Workshops

Learn Filmmaking at Hart House

Hart House offers a full complement of entry-level filmmaking classes to help all budding filmmakers kick-start their career at a fraction of the cost of film school.Filmmaking Classes at Hart House fall into three distinct areas:

-multi-week classes focused on storytelling (writing, directing, editing);
-short classes in core equipment areas (cameras, lights, audio, editing);
-100% hands-on shooting and cutting exercises for absolute beginners.

All our classes are for beginners and intermediates who need brushing up and are guaranteed to inform and energize your creative powers. Learn more at Creative Classes.

“By concentrating on the fundamentals of filmmaking we provide students with the shortest route to getting started on their own productions. For the more creative students we provide all the training they may need to launch a career as a filmmaker.”

Classes open to everyone: students, members and non-members.
You may register in person at the HUB (inside Hart House) or online at www.harthouse.ca/classes
creativeclasses@harthouse.ca
416-978-5363

Spring/Summer classes now on sale.

 Documenting Fieldwork

Instructor: Rick Palidwor

When:

Session I: CLOSED

 Session II: Saturday, June 16, Sunday, June 17 and Saturday, June 23 (3 days)

 Session III: Saturday, July 21, Sunday, July 22 and Saturday, July 28 (3 days)

 Time: 12:00 – 4:00pm

 Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

 Registration Fee: $80 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $120 (general public)

 

This practical, hands-on class is ideal for anyone wanting to create an audio-visual presentation as part of their course work or as a personal project. You will learn simple tips to gathering better pictures and sound, how to conduct effective interviews, and how to identify additional media (B-roll) with the editing process in mind.

 

 There will be a hands-on component each day, and students will be invited to complete take-home assignments after each session and share them with the class. The assignments will consist of taking a series of photos and video applying the techniques discussed in class.

  

For graduate students, this qualifies for Graduate Professional Services (GPS) credit.

  

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from Session II is 5pm June 13, Session III is 5pm July 18. A $15 withdrawal fee applies. 

 

Student Testimonials

“Very practical. Great examples.”

“Rick is straight to the point and funny.”

“Very clear detailed explanations.”

 

Instructor Rick Palidwor has had numerous short films and videos broadcast in Canada and abroad and he is the producer and co-director of the award-winning feature Sleep Always. Rick has taught filmmaking at Hart House, York University, George Brown College and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for many years. Rick is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.

 

 

Film Production Sound 101

Instructor: Kevin Munro

When: Monday May 7 and Wednesday May 9 (2 days)

Time: 6:00-9:00pm

Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

Registration Fee: $60 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $90 (general public).

 

An introduction to the basic concepts of movie sound. Topics include: elements of sound, audio formats, single system vs. double system, and a brief introduction to various mics and other basic gear. Students acquire a greater understanding of the challenges of recording location sound. Topics covered include: recording techniques, challenges of field recording and troubleshooting. Students will do some hands-on recording in the classroom to experiment with proximity, the mic axis and room acoustics. Equipment used in this class is the same equipment available to members of the Hart House Film Board.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 3. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Dynamic.”

“Too many [good qualities] to write them all.”

“He’s perfect.”

 

Instructor Kevin Munro is a graduate from Sheridan College’s Media Arts program and a Toronto-based freelance sound engineer (Broompole Productions). He has recorded location sound and mixed audio for numerous films, documentaries, and commercials that have been broadcast and screened across North America.

 

 

Writing a Short Screenplay

Instructor: Kathleen Cummins

When: Thursdays, June 7 to June 28 (4 weeks.)

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

Registration Fee: $120 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $180 (general public)

 

 The course is about the art and craft of screenwriting. Through in-class writing exercises, script readings, and film screenings, students will explore the key issues in telling a good story for film, a visual and sound medium. These key issues explored are: developing characters and point of view, building plot and story structures, and deploying central and recurring themes.

 

 NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm June 5. A $15 withdrawal fee applies. 

Instructor Kathleen Cummins is a filmmaker, media arts educator, and academic. She has written, directed and produced short films that have been broadcast and screened internationally. Her films have received funding from the Ontario Arts Council, the NFB, CBC and TVO. In addition to her own filmmaking, Kathleen has worked in the film industry on award-winning documentaries and feature films, notably David Cronenberg’s Crash (1996). As a media arts educator Kathleen has taught at York University, Sheridan College, and the University of Toronto at Mississauga. She has also lead film workshops at WIFT and LIFT. She is currently finishing her doctorate at York University.    

 

 

Video Cameras 101

Instructor: Annette Mangaard

When: Saturday, May 12 (1 day).

Time: 12:00-6:00pm

Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

Registration Fee: $60 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $90 (general public).

 

This introductory class will shed light on the elements of film and still photography as a basis for understanding video. Camera parts such as aperture, shutter, lens, and the CCD chip will be explained in order to make decisions about proper exposure, depth of field and motion. Other concepts specific to video such as white balance and gain will be introduced. Students will be shown basic camera set-up for shooting indoors and outdoors.

 

In the second half, we look deeper into video camera menu options, such as frame rate, manual VS auto functions, and the Scene File and User buttons. Using a hands-on approach, students will see first-hand how framing, axis and camera movement decisions affect editing choices. The instructor will give tips on best practices for using the camera to film in a variety of situations including hand-held and veritè. We’ll be demonstrating the DVX100 but lessons learned will be applicable to all cameras.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 9. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Great technical expertise, content and enthusiasm.”

“Clear, patient and personable.”

“Flexible, kind, patient.”

 

Instructor Annette Mangaard has written and directed fifteen films in more than a decade as an independent filmmaker. She has recently been nominated for a Gemini for Best Director of a Documentary for her one hour film, GENERAL IDEA: ART, AIDS, AND THE FIN DE SIECLE (for TVO, Bravo, SCN, Knowledge) about the celebrated Canadian artists collective which premiered at Hot Doc’s in Toronto then went on to garner accolades at festivals in Vancouver, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Asolo – Italy (among others).

 

 

Film Lighting 101

Instructor: Frank Merino

When: Sunday, May 13 (1 day)

Time: 2:00-9:00pm

Where: Hart House Arbor Room

Registration Fee: $70 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $105 (general public).

 

This beginner’s workshop concentrates on general lighting theory covering different qualities of light and lighting styles, including high-key and low-key lighting, three-point lighting, colour temperature, gels and filters. Students will learn the key characteristics of light and be able to decode lighting scenarios in film and everyday life and learn how to recreate similar effects in their own films. Students will have the opportunity to practice several hands-on lighting set-ups, applying the general theories covered. Equipment used in this class is the same equipment available to members of the Hart House Film Board.

 

There will be a one-hour lunch break from 5:00-6:00pm. There is no food service available at Hart House on Sundays.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 9. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Very professional.”

“Great instructor and teacher.”

 

Instructor Frank Merino has traveled around the world working on award-winning film and television productions. Working in both Canada and the United States, Frank is also well established within the corporate, commercial and educational markets, where he moves seamlessly between film, video and live stage productions.

 

 

Movie-Making 101

Instructor: Rick Palidwor

When: Monday and Wednesday, May 14 and 16 (2 days)

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Where: Hart House Meeting Room

Registration Fee: $50 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $75 (general public)

 

This class will help newcomers navigate the worlds of film and video-making. We demystify the field, knock down barriers and help you get started. Students leave with a good sense of how to further their education and with simple tips to get started on no-budget projects.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 10. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Practical and conceptual advice for beginners.”

“Very eloquent. Obviously experienced and very honest.”

“I am so much more prepared to begin filmmaking.”

 

Instructor Rick Palidwor has had numerous short films and videos broadcast in Canada and abroad and he is the producer and co-director of the award-winning feature Sleep Always. Rick has taught filmmaking at Hart House, York University, George Brown College and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for many years. Rick is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.

  

 

Documentary Filmmaking: An Introduction

 Instructor: Kathleen Cummins

 When: Tuesdays, May 15 to July 3 (8 weeks).

 Time: 6:00-9:00pm

 Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

 Registration Fee: $240 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $360 (general public)

 

The class is an introduction to the concepts, processes and techniques of documentary filmmaking. The course covers major genres and elements of the form, including the art of the interview, voice-over/narration, archival and stock footage, and styles of shooting. Screenings and discussion of seminal films provide an overview of the historical, conventional, experimental and emerging forms of documentary practice. The course includes hands-on components in camera, lighting and sound recording techniques specific to documentary productions. Students are encouraged to develop a short documentary from idea through research, production and post production on their own time during the course of the class.

  

NOTE Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 11. A $15 withdrawal fee applies.

   

Instructor  Kathleen Cummins is a filmmaker, media arts educator, and academic. She has written, directed and produced short films that have been broadcast and screened internationally. Her films have received funding from the Ontario Arts Council, the NFB, CBC and TVO. In addition to her own filmmaking, Kathleen has worked in the film industry on award-winning documentaries and feature films, notably David Cronenberg’s Crash (1996). As a media arts educator Kathleen has taught at York University, Sheridan College, and the University of Toronto at Mississauga. She has also lead film workshops at WIFT and LIFT. She is currently finishing her doctorate at York University.   

 

  

Digital Video Editing with Final Cut Pro: An Introduction

Instructor: Nick Harauz

When: Wednesdays & Saturdays, May 23, 26, 30 June 2, 6, 9 (6 days).

Time: 6:00-9:00pm Wednesdays and 12:00-4:00pm Saturdays

Where: Hart House Board Room Thursdays, Film Board Room Saturdays

Registration Fee: $180 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $270 (general public).

 

This class will demonstrate the basic components of Final Cut Pro editing software. Students will learn how to create a project, how to capture footage, how to organize their media, how to use the workspace effectively, and all the basic cutting techniques they need to get started on their own projects. The Wednesday sessions will consist of a lecture and demonstration of the software. During the Saturday sessions students will each have a one-hour hands-on session, to be scheduled the first day. Students are encouraged to use Final Cut Pro on their own time between sessions to get the most from the class.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 21. A $15 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Excellent knowledge, good communication skills.”

“Explains things well.”

“This class will help with art and work.”

 

Instructor Nick Harauz is a local graduate from the University of Toronto, and winner of the Canadian Film and Television Production Associations’ Global Mentorship Program. Nick has been involved in the film and video production industry for more than 10 years.

 

 

100% Hands-on Film Exercises for Absolute Beginners

Instructors: Dagny Thompson and Nicole Bazuin

Session I: Sundays, May 27 to June 10 (3 days)

Session II: Sundays, July 8 to July 22 (3 days)

Session III: Sundays, August 12 to August 26 (3 days)

Time: 11:00am-4:00pm

Where: Hart House Arbor Room

Registration Fee: $150 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $225 (general public)

 

This three-week class is designed for absolute beginners needing a comprehensive hands-on experience. Each week students will work in small groups to shoot and cut simple exercises designed to teach the fundamental building blocks required by all filmmakers. 100% hands-on. Participants can leave the workshop with up to three completed shooting exercises in hand. Please bring a USB memory stick with at least 500MB of free space to class each day to facilitate taking your work home.

 

Equipment Notes:

The cameras used in this class are very simple—it’s not about the camera it’s about what is happening in front of the camera.

 

In-class digital editing exercises will be done with Final Cut Pro.

 

NOTE: Deadlines to withdraw or transfer from this class are: Session I 5pm May 23; Session II 5pm July 4; Session III 5pm August 8. A $15 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“This class demystifies the process and inspires me to go shoot.”

“I liked using the equipment, planning shots, teamwork. The wisest choice of topic for a beginner.”

“Dagny gave great examples of difficult concepts.”

“Nicole was excellent to work with … She showed us a lot of great things.”

 

Instructor Dagny Thompson is a U of T grad who now works in the independent and mainstream film and television industry. Nicole Bazuin is Toronto based filmmaker and visual artist whose short films have screened across Canada and the United States. A graduate of Ryerson University’s film program and a recipient of the Universal Studios scholarship and HSBC filmmaker’s award, she strives for creativity, technical excellence and innovation in her work.

 

 

Film Directing 101

Instructor: Peter Genoway

When: Sundays, June 3 to June 24 (4 weeks)

Time: 12:00–4:00pm

Where: Hart House Bickersteth Room

Registration Fee: $160 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $240 (general public)

 

Even though we all know that the director is the person on set who shouts: “Action”, “Cut”, and “Print”, there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding the exact responsibilities of this very demanding creative role. In an approach that will combine theory and practice, this class will introduce students to all aspects of the director’s craft. Over the course of four sessions, students will be guided through the director’s responsibilities in pre-production, production, and post-production. Specific topics will include: interpreting a script, casting actors, choosing locations, creating a shot list, staying on schedule, working with a budget, and shaping the final cut.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm May 30. A $15 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Instructor Peter Genoway is an award-winning artist and filmmaker, with much experience in short-format fiction. In addition to writing, directing and editing his own films, he has contributed his skills to various projects in both the camera and art departments. His most recently completed short film, Night Moves, was made with a Media Arts production grant from the Ontario Arts Council and has been screened internationally. His current project, Masks, was recently short-listed for the National Screen Institute’s prestigious “Features First Program”.

 

 

Production Planning

Instructor: Rick Palidwor

When: Monday, June 11 (1 day)

Time: 6:00-10:00pm

Where: Hart House Meting Room

Registration Fee: $40 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $60 (general public)

 

You have a script and you’re ready to shoot. Or are you? This class introduces industry methods to organize and simplify the production planning process: conceiving and organizing a shot list to get the best coverage of your script, breaking your script down, creating a production board to organize the shoot efficiently, and scheduling the beast.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm June 7. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Very clear detailed explanations.”

“… approachable and easy to talk to, the content was very practical.”

“Very animated… excellent at explaining the complex.”

 

Instructor Rick Palidwor has had numerous short films and videos broadcast in Canada and abroad and he is the producer and co-director of the award-winning feature Sleep Always. Rick has taught filmmaking at Hart House, York University, George Brown College and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for many years. Rick is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.

 

 

Film Editing Concepts and Theories

Instructor: Alex Shuper

When: Wednesdays, June 13 and June 20 (2 weeks)

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Where: Hart House Meeting Room

Registration Fee: $60 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $90 (general public)

 

This 2-week class examines the visual language of film editing. Surveying the evolution and implications of styles, such as invisible editing versus disjunctive editing, this workshop further explores the psychology of editing and how it can be used to affect and even control viewers’ reactions. Whatever the genre—fiction, documentary, short film, music video, experimental—through screenings and discussions led by a working editor, this class explores how editing can guide an audience through a story, imposing the desired thoughts and feelings.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm June 11. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Alex has extensive knowledge, practical industry experience.”

“Material is presented well, good use of video examples.”

“Practical usage of theoretical concepts.”

 

Instructor Alex Shuper works predominantly as an editor and his documentary credits include The Five Cent War, The Last Mogul, Comedy Gold, and most recently T.C. McLuhan’s The Frontier Gandhi; his narrative film editing credits include the critically acclaimed deadend.com and The Mad. Alex also directed the feature Edge Codes, a documentary about film editing.

 

 

Post-Production Planning

Instructor: Rick Palidwor

When: Monday, June 18 (1 day)

Time: 6:00-10:00pm

Where: Hart House Meeting Room

Registration Fee: $40 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $60 (general public)

 

Post-production planning is one of the most vital, yet overlooked, aspect of filmmaking. This includes how to name files, where to store clips and how to best organize clips on your timeline, especially with regards to sound. Working knowledge of the architecture of your editing program helpful but not essential. Practical demonstrations in class will be done with Final Cut Pro but will apply equally to any other professional program.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from this class is 5pm June 7. A $7 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Very enthusiastic, down-to-earth, funny, engaging, helpful.”

“… makes you feel comfortable and encouraged.”

“Very friendly, kept on track, but was able to answer questions.”

 

Instructor Rick Palidwor has had numerous short films and videos broadcast in Canada and abroad and he is the producer and co-director of the award-winning feature Sleep Always. Rick has taught filmmaking at Hart House, York University, George Brown College and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for many years. Rick is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.

 

 

Practical Movie-Making For Educators

Instructor: Dagny Thompson and Nicole Bazuin

When:

Session I: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 31 to August 2 (3 days)

Session II: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, August 28 to August 30 (3 days)

Time: 6:00 – 10:00pm

Where: Hart House South Sitting Room

Registration Fee: $150 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $225 (general public)

 

Movie-making equipment has become ubiquitous and young people are increasingly making movies and uploading them to platforms such as YouTube. At the same time these budding filmmakers do not necessarily understand the essential grammar upon which all movies are based. This class is for educators wishing to teach movie-making exercises in their own classrooms, exercises designed to impart the fundamental grammar required by their students.

 

Participants will work in small groups to perform several hands-on shooting and editing exercises. Participants can leave the workshop with up to three completed shooting exercises in hand. Please bring a USB memory stick with at least 500MB of free space to class each day to facilitate taking your work home.

 

Note: Each exercise has a hands-on digital editing component using the most common editing programs, either Windows Movie-Maker or iMovie (students’ choice). Students will share a small number of computers. The cameras used in this class are very simple: it’s not about the camera it’s about what is happening in front of the camera.

 

 

For graduate students, this qualifies for Graduate Professional Services (GPS) credit. 

Non-educators needing some practical hands-on experience will also benefit from this class.

 

NOTE: Deadline to withdraw or transfer from Session I 5pm July 27; Session II 5pm August 24. A $15 withdrawal fee applies.

 

Student Testimonials

“Practical. I can see how I would apply this pretty much directly in the classroom.”

“Great learning curve; learned lots from others’ work.”

“Hart House promised hands-on and hands-on we got!”

“Dagny gave great examples of difficult concepts.”

“Nicole was excellent to work with … She showed us a lot of great things.”

 

Instructor Dagny Thompson is a U of T grad who now works in the independent and mainstream film and television industry. Nicole Bazuin is Toronto based filmmaker and visual artist whose short films have screened across Canada and the United States. A graduate of Ryerson University’s film program and a recipient of the Universal Studios scholarship and HSBC filmmaker’s award, she strives for creativity, technical excellence and innovation in her work.