I am Max

I am Max

Director: Edward Porembny

Producers: Steven Fischer, Edward Porembny, Daniel Markowicz, Olivier Gal

Fiscal Sponsor: The International Documentary Association, Los Angeles.

Charlie Chaplin was his apprentice, he was the first international star, earning fortune and being adored in France, Europe and Hollywood. And then at the peak of his career everything suddenly finished. Max Linder ended his life by the side of his adorable wife. How was it possible?

Visit I am Max on IMDb

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Cartoon Classes Galore!

Learn the art of cartoon storytelling at The Second City, that famed Chicago comedy Alma Mater of Bill Murray, John Candy, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley, Harold Ramis and so many other brilliant, comedic minds.

Each course explores story breakdown, character development, page layout, the creative process, and studies from life. Students will create original characters and an original story based on personal experiences. No previous drawing experience required—if you can create a stick figure, you can succeed in these courses!

Sign up for:

Steven Fischer’s Intro to Cartoon Storytelling (for adults!)

Wednesdays, April 5-26, 2017 — 3-hour sessions starting at 7pm

 

The Wonderful, Happy, Cartoony Workshop (for ages 14-18)

Workshop: Saturday, April 15, 2017 (2-hours)

Four-session Class version:  Saturday, April 22-23 and 29-30, 2017 (2-hour sessions)

“Steve & Bluey” by Steven Fischer. Copyright 2014 Steven Fischer.

Cartoon Class at Second City, begins April 5!

Many thanks to The Second City, Chicago, for offering Introduction to Cartoon Storytelling — 4 weeks of intense cartooning starting April 5. Get those pencils ready and sign up here.

Details:

Learn the art of cartoon storytelling, effective communication techniques, and develop personal expression. This course explores story breakdown, character development, page layout, and studies from life. Students will create original characters and an original story based on personal experiences. No previous drawing experience required—if you can create a stick figure, you can succeed in this course!3 hours, 4 weeks starting April 5, 2017.

About the instructor: Steven Fischer is a two-time Emmy nominated filmmaker and cartoonist. His credits include the Steve & Bluey cartoon series, the acclaimed animated documentary Freedom Dance (2007) with Mariska Hargitay, and Old School New School (2011) a personal study on creativity with celebrated actor Brian Cox and jazz legend McCoy Tyner among many other internationally acclaimed artists. Steven’s commissioned work includes projects for Maryland Public Television/PBS, TV Asia, Nextel, Bill Melendez Productions, and Screen Arts Animation. Steven is a Fulbright recipient and sought internationally to speak on creativity.

Cartoonist and animation filmmaker Steven Fischer presents Cartoon Storytelling at The Second City in Chicago. Photo by Alicia Haywood.

Cartoon Storytelling Is Back at Second City

Join me for a full Cartoon Storytelling class at the famed Second City, Chicago Starts Tuesday, July 5.

Bring your story ideas to life in cartoon format, no experience necessary. In Cartoon Storytelling you will explore narrative, character development and format. In-class writing and drawing exercises help you discover new possibilities in expressing your ideas and point of view. You’ll try your hand at several formats (comic book, comic strip, single panel) as you build your own original personal story in cartoon form. If you can make a stick figure, you can get started!

3 hours, 6 weeks

About the instructor: Steven Fischer is a two-time Emmy® nominated writer/producer/digital cinematographer of fiction, non-fiction, and animated stories. His credits include the films Freedom Dance (2007) featuring Mariska Hargitay and Old School New School (2010) with Brian Cox. His commissioned work includes Martin Scorsese’s NEH Jefferson Lecture and Keep the Promise with Margaret Cho and Tavis Smiley among various films for Maryland Public Television/PBS, Romanian Television Network, TV Asia, Nextel, DuPont, Nalco/Ecolabs, Department of Defense, AmeriCorps, Hollywood Stars II, and National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Fischer is a Fulbright recipient and speaks internationally on storytelling.

Click here to sign up!

Draw! Draw! Draw! Steven Fischer presents Cartoon Storytelling at The Second City, Chicago, 2016. Photo by Alicia Haywood.

 

Cartoon Storytelling comes back to Second City!

I am proud to announce that Second City, famed school of comedy, home to John Candy, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and many more comedy legends, is offering my Cartoon Storytelling class starting this July.

Sign up, sharpen your pencils, and join the fun!

