A Year at Hallmark

Every week brings something new in Hallmark's intensive 10-month program. Retrace the journey of our most recent graduates, the Class of 2011, from orientation to graduation. As you step through this timeline, realize that a given week in 2012 or 2013 will likely be different from the "same" week in 2010 or 2011 — unlike multi-year programs, Hallmark is unfettered in its ability to rapidly adapt to industry changes. We take advantage of that freedom to give every class the most current and relevant instruction possible.

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Tony Downer photo

Week Twenty-Two — What's Happening at Hallmark??? Snow; and plenty of it. While our loyal postmen and women may adhere to the creed "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds", so do our dedicated students and staff. This image summarizes the winter we've had in New England thus far. That didn't stop our October 2011 graduates from all showing up, on time to a recent off-campus field trip to shoot 2-stop lighting differentials along with instructors Rich Barnes and Tony Downer. The challenging weather only served to secure the bond this group has already formed in their 4 short weeks since beginning classes. Inside where it's warmer, they begin to present their 5-minute autobiographical presentations; sharing their backgrounds with their classmates while also gaining public speaking experience. Meanwhile, our June 2011 graduates begin Critique classes. As they are completing more and more shooting assignments for their Phase III Portfolio, the Critique classes allow them individual attention from our instructors to help them choose the best images for submission. After shooting video with their Canon 5D Mark II, students begin to learn about post-production as they sit in on Video Editing classes as well.