Multi-Session Workshops

Northwest Film Forum classes and workshops are designed to instruct filmmakers on both the mechanical skills required in current filmmaking technology and the artistic application of tools to explore the critical and emotional range of the cinematic experience. Classes and workshops are taught by working artists: filmmakers, writers, producers and editors.

Explore filmmaking by doing it. We do not want you to make a commitment you are uncomfortable with; we offer a wide range of classes and workshops that can be taken at whatever pace you prefer. Whether you are new to the art and plan to plunge into filmmaking as a career or you have purchased your own equipment and wish to drop in on a few certifications to learn more, our classes are for you. NWFF's curriculum offers a complete education in nearly all aspects of filmmaking. Multi-session classes meet weekly and offer in-depth, hands-on experience with filmmaking tools, while one-day workshops offer both insightful lectures and practical techniques on current filmmaking topics.

This schedule is updated regularly.  Please check back for new classes, or email dave @ nwfilmforum.org to ask about our annual class offerings.

 

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Beginning Editing with Final Cut Pro

Beginning Editing with Final Cut Pro
Three Mondays, July 19, 26 & Aug 2, 6:30–9:30pm
Instructor: Chris Julian or Daniel White 
Tuition: $250/WigglyWorld members, $280/general 
Max Attendance: 5

Learn the basics of non-linear editing with Final Cut Pro. Covers settings, basic principles, effects, titles, sound and printing to video with hands-on experience for each student. This class is for students who intend to work in digital video productions who want to know some of the basic skills of editing in a non-linear environment. Prior experience in non-linear editing is not required, but basic computer skills are necessary. Time is available in NWFF’s edit suite for students to work between classes.

Register for Beg Editing with FCP in July

 

 

Cinematic Storytelling

Cinematic Storytelling
Six Mondays, June 28–Aug 9 (no class July 26), 7–9pm 
Instructor: Brian McDonald 
Tuition: $150/WigglyWorld members, $180/general 
Max Attendance: 20
 
Whether you are working toward writing a feature film or just have an interest in learning about storytelling, Brian's class will sharpen your awareness of telling stories for a visual medium. Most of us have been taught even the most elementary rules of prose writing and it is with this that we are most familiar. But telling stories in a visual medium has its own set of rules that few of us have ever been taught. This class will focus on story structure in general, but with an emphasis on film storytelling. Discussions and discourses will be interspersed with clips from popular films and students will participate with in-class storytelling exercises. Anyone interested in telling stories in any form, but particularly in a visual medium, will benefit from this class.

Register for Cinematic Storytelling
 
 

Introduction to Blender: CG Animation and EFX

Introduction to Blender: CG Animation and EFX

Saturday & Sunday, Aug 14 & 15, 10am–3pm 
Instructor: Tony Mullen 
Tuition: $150/WigglyWorld members, $180/general 
Max Attendance: 10
 
Learn 3D modeling, rigging, and animation with Blender. Blender is a free/open-source, fully cross-platform 3D animation application with functionality comparable to professional CG tools such as 3D Studio Max and Maya, including advanced modeling, texturing, and animation tools; physics, fluid, cloth and smoke simulation; built-in video sequence editing and node-based compositing; and many other features. Blender has all the functionality you need to create straight CG animation or to add digital special effects to your live-action movies. This workshop will introduce the basics of modeling and animation, and will cover other topics according to participants' interests as time allows. The instructor is a member of the Blender Foundation's training certification board and the author of five Blender-related books. You are encouraged to bring your own laptop (PC or Mac), although it is not required. A Mac workstation will be available to everyone.
 

Lighting for Film & Video

Lighting for Film & Video
Saturday & Sunday, Aug 28 & 29, 10am–4pm
Instructor: Erik Vilinskas 
Tuition: $250/WigglyWorld members, $280/general 
Max Attendance: 8
 
Lighting sets the tone of every scene. Learn how to use creative lighting techniques to establish a mood and direct your viewer to the most important parts of your shot.  With examples taken from the films of today and yesteryear, we will learn how to examine a shot to determine how it was lit.  Hands-on exercises will take us from the basics of a three-point lighting setup to more specialized techniques used to create emotional impact on-screen. Special attention will be given to creating professional looking lighting setups on a limited budget, as well as correctly incorporating available daylight sources. No prior experience is required.
 

Introduction to Flash

Introduction to Flash
Four Wednesdays, Sep 8, 15, 22 & 29, 6:30–9:30pm 
Instructor: Bryan Schaeffer 
Tuition: $290/WigglyWorld members, $320/general 
Max Attendance: 5
Prerequiste: Basic knowledge of Photoshop and a vector-based drawing program (Illustrator, Freehand)

Flash is the premiere software for animating different media formats-photography, line art, sound and video-for the web. Learn the basic skills of Flash's robust animation tools to incorporate in the interactive environment of a website. With hands-on learning in class and between class assignments, you'll learn how to create animations starting from storyboards and a project plan, navigate the Flash environment, determine the best production methods, and put into motion your most creative ideas. During the class, students will each develop individual projects under the guidance of the instructor, and by the end of this introduction, you will feel comfortable with Flash's comprehensive set of tools to really begin exploring new realms of animation and interactivity.

Register for Introduction to Flash

 

 

After Effects Basics

 

After Effects Basics
TBA - email dave @ nwfilmforum.org for details
Instructor: Jayne Vidheecharoen 
Tuition: $280/WigglyWorld members, $310/general 
Max Attendance: 5

AfterEffects is a powerful animation and compositing tool, with a wide range of applications. Commonly used for film, television and multimedia, this program can be difficult to crack at first. Once the basics are mastered, it offers a rich and nearly unlimited range of creative possibilities. We’ll be learning from the ground up how to animate typography, as well as combine and manipulate footage and other elements to create effects and motion graphics.