The Artist's Mind

How can a film portray an artist’s vision, views and personality?

What are the different stages of the creative process that an original artwork goes through, before reaching its final form?

Distinguished film director, producer and artist Andrew Levitas will teach a four-day Filmmaking Masterclass at the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in Athens, from October 21 through October 24, 2021. Based on the course that Andrew Levitas teaches at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the Masterclass will look at the overall creative process, based on the methods and practices used in filmmaking and sculpture.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore all different aspects of artistic progress through a variety of artforms, starting with the initial inspiration that precedes the making of a short film. At the same time, through various multidisciplinary exercises, such as painting emotions, photography and writing, they will be able to acquire a more comprehensive approach to their work.

Following the completion of the Masterclass, participants will have one year at their disposal to make their own short film. All films will be screened at the Foundation’s Amphitheatre in September 2022.

Andrew Levitas, founder of the Metalwork Pictures media production company, is the director of Minamata, starring Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy and Minami. The biopic, which made its premiere at the 2020 Berlinale, is based on the true story of acclaimed American photojournalist W. Eugene Smith, who documented the tragic consequences of industrial pollution in the Japanese city of Minamata in the 1970s. As an artist, Levitas is known for his concern over humanity’s relationship with nature, as well as climate and the environment.

The Masterclass is addressed to students and professionals who are active in arts, filmmaking, photography and theatre, as well as anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and experiment with art and filmmaking.

The four meetings will take place at the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation’s Amphitheatre. They will include discussions, presentations as well as assignments and will further feature interventions by guest speakers, such as the film editor of Minamata, Nathan Nugent, via live streaming.

SYLLABUS

Movie Time | Tuesday, October 19, 12.00-14.00 or Thursday, October 21, 12.00-14.00
Screening of the movie "Minamata" directed by Andrew Levitas, starring Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy and Minami

Day 1 | Thursday, October 21, 18.00-22.00
Introduction and overview
Presentation of participants
Discussion 1: John Alton’s “Painting with Light”
Discussion 2: Levitas Metalwork Installation
Assignment #1: Painting emotion

Day 2 | Friday, October 22, 18.00-22.00
Presentations and discussion of Assignment #1
Discussion 1: David Mamet’s “On Directing Film”
Discussion 2: Andrew Levitas’ film “Minamata”
Assignment #2: Photography

Day 3 | Saturday, October 23, 18.00-22.00
Presentations and discussion of Assignment #2

Discussion: Sidney Lumet’s “Making Movies”

Assignment #3: Poetry

Day 4 | Sunday, October 24, 12.00-16.00
Presentations and discussion of Assignment #3

Discussion: Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet”

Pre-bookings are necessary at goulandris.gr

Cost of participation: 200€
Cost of participation for B&E Members: 160€ / Senior Members: 150€
Cost of participation for students and registered unemployed: 150€

As prior viewing of the film Minamata is required, screenings for Masterclass participants have been scheduled for Tuesday October 19 and Thursday October 21, 12:00-14:00, at the Foundation’s Amphitheatre.

A C2 level knowledge of English is required to attend the Masterclass, as all presentations will take place in English. Following the completion of the Masterclass, participants will receive a certificate of attendance by the Foundation.

To attend the Masterclass it is strongly recommended to read the following books:

Painting with Light – John Alton
On Directing Film – David Mamet
Fires in the mirror (*introduction) – Anna Deavere Smith
Poetics – Aristotle
Making Movies – Sidney Lumet
Letters to a Young Poet – Rainer Maria Rilke

Information:

masterclass@goulandris.gr

To attend the Masterclass, it is necessary to demonstrate either a vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate, issued 30 days after the first positive test result and valid for 180 days. The use of non-medical masks is required.