What does Michelle Kittrell have that you don't? Among other things, a Gypsy Robe Award, experience as a dance captain and a killer web portfolio. We can't help with the first two, but, we're here to talk about the third.
More and more dancers are building web portfolios to showcase their many talents in the full glory of a multimedia experience. Web portfolios allow dancers to show not just a resume and a headshot, but, clips of performances, photo series from previous shows and even links to blogs and dance companies.
Why might you want to consider a web portfolio? Well, while nothing will take the place of a live audition, performance clips offer a quick glimpse at your talents in motion. And, you're still going to need a resume, but, consider the benefits of an interactive resume that provides a director with links to the companies you've worked with. Lastly, no one likes that one audition where the dancer shows up with a handful of headshots; with a web portfolio, you can include a whole gallery of them without looking like an over-achiever.
But, alas, perhaps your work on the dancefloor hasn't included any experience in web programming? Don't worry. We're here to help with that too.
Many of you may already know about this, but I've been here for nearly 7 years and had not, so I thought I'd pass along. The Chicago Artists Resource, a program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, is an organization that was created by artists for artists.
The amount of information they have available on their website is incredible! You can search the "Calls for Artists" section, find a collaborating artist for a large project, apply for jobs and internships, find a space, chat with other artists on their forum, read and write stories, and get the latest on all the artistic events in Chicago. I also noticed that one of our very own faculty members, Jeff Abel, is on their steering committee.
So check it out . . . you never know what you might find there that will help you add even more material to your portfolio!
The Film & Video Department's Graduate Program presents M.F.A. Alumna Diane Weyermann.
Monday, April 2 from 2:00-4:30 | Film Row Cinema, 8th floor, 1104 S. Wabash
Diane will show clips of films produced by Participant Productions, where she is currently Executive Vice President of Documentary Productions. She will discuss with the audience aspects of her career and of her work in the industry, including proposals, acquisitions, festivals, exhibition and distribution of both narrative and documenatry films.
All faculty, alumni, and students are welcome to attend. A reception will follow the presentation.
Alum Vince Verdooren, Creative Director with Euro RSCG Chicago will visit to meet and review the work of emerging art directors and copywriters. Euro can accurately be described as a global mega-agency, providing communications solutions for clients such as Volvo, Air France, Pfizer, Nestle and Loreal.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Radar is a Chicago post animation, design and fx institution. They got that way by consistently producing high quality orginal fx and design work for some of the top brands and agencies out there. If you watch TV (and don't use TiVo to skip every commercial) you've seen their work. And now they're coming to see yours.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Tom Maday was in fact the very first photography guest at a Show Off. Way back in 2002. And now he's back. Tom's current projects include corporate and advertising efforts as well as a number of highly visible editorial projects for the likes of the New York Times Magazine, Fast Company, Vibe, The Guardian and Chicago Magazine. He consistently produces documentary projects as well and produces images for the stock photo company LuckyPix. In a past professional life, Tom was also one of the few working fashion photographers based out of Chicago. Photography students with a primary interest in shooting people would be remiss to miss this opportunity. This session is open to all current seniors and December '06 grads.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Steve Munro, from Munro-Campagna, will visit to review the work of, and advise, students developing a body of work in either illustration or photography. Munro-Campagna represents a number of accomplished artists, in both disciplines, and Steve will share insight not just into the process of building a viable portfolio but in pursuing a specific line of commercial work. This event is open to seniors and December '06 graduates.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Conscious Choice is "an 'enlightened' urban lifestyle magazine focusing on equal parts Environment, Progressive Politics, Healthy & Natural Living, and Spirituality." National Editorial Director Charles Show and Production Manager (and alum) James Faber will visit to meet and discuss writing clips with students who have samples relevant to the field of magazine writing. Samples don't have to fit within the Conscious Choice content parameters, but of course, stories that thematically match the editorial feel of the magazine are encouraged. This session is open to juniors, seniors, graduate students and December 2006 graduates.
Students meeting with Conscious Choice will need to send two writing samples to the Editors ahead of time via email. Instructions will be given out when you sign up.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Y&R (formerly Young & rubicam) is one of the world's largest ad agencies, representing brands like Visa, Virgin Atlantic, Dr Pepper, Miller Lite, Sears, and Heinz among others. Art Buyer Kourtney Hoffman will visit Columbia to meet advanced photography and illustration students, and advise them on representing their body of work to art buyers and other advertising interests. This session is open to seniors, graduate students and December '06 grads.
If you haven't already, register with the Portfolio Center and make sure you select the 'Show Off' option. Then, call 312.344.7280 to sign up to show off your work.
If you're reading this after this review came and went, check the Show Off page for a current schedule of guests.
Sponsored by: Chicago Artists' Coalition, College Art Association and Columbia College Chicago's Art & Design Department, Ecenter AEMMD, and Portfolio Center
Friday, April 13
The DIY Panel
6PM in 623 S. Wabash, 1st Floor Hokin Hall
A panel discussion focusing on strategies for successful careers with Adam Brooks and Mathew Wilson of the Industry of the Ordinary, Two Girls Working (collaborative duo from NY), and moderator Melissa Potter, Career Development Associate, College Art Association. FREE admission. No registration necessary.
Saturday, April 14 | 623 S. Wabash
12PM -- Opening Session: Preparing "Creatives" for Entrepreneurial Ventures
Presented by: Joseph Roberts, Columbia College Chicago & Genevieve Thiers, OperaModa and Sittercity, Inc
The focus of the session is developing your career as an arts entrepreneur. Artists/ Creatives are often not familiar with creating budgets, cash flow statements, and pricing/profit models. This and the following sessions will enable you as an artist/creative individual to successfully engage the world of business.
1PM-5PM -- The DIY Workshops
Attendees will be divided into groups and rotate between the following four dynamic seminars:
Developing a Digital Portfolio: Websites, blogs, PDFs, etc. By today's communication standards your portfolio travels faster if it operates with a click of the mouse. In this session we'll discuss current trends in documenting, archiving and formatting visual work for digital portfolios. Presented by: Dirk Matthews, Assistant Director: Portfolio Archivist at Columbia College Chicago's Portfolio Center
Grant Writing: There are many ways to finance art projects. But there are only a few key traits that separate general grant proposals from successful proposals. This discussion will provide insight as to how to make the most of your funding requests through presentation, proficient writing and distinct vision. Presented by: Melissa Potter, Career Development Associate, College Art Association
Creating a Business Plan: If you're unsure about whether incorporating a business is right for you; then attending this session is your first step. We'll focus on the process, legalities and tax concerns related to turning your art into an entity. Presented by: Chris Smith Evans, Artist and Instructor of Entrepreneurship, Chicago Artists' Coalition
Financial Planning: This session will help you focus on the big picture of how working as an artist fits into your overall financial goals. Presented by: Michele Conti, Financial Advisor, Chicago Artists' Coalition
Workshop space is limited to 100 participants. Register before April 11.
Costs:
CAC members: $40
Columbia College students: $10
Other students: $20
Non CAC members: $60
Guests from some of Chicago's top industrial / product design firms will join students for a discussion and review of product design portfolios. Guests include Ignite's Don Lehman, PDT's Lisa Yanz and Jason Campbell from Webb Scarlett deVlam.
Students wishing to get feedback on their work should bring a book or PDF portfolio to the event (on disc or on a flash drive). We should be able to accomodate all students wishing to show their work. You're also welcome to attend and simply listen in. There will be a short discussion following the review.
This event is open to all current product design students of Columbia College.
Friend of the Portfolio Center and past Show Off guest Paul Elledge will be speaking as part of the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) Pro Sessions series. If you missed Paul's fall 2006 visit, you can catch up with some ofhis thoughts, and those of his producer Leasha Overturf, on organizing a body of work. (mp3|10:40)
Pro Sessions: ASMP Presents: Paul Elledge
March 12, 2007 @ 7PM
Michigan Avenue Apple Store; 679 N. Michigan Ave.
Join photographer Paul Elledge as he presents in the Pro Sessions: ASMP series.
For 20 years, Paul Elledge has worked with top creatives, ad agencies and a wide array of celebrities to fulfill their needs with his vision. Paul has been published in many top magazines and books, has had solo art shows, and has been in many museum shows. Join him as he discusses how he turned his passion, love and vision into a thriving photography business.
Graduating students & recent alumni:
Do you already have a web portfolio? If so, please email your website to us, so we can include it in our collection of online portfolios. Not only might you end up getting a call from a potential employer, but you'll be helping those who haven't yet completed their portfolios by giving them an excellent example of how it's done.
If you DO NOT have a web portfolio, and you are about to graduate or have graduated within the past six months, then let us help you create one! You can register for portfolio production by filling out our registration form.
* All web portfolios received will be reviewed before adding to our portfolio collection.
According to Desire' M. Hendricks, author of "Top Ten Reasons Why Writers Should Blog," any writer that is able to create and maintain a successful blog, receive regular responses, and thus build a well-known web presence is not only going to get regular practice writing, but also demonstrate his/her creative skills.
But don't just take her word for it, come to "Blogging and the Writer's Portfolio" at the Portfolio Center on March 29th at 11 a.m. and and listen to what other writing professionals have to say about it! We'll have folks from a variety of writing professions -- so all students are encouraged to come!
While television and film actors usually rely on the simple head shot and resume combo, more and more stage actors are turning to web portfolios to showcase their talent, as well as their looks and experience. Most acting web portfolios offer multiple headshots, a downloadable resume and short clips of past performances. Including video samples of your acting in action is a great strategy, but, it can also be illegal if you're not careful.
Most playwrights, with a few major exceptions, own the copyrights to their work. This means that before anyone can perform anything from the play in front of an audience (including a web audience), the playwright has to get a cut of the action. Broadcasting even a short scene from a work under copyright can get you sued.
Please note, however, just because it "can" get you sued does not mean it absolutely will. "It's murky," says William Rattner of Lawyers for the Creative Arts, "It is technically an infringement, however, there's no hard and fast rules." Most times these issues are judged on a case-by-case basis, but, there are a few easy ways to keep yourself from getting a cease-and-desist letter.
Check to see if the work is copyright protected. Some works, including anything first published before 1923 when the law was established, are "public domain" meaning anyone can use them free of charge. Things you might recognize in the free category? Anything by Shakespeare.
If the work is protected, find out who mediates the rights. Findaplay will tell you who the publisher is; they're generally the ones who can grant you the rights. Apply for the rights and be explicit about what you are planning to do, i.e. "I will perform a 2 minute scene from Act II, Scene 3, Lines 45-102 to be broadcast on my online portfolio." You can expect to pay between 50-200$ to secure the rights for these purposes.
There are certain plays you should consider off limits, often called "Red Light Plays" written by "Red Light Playwrights," such as Woody Allen, Steve Martin, Samuel Beckett and Thornton Wilder. Notice a trend? The big guys (or gals) don't sell their rights for these purposes and asking will get you no where. Most playwrights in these categories don't even own their rights anymore- production companies like Paramount and 20th Century Fox do. You want to get yourself in a mess of trouble? Use anything on the red light list and wait for the lawyer's call.
However, when you plan to use a "Green Light Play," most times the publisher can grant permission. In select cases, the playwright gets the final word. The publisher will usually pass along the request, however, there are a few things you can do to help your case. "Playwrights usually consider password protected sites more favorably," suggested the law counsel for Samuel French, one of the largest play publishers in the world.
Once you have permission, be sure to post your letter on the website, one click away from the video clip. That way anyone who's interested can verify you followed the rules.
After all this, however, there's still a chance you might find yourself on the receiving end of a cease-and-desist. What to do then? Get yourself a lawyer. The Lawyers for the Creative Arts work pro-bono and can probably help you.
All this trouble for a 45 second clip? Who has the time? Who has the 50-200$? If this is your attitude, consider asking a friend to write something for you. They can grant you the copyright as fast as they can sign the letter- and there's no danger of them coming after you. Unless of course, they become rich and famous- but then again, by then you'll probably be rich and famous too.
While the question isn't rhetorical, the answer isn't immediately obvious. Historically, managers weren't in a profession that required a portfolio for entry. We think that's changing, and we're not alone.
Increasingly, project-based portfolios are emerging as a staple in the business and management professions. Unlike designers, or filmmakers, or composers, a manager's portfolio uses audio/visual documentation to help explain what it is they do. Managers don't design, or film, or write the 'thing,' they bring it all together.
Telling that story through a portfolio is certainly more challenging for a manager, but overcoming challenges is after all, what a (good) manager does best.
Columbia's management students aren't alone. Our office is here to help. To help brainstorm, to help instruct and to help build.
On Thursday, March 15th from 12-1pm, we'll host an AEMM freshman meet'n'greet (and really, non-freshman are welcome as well) and brainstorm with students how they can begin to develop a body of work and how they can envision turning that work into an impressive arts management portfolio.
Our special guest will be PR & event expert, film festival organizer and portfolio advisor Kimberley McArthur. Kimberley will help us, help you develop a portfolio plan that makes sense for your career path.
Snacks and coffee complements of the AEMM Department. Thanks AEMM Department!
For the uninitiated, the Portfolio Center is in the 623 S Wabash Bldg, Room 307. See you there.
Arizona State Professor, Artist, Choreographer and Scientist Jodi James will visit to discuss ASU's Arts, Media & Engineering Program and will engage students in a discussion about preparing a graduate school application which includes a portfolio of educational materials. This discussion is highly recommended to any student considering graduate school (not just hybrid dancer/scientists). All students and alumni are welcome to attend and bring their portfolio materials for Jodi to review.
This discussion is located in Room 405 of the 623 S Wabash Bldg.
Also, you do know you can always make an appointment to see graduate school portfolio advisor Emily Easton don't you? Well, now you do. Emily is available, by appointment, to meet students developing a portfolio for grad school applications.
We recently held our first portfolio session, "Build it and they will come" for theater design students. Our guests: Tom Burch, Brian Sidney Bembridge and Jack Magaw were very candid in their discussion about developing & presenting portfolios in the theater industry.
There was tons of informative advice given out. We'll assume student attendees left here highly enlightened. Three important tips:
1) We think having a web presence is crucial nowadays. We found each of these scenic /(sometimes) lighting designers through their online portflios (i.e. websites). Tom and Jack both use Qfolio to host their portfolio materials. But if you don't want to shovel out the bucks for a website or don't have a friend (like Brian) who will design a slammin' one for you; no worries the Portfolio Center's web publishing system may be an option for you.
2) Emerging theater designers should show as much of their design process as possible. This means that sketches, renderings and photos of models and final sets/costumes/lighting designs are all part of your portfolio and shows your ability to take a project from concept to completion.
3) It's okay to manipulate-- correction, touch up photos to recreate any effects that weren't picked up in the shot. Hey, sometimes that beautiful mist just isn't noticable in a Polaroid picture. (Note: Please know that I'm joking. You seriously should not be capturing your work with a Polaroid camera. That's a whole other issue.)
Get Your Spot Shot
For junior and senior Advertising Artists and Copywriters
Have an idea for the next great commercial but can't get it made? The Portfolio Center, Art & Design and Marketing Communications Departments are looking to turn great concepts into fully produced 30-second spots. And we'll foot the bill for production costs.
The Process:
Step 1: Submit application materials to:
Portfolio Center
Attn: Adam Berry
Re: Get Your Spot Shot
623 S. Wabash, Ste. 307
Deadline: 5PM, March 30th 2007
Step 2: 6 semifinalists will be selected in April.
Step 3: Semifinalists will "pitch" their idea to the panel of judges. Up to 3 finalists will be selected based on originality, clarity of idea, and (production) practicality.
Step 4: Production teams will be hired to shoot the winning ads. Then we get started -- Production will begin in June!
Questions? Contact Adam Berry at adberry@colum.edu
Get Your Spot Shot is a collaboration between the Portfolio Center, the Art & Design Department and the Marketing/Communications Department.
