THE MISKATONIC INSTITUTE OF HORROR STUDIES
The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies is an organization that offers a variety of theory and production-based workshops for youth aged 14-29. Statistics show that teenagers account for a healthy portion of horror film audiences, much to the chagrin of parents who would rather their kids steer clear of the genre. Often critically disdained, the horror genre is associated in many people’s minds with misogyny, superfluous violence, poor writing, and worse acting. But there is a lot more to horror films than meets the eye - and at such an impressionable and media-saturated age, it’s important for teens to be given the tools with which they can become responsible viewers. In Miskatonic courses, they'll get to see rare scare films with a group of like-minded fans, as well as the chance to connect with horror professionals who can help them on their way to a career in the world of horror films and fiction.
The Miskatonic Institiute of Horror Studies is a structure through which established horror writers, directors and programmers/curators can offer their experience to a young generation of horror fans through workshops and masterclasses. In addition to the bricks-and-mortar school, which is housed at the BLUE SUNSHINE FILM CENTRE on St-Laurent in Montreal, Miskatonic courses are also available on-demand, in any city. Instructors come from across Canada (sometimes including visiting guest instructors from other countries) and are available to offer courses in their own city, or to be brought in to teach a course in another city or remote area. For more detail about courses and instructors available, email Kier-La Janisse at bigsmashproductions@gmail.com.
“It feels incredibly good to discuss these things with people that care, which just reminds me how much I love learning about new things. I wish college was like this.” – Ariel Esteban Cayer, Miskatonic Student, aged 17
Stuart Gordon and Dennis Paoli teaching the masterclass ADAPTING H.P. LOVECRAFT FOR THE SCREEN at Miskatonic in July 2010. More pictures HERE.
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CURRICULUM + REGISTRATION
Miskatonic begins weekly classes in fall of 2011, with the occasional weekend class by visiting instructors. Classes may require reading or viewing homework. The 2011 fall semester lineup will be announced in mid-August 2011.
Students can register for individual classes, or can pre-register for an immersive year-round curriculum (October-April). Curriculum may vary from year to year.
THE FANTASIA SCHOLARSHIP
Sometimes the youth who would get the most out of these courses are deterred by the professional registration fees. This is where Fantasia has stepped in to help! Fantasia offers five scholarships per school year (October-May) to would-be participants who are unable to cover the costs of yearly registration. To apply for the Fantasia Scholarship you need to be between the ages of 14-29 and be willing to fill out the one-page application form available for download on the Miskatonic website. To apply for a scholarship, download and fill out the form HERE and email the completed for to bigsmashproductions@gmail.com.
Founder Bio:
Kier-La Janisse is a writer and film programmer who co-founded Blue Sunshine, Montreal's Psychotronic Film Centre. She has programmed for the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, founded the CineMuerte Horror Film Festival and the Big Smash! Music-on-Film Festival (both in Vancouver) and was the subject of the documentary Celluloid Horror (2005). She has written for Filmmaker, Rue Morgue and Fangoria magazines, has contributed to The Scarecrow Movie Guide (Sasquatch Books, 2004) and Destroy All Movies!! (forthcoming from Fantagraphics), and is the author of A Violent Professional: The Films of Luciano Rossi, published by FAB Press in 2007. Currently, Ms. Janisse hsa just completed a new book about female neurosis in horror and exploitation films entitled House of Psychotic Women.
UPCOMING COURSES:
