Museum of the Moving Image: Patron Saint of Film Journalism?

I know how much you always loved receiving homework assignments over the weekend -- especially over a three-day holiday weekend -- but that's the kind of guy I am. And for you up-and-coming film writers reading from a newsroom cubicle in El Paso or wherever, this is absolutely the kind of homework you should want to do:

New York’s Museum of the Moving Image—the nation’s only museum devoted to film, television, and digital media—announces a five-day institute for culture editors, film critics and feature writers. The institute will be held from April 20 through 24, 2007. Its purpose is to offer an expanded appreciation of the art and history of film, and a global view of the complex and rapidly evolving nature of the film and entertainment industry.

With sessions at the Museum and at production facilities and offices in New York City, members of the institute will learn about the art and business of film from leading directors, editors, composers, screenwriters, publicists, and executives. Fellows will also have the opportunity to attend a weekly meeting between New York Times editors and writers.

Wait, what were those dates again? That's sounds awfully close to something else happening in town that weekend. Oh, exactly. These guys thought of everything:

The Museum will arrange for all fellows to receive credentials for attendance at press screenings and special events at the Tribeca Film Festival, which begins on the night of April 25 and continues through May 6.

MMI will also pick up some of the hotel and travel expenses prior to Tribeca; follow the jump for those specifics plus all the required application details (writing samples, references, etc.). Perhaps most importantly, the Museum extended the deadline to 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, so consider putting off your taxes for another week and knocking this out. It beats a year of journalism school.

MOVING IMAGE INSTITUTE IN FILM CRITICISM AND FEATURE WRITING
APRIL 20-24, 2007

New York’s Museum of the Moving Image—the nation’s only museum devoted to film, television, and digital media—announces a five-day institute for culture editors, film critics and feature writers. The institute will be held from April 20th through 24th, 2007. Its purpose is to offer an expanded appreciation of the art and history of film, and a global view of the complex and rapidly evolving nature of the film and entertainment industry.

With sessions at the Museum and at production facilities and offices in New York City, members of the institute will learn about the art and business of film from leading directors, editors, composers, screenwriters, publicists, and executives. Fellows will also have the opportunity to attend a weekly meeting between New York Times editors and writers.

Twelve applicants will be selected. In order to encourage geographic diversity, hotel
accommodations in midtown Manhattan will be provided for the nights of April 19th through 24th. Travel between the hotel and the Museum will also be provided. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to and from New York City. The Museum will arrange for all fellows to receive credentials for attendance at press screenings and special events at the Tribeca Film Festival, which begins on the night of April 25th and continues through May 6th.

To apply, please provide the following by mail or email:

• Your home address and email;
• Your employer’s name, address, and email;
• 350 words describing your experience as it relates to film criticism and/or feature writing;
• 350 words describing a likely/hoped for outcome of your participation in this institute;
• A published writing sample not to exceed 1500 words. This piece need not be about film;
• Two professional references (including name, title, address, email, and telephone).

Mail to: Film Institute, Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Avenue at 36 Street, Astoria, NY 11106. Email to: institute@movingimage.us.

Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., February 22, 2007. (Note: deadline has been extended from February 15). Successful applicants will be notified on March 1, 2007.

Posted at February 16, 2007 1:35 PM