Info

SMS also specializes in assisting young filmmakers with independent films. For the past several years, SMS has given a yearly "Cinematography Award" to a qualified Columbia School senior or graduate student who excelled in the area of cinematography. This award consists of $2,500 in rental as well as a cash completion payment of $500 to assist in paying those post production bills. SMS has always been part of the internship program and assists students from Columbia, University of Illinois - Chicago, etc. in gaining hands-on experience. In order to keep up with the latest trends as well as seek out new products to add to the SMS inventory (sales and rental), Man-Sung and Helena attend NAB and ShowBiz Expo. The list of products and services offered by SMS continues to grow. One of the greatest strengths SMS can offer a client is a staff who is not just working 9 to 5, but a staff that is dedicated to filmmaking. Man-Sung's career has taken him from engineering to cinematography. He not only understands the technical workings of the cameras and lenses, he understands what the cinematographer is trying to accomplish. In many cases, he had to redesign equipment to fit the needs of the cinematographer. Man-Sung recently took part in the City of Chicago's Principal for a Day Program and found it a most rewarding experience. He was assigned to an elementary school on the far Southeast side of Chicago. He found the students to be bright, disciplined and full of energy and curiosity. He is also encouraging the school board to set up film classes for elementary children. High schools and colleges offer film classes. Why not elementary schools? The time to start appreciating the fine art of filmmaking is when you're young. He will, of course, lend his full support to this endeavor. Additionally, SMS has set up a film school. The school provides a hands-on experience at an advanced level to people who want to improve their skills as filmmakers. A mentoring environment created by seasoned professionals using state-of-the-art equipment provides a setting, that, through examples and creative problem solving, improves each person's approach to the many processes that filmmaking requires. Each day brings new challenges for our clients and SMS. We will continue to meet those challenges.