Contests Sony

The Brave New World Project + Sony 4K Camera and Production Technologies: Los Angeles-area Minority Youth (Ages 18-24) Apply Online Until Nov.14, 2014

For the second year of The Brave New World project, Sony Electronics’ Professional Solutions of America Group is working with David Merritt of King David Films to give 10 Los Angeles-area young adults, who are from the age of 18-24 and interested in motion picture production careers, the opportunity to work and learn in a professional Hollywood production environment.

The Brave New World project’s mission is to empower minority youth by giving them access to current film technology and teaching them the art of filmmaking. By providing these youth with an introduction to the latest in digital/film technology, the program looks to increase interest in film production and post-production careers and open the door to a new world that many of these young people may never have imagined. The programs goal is to cultivate advancement, encourage diversity and increase opportunities for minority talent and employment in the film industry.

Here are the key highlights of the Brave New World Project.

Sony F55 4K

Sony F55 4K

  • The project will use Sony F55 4K cameras.
  • Participants will work on their projects at Sony’s Digital Motion Picture Center (DMPC) located at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.
  • This year’s program will focus on the art of the sitcom, offering students the chance to work together to create, write, direct, produce and edit their own sitcom presentation.
  • Sessions will be led by David Merritt of King David Films and Sony DMPC system specialist, Dhanendra Patel.

The program accepts applications until November 14th.

  • The program will start on Friday, November 21st and runs through the week of January 17th.
  • The students will have the chance to screen the final film projects at the Sony facility.
  • Each student will receive IMDB credit and a Blu-ray or DVD copy of their film.

Please click here for more info, and to submit the online application form.

  • There is an application fee of $20 USD.

Good Luck!

PRESS RELEASE

The Brave New World Project Uses Sony 4K Camera and Production Technologies

by Sony Pro Team 10/16/2014, in Professional, Sony Professional

Project Focuses on Advancing Students in the Film & Entertainment Industries

 Culver City, Calif., October 15, 2014 – The Brave New World Project is gearing up for its second year of helping aspiring young filmmakers learn about the latest in movie-making technology. The project, run by David Merritt of King David Films, will again work with Sony Electronics’ Professional Solutions of America Group to give participants an opportunity to work and learn in a professional Hollywood production environment.

The project will use Sony F55 4K cameras and participants will work on their projects at Sony’s Digital Motion Picture Center (DMPC) located at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif. This year’s program will focus on the art of the sitcom, offering students the chance to work together to create, write, direct, produce and edit their own sitcom presentation. Sessions will be led by David Merritt and Dhanendra Patel, an 18-year Sony veteran, now with CINEVERSE-LA SN as a Cinema Systems Engineer.

“By offering these students a chance to work with this kind of technology, while learning the art of filmmaking, we are igniting an interest in film production and post-production careers,” said David Merritt II, director and producer. “Our goal is to foster diversity and increase opportunities for those who share a passion for the industry but don’t have the funds or resources to pursue a formal education.”

The project participants – 10 Los Angeles area students ranging from 18 to 24 years old — will experience a hands-on program using Sony cameras and third party editing equipment systems like Colorfront, learning a multitude of skills such as:

  • How to operate the Sony cameras
  • Proper script structure
  • How to work scenes for each film with two SAG professional actors
  • Experience working with directors and DP’s on the film

“This program was very inspiring and it became a foundation and blueprint in my desire to succeed in the film industry,” said RJ Holloway, a previous participant and currently a production company intern. “The overall journey has been life-changing for me. The knowledgeable tutelage by experienced professionals was very enlightening.  This program is designed for students to grow, while finding their stride within the realistic expectations of the film industry. The Brave New World program provides students a wonderful opportunity that will become stepping stones in their quest for achievement in the film and television industries.”

Participants will split into two teams of five with one director, one camera person, one editor, one main writer, and one producer. The pilot presentation will be five to 10 minutes in length.

Several industry experts will be invited to speak each week.  Last year’s speakers included the well-known filmmaker Keenan Ivory Wayans.

The program will start accepting applications from Tuesday, October 14th until Friday, November 14th. The program will start on Friday, November 21st and runs through the week of January 17th. The students will have the chance to screen the final film projects at the Sony facility. Each will receive IMDB credit and a Blu-ray or DVD copy of their film.

For more information, visit and to apply: https://www.facebook.com/TheBraveNewWorldProgram?ref=bookmarks and http://www.gofundme.com/f2y4gc

About The Brave New World:

The Brave New World project’s mission is to empower minority youth by giving them access to current film technology and teaching them the art of filmmaking. By providing these youth with an introduction to the latest in digital/film technology, the program looks to increase interest in film production and post-production careers and open the door to a new world that many of these young people may never have imagined. The programs goal is to cultivate advancement, encourage diversity and increase opportunities for minority talent and employment in the film industry.