Incentive for Hope in the Florida Film & TV Community

Florida Film Commissioner and indie feature film maker Paul Sirmons gave an eye opening symposium on the current state of film and television production in the state of Florida on Monday, March 13, 2006 at Full Sail for the Recording Arts in Winter Park, Florida.

In a local production industry that seems to be dwindling away except for the likes of growing production companies like Pink Sneakers Productions and seasoned production groups like Lightship Entertainment, there is a lot to worry about for anyone who makes a living by working in the film and TV business in Florida.

At first glance, it seems like the once booming industry that included Nickelodeon Television, Tom Hank’s From The Earth to the Moon, The Mortal Combat TV show, Parenthood, several other commercial and indie films, and dozens of commercials is all but gone from our neighborhood.

There are several reasons for this: some out of town companies and directors haven’t gotten the best treatment by our studio systems, there have been accounts of mismanagement at certain stages, and talent simply doesn’t want to be here. Their agents, connections, and high paying gigs are in New York and Los Angeles.

Still, anyone who has worked in Florida knows that our crews, equipment houses, stages, and experience rival anything New York and Los Angeles have to offer.

Another major past reason productions chose not to shoot their features in Florida was due to the low tax incentive program offered out of town film and TV industry groups. Up until the last fiscal year (which ended last June) the state of Florida offered a meager tax incentive package that didn’t even amount to 2.5 million dollars. That simply isn’t enough savings for companies.

However, the Florida Film Commission now offers a 10 million dollar tax incentive and, according to Sermons, this has helped the state of Florida attract block buster films including the Transporter 2 which was originally scripted to film in Paris but was re-written to shoot in South Florida.

This is extremely hopeful news to the thousands of film and TV industry professionals working and living in Florida. In fact, hearing the statistics Sirmons shared with the full auditorium at Full Sail dispelled myths and clarified what the State of Florida is doing for the Florida film and TV industry.

Most notably, Sirmons pointed out that quadrupling the recent tax incentive to 10 million has also quadrupled the number of employees hired, the amount of money spent in the state totaling more than 78 million dollars, and the amount of Florida wages totaling approximately 40 million dollars.

Sirmons also pointed out that Governor Jeb Bush can only make suggestions as to what incentives should be in Florida. It is the legislature that approves the final numbers and it is the voter that influences the legislation. If residents of Florida working in the film and TV community do not write their legislators influencing them to increase the amount of tax incentives for incoming and residential productions, then the legislature does not fully recognize or appreciate the need.

The recent increase in Louisiana’s tax incentive program has created thousands of new jobs for that state. In fact, at this time, there are at least 6 films being shot in the “sportsman’s paradise” even after Hurricane Katrina – mainly because their tax incentive is double that of Florida’s.

Sirmons encouraged all members of the Florida film and TV industry to contact their legislators and to support two major industry bills: House Bill 1321 (Representative Don Davis) and Senate Bill 2110 (Senator Burt Saunders).

The Art and Science of Teaching

Some educators view teaching as primarily an art. Others take an opposite point of view and consider teaching to be strictly a science. Many educators believe that effective teaching is a combination of both art and a science. A teacher gains knowledge both, of teaching methods and subject matter throughout his or her career. The art of teaching lies within the application of knowledge gained from research, taking place in the context of the unique, situational nature of the classroom. One cannot truly become an effective teacher without integrating both the art and the science of teaching.

Teaching as Art: Understanding Through Definition

Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary gives several definitions, which can be used to support the idea of teaching as an art. The definitions include but are not limited to: (1) "the activity of using imagination and skill to create beautiful things (Webber,1984, p.41)", (2) "a field or category of artistic activity (1984, p.41)", (3) "a trade or craft and the methods employed in it (1984, p.41)".

Teaching As an Artistic Process Achieving an End Product

Teaching involves imagination and skill in creating student learning. This refers to the activities in which teachers engage each day, utilizing both imagination and skill, and one might add intuition. Teachers engage in such activities to bring about the product which is student learning. It is interesting to note that the product in this case is also by definition, a process.
The classroom environment, for example, can be broken down into 2 components: (1) physical design, and (2) social-emotional climate. The classroom learning environment can be considered a work of art in and of itself. Without a proper environment, both physical and emotional, students will not be able to learn effectively. The physical environment can be relatively easy to maintain, but the emotional climate for learning requires the artful application of imagination, skill, and intuition on the part of the teacher.

