Workshops
There are still spaces available in this Summer 2010 Filmmaking Class:
Practical Movie-Making for Educators with Rick Palidwor and Chris Jodoin
When: Monday through Thursday, August 30 to September 2 (4 consecutive days)
Time: 6:00-10:00pm
FALL 2010 FILMMAKING CLASSES
Registration opens August 23.
Video Cameras 101
Instructor: Chris Jodoin
When: Thursdays, September 23 and October 14 (2 days)
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Registration Fee:
$60 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $90 (general public). FREE to
members of the Hart House Film Board who register in person with a valid
membership card. Offer expires once all seats are filled.
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 pixel resolution and monitor reference will be included. Students will be shown basic camera set-up for shooting in indoor and outdoor situations with the Film Board’s DVX100.
On Day 2 we look deeper into video camera menu options, such as colour temperature, gamma, and other functions. We’ll be demonstrating the DVX100 but lessons learned will be applicable to all cameras. Enrollment limited to 10.
Student Testimonials
“Great technical expertise, content and enthusiasm.”
“Clear, patient and personable.”
Comprehensive Introduction to Movie-Making
Instructor: Rick Palidwor and Guests
When: Fridays, September 24 to November 19 (7 weeks. No class October 8 and 15)
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Registration Fee:
$210 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $315 (general public)
This crash course for beginners (and those who need brushing-up) will knock down barriers and help students get started on simple no-budget projects. We will also briefly introduce essential areas such as film vs. video, script and directing tips, thinking like an editor before you shoot, sound in production and post, cast & crew (or lack thereof), locations and lighting, workflow and staying organized, art direction, marketing and distribution. NOTE: This class does not go into detail on equipment. It is lecture-based with extensive use of video clips and
hand-outs. ALSO, there is a two-week break in this class so students have a
chance to work on their own projects and share the results. Enrollment limited
to 14.
Instructor Rick Palidwor has made numerous films and is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.
Student Testimonials
“I liked the general overview of material. … Good for beginners.”
“Broad perspective – technical and conceptual.”
“Rick empowered and inspired us to learn and do.”
Guerilla Super 8 Filmmaking
Instructor: Rick Palidwor
When: Saturdays, September 25, October 2, October 23 (3 days. No class October 9 and October 16.)
Time: 12-4pm
Registration Fee:
$170 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $230 (general public)
In this 3-week hands-on class students have the opportunity to complete a short super 8 film. In Week 1 students will learn how to get proper exposure and focus before shooting some test film. In Week 2 we’ll look at the test results before discussing additional features of the cameras, such as fast- and slow-motion, animation and time lapse. Students will then take away a camera and one roll of film (3 minutes) to shoot on their own time. In the final week students will view their work and receive detailed feedback. You will also learn how to edit (splice)
the film. Price includes film, processing and transfer to video ($60 value).
Enrollment limited to 8.
Instructor Rick Palidwor has taught super 8 filmmaking throughout Toronto for many years and is co-directed the super 8-shot award-winning feature Sleep
Always.
Student Testimonials
“The examples he gave made me understand concepts.”
“Dynamic, energetic, … well organized.”
“Gives very clear explanations of camera operation.”
Introduction to Light Theory
Instructor: Yale Massey
When: Sundays, September 26 to October 3 (2 weeks)
Time: 2:00 – 6:00pm
Registration Fee:
$80 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $120 (general public). FREE to
members of the Hart House Film Board who register in person with a valid
membership card. Offer expires once all seats are filled.
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.
On Day 2 students will work in small groups and each student will have an opportunity to practice several hands-on lighting set-ups, applying the
general theories covered on Day One. Enrollment limited to 10.
Instructor Yale Massey is an award-winning director and cinematographer. Yale has taught filmmaking at George Brown College for a number of years and is an owner of the post-production house Media Magic.
Student Testimonials
“Yale is inspiring, and keeps your attention but cares just as much about your opinion as he does his own.”
“Awesome.”
Documentary Filmmaking
Instructors: Lynne Fernie and Guests
When: Mondays, September 27 to November 22 (8 weeks. No class October 11)
Time: 6:00-10:00pm
Registration Fee:
$320 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $480 (general public)
This class is an introduction to the concepts, processes and techniques of documentary filmmaking. The course will cover 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
will provide an overview of the historical, conventional, experimental and
emerging forms of documentary practice. The course will include hands-on components in camera, lighting and sound recording techniques specific to documentary productions. Students will be encouraged to develop a short documentary from idea through research, production and post production on their own time during the course of the class. Enrollment limited to 14.
Instructor Lynne Fernie is a double Genie award winning documentary filmmaker and the Senior Canadian Programmer at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival.
Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Instructor: Rick Palidwor
When: Tuesdays, September 28 to October 5 (2 weeks.)
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Registration Fee:
$40 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $60 (general public). FREE to
members of the Hart House Film Board who register in person with a valid
membership card. Offer expires once all seats are filled.
This class will consist of a demonstration of 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. This is not a hands-on edit lab: students will witness a demonstration only. To get the most from the class students are encouraged to use Final Cut Pro on their own time between sessions. There will be an extensive hand-out package available. Enrollment limited to 14.
