Course Aims To Teach Film Set Skills

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LENOX, Mass. - The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative is holding its first workforce development course, “Get a Grip: An Introduction to Being a Grip on a Film Set,” a program that is designed to give participants practical experience in order to potentially work on a film set.
The first day will teach participants basic knowledge of grip gear and how to properly use it. Other topics will include proper attire, set etiquette and basic knot knowledge.
The second day will focus on learning “practical” setups and how to light and grip three different sets: tabletop, interview and dolly setup.
“We’re excited about offering this course as it is the first step in expanding the workforce in western Massachusetts. Our intention is that it will lead to more local hires when productions come to our region,” said Diane Pearlman, BFMC’s executive director.
Instructors for the course are two seasoned industry professionals.
David LaRue has been a professional grip for more than 25 years and has served as the key grip for many feature films, including "The Way, Way Back," Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," "Surrogates" and "Valediction."
William Beautyman is the owner of Limelight Production in Lee. He is an experienced gaffer and grip with more than 40 years in the business.
The workshop will take place on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Elayne Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox.
The cost of the workshop is $160 for adults and $125 for high school and college students.
Registration is required at 413-528-4223.

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Simon's Rock Awarded Freedom to Read Grant

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon's Rock was awarded a Freedom to Read Grant by the Newburger Schwartz Family Foundation. 
 
The grant was awarded to support the Alumni Library and Bard Queer Leadership Project in building a more robust collection of queer scholarship, starting a Queer Book Club, and hosting Drag Story Time events in partnership with Drag Story Hour of the Berkshires.
 
According to a press release:
 
In response to current educational threats with book bans affecting schools and libraries across the country and further proposed legislation against LGBTQ+ people's access to basic rights and education, Simon's Rock is actively seeking to create inclusive and equitable spaces for queer individuals. 
 
The Bard Queer Leadership Project and Alumni Library will utilize the grant funding to expand the library's current collection of queer books in order to fully enable the longevity of the Queer Book Club and the Bard Queer Leadership Project. The Queer Book Club will be an intergenerational space, open to local middle school students through rainbow seniors and will partner with local community organizations, to discuss queer books and learn about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences. Bard Queer Leadership Project students will eventually help lead this initiative as part of their leadership project training. 
 
The Queer Book Club will host their first meeting on April 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Alumni Library, with following meetings on April 27 and May 11. This semester, the selected books are "Obie is Man Enough" and "He/She/They," both by Schuyler Bailar, inspirational speaker and first openly transgender NCAA Division swimmer, who was a guest speaker in the inaugural Queer Leaders Vision Forum in fall 2023 at Simon's Rock. Schuyler Bailar will return to campus for a book signing and pool party at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center on April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Participants in the Queer Book Club will receive a free copy of either book of their choice. 
 
The first Drag Story Time will be on Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Simon's Rock Alumni Library and is open to all LGBTQ+ affirming individuals. The event is in partnership with Drag Story Hour of the Berkshires with local drag queens JV and Poppy DaBubbly. The second Drag Story Time will be Saturday, April 27 with drag queen Poppy DaBubbly and drag king Sativo Green.
 
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