Filmmaking

@gsfta_film_program

Directing Tennessee’s Future Filmmakers Filmmaking students are introduced to both the theory and technical aspects of filmmaking. Through lectures, films and hand-on experiences, students will learn the three aspects of filmmaking: pre-production, production, and post-production. Students will be taught all aspects of camera, lighting and grip equipment, sound equipment and editing software.

What Students Will Learn:  the process of brainstorming to come up with a story – to write a script – to use a camera – to cast talent – to schedule the shoot – to location scout – to shoot the film – to edit the film. Each student will fulfill a crucial crew position on the set using the same protocol as is conducted in Hollywood studios.

Filmmaking Chair

Amanda Dillingham

  • Amanda Dillingham

    Chair for Filmmaking

    Nashville based artist Amanda Dillingham graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts from Watkins College…

  • Christian Whittemore

    Filmmaking Faculty

    Christian Whittemore graduated with a BFA in Film Production Editing from Chapman University’s Dodge College…

  • Sam Dalton

    Filmmaking Faculty

    Sam Dalton is an accomplished Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy, a two-time national Telly, and a…

  • Spenser Fritz

    Filmmaking Faculty

    Spenser Fritz, an Indiana native turned Tennessean, graduated from Watkins Film School with a double…

Amanda Dillingham

Chair for Filmmaking

Nashville based artist Amanda Dillingham graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts from Watkins College of Art & Design in 2005 and with an MFA in Studio Art from Vermont College of Fine Art in Montpelier, Vermont in 2008. Amanda’s growth as an artist has benefitted from mentorships with established artists such as Faith Wilding, Judy Chicago, Jeanne Dunning and William Pope L.

After exhibiting in shows across Tennessee, as well as exhibiting nationally in cities such as Detroit, Philadelphia and New York City, Amanda made the leap into the film world. Starting in the art department, she art directed feature films before truly finding her knack as a producer. Amanda currently works as a freelance producer and production manager in Nashville working on commercials, music videos, shorts, features and more.

 

Christian Whittemore

Filmmaking Faculty

Christian Whittemore graduated with a BFA in Film Production Editing from Chapman University’s Dodge College in 2020. He is currently based in Los Angeles, working in post-production as an editor for commercial films, short documentaries, and music videos. Christian is part of the production company Boxfort, having recently completed work on their first independent feature film “A Most Atrocious Thing”. Christian served as the colorist for the film, and as a body double for his roommate. Additionally, he will receive his first credits as an assistant editor and associate editor later this year with the release of the feature film “SHARE?”

Sam Dalton

Filmmaking Faculty

Sam Dalton is an accomplished Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy, a two-time national Telly, and a Parent’s Choice award-winning television and motion picture actor, writer, director, producer and television and print journalist with over 35-years of hands-on experience in all phases of the entertainment and communications media, on both sides of a camera.
His motion picture and television acting credits include the original Paramount motion picture “Footloose”, the NBC Daytime Series Santa Barbara, a costarring role on the NBC Prime-Time Series Mancuso FBI and numerous other appearances. His television and radio commercial credits include a stint as “Gibby” in a regional Emmy-winning series of commercials for the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Sam served seven years as a full-time visiting faculty member of the Film Department at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film in Nashville.

Spenser Fritz

Filmmaking Faculty

Spenser Fritz, an Indiana native turned Tennessean, graduated from Watkins Film School with a double major of screenwriting and directing. After film school Spenser took up camera work and started shooting and directing his own projects and music videos eventually leading him to being hired by the Tennessee Titans to shoot specialty projects like music videos and promos and edit their magazine style television show “Titans All Access.” Spenser also traveled with the team and shot slow motion highlights from 2014 to 2021 furthering his understanding of sports camera and videography.

In the Narrative film world, Spenser earned his stripes out of film school working on low-budget faith based feature films, acting as first assistant director on several and directing one entitled “A Place in the Heart” giving him the opportunity to direct famous actors such as Shelley Long (Cheers) and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules).  Spenser then teamed up with his wife and partner Amanda Dillingham starting Behind The Curtain Media, a full service Nashville based production company. Their last project “Cecil” a family comedy that Spenser wrote and directed, received distribution nationally and internationally playing in places like China, Africa, Australia and Canada.  Their next project “Coed” a comedy pilot based loosely on Spenser and Amanda’s time playing recreational sports, is currently in the works and hopes to be released in 2023.

 

 

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