Summer Filmmaking
Jordan Kerner, Dean
Janos J. Kovacsi, Director of Summer Session
Alice Thompson, Director of Academic Programs

Have you ever wanted to direct, write, produce, shoot or edit a video? The School of Filmmaking’s Summer Session is your opportunity to learn the creative and technical methods of moviemaking. Rising 10th, 11th, 12th graders, or 2008 high school graduates (first time college freshman) have the opportunity to work with professional faculty and experienced School of Filmmaking teaching assistants. In the process, students develop their talents and skills by immersing themselves in the exciting world of filmmaking.

Classes have been carefully designed for students with no prior experience, as well as those with knowledge of the basics of film and video production. The curriculum includes basic and advanced levels of conventional feature screenwriting, cinematography, directing, physical production, producing, digital editing, and screenings of select American and international films. The Summer Session program is conducted in the Studio Village, a state-of-the-art motion picture studio encompassing three fully equipped sound stages, a digital and film post-production complex, and three movie theatres featuring one of the largest film libraries in the world.

We are first and foremost an arts conservatory program, training our graduates for a professional career in the moving arts fields and industries, whether those are feature films, television, commercials, music videos, non-fiction and industrial films and the merging of any and all of the above media. We are not a trade school. We are a training ground for artists, giving them the freedom to explore their creative visions in a carefully structured environment that attempts to mirror experiences in the professional world.

All students must possess the basic capability to see images, hear sounds, and clearly communicate with other students in both class discussions and production exercises. All students must be able to watch and hear required screenings and possess the ability to analyze and discuss them. All students must be able to physically participate in all phases of the video and film production curriculum.

After successful acceptance in the session, students will be enrolled by the School of Filmmaking in one of the two parallel segments of the program described below.

The Rising Filmmakers program is offered to students with no previous experience. Students will develop a three- to five-minute screenplay of their own, or choose one from an existing library and prepare it for production. After the successful completion of the preparatory classes and safety tests, students placed in designated film crews direct their projects on stage or at an on-campus location. In addition to performing in key crew positions during principal photography (director, producer, cinematographer or editor), students will work on a rotating basis in various crew positions (assistant director, assistant cameraman, script supervisor, boom operator, gaffer, grip, electrician, etc.) as well as act in fellow student projects. In addition to physical production, students will be enrolled in a number of specialty classes and will attend class analysis of dailies and discuss editing strategies in section meetings.

The Advanced Filmmakers program is offered to returning students and students already having attended at least one year of intermediary high school film or video courses (i.e., IBO Film Program, etc.) Students will review their previous studies, attend specialty classes, and pre-produce select projects they developed previously or projects developed in the first half of the program. After the successful completion of a safety test, advanced students placed in designated film crews direct their projects on stage or at an on-campus location. In addition to performing in key crew positions during principal photography (director, producer, cinematographer or editor), students will work on a rotating basis in various crew positions (assistant director, assistant cameraman, script supervisor, boom operator, gaffer, grip, electrician, etc.) as well as act in fellow student projects. Students in this program are advised to crew multiple times in their chosen field, e.g. screenwriting, cinematography, producing, editing and directing. In addition to attending preparatory or specialty classes, students are encouraged to sign up for consultation and one-on-one training with the instructor in the area of their interest.

Jordan Kerner
Dean (2007)
In 1986, Jordan Kerner and Jon Avnet formed The Avnet/Kerner Company, a production entity that developed socially relevant and family-oriented motion pictures and television movies, series and mini-series.  With many acclaimed productions to its credit, the company established a reputation for high-quality, value-oriented, provocative entertainment. In the fall of 2001 the company split into two independent film entities: The Kerner Entertainment Company and Brooklyn Films. They strive individually to maintain the same orientation to high quality, value oriented, and provocative entertainment.

Kerner Entertainment has over 25 projects in development for theatrical, television, and video premiere release.

Mr. Kerner is in pre-production on the miniseries TALE OF TWO CITIES. It was written by Harley Peyton and Gordon Greisman. It will be shot on location in Eastern Europe and Paris.

A live action/CG photo real animated version of the classic CHARLOTTE’S WEB was produced by Mr. Kerner for a holiday 2006 release. The film was named Best Family Film by the Critics Choice Awards. It was also awarded the The Christopher Award, The Gemini Award, the Truly Moving Picture Award and the Movieline Award for Family films. It was chosen as the Best Picture by the Florida Film Critics Circle, the Las Vegas Film Critics and the Phoenix Film Critics. It was written by Academy Award nominated Susannah Grant (ERIN BROCKOVICH) and Karey Kirkpatrick (CHICKEN RUN). It was directed by Gary Winick (13 GOING ON 30). This film was a faithful adaptation of the revered E.B. White book.  It stared Dakota Fanning as Fern. The animated voices include: Academy Award winner-Julia Roberts, Academy Award nominated-Oprah Winfrey, Academy Award winner-Robert Redford, NAACP Image Award winner-Cedric the Entertainer, Golden Globe nominated-Reba McEntire, Academy Award winner-Kathy Bates, Academy Award nominated-John Cleese, Golden Globe nominated-Steve Buscemi, Academy Award nominated-Thomas Hayden Church, and Grammy Award winner-Andre 3000.

