CINE Educational Advisory Board

Jamie Meltzer

Jamie Meltzer teaches in the MFA Program for Documentary Film and Video at Stanford University. Hisdocumentary feature film debut Off the Charts: the Song-Poem Story was acquired by ITVS/PBS for the series Independent Lens. The film was broadcast nationally on PBS. It has played at festivals worldwide, and throughout rock clubs in the US (paired with musical acts such acts as NRBQ, Robbie Fulks, Edith Frost, and Cynthia Plaster Caster). His second documentary feature, Welcome to Nollywood, investigates the wildly successful Nigerian film industry, it was produced in partnership with the National Black Programming Consortium and aired on PBS in 2008, as part of the series AfroPop. La Caminata, a recent short film, looks at the impact of immigration from the other side- a small town in Mexico that puts on a simulated border crossing as a tourist attraction and as a way to discourage migration. The film has played at many festivals, including AFI/Silverdocs 2009, and is currently available online at SnagFilms and through New Day Films.

If you could give one piece of advice to beginning filmmakers, what would it be?
The tools to create excellent films are now easily accessible and out there, so no excuses or delays as far as diving in to your first film project. That said, remember that the focus should always be about the storytelling and the experience you want the viewer to have - make sure you have an idea of where you want to take them and how to get them there.

How long have you been teaching? Why do you like teaching filmmaking? What knowledge and ideals to you try to instill in your students?
I have been teaching film production for almost 7 years. I enjoy it mostly because I get an incredible kick out of seeing students first time translating their ideas into films. I find that I learn as much from them, since they aren’t yet bound by all the rules and restrictions and preconceptions more experienced filmmakers have.

Has the changing nature of filmmaking - the advent of new media, the changes in distribution, etc. - had an effect on either the way you make films or the way you teach filmmaking?
I don’t think much has changed at all – even as cameras and editing have slightly altered our approach to making films – the fundamentals are still compelling images and strong storytelling skills. I expect that won’t change anytime soon. That said, there’s a real excitement out there now in the documentary film world as far as the interest our work receives from the general public and the new avenues opening up for screening works. I’m happy to see that student films are being seen more often and having a greater impact than before. I think we are living in an amazing time for documentary filmmaking, the quality of new work out there is just astounding.

Has it become more important for film students to understand the business component of filmmaking, for example, the need to understand legal concepts such as fair use, rights clearance, etc.?
Independent filmmakers have to be trained in all aspects of filmmaking, mostly because we have to do a lot of this work for ourselves! And that includes the business of distribution and promotion, as well as keeping up with changes in technology.

Full Board