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.
The Moving Image: Constructive Criticism and the Art of Looking Anew
The Moving Image: Constructive Criticism and the Art of Looking Anew
Register for The Moving Image: Contructive Criticism and the Art Looking Anew
Screenwriting 101: The Eight Week Screenplay
Screenwriting 101: The Eight-Week Screenplay
Whether the goal is to pitch a film to Hollywood or make an independent feature, students in this class will learn the substance of a good screenplay. With his decades of experience writing and directing for television and films, Walter will lead frank discussions about character development, plot structure and themes. Expect to talk about your ideas and receive regular feedback as you make progress in your writing. Students will work towards completing a feature-length screenplay in eight weeks. Students should come to class with an idea for a feature film, and will benefit from reading about proper screenplay formatting techniques before attending class.
Film Camp for Grown Ups—With Christian Palmer
Film Camp for Grown Ups—With Christian Palmer
First, make a container. In this workshop, we will explore the art of short-form cinema through discussion, screenings, and story exercises. Each camper will develop their own container – the narrative device that allows the Director to collaborate beautifully with the cast through improvisation, discussion, and continual on-the-fly reworking of the story. This workshop will focus primarily on the soft, nontechnical aspects of filmmaking – story development, casting well, and working effectively with actors to create honest, compelling work.
Register for Film Camp for Grown Ups—With Christian Palmer
Basic Videography
Basic Videography
Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9, 10am–3pm
Instructor: Jake Warga
Tuition: $250/members, $280/general
Max Attendance: 10
Learn how composition, lighting, and depth of field interact to create memorable images. This class will cover basic videography skills and provide the opportunity to operate NWFF’s Canon GL1, Panasonic AG-DVX100, and HVX200. We will discuss the differences between video and film and the benefits and pitfalls of some of the more popular video formats currently in use. We will also address the basics of lighting for video, as well as how to record good field audio using a shotgun microphone and boom. Hands-on sessions will demystify the buttons and menu functions common to most consumer and professional video cameras. This class will give you a solid foundation for your video projects, whether you plan to use the Film Forum's cameras or your own.
Writing With Light - Lighting Essentials
Writing With Light - Lighting Essentials
Saturday & Sunday, June 15 & 16, 10am–2pm
Instructor: Jake Warga
Tuition: $190/members, $220/general
Max Attendance: 10
Sound Recording for Film/Video
Sound Recording for Film/Video
Tuesday, July 16, 6:30–8:30pm & Thursday, July 18, 6:30–9:30pm
Instructor: Robb Kunz
Tuition: $65/members, $80/general
Max Attendance: 12
Introduction to Post Production Sound
Tuesday, July 23, 6:30–8:30pm and Thursday, July 25, 6:30–9:30pm
Instructor: Robb Kunz
Tuition: $80/Film Forum members, $100/general
Max Attendance: 5
Beginning Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6
Beginning Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6
Beginning Editing with Final Cut Pro X
Beginning Editing with Final Cut Pro X
Intermediate Final Cut Pro X
Intermediate Final Cut Pro X
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 11am–5pm
Four Thursdays, Sep 5, 12, 19 & 26, 11am–5pm
Advanced Final Cut Pro X
Four Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22 & 29, 6:30–9:30pm
Instructor: Bernard Mann
Tuition: $270/members, $300/general
Max Attendance: 5
In this advanced class, the third in the FCP X class series, the students will put together a finished narrative project, with: dual system sound, green screen compositing & graphics, color correction, and mixing & sound troubleshooting. A workflow method will be discussed, and media management will be covered as well. This is a class that culminates the experience from the previous two classes, and applies it directly to creating a project. Prerequisite: previous two FCP X classes required, or the permission of the instructor