Details:

Bring your story ideas to life in cartoon format, no experience necessary. Explore narrative, character development and format. In-class writing and drawing exercises help you discover new possibilities in expressing your ideas and point of view. You’ll try your hand at several formats (comic book, comic strip, single panel) as you build your own original personal story in cartoon form. If you can make a stick figure, you can get started!

Tuesday nights,  JULY 5 – AUGUST 9, 2016 ….. 7pm – 10pm

About the instructor: Steven Fischer is a two-time Emmy® nominated writer/producer/digital cinematographer of fiction, non-fiction, and animated stories. His credits include the films Freedom Dance (2007) featuring Mariska Hargitay and Old School New School (2010) with Brian Cox. His commissioned work includes Martin Scorsese’s NEH Jefferson Lecture, Keep the Promise with Margaret Cho and Tavis Smiley, and Bill Cosby Live at The Kennedy Center among various films for Maryland Public Television/PBS, Romanian Television Network, TV Asia, Nextel, DuPont, Nalco/Ecolabs, Department of Defense, AmeriCorps, Hollywood Stars II, and National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Fischer is a Fulbright recipient and speaks internationally on storytelling.

Sign up: http://www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/cartooning-a-2d-guide-to-3d-characters-copy/

Thank you, Second City!

A big thank you to Sheena Laird, Rawson Vint and Andy Eninger at Second City Training Center for hosting Thursday’s workshop on cartoons and creativity! (In 3-hours we looked at the philosophy of creativity, worked the creative process, brought new characters to life, studied narrative structure, exercised some basic drawing fundamentals, and drew a bunch of cartoons. Whew!)

An extra big thank you to the participants! You guys were great, and I look forward to seeing the results of your creative efforts.  Thanks also for showing so much interest in my cartoon work, and in The Wonderful, Happy, Cartoony World of Steve & Bluey — click here for the details.
For those who missed the fun, keep your eyes open at Second City — there just might be a cartoon course debuting in June! (Wink, wink; nudge, nudge.)

A very special thank you to Alicia Haywood for capturing the night in photos!

Steven Fischer presents A 2D Guide to 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago. April 20, 2016. Photo by Alicia Haywood.

Steven Fischer presents A 2D Guide to 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago! April 2016. Photo: Alicia Haywood

Steven Fischer works with cartoon and creativity workshop participants at Second City, Chicago. April 2016. Photo by Alicia Haywood.

Steven Fischer presents A 2D Guide to 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago! April 2016. Photo: Alicia Haywood

Steven Fischer presents A 2D Guide to 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago! April 2016. Photo: Alicia Haywood

Steven Fischer presents A 2D Guide to 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago! April 2016. Photo: Alicia Haywood

Back at Second City for Cartoons and Character Creation

Join Steven Fischer’s 2D Guide to Creating 3D Characters at Second City, Chicago!

Create original characters and personal stories for theater, radio, TV, or literature in this unique storytelling workshop. Participants exercise the creative process to develop original characters and stories through writing and storytelling. Cartoonist and two-time Emmy Award nominated writer/producer Steven Fischer leads participants through writing and drawing exercises that help develop well-rounded characters, locations, stories, and themes. Along the way, explore the philosophy and psychology of inspiration, creativity and storytelling.

Steven Fischer’s creativity and cartooning workshop aboard SeaDream, afloat somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. April 2014.

Character Creation Workshop at Second City!

Join Steven Fischer at Second City on Saturday, February 28, 2015, for a cartoon character creation workshop!

Create original characters and personal stories for theater, radio, TV, or literature in this unique storytelling workshop. Participants exercise the creative process to develop original characters and stories through the art of cartooning. Cartoonist and two-time Emmy Award nominated writer/producer Steven Fischer leads participants through writing and drawing exercises that help develop well-rounded characters, locations, stories, and themes. Along the way, explore the philosophy and psychology of inspiration, creativity and storytelling. No drawing experience is necessary.

For details and registration click here!

Creativity and Old School New School at Greenhouse Theater Center, Chicago

Join TheatrePros and Steven Fischer as they present a stimulating discussion on the nature of creativity with top artists working in the Chicago theater scene. The panel continues the discussion begun in Old School New School about how a person can tap into his or her full creative potential.

Join Tony Award winning set designer Todd Rosenthal, Hollywood TV sitcom writer Carla Waddles, and Second City Writing Program director Andy Eninger.

Click here for details!

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