In 2003 two “live action theatrical films made for video” were released. Mr. Kerner produced GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE 2 and Executive Produced INSPECTOR GADGET 2. They sold over 2 million units each in their first months of distribution.

In 2002, Mr. Kerner had SNOW DOGS in theaters garnering over $135 million in box office. It was a Walt Disney feature set in Alaska telling the story of a father and his adult son who meet for the first time since birth. It also centers on the lead character’s gaining ownership of and getting into trouble with seven sled dogs. SNOW DOGS stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. and James Coburn.

Mr. Kerner also completed in 2002 Madeline L’Engle’s classic coming of age novel A WRINKLE IN TIME for ABC starring Alfre Woodard, Kate Nelligan, Alison Elliott, Kyle Secor, Greg Smith, Katie Stuart, David Dorfman, and Chris Potter.

In the summer of 2000 Mr. Kerner produced A HOUSE DIVIDED starring Sam Waterson and Jennifer Beals. This Showtime original was nominated for numerous awards including NAACP awards, Diversity awards, and Golden Satellite awards.

In July of 1999 Kerner and Avnet’s live-action, motion picture version of “INSPECTOR GADGET” hit over $150 in worldwide box office. “INSPECTOR GADGET” starred Matthew Broderick in the title role and Rupert Everett as his chief adversary.  In addition, Mr. Kerner and Mr. Avnet produced a mini-series for CBS, which won it’s sweeps period for Nov. 1998, based on Alex Haley’s last book, “MAMA FLORA’S FAMILY”, a narrative about an African-American woman’s life based on personal stories from Mr. Haley, Mr. Kerner, and Mr. Avnet.  It featured Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Mario Van Peoples and Queen Latifah.  They also completed a telefilm for ABC Television in early 1999, entitled “MY LAST LOVE”, a bittersweet love story of a woman’s losing battle with cancer and is effects on her boyfriend and her young daughter. Nancy Travis and Scott Bairstow starred.

In 1997, Mr. Kerner produced the blockbuster, “GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE”, for Walt Disney Pictures, starring Brendan Fraser in the title role. “GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE” grossed nearly $200 million dollars and was the most successful film of 1997 for the Walt Disney Company.  Also in 1997, Mr. Kerner produced and Mr. Avnet directed and produced the controversial film “RED CORNER” for MGM.  Starring Richard Gere, this film looked at the world of business, politics and law in the Republic of China.

Mr. Kerner produced two motion pictures for release in 1996:  “UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL” for Touchstone Pictures, which was also directed and produced by Mr. Avnet and starred Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer; and “D3: THE MIGHTY DUCKS” for Walt Disney Pictures, the final chapter of the Mighty Ducks saga, starring Emilio Estevez, Josh Jackson and Joss Ackland. 

In 1995 Universal released “THE WAR”, produced by Mr. Kerner and directed and produced by Mr. Avnet, and which starred Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood.  Later that year, Avnet/Kerner executive produced the romantic comedy “MIAMI RHAPSODY” starring Antonio Banderas, Mia Farrow and Sarah Jessica Parker.

1993/1994 saw a trio of Avnet/Kerner productions for Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures:  “WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN”, produced by Mr. Kerner and starring Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia which took a touching and troubling look at the effects of alcoholism and recovery on a family;  “THE THREE MUSKETEERS”, executive produced by Kerner and Avnet, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O’Donnell and Rebecca DeMornay; and “D2: THE MIGHTY DUCKS”, produced by Mr. Kerner and starring Emilio Estevez and Josh Jackson.

The Mighty Ducks movie franchise began when Mr. Kerner, on behalf of Avnet/Kerner, produced “THE MIGHTY DUCKS” in 1992, starring Emilio Estevez and Josh Jackson, which popularized ice hockey nationwide for kids and families.  In the Holiday period of 1991, Mr. Kerner and Mr. Avnet produced the critically acclaimed “FRIED GREEN TOMATOES” for Universal, which marked the directorial debut for Mr. Avnet.  The movie starred Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker and was nominated for two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Picture and received the Writer’s Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay.

 The Avnet/Kerner Company’s first motion picture production was “LESS THAN ZERO”, starring Robert Downey Jr., James Spader, Andrew McCarthy and Jami Gertz.  The project was the first anti-drug film released by a major studio and the soundtrack resulted in a #1 album, song and video.

In the television arena Mr. Kerner’s production credits include: “THE SWITCH” for CBS, focusing on the right to die and independent living from the perspective of a quadriplegic, starring Gary Cole, Craig T. Nelson and Beverly D’Angelo; “FOR THEIR OWN GOOD” for ABC, exploring sexual discrimination in the workplace and starring Elizabeth Perkins and Laura San Giacomo, which won the Environmental Media Nancy Susan Reynolds Award;  “SIDE BY SIDE” for CBS, starring Milton Berle, Sid Caesar and Danny Thomas; “MY FIRST LOVE” for ABC, starring Bea Arthur;  the Emmy-nominated “DO YOU KNOW THE MUFFIN MAN” for CBS, starring Pam Dawber, Stephen Dorff and John Shea; and the highly acclaimed TNT movie “HEATWAVE”, starring Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson, James Earl Jones and Sally Kirkland, which received four Cable ACE Awards, including Best Picture, an Emmy Award, the WGA Award and the NEA award. 

Other Avnet/Kerner productions include “THE NIGHTMAN” for NBC, starring Joanna Kerns and written by John Wells; “BACKFIELD IN MOTION” for ABC, starring Roseanne and Tom Arnold; “BREAKING POINT” for TNT, starring Corbin Bernsen, Joanna Pacula and John Glover; and “FUNNY ABOUT LOVE” a feature film for Paramount, starring Gene Wilder, Christine Lahti and Mary Stuart Masterson.

President of Kerner Entertainment and previously a founding partner in The Avnet/Kerner Company, Mr. Kerner began his career in the entertainment industry working in various capacities for San Francisco CBS affiliate KPIX-TV.  He relocated to Los Angeles and worked in the Motion Picture Department of Ball, Hunt, Brown and Baerwitz, a Beverly Hills law firm.  Two years later, Mr. Kerner joined CBS as a Talent and Program Negotiator in the network’s Business Affairs Department.  From 1978 to 1981 he held positions in development at Universal and QM Productions, until moving to ABC Entertainment as Director of Dramatic Series Development.  He became Vice President of that division in 1983.  While at ABC, Mr. Kerner was responsible for developing shows such as “MOONLIGHTING”, “MACGYVER”, “DYNASTY”, “SPENCER FOR HIRE” and “CALL TO GLORY”.

Mr. Kerner was named the Producer of the Year by the Hollywood Entertainment Museum at its 2006 Legacy Award Event. He has won numerous awards over the years including The Critics Choice Award, The Christopher Award, The Gemini Award, A Reel Award, the Cable Ace Award, National Educational Association Award, The Environmental Media Award, Truly Moving Picture Award, The Fresh Tomato Award, a number of Movieline Awards, and Golden Reel Awards. His films have received nominations for Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globe awards, DGA Awards, WGA Awards, The Humanitas Award, NAACP Award, The Diversity Award, The Golden Satellite Award, The Art Directors Guild Award and Visual Effects Society Awards.

Mr. Kerner has been both a Trustee and a Director of the Starbright Foundation and an Executive Producer of its Diabetes and Asthma CD-Rom games; a Trustee of Tel Aviv University’s School of Film and Television; a member of General Wesley Clark’s Four Star Council in his bid for the Presidency; a member of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s California Cabinet; and has served on the Board of Directors for the Media Office, established by the California Governor’s Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons; the President’s Advisory Council for the City of Hope; the Chrysalis Foundation, and a former Director of the Show Coalition,.  Mr. Kerner is also a former Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers.  He is the Founder and former Co-chairman of the Committee for the Arts of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, an organization providing legal aid to indigent performing artists, with educational programs and speakers for actors, writers, museums and visual artist groups.  Mr. Kerner was a member of the Planned Parenthood’s political action arm and a member of the Earth Communications Office. He currently is a member of the NRDC, Human Right’s Watch, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Producer’s Guild and the American Film Institute.

A 1972 graduate from Stanford University, Mr. Kerner received a degree with distinction, and honors in Political Science and Communications.  He then earned a JD-MBA degree from the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco in 1976, serving on the Law Review and founding COMM/ENT, the Journal of Communications and Entertainment Law.

In September 2007, Mr. Kerner accepted the position of Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

NCSA’s Chancellor John Mauceri said, "It has taken a year to fill the post of dean for our School of Filmmaking and we could not have found a better person than Jordan Kerner. In addition to his truly extraordinary achievements as a creative artist at the very top of his field, Jordan brings a vision and passion to the North Carolina School of the Arts which once again raises the barre for all of us -- students, faculty and administration.
“I am excited that Jordan will continue to produce films and will be able to share his experiences with our students and faculty,” Chancellor Mauceri continued. “That is the marvelous thing about this School, where the faculty, deans and even myself continue as practicing professional artists while teaching and mentoring our immensely talented young people.
“We are a school of artists. A truly inspirational one has just joined our family. We rejoice in welcoming him to our campus and our state," Chancellor Mauceri concluded.
University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles said, “I'm thrilled and excited about what Jordan brings to North Carolina. He will take filmmaking in our state to a level that previously we only dreamed possible. Our students and the citizens of North Carolina will benefit enormously from this man's enormous talent.”

Kerner has signed a multi-year first look deal with Walden Media. Walden Media, which previously worked with Kerner on the 2006 Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies film CHARLOTTE’S WEB, will have an exclusive first look at all feature projects Kerner develops via his production company, the Kerner Entertainment Company.

Mr. Kerner currently resides in Winston Salem with his wife Nicola O’Shea, their daughters Haley, Grace and Lily; a chocolate lab named Charlotte and a cat named Lucy.

All students classified in grades 12 or below are eligible to earn high school credit.

High School – one unit;
College –two semester hours