Instructor Rick Palidwor has been using Final Cut Pro software for over 10 years. He is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.
Fundamentals of Film Directing
Instructor: Ian Thompson
When: Wednesdays, September 29 to November 17 (8 weeks)
Time: 7:00-10:00pm
Registration Fee:
$240 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $360 (general public)
This 8-week introduction to directing dramatic narrative movies covers: the director’s job, developing the script to make it filmable, what the director needs to do before production starts including working with the writer and producer, interpreting a script, production planning, shot lists, storyboards, casting, building a crew, and call sheets. This course will be primarily theory-based but will rely
heavily on screenings and script analysis in conjunction with some practical
shooting and blocking examples. Enrollment limited to 14.
Instructor Ian Thompson is an instructor in Media Arts at Sheridan College. His most recent independent film, the award-winning The Unfolding, is currently screening internationally.
Student Testimonials
“Excellent jumping off point. Very comprehensive for beginners.”
“Ian is fun, enthusiastic. Excellent first-hand knowledge.”
“… awesome.”
Writing a Short Screenplay
Instructor: Ross McKie
When: Thursdays, September 30 to November 18 (8 weeks.)
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Registration Fee:
$240 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $360 (general public)
In this 8-week class participants are offered a comprehensive hands-on approach to all writing elements of the short film, elements that can be applied to long-form screenplays and other creative writing. An understanding of the core essentials — action and dialogue — will allow students to more effectively address the other dynamics of a successful short screenplay: setting, character, plot development, structure, point of view, metaphor, symbols and allusion. Students are encouraged to bring their own writing samples to class. Short screenplays will be work-shopped. Enrollment limited to 10.
Instructor Ross McKie works as a screenwriter and story editor. Recently he wrote for the television series Crimes of Passion and adapted the novel Moody Food for the screen. He is currently developing a drama series with Frantic Films entitled Push!
Student Testimonials
“Very hands-on break down of screenwriting.”
“Ross is dynamic, involving and funny.”
“Ross made the class human.”
Introduction to Production Sound
Instructor: Kevin Munro
When: Thursdays, September 30 and October 21 (2 days)
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Registration Fee:
$60 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $90 (general public). FREE to
members of the Hart House Film Board who register in person with a valid
membership card. Offer expires once all seats are filled.
This is an introduction to the basic concepts of movie sound. Topics covered include: elements of sound, audio formats, single system vs. double system, and a brief introduction to various mics and other basic gear.
On Day 2 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. Enrollment limited to 10.
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.
Introduction to High Definition Video Cameras
Instructor: Yale Massey
When: Tuesdays, October 12 to November 2 (4 weeks.)
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Registration Fee:
$120 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $180 (general public).
High Definition is the way of the future and this class will introduce students to two HD cameras in particular, the Canon XHA1 and the Panasonic HVX2000. There will be demonstrations in shooting with different formats such as 480, 720P and 1080i and at various frame rates for each. Tests will be shot in each format and students will see the differences through post-production demonstrations, including how to off-load P2 cards into the computer for editing. Enrollment limited to 10.
Instructor Yale Massey is an award-winning director and cinematographer. Yale has taught filmmaking at George Brown College for a number of years and is an owner of the post-production house Media Magic.
100% Hands-on Film Exercises for Absolute Beginners
Instructors: Dagny Thompson and Rick Palidwor
When: Sundays, October 17 to October 31 (3 weeks)
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm
Registration Fee:
$150 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $225 (general public)
This 3-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. 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.
- Each exercise has a hands-on digital editing component using Final Cut Pro, where students share a small number of computers. Enrollment limited to 8.
Instructor Dagny Thompson is a U of T grad who now works in the independent and mainstream film and television industry.
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.”
Film Editing Concepts and Theories
Instructor: Alex Shuper
When: Thursdays, October 28 to November 18 (4 weeks)
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Registration Fee:
$120 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $180 (general public)
This 4-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.
Enrollment limited to 14.
Instructor Alex Shuper works predominantly as an editor and has numerous documentary and narrative credits. Alex also directed the feature Edge Codes, a documentary about film editing.
Student Testimonials
“Alex has extensive knowledge, practical industry experience.”
“Material is presented well, good use of video examples.”
“Practical usage of theoretical concepts.”
Documenting Field Work
Instructor: Rick Palidwor
When: Saturdays, October 30 to November 13 (3 weeks)
Time: 12:00-4:00pm
Registration Fee:
$120 (U of T students and Hart House members) / $180 (general public)
Are you doing field work as part of your studies? Are you planning to shoot some video and take photos to document your work? Hoping to make a great presentation at the end? This workshop will prime you on all the major areas of production: getting better pictures, getting better sound, interview techniques and tips for gathering additional media for a seamless final product. There will also be a practical demonstration of shooting and editing a digital video sequence. Enrollment limited to 14.
Instructor Rick Palidwor has taught filmmaking at Hart House, York University, George Brown College and Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for many years and is currently Manager of the Creative Classes at Hart House.
Student Testimonials
“Very practical. Great examples.”
“Rick is straight to the point and funny.”
“Very clear detailed explanations.”