I teach documentary filmmaking with Pentimenti Productions at the Hyde Park Art Center through its adult education program. Since 2017, we’ve led a variety of workshops, from single-day bootcamps to multi-week videography classes, and were among the first courses offered through HPAC’s Open Arts program: a contribute-what-you-can tuition model that ensures access to high-quality arts education.
In 2023, we refined our curriculum into two core classes: Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking, which covers the essentials of pre-production, cinematography, and editing, and Making the Short Documentary, a ten-week collaborative course where participants create an original short film together. I lead the post-production and editing portions of the classes, guiding students through a full workflow—from importing footage to exporting and delivering a finished film.
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Congregating Creativity, 2024 is a short documentary made by our 2024 “Making the Short Documentary” students. The premiere screening was followed by a conversation with the filmmakers and artists, and a reception with food from Dozzy’s Grill. Congregating Creativity documents an artist residency program at the First Presbyterian Church in Woodlawn featuring the incredible work of Max Li, Messejah Washington, Ameera Pernebsati Lys, and Dozzy Ibekwe. The film surveys the history of the church and residency program, and explores how this unique environment of the church impacts the artists and their work.
Filmmakers: Alexandra Antoine, Jazz Echevarría, Courtney Niquia Larry, Violet Law, Sawyer Muir, Érika Ordosgoitti, Cedric A. Thurman, Vee Villareal
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It Was Here Before, And It’s Here After: The Murals of Hyde Park, 2019 is a short documentary made by our 2019 “Advanced Documentary Video” students. The film explores the history of murals in Hyde Park and features interviews with muralists Carol Yasko and Carolyn Elaine, arts journalist Jeff Huebner, and the people of Hyde Park.
“Hyde Park Art Center Classes are Selling Out Like Concert Tickets: After implementing a contribute-what-you-can model last year, new and veteran artist make up a growing and diverse student population seeking space to create and build community.”