Anita Makris
I see teaching as supporting students to gain important technical skills in order to bring out their ideas and create their own approach to filmmaking.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?The students will learn technical and creative skills in filmmaking, including using a video camera, editing, scheduling and preparing a shoot, also putting their initial idea into a script. They will gain an understanding of the language and grammar of film.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Filmmaking is very practical but also analytical. I try to facilitate both. Students are encouraged to not only do their projects but also to reflect on it, and also on films made in industry format. This is mainly important if they want to get deeper into filmmaking. But above all, I request the students to tell me either verbally or in a short writing what they expect from the course and how the want to use the skills. I can then tailor the course more to the needs of the group.
What inspires your own work?My own work is inspired by personal and political issues. The priority for me is the person, the relationship between people and the emotions they are confronted with. Further, I get inspired by painters, photographers (e.g. Juan Munoz, Bill Brandt) and many other artists especially when I work on a formal or structural element in a specific film.
Where can students see examples of your work?On my website.
Where did you gain your training/experience?First, I studied film directing at the state film academy in Vienna, Austria. It is part of the University and provides students with a classical training in cinema and television. I graduated with a BA and MA. I also attended a 1-year foundation course in acting at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. Further, I worked in the film industry as an editor/ camera assistant and assistant director on short films, feature films, documentaries and commercials.
What teaching experience have you had?In the last 7 years I have taught workshops with adults and children ranging from 1-day taster days to four-month intensive video production courses. Further, I worked for 3 years as a media tutor and video technician in a 6th form College in London.
Is your work in any public or private collections?There are photographs of mine in private collections in London, Vienna and Greece. Some of the films are screened in galleries and independent cinemas.
Have you written any books/had articles published?IAs a film maker my films are mainly exposed in galleries and international film festivals, e.g. Rotterdam, Potsdam-Babelsberg and Saarbruecken. My films have been occasional reviewed in festival programmes and newspapers prior to the screenings.
Do you belong to any professional groups/societites?I am member of the New Producers Alliance (NPA), Women For Television and Film (WFTV) and the film professionals union (BECTU).