Scribe Video Center was founded in 1982 as a place where emerging and experienced media artists could gain access to the tools and knowledge of video making and work together in a supportive environment. Scribe provides training in all aspects of film, video and audio production. We also offer classes in computer-based interactive media to individuals and community organizations as well.We give emerging and mid-level video makers the skills and opportunity to use video and film as tools for self-expression and for representing and supporting their communities.
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We have also received major gifts and contributions from Anonymous, In Honor of Yoichi Aizawa, Alex Alberro & Nora Alter, Charlotte Blake Alston, Regina Austin, Cecily Banks, Raymond Barbour, Steven Berry, Alessa Blanchard-Nelson, Mabel Brazington, Denise Brown, Anthony Buba, Henry Chalfant, Gloria T. Chisum, Willa Cofield, Michael Dennis, Ramy Djerassi, Pheralyn Dove, Melanie DuPree, Allan Edmunds, Janet Goldwater, Ann E. Greene, Adrienne & Allen Harris, Maori Karmael Holmes, Anna Maria Horsford, David Huisken, Mona Jimenez, Karen A. Jordan, Joel Katz, Debora Kodish & Robert Eskind, Alex Lewis, Charisse Lillie, M. Claire Lomax, Gail Loney, Mary Marshall Clark, Dwight & Christine Martin, Eugene Martin, Allen Massiah, Frederica Massiah-Jackson, Ellie Meek Tweedy, Vicky Meek, Olive Mosier, Michelle Nguyen, Jodi Nicole, Maida Odom, Pepon Osorio, Gerald & Carolyn Parker, Karen Redrobe, Michael Repak, Micheline Rice-Maximin, Ronan Law Group, Lynne Sachs, Gregory Scheidel, Sally Simmons & Charles Thrall, Walter Singer, Paulette Singleton, Mark J. Stern & Susan Seifert, Richardean Smalls, The Brick Patch Fund, Jennifer Sarah Tiffany, Diane Turner, Frank Tyson & the Charles Albert Tindley Institute, Geraldine Wang, Kristine Weatherston, Patricia White, Jacqueline Wiggins, Joyce Wilkerson, Idalah Womack, Cindy Wong, Dagmawi Woubshet, Dafna Yachin, Lise Yasui, Carina Yervasi, and Patricia Zimmerman.
We are currently seeking submissions for this summer's Street Movies! Street Movies! is a family-friendly event, and we expect anywhere from 40-100 people to be in attendance. We are seeking works that will appeal to our audiences of diverse ethnicities, races, and ages across the city. There will be eight to ten screening locations in August and each screening will feature four to five films per event. We are looking for animation, fiction, documentary and experimental work. Work should be no longer than 20 minutes.
Or call (215) 222-4201, our staff will be happy to assist you on your membership selection. Basic Membership $35 for one year: Includes discounted admission to workshops, Producers' Forums, and Master Classes. Contributor Membership $125 for one year: Includes Basic Membership privileges and free admission to one Master Class.
Reviews (3)
Cisse Facinet
May 12, 2021
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Alex M.
Dec 16, 2015
I second George R's praise and caveats. I actually made a special trip from NYC to take a workshop with a teacher who, like the one he describes, was poorly prepared and could have presented the minimally useful information provided in about 30 minutes. This place has such an important mission, and that is all the more reason that it should be doing a much better job to serve its diverse clientele.
One of the most distressing aspects of the workshop was that, in a context where bias is of course key to avoid, the teacher of my workshop actually picked on several students whom she appeared to think were more privileged, absurdly denigrating every contribution they made-- while other participants were lavishly praised no matter what they offered or presented.
She was wrong about the imputed "privilege" in at least two of the cases. Regardless, though, it's obviously terribly destructive, and unethical, to engage in bias of any kind, especially in this type of setting. I wasn't the target of the negative projections myself, but it damages everyone in a workshop when people are treated like this.
