Workshops
AFCOOP’s Winter Workshop Series presents workshops in all aspects of filmmaking from screenwriting to editing to everything in between. There are workshops that are appropriate for people new to filmmaking as well as workshops designed to enhance the skills of more experienced filmmakers.
Workshops can be taken individually or as part of the requirements to obtain a position as a FILM 5 Trainee.
Workshops run from January to March and are open to all. Some workshops require prerequisites, which are noted in the descriptions.
Workshops are open to the public.
Registration
Registration is on a first come first served basis. Workshops need to be paid in full in order for your spot to be confirmed. Payment is accepted over the phone (Visa/Mastercard), or in the AFCOOP office (debit, credit, cash or cheque). Payment on the day of the workshop will incur an additional $5 fee so register early!
Cost
Four hour, evening workshops are $45 for AFCOOP members and $55 for non-members. Two day weekend workshops are $200 (members) $225 (non-members). Other workshops are priced individually. All prices subject to change.
Membership
Associate membership to AFCOOP is $40 and is good for a full year. Sign up in the AFCOOP office.
Cancellation policy
24 hrs in advance for an evening workshop or 48 hrs for a weekend workshop in order to receive a full refund or workshop credit.
Instructors
All workshop instructors are professional and practicing filmmakers. Hands-on workshops also include up to four hours of on-site practice time.
Location
All workshops take place at The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, 5663 Cornwallis Street, Suite 101, unless otherwise stated.
Email
Chris Spencer-Lowe: production@afcoop.ca (for questions about the workshop series)
Martha Cooley: membership@afcoop.ca (for questions about becoming a FILM 5 Trainee)
AFCOOP Office Hours
Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm (Thursdays 10am – 8pm)
WORKSHOP CATEGORIES
General Workshops and Info Sessions
Intro to Filmmaking in Nova Scotia
Introduction to Successful Screenwriting
Grant Writing: Finding the Money
Set Etiquette
Trainee Info Session
Trainee/Team Meet and Greet
Cinematography – the Camera Department
Film as the Medium
35mm Cameras: Part II
35mm Cameras: Part I
Intro to Digital Imaging for Filmmaking
Film Imaging with HD video
Camera Assistant’s Intensive
Cinematography Primer: Visual Style
The Power of Light – the Grip and Electric Department
Film as the Medium
Lighting Principals and Aesthetics
William F. Whites presents: Grip and Electric Intensive
Cinematography Primer: Visual Style
Behind the Scenes – the Production Team
Production Managers’ Intensive
Continuity and Script Supervision
Art Department Intensive
Assistant Directing
Boom Poles and Sound Design – the Sound Department
Digital Sound Editing with Protools
Studio Sound Recording
Location Sound Recording
Audio Principles
Editor’s Cut – the Post Production Team
Editing Aesthetics
AVID Editing Intensive
Post-Production Intensive
General Workshops and Info Session
Intro to Filmmaking in Nova Scotia
Cost: $45/$55
Thursday, January 26th, 6pm – 10pm
“How do I turn my idea into a film in Nova Scotia?” This is a great workshop for those new to filmmaking and/or to filmmaking in the region. Topics such as choice of medium, shooting style, forms and the availability (or non-availability) of resources in the Maritime region will be discussed at length.
Introduction to Successful Screenwriting
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, February 1st, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop covers the art and craft of independent short screenwriting for participants with minimal or no previous experience in creative writing for film. Topics covered include screenplay format, plot structure and character development.
Grant Writing: Finding the Money
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, Feb. 8th 6pm – 10pm
Find out about the guidelines and requirements to obtain funding for your independent project and where to find film funding. Topics covered include sources of funding, timelines and the art of preparing and presenting a successful grant application.
Set Etiquette
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, March 6th 6pm – 10pm
Ever wonder who does what on a film set? How the set is run? This IATSE certified workshop will prepare beginners for what to expect when they arrive on a film set.
Required ALL FILM 5 Trainees
Trainee Info Session
Cost: FREE
Tuesday, Jan. 17th 6pm – 7pm
This information session will cover everything you need to know about becoming a FILM 5 Trainee. We will provide an overview of the various Trainee departments and workshop requirements.
Trainee/Team Meet and Greet
Cost: FREE
Tuesday, March 13th 6pm – 8pm
This informal gathering will allow FILM 5 Teams and potential Trainees to get to know each other. Teams will present a brief summary of their project to the group and then there will be time to mingle and meet each other.
Required ALL FILM 5 Trainees
Cinematography – the Camera Department
Film as the Medium
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop covers the basics of film image science and how that determines your creative approach to image crafting. Topics discussed include: a brief history of film technology and its development, luminance theory, persistence-of-vision, focal length and the art of lens choices, film stock options and more.
Required: FILM 5 Camera Assistant Trainees and Grip and Electric Trainees
35mm Cameras: Part I
Cost: $45/$55
Thursday, Feb. 2nd 6pm – 10pm
A comprehensive overview into the exciting world of 35mm motion picture cinematography with the Arriflex 35III and 35BL III cameras. Hands-on instruction and a review of the 35mm format will be included in this workshop.
Prerequisite: Film as the Medium
Required: FILM 5 Camera Assistant Trainees
35mm Cameras: Part II- DATE CHANGE
Cost: $45/$55
Monday, Feb. 13th 6pm – 10pm
An extension of the 35mm workshop. A basic overview of professional camera accessories, follow focus, video taps, speed control units, matte boxes, etc.
Prerequisite: 35mm Cameras Part I.
Required: FILM 5 Camera Assistant Trainees.
Film Imaging with HD video: The Panasonic HVX 200 with 35mm lenses
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, Feb. 21st, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop will familiarize participants with some of the tools of HD image gathering, specifically within the context of established filmmaking practices. Participants will learn to operate the second-generation HD camera, the Panasonic HVX-200A and the P + S Technik Mini 35 Digital Image Converter. The combination of these two tools allows the use of professional 35mm film lenses with HD imaging, bridging the worlds of film and HD video. Data management solutions will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: Film as the Medium and Intro to Digital Imaging
Intro to Digital Imaging – DATE CHANGE
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, Feb. 28th 6pm – 10pm
Introduces the basics of High Definition imaging technology and creative approaches to digital image crafting. Topics covered include formats of Standard and High Definition Digital video, HD file types, storage mediums, file management and a brief overview of some of the common HD cameras in use today.
Cinematography Primer: Visual Style- DATE CHANGE
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, Feb. 29th, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop will explore how film and lighting come together to communicate feelings, ideas and tell a story.
Prerequisites: Film as the Medium, Lighting Principals and Aesthetics and one or more camera workshops.
Camera Assistant’s Intensive – DATE CHANGE
Cost: $200/$225
Saturday/Sunday, March 3rd/4th 10am – 5pm
This two-day course will cover the tasks associated with being a 1st Assistant Camera, Loader and Trainee as well as basic camera operation. Topics covered include the working relationship with the DOP, focus pulling, loading mags, filters and lenses, film stocks and inventory.
Prerequisite: 35mm Cameras Part I and II
Required Film 5 Camera Assistant Trainees.
The Power of Light – the Grip and Electric Department
Film as the Medium
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, Jan. 24 th, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop covers the basics of film image science and how that determines your creative approach to image crafting. Topics discussed include: a brief history of film technology and its development, luminance theory, persistence-of-vision, focal length and the art of lens choices, film stock options and more.
Required: FILM 5 Camera Department Trainees and Grip/Electric Trainees
Lighting Principals and Aesthetics- DATE CHANGE
Cost: $45/$55
Thursday, Feb. 23 rd 6pm – 10pm
Learn the fundamentals of lighting aesthetics, science and how to set up basic film lighting scenarios.
Prerequisite: Film as the Medium.
Required: FILM 5 Grip/Electric Trainees.
William F. Whites presents: Grip and Electric Intensive
Cost: $200/$225
Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 25 th/26th 10am – 5pm
Instructor: Jeffrey Adams
Participants will be given an overview of the equipment, job descriptions, and structure of the two departments. The workshop will cover the technical and safety aspects of lighting and grip work. Through a series of set-ups and demonstrations the participants will learn the basics about colour, electricity and lighting equipment.
Prerequisites: Film as the Medium, and Lighting Principals and Aesthetics.
Required: FILM Grip/Electric Trainees
Cinematography Primer: Visual Style- DATE CHANGE
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, Feb. 29th, 6pm – 10pm
This workshop will explore how film and lighting come together to communicate feelings, ideas and tell a story.
Prerequisites: Film as the Medium, Lighting Principals and Aesthetics and one or more camera workshops.
Behind the Scenes – the Production Team
Production Managers’ Intensive
Cost: $200/$225
Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 18 th/19th 10am – 5pm
Instructor: Sean Doyle (Roller Town)
Good management is an important component of realizing the creative vision of the filmmaking team. In this two-day crash course participants will learn about the organizational tools that can help a production run smoothly and how to manage production problems that arise. Topics covered include the role of the Production Manager and team, script breakdown, budgeting, cost reporting, hiring personnel, locations and money management.
Required: FILM 5 Production Coordinator Trainees.
Continuity and Script Supervision
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, Feb. 22nd 6pm – 10pm
Learn why continuity is one of the most important aspects of shooting a film.
Required: FILM 5 Continuity Assistant Trainees.
Art Department Intensive – DATE CHANGE
Cost: $200/$225
Saturday/Sunday, March 17th/18th 10am – 5pm
Instructor: Terry Quennell (Haven, Snow Angles, Sea Wolf)
This intensive will introduce participants to the structure and roles of the Art Department. Topics will include techniques, script breakdown, planning and budgeting, tips, dos and don’ts and more.
Required: FILM 5 Art Department Trainees
Assistant Directing
Cost: $100/$130
Saturday, March 10th 10am – 5pm
Instructor: Nicole Close (Roller Town)
This one-day workshop will cover the specific functions of the AD team and provide an overview of how the AD team organizes an efficient independent film. Pre-production and production requirements will be discussed in detail including script breakdown, shooting schedules, on-set responsibilities, and cast/ crew co-ordination.
Required: FILM 5 Assistant Director Trainees.
Boom Poles and Sound Design– the Sound Department
Audio Principles
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, March 7 th 6pm – 10pm
An introduction to the terms, principles and science of sound and electronic sound equipment. A must for anyone interested in recording sound for film or sound recording in general.
This workshop is a prerequisite for the Location Sound Recording and Digital Sound Editing with Pro Tools workshops. It is highly recommended for Sound Design Intensive.
Required: FILM 5 Sound Department Trainees.
Location Sound Recording
Cost: $100/$130
Sunday, March 11 th 10am – 5pm
Learn the basics of location sound recording, mixing and boom operating. An overview of AFCOOP’s location sound equipment will be given and you will participate in some recording practices during this hands-on day.
Prerequisite: Audio Principles
Required: FILM 5 Sound Department Trainees.
Studio Sound Recording
Cost: $45/$55
Wednesday, March 14 th 6pm – 10pm
An Intro to AFCOOP’s NEW post sound suite and general studio practices and principles.
Prerequisite: Audio Principles. This workshop is a prerequisite for the Digital Sound Editing with Pro Tools workshops.
Digital Sound Editing with Protools
Cost: $205m / $235
Thursday, Mar. 22 nd 6pm – 10pm
Saturday/Sunday, March 24th / 25th 10am – 5pm
Learn how to digitize sound effects, foley, dialogue, backgrounds and music into AFCOOP’s Pro Tools environment and edit, manipulate and yes, even mix them together. Twelve hours of practice time is included! Only five participants accepted!
Prerequisites: Studio Sound Recording, Audio Principles or equivalent studio experience and FAMILIARITY WITH MAC COMPUTERS. Recommended: Post Production Intensive, Location Sound Recording
Editor’s Cut – the Post Production Team
Post-Production Intensive
Cost: $95/$130
Thursday, March 1 st 6pm – 10pm
Thursday, March 8th 6pm – 10pm
The shoot is only the beginning. A basic step-by-step guide to finishing your film. Topics will include scheduling and avoiding technical pitfalls, an overview of the lab processes involved in making a 16mm and 35mm film as well as how video is used to facilitate a film finish.
Highly recommended for Digital Sound Editing with Pro Tools, Sound Design Intensive and AVID Editing Intensive.
Required: FILM 5 Producers, Directors and Editing Trainees.
AVID Editing Intensive
Cost: $205/$235
Thursday, March 29 th 6pm – 10pm
Saturday/Sunday, March 31th/April 1st 10am – 5pm
This comprehensive clinic will introduce participants to the universally used AVID MEDIA COMPOSER editing software and hardware. You will also learn how to apply your knowledge of AVID editing to film and effectively edit for a film finish while minimizing the hassles and pitfalls of the process. Twelve hours of practice time is included! Only five participants accepted!
Highly recommended: Post-Production Intensive.
Editing Aesthetics
Cost: $45/$55
Tuesday, March 20 th 6pm – 10pm
The formal language and creative elements of editing for film will be discussed in this entertaining and informative seminar. Plenty of clips from popular films and will be screened and examined.
Required: FILM 5 Editing Trainees.
