About SHOOT
SHOOT is a filmmaking education venture founded jointly by Island Arts and the Newport International Film Festival in 2005.
The purpose of this program is to give high-school-age students who are interested in filmmaking the opportunity and the resources necessary to make a high-quality short film of their own.
From formulating a story idea and script writing to post-production and editing, students are guided by various industry professionals through the process of shaping their collective creative vision into a short film.
Products of the SHOOT program are screened in a special program during the Newport International Film Festival each June.
The film program is taught by Rocco Michaluk, of Video & Vision, a Newport-based multimedia production company. Students use Rocco's state-of-the-art digital equipment and production facilities to realize their vision through filmmaking.
SHOOT Personnel
Rocco Michaluk
SHOOT Instructor
Rocco Michaluk is an award-winning filmmaker from Newport,
RI. His past documentary works include: ‘Island Within An Island’ exploring
the diversity of Newport, RI, which was shown as part of Rhode Island
PBS ‘Here At Home’ Film Series, ‘Fort Adams’, featuring survivors stationed
at Fort Adams before and during WWII, ‘Winds of Change’ discussing
the benefits of wind power and renewable energy, and‘Translate’ about
the search and struggle for identity among New England’s Transgendered
community, winner of the PBS Independent Lens Film Festival. He is
currently in production on ‘Vanishing Orchards’ a documentary feature
film on Rhode Island Apple Growers and culture scheduled for release
in Spring 2009. His documentary films have been funded by public and
private donors and non-profit organizations including Rhode Island
Council for the Humanities and Rhode Island Historical Society.
Rocco’s commercial and broadcast television work has been seen on most major television networks. He has shot news segments for CNN, FoxNews Channel and the Weather Channel and has worked exclusively for The Montel Williams Show, MTV, WIRED Magazine and E! Entertainment. Together with AT&T and the Connecticut Science Center he produces ‘The Wonders of Science’ an educational video series that teaches children and teens throughout New England about Science. Some of his corporate clients include AT&T, PETA, United States Postal Service, Johnson Products, Wella Inc., Whole Foods Market, American Medical Reponse, University of Rhode Island, American Sailing Association and others.
Rocco is creator, founder and director of the Rhode Island Film Foundation which teaches film and video techniques to the Rhode Island community by producing short films and documentaries. Rocco is also a Film Teacher and Mentor to children and teens throughout New England. He heads Island Art’s SHOOT Teen Film program producing short films that are written, filmed and edited by local Rhode Island Teens. He is currently Director of Film & Video at Video & Vision Multimedia in Newport, RI and calls beautiful Newport, RI his home.
Laura "L" Maurus
SHOOT Program Manager
Growing up in Newport, Laura attended St. Michael's
Country Day and St. George's School, where she became very involved
with the theater department, cast in various rolls such as Velma in the 1998
production of Chicago.
Following graduation, she went off to Emerson College in Boston to study acting and film. After changing focus from being on screen, Laura returned to Aquidneck Island and enrolled in the writing program at Salve Regina University.
She currently lives in Newport where
she is the Island Arts SHOOT Program Manager. When she is not filling
young minds with the magic of film, she spends her time working with both
Video & Vision,
and NB12 Productions, where she is writing a script for an upcoming
feature film.