It also damages the culture and ethics of the organization. Speaking of which, a "monitor" from Scribe was present, presumably to "assist" with technical matters. He was unfriendly and indifferent in manner; at times he seemed downright hostile. Contributors and beneficiaries of Scribe should hold them accountable for providing good quality, bias-free workshops. WHAT SCRIBE IS TRYING TO DO REALLY MATTERS.
One of the most distressing aspects of the workshop was that, in a context where bias is of course key to avoid, the teacher of my workshop actually picked on several students whom she appeared to think were more privileged, absurdly denigrating every contribution they made-- while other participants were lavishly praised no matter what they offered or presented.
She was wrong about the imputed "privilege" in at least two of the cases. Regardless, though, it's obviously terribly destructive, and unethical, to engage in bias of any kind, especially in this type of setting. I wasn't the target of the negative projections myself, but it damages everyone in a workshop when people are treated like this.
It also damages the culture and ethics of the organization. Speaking of which, a "monitor" from Scribe was present, presumably to "assist" with technical matters. He was unfriendly and indifferent in manner; at times he seemed downright hostile. Contributors and beneficiaries of Scribe should hold them accountable for providing good quality, bias-free workshops. WHAT SCRIBE IS TRYING TO DO REALLY MATTERS.
George R.
Jun 29, 2008
Scribe Video Center is a community oriented non-profit that focuses on training individuals how to produce video. There are classes, workshops, equipment for rent, screenings, competitions, and much more. In comparison to so many other non-profits, their website is informative, up-to-date, and designed well. In my opinion, they have a lot of resources to teach students who are just beginning and provide an EXCELLENT learning environment.
Once you become a mid-level producer, there is equipment that you may desire to rent for your own independent projects as well as some very interesting workshops. I did a workshop on how to do time lapse video using still frame images from a digital SLR camera. However, I'm only giving it three stars because my workshop was not well prepared.
There were no materials handed out and everything that was discussed in the three hours could have been said in 30 minutes followed by a demonstration and a handout to take home. I'm sure that not all workshops are like this, but it was not a good introduction when the artist was well known for this technique. Plus, after looking in the production studios, their computers were older model Power Mac G4 towers and they lend Sony VX1000 video cameras (that model came out in 1997 as the first prosumer MiniDV camera).
I will mention that they have a few new HDV cameras, but those are in limited supply. It is noteworthy to mention they have 16mm cameras, but then it is up to you to develop it and convert it to digital. At present they are starting to experiment with HD and I'm sure that much of their equipment will be changing over the next few years to accommodate this new work flow.
In short, if you're just getting into video, this is the place you want to be. They can give you a community of artists and a working environment that is conducive to learning and project opportunities. However, coming at it as a higher level video producer, the opportunities available may not be anything that you're looking for. They're located on Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia. Take the 21 bus west and then walk one block north to 42nd and Chestnut. Or take the Market Frankford line to 40th and Market stop.
Once you become a mid-level producer, there is equipment that you may desire to rent for your own independent projects as well as some very interesting workshops. I did a workshop on how to do time lapse video using still frame images from a digital SLR camera. However, I'm only giving it three stars because my workshop was not well prepared.
There were no materials handed out and everything that was discussed in the three hours could have been said in 30 minutes followed by a demonstration and a handout to take home. I'm sure that not all workshops are like this, but it was not a good introduction when the artist was well known for this technique. Plus, after looking in the production studios, their computers were older model Power Mac G4 towers and they lend Sony VX1000 video cameras (that model came out in 1997 as the first prosumer MiniDV camera).
I will mention that they have a few new HDV cameras, but those are in limited supply. It is noteworthy to mention they have 16mm cameras, but then it is up to you to develop it and convert it to digital. At present they are starting to experiment with HD and I'm sure that much of their equipment will be changing over the next few years to accommodate this new work flow.
In short, if you're just getting into video, this is the place you want to be. They can give you a community of artists and a working environment that is conducive to learning and project opportunities. However, coming at it as a higher level video producer, the opportunities available may not be anything that you're looking for. They're located on Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia. Take the 21 bus west and then walk one block north to 42nd and Chestnut. Or take the Market Frankford line to 40th and Market stop.
