Motion Pictures

Filmmakers, ready your cameras. This spring, Oolite Arts, an organization that advocates for the visual arts and hosts events like exhibits and arts residencies, will partner with the University of Miami to put on the ultimate film contest—The Block. Miamians across the city are invited to pitch ideas for a documentary portraying the history and culture of one of the many eclectic neighborhoods here. Heading the partnership with Oolite at UM is Ed Talavera, an associate professor in the Department of Cinema and Interactive Media. “As the premier film school in [...]

Following an advance screening of “Alita: Battle Angel,” film producer Jon Landau and director Robert Rodriguez engaged with UM students. University of Miami students got the chance to watch a special advance 3-D screening of “Alita: Battle Angel” at AMC in Sunset Place Monday afternoon, days before its national theatrical release.  But the real highlight came after the show.  Following the movie, world-renowned director Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City” and “Spy Kids”) and producer Jon Landau, known for producing the two largest grossing films of all time (“Titanic” and “Avatar”), held [...]

Join Jorge E. Ruiz Cano, a character animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS), on Monday, Nov. 12 at Shoma Hall, CIB 3053, for a Q&A starting at 12:20 p.m. Ruiz Cano's credits include the studio’s first-ever VR short, Cycles, the Academy Award®-winning features Frozen, Big Hero 6, and Zootopia, in addition to Moana, the short films Feast, Frozen Fever, and Inner Workings, and the holiday featurette Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Ruiz Cano has been a part of the faculty at the California Institute of the Arts for the last five [...]

Farbod Ardebili, B.S.C. '18, director of the award-winning film Bats and Jokes, recently began working with Orange Umbrella, the School of Communication’s student-run consultancy, on his new project, The Fallers. Ardebili has been working closely with Orange Umbrella to help further his personal brand and message. OU has assisted Ardebili with establishing his target audience, marketing and promoting his project, as well as creating original content about his latest film. The Fallers is supported by professional film organizations such as the Sundance Film Intensive and is categorized as a Cyberpunk Noir [...]

Although her position is regularly behind the scenes, University of Miami School of Communication alumna Rachel Schreibman, B.S.C. '10, is certainly one to watch.  Since settling in California, Schreibman has contributed to highly notable films. Her latest Hollywood credits include The Jungle Book, Transformers: The Last Knight and Star Trek: Beyond. As an assistant editor, Schreibman’s specialty is ensuring a fluid filming and editing process. Ultimately, this talented ‘Cane is responsible for conjuring cinematic magic. “University of Miami gave me the tools I needed to hone my craft and learn [...]

What began as an independent film project in Greece headed by a group of UM students, alumni and faculty quickly spiraled into an internationally-recognized LGBTQ love story. With a Kiss I Die — the story of the reincarnated vampire Juliet Capulet who finds love all over again with a young woman — is now available to buy through most streaming services, cable networks and select stores.  Ed Talavera, associate professor in the Department of Cinema and Interactive Media, initially brought on Barbara Leibell, assistant professor of professional practice, and alumnus [...]