Jimmy's Video And Photo Production Classes
About
Jimmy Boratyn grew up in Chicago, IL and was educated at Loyola University Chicago, where he received a BA in International Film and Media Production as well as a BA in Communication. Jimmy continued his education at DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts, where he is finishing his work toward an MFA in Cinema Directing.
Jimmy is a director, producer, photographer, and cinematographer. He directed and produced his first feature length film, the Giggles, which won the International Award of Merit from the International Film Festival for Documentary, Short, and Comedy in Jakarta, Indonesia and is an official selection at the 2016 International Filmmaker Festival Of World Cinema in London. The Giggles is also an official selection at the Hudson Valley Comedy Festival, a Semi-Finalist in the Swedish International Film Festival, and selected to the Laugh or Die Comedy Festival. While studying at Loyola, Jimmy directed the short film, Writer's Block, which was invited to the short film corner at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival after winning Best Picture at the University Level of Campus Movie Fest. Jimmy was camera operator on director, Jeff Harder's, feature film, Carmilla, which is an official selection at CIMMFest, Chicago Horror Film Festival, Blow-Up Chicago International Arthouse Film Festival and the Indie Film Festival - Switzerland. Carmilla also won the award of recognition at Indie Fest, took fourth place in the horror category at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival, and took Bronze at the International Independent Film Awards.
In August of 2016, Jimmy began post-production for his second feature film, Ginger, which is directed by him and his wife, Melissa Beck-Boratyn. Ginger is based on the true story of Melissa's battle with breast cancer at 23 years old, and is a drama scheduled for completion in early 2018.
Jimmy Boratyn is the President and Founder of Shot Time Productions, Inc. where he has directed the crew of this multimedia production house since 2011 while they've produced hundreds of marketing videos for distribution by organizations ranging from major universities to restaurants and non-profit organizations. Jimmy has a passion for photography, having taken many nature photos around the world during his production trips to Botswana, London, Costa Rica, and Florence.
Jimmy has a deep passion for teaching and has had the opportunity to guest lecture at Loyola University Chicago, Resurrection High School, and Loyola Academy. He believes in meeting his students where they are technically and helping them discover their style while sharing the technical knowledge he has gained over nearly a decade as a professional filmmaker and photographer.
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I believe in starting where the student is technically. The first day or phone call will be to assess the knowledge base and get a better understanding of what the student hopes to learn as well as what they hope to accomplish with their newly learned or honed skills. From there, we will work together to create a game plan for achieving those goals. Every student is different, and I believe that my job as the teacher is to tailor each class to the student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA in International Film and Media Production from Loyola University Chicago (The program has since been renamed the Film and Digital Media Production)
I also have an MFA in Cinema Directing from DePaul University
I have been trained individually by industry professionals on the art of cinematography and have been working as a professional photographer and filmmaker since 2010.
I began my career as a video editor and have extensive training on Adobe Premiere. Though it is a secondary expertise, I'm happy to teach non-linear editing.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons start at $65/class. I can also provide a Canon 60D camera with a zoom lens and SD card for an additional $20/class. I am happy to discuss a discount for booking multiple classes up front.
*** Any costs for development or other photo/travel needs are the responsibility of the student. I will let you know if any costs are expected. Generally, for digital photography or filmmaking, there are no additional costs.
How did you get started teaching?
I developed a passion for teaching when I started my business. I began by training new hires in advanced techniques for cinematography and editing as well as photography. After I was hooked, I went to DePaul University so that I could receive a terminal degree and begin applying for university faculty positions in film and photo. During this time, I have had the opportunity to guest lecture at Loyola University Chicago on multiple occasions. I look forward to meeting my future students and sharing my passions for filmmaking and photography.
What types of students have you worked with?
Primarily I have worked with recent college graduates or current students, but I have also given abridged lessons to professionals in adjacent fields, like marketing or web design, looking to learn more on these areas as well as some hobbiests looking to take their craft to the next level. Whatever your background, I'm here to work with you.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My advice would be to choose someone you're comfortable with and who will work at your pace. Photo and video is an art form, and you need to have the time to discover your voice to create truly breathtaking work.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would recommend thinking about what your goals are for the class. Do you want to take nature photos or head shots? Do you want to make feature length comedies, or are you more interested in short documentaries? Will this be a career or a hobby. These questions will help me as a teacher tailor the lesson plan to your end goals.