Some aspects of the emotional climate of the classroom can be pre-planned, but most of the work involved in the maintenance of a proper social-emotional climate for learning, is done in the moment. In Maintaining a positive learning climate, the teacher must take into account the endless supply of variables that may appear without warning, in the milieu. Keeping the classroom and the students organized and on task, while teaching the required skills and concepts, and the whole time fostering an atmosphere of respect, caring, and responsibility, describes the artistic process by which teachers conduct business. The product of this artistic process is a class of students who respect and care for one another, in the process of effectively learning subject matter.

Teaching is a Category of Artistic Activity

Teaching is indeed a category of artistic activity. In an interview on pedagogy, teacher Camille Paglia describes her teaching style as "improv", and relates it directly to performance art (Rodden, 1996). She refuses to accept someone reading a prewritten lecture as teaching (Rodden, 1996). Madeline Hunter describes teaching as a dynamic activity, and finds it important to see each teaching situation as unique due to the interplay of many variables (Magestro, 1994). The art of teaching involves not only knowing what to do and how to do it, but also knowing when to do it, and in what situations not to do it (Magestro, 1994). It is this kind of thinking process that takes teaching from a scientific base to an art form (Magestro, 1994).

Teaching as a Trade and a Craft

It is obvious to most that teaching is both a trade and a craft, and therefore by definition, the method by which teachers practice their trade, is an artistic process. Those who argue teaching to be purely a science cannot properly argue against this definition. In defining art in such a manner, one can easily see that it is the application of the science that constitutes the art. Teachers apply a body of knowledge regarding what is known about teaching and education, as well as subject matter. The art of teaching consists of decision making in the moment, building a repertoire of techniques and skills, and knowing when to draw upon which techniques, that make up the art of teaching. Some consider this an extreme form of multi-tasking, a challenge even to ex-soldiers, as described by Brougham (Inspiring Words, 2003).

Teaching as Science: Using definitions to Gain Perspective 

Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary defines "science" as (1) "the study and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena (Webber, 1984, p.620)", (2) "a systematic activity requiring study and method (1984, p.620)", and (3) "knowledge, especially that acquired through experience (1984, p.620)".

Teaching as the Study and Explanation of Learning

Broadly speaking, education can be defined as the study and theoretical explanation of teaching and learning. Educational research, along with research from several other fields, provides the basis for our understanding of educational methods (Ivie, Roebuck, and Short, 2001). Educational research is a component of education, not a separate field, as may be commonly assumed. Educational research is an important part of what teachers do in the classroom on a daily basis. Teaching as a profession, as described by Madeline Hunter, is based in the "science of learning" (Ivie et al., 2001). Teachers utilize the knowledge gained from research findings in the classroom each day. Educators sometimes even take part in educational research, conducting action research within their own classrooms.

Teaching as a Systematic Process

Teaching is systematic, and it requires much study before entering the profession, and throughout one's career. The results of experiments done by B.F. Skinner in the 1960's were found to be applicable in the classroom setting (Ivie et al., 2001). Many principles of behaviorism are utilized in classrooms today, especially with students with special needs. Students with certain presentations often respond well to behaviorally based programs, in which they are rewarded for positive or desired behaviors in an attempt to extinguish negative or unwanted behaviors. Behavioral techniques often provide some benefit to the general student population as well.

There are some that view the use of technology in education, as an aid in systematizing teaching (Ivie et al., 2001). Author Seymour Papert, who writes on children and technology, states that the use of technology and computerized learning will someday allow us to so modify a child's learning environment to point of not needing schools (Ivie et al.)! Such an idea may seem a little strange to the educators of today. However, Papert may be on to something. Computerized technology may be of great help in systematizing aspects the educational system, or at least in terms of the teaching and learning of isolated skills in the classroom.

Education as a Body of Knowledge

Madeline Hunter has described teaching as an applied science based on research on learning and behavior (Ivie et al., 2001). The body of knowledge that makes up what we know about education, broadly speaking, defines education as a science by definition. Hunter has noted that education as a field takes into account knowledge based on research from several other fields including: psychology, neurology, and sociology (Ivie et al.), 

On an individual level, the teacher has also developed his or her own specific fund of knowledge, integrating information from other sources as well. A teacher builds a repertoire of teaching and subject matter knowledge over the course of his or her career. The acquisition of knowledge begins in college, or maybe even before. It does not, however, end with formal higher education. Not only is professional development mandated by state and federal agencies, teachers are also involved in continual reflection, and are by design, always trying to improve their teaching methods. Improvement is made possible only through the continual accumulation of knowledge. This accumulation of information and improvement of teaching practices based on information gained from speaks to the science of teaching.

Some people view teaching as an art, others consider teaching to be a science. It is important to note however, that those who truly understand the process of teaching can appreciate the interrelated and synergistic combination known as the art and science of teaching. The art of teaching i.e., the creative processes, the skills, and the teaching craft, is found in the application of the science of education: the systematic processes, the body of knowledge gained from several disciplines. A teacher needs to utilize both the art and the science of teaching to create effective student learning


References
Brougham, H. (2003). Inspiring words for educators. Curriculum Review. 42(9), 8.
Ivie, S.D., Roebuck, F., & Short, R. (2001). Experienced teachers insist that effective teaching is primarily a science. Education, 121(3) 359-35.
Magestro, P. (1994). Tribute to Madeline Hunter. Educational Leadership, 51(7) 83.
Rodden, John. (1996). A TPQ interview ‘improv' is my pedagogical style: Camille Paglia on teaching as performance art. Text and Performance Quarterly, 16(2), 161-171.
Webber, H. (Ed.). (1984). Webster's II new Riverside dictionary (Berkley ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Top Holiday Presents for Silent Film Fans

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Silent film fans will have plenty to look forward to this holiday season. These three great gifts are sure to warm the hearts of any silent film fans on your list. From a definitive re-mastered edition of a true classic, to a comprehensive box set that re-examines the finest works by a giant of early cinema, to a contemporary comedy romp that offers a delightful homage to the time before talkies, there’s a present here for all your favorite silent film fans. Read on to discover the three top presents for silent film fans this holiday, and get ready to give a present they’ll watch again and again.

Metropolis (1927) Restored Authorized Edition
Dir: Fritz Lang
$24.99 at Amazon.com

Metropolis is one of the most influential works of silent cinema, and this definitive edition makes a great gift for silent film fans. This newly restored version features the best film quality of any DVD release of Metropolis, and the lusciously re-mastered black and white shows the movie in all its glory. Plus, the DVD is packed with extras, including goodies from the production like architectural set drawings, a gallery of photos from deleted scenes, and images of the original poster art. Silent film fans will love the score, recorded in 5.1 surround sound especially for this release, and the two documentary featurettes which look at the film, and how it was made. Silent film fans are sure to want this special edition of a bona fide silent classic for their movie collections, so why not wrap it up this holiday season? With a price under $25, you’re sure to appreciate this gift almost as much as the lucky recipient.
Buy It At Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007L4MJ/ref=pd_cp_d_title/104-1780952-5071166?ie=UTF8

Griffith Masterworks Box Set
Dir: D.W. Griffith
$89.99 at Amazon.com

This box set features a full array of the greatest masterpieces by one of the most influential and celebrated directors of the silent film era, and is sure to make a treasured addition to the collection of any silent film fans on your list. Silent film fans will find lots to appreciate in this comprehensive set, which includes the director’s major films (like the controversial Birth of A Nation) and a great selection of rarities. The obscure gems here include a 1930 interview between Walter Huston and Griffith, and a 1908 short featuring Griffith in front of the camera, in a rare acting appearance. Silent film fans who are devotees of Griffith will find hours of viewing satisfaction, and silent film fans who haven’t yet discovered the majesty of the Griffith oeuvre will have plenty to enjoy as well. This box set makes a luxurious, thoughtful holiday gift.
Buy It At Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Masterworks-Intolerance-Blossoms-Biograph-1909-1913/dp/B00007CVSB/sr=1-5/qid=1160852716/ref=sr_1_5/104-1780952-5071166?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

Silent Movie (1976)
Dir: Mel Brooks
$12.99 at Amazon.com

This fun modern comedy makes a great gift for silent film fans. Contemporary slapstick superstar Mel Brooks creates an homage to the classic silent movies of yore with this picture. “Silent Movie” features just a single word of dialogue, which is spoken in a cameo appearance by the famous mime Marcel Marceau! Silent film fans are sure to appreciate Brooks’ obvious love for the medium of visual comedy, and will get a kick out of seeing modern stars making the most of the chance to turn back the clock to a world before talkies. For years, the devoted fans of this cult classic have been begging the studio to release “Silent Movie” on DVD, and the day has finally arrived. The DVD issue is new for the 2006 holiday season, but will make a great present for any silent film fan during any holiday season to come!
Buy It At Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Movie/dp/B000G6BLVA/sr=1-6/qid=1160852216/ref=sr_1_6/104-1780952-5071166?ie=UTF8&s=dvd