professionals while developing and writings scripts for a show of their own. 
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FLM 351 - Film Production Topics: Directing
In this course students learn leadership skills required to direct, how to work with different departments within production, script analysis, script development, screenwriting, scheduling, set protocol and experience working with professional actors.

FLM 351 - Film Production Topics: Directors Workshop
This course will provide an opportunity for students to shape their voices and express their creativity specifically in the role of directing for film. Through assignments that include working with actors, interviewing industry professionals, and articulating their visual style, students will learn leadership skills as well as the art of directing.
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​https://rhodycigar.com/2019/09/19/students-partner-with-alumna-work-on-film-set-with-mentors-from-la/?fbclid=IwAR3vWwruNfg2YdLyhPx5nBr-anUtzyUfIlledKS-7K0Fs1BrAU5--Rs7v1c

Spring 2019 - FLM 110 (Screening Intro) from Ashton Avila on Vimeo.

Summer 2019 - FLM 110 (Screening Intro) from Ashton Avila on Vimeo.


​EVENTS
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NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY 
LOS ANGELES CAMPUS
​​DEPARTMENT: SCREENWRITING
COURSES
8 Week Certification Program: Elements of Screenwriting
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Through lectures, in-class exercises, outside readings, classroom discussions, and film viewings, this course introduces students to the craft of screenwriting. Screenplay formatting will be a major focus, and students will learn how to write scene description, to describe characters and locations, and to develop action sequences. Topics will also include: classic screenplay structure, the elements of the scene, developing the character, character arcs, antagonists, dialogue, writing the visual image, introduction to final draft, theme, conflict, flashbacks, fantasy sequences and dream sequences, voiceover, text and subtext, developing a writing style, tone and genre, visualization, revealing exposition, creating a compelling second act, climaxes and resolutions, and scene beats.

Rewriting Workshop
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The art of writing is really the art of rewriting.  A successful writer must know how to take notes on their story and their writing, and find something useful in every note.  In this class, students will revisit one of their feature scripts written in previous workshops, and take the feedback they have received up until now, plus new feedback from this class, and build a revision blueprint – a plan to address the notes and improve the story and how it is told.  Lectures will develop key concepts in rewriting and exercises will teach vital skills in revision.  Finally, students will rewrite the script in a way that addresses the feedback yet still serves the writer’s vision and voice.​

Storytelling with Purpose
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The role of the writer is to share stories with the world. But what stories should the writer choose? This class is about helping to find your voice by introducing key concepts of personal style, voice, and theme.  What type of story do you want to tell? Why are you the best person to write it? These are questions that this class will explore.  With these lessons in mind, students will write a screenplay for a short film they will direct and produce next semester.

Teens and Kids Summer Camp
A lecture and screening-based class where students learn the basics of writing for film and television. The class will focus on lectures and discussion of films that are watched between classes, as well as scenes that are screened in class. Practice scenes will also be written and workshopped.



COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND   DEPARTMENT: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
COURSES
COMM 1010 - Communication Fundamentals
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This course examines fundamental concepts related to communicating across a variety of contexts and cultures while emphasizing practical application to everyday life. Through multiple methods (readings, lectures, discussions, activities, research, written and speaking assignments), this course presents predominant theories of and guided experiences with interpersonal, group, and public communication. Focus is on analyzing audiences, identifying/evaluating communication styles, researching effectively, and presenting sound arguments. The real-world skills that students develop help them maintain healthy relationships, increase understanding of others, and voice ideas and concerns in public forums.


SANDBOX.LA
COURSES
3 Day Director's Intensive
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This intensive provides an opportunity for directors to learn how to break down scenes and work with actors through educational lectures, assignments and exercises working with professional actors. 







​SCHOOL CONTACT
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University of Rhode Island -
​[email protected] 
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University of Utah - [email protected]
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