Filmmaking is fun and we firmly believe that classes about filmmaking should be fun as well.

No lectures here - the best way to learn is by doing. All of our classes are limited to 10 students or less and everyone is encouraged to "get their hands dirty". Screenwriters will write, actors will act, and filmmakers will shoot films using our equipment.

We love filmmaking and are eager to help you learn the craft while you bring your own film dreams to life.

We are located in the heart of Martinsville, New Jersey (minutes from Routes 22, 78, and 287). Our 900 square foot studio is handicapped accessible and provides plenty of room for both instruction and production. Our walls are painted white, black, and even green allowing us to shoot a variety of looks and special effects.

We are fully loaded with all the equipment needed for independent filmmaking:

Cameras: Panasonic HVX200 Digital Camera Panasonic GH1 D-SLR Nikon Prime Lenses: 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm Cinetech Follow Focus CaVision Support Rods System Monitors: 2 Ikegami TM9-1 Video Monitors Varizoom 7 LCD Monitor Tripod and Mounts: Bogen 503 Tripod Head Bogen 2036 Tripod Sticks Manfrotto Fig Rig DV Rig Pro Glidecam 2000 Pro Jib: EZFX Jib 8 Foot EZFX Jib Pod Dolly: Rowe Cine Dolly Over 30 Feet of Dolly Track Grip Cart: Slate Clamps Cinefoil Apple Boxes Gaffer's Tape Laser Tape Measure and Much More

Lighting: Kino-Flo Diva-Lite 200 Kit Kino-Flo Diva-Lite 400 Kit Lowell DV Creator Light Kit 55 1/2 a Dozen Metal Clamp Lights Westcott Reflector 6 in 1 52" PhotoFlex Reflector 5 in 1 42" PhotoFlex Tripod and Reflector Arm Green Screen Kit (10 x 12 w/ stands and crossbar) Marble Cloth Interview Backdrop Set of Matthews Flags (various sizes) 4 Matthews Century Stands with Arms 2 Lighting Tripods Sound: Zoom H4n Portable Digital Recorder Sony MDR-7506 Production Headphones Sennheiser G2 Wireless Microphones Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Microphone Sennheiser Pistol Grip, Windsock, and Windscreen Carbon Fiber Boom Pole Matthews Boom Pole Grip DV ProMix 3 - Field Mixer XLR Cables (various lengths) Editing and Post Production: Apple 17-inch Macbook Pro Apple Final Cut Pro Editing Suite Sapphire Special Effects Package Magic Bullet Looks DV Matte Pro Adobe Photoshop G-Raid Hard Drives (w/ over 6 terabytes of storage) Optoma EW1610 DLP HD WideScreen Projector

Chris Messineo
Director ~ NJ Film School

Chris Messineo is an award-winning writer and director.

He is the founder of Off Stage Films, an independent production company, shooting short films and corporate videos. They have won awards for screenwriting, acting, sound, cinematography, editing, score, and directing.

He has worked as a director, screenwriter, crew member, script reader, screenplay consultant, and even a film festival judge. He has taught hundreds of students in night school as well as at schools in the tri-state area.

In 1998, he formed the NJ Screenwriter's Group and since then, they have held over 150 original screenplay readings. In 2002, he created MoviePoet.com, a free online contest and forum to celebrate the art of short scripts and help bring screenwriters and filmmakers together.

Chris is passionate about filmmaking and teaching. He lives in New Providence with his wife and daughter.

Chris Furlong
Teaching Assistant ~ NJ Film School

Chris Furlong believes that “Life is an Improv.”

He has been affiliated with the Chatham Playhouse in Chatham, NJ for over 25 years. He has done it all from performing, designing/building sets, sound design, casting, and painting. He has also served on the theater’s Board of Trustees as President, Vice President and Business Manager.

For over 10 years, he taught drama and improvisation at an overnight summer camp in North Jersey. Chris worked for the S.P.A.T.T. program of Chatham by teaching theater to students ranging from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Locally, he has directed High School plays.

Chris has produced numerous films for Off Stage Films and assisted with production responsibilities on corporate videos. He lives in Morris Plains with his wife and two precious cats.

Kristin Barber
Instructor ~ NJ Film School

Kristin Barber has been in the industry for over 20 years.

She began as an actress in theater, commercials, and soap operas. Kristin then became a talent agent and worked in the young talent division of two top talent agencies in New York City. Her past clients include Justin Long, Mischa Barton, Ellen Pompeo, Michelle Trachtenberg, Hayden Panettiere, and Frankie Muniz - just to name a few.

Kristin has taught many commercial classes at various schools in New York City, judged local and national talent searches, and is currently the Casting Director for The Chatham Playhouse.

Kristin resides in New Jersey with her husband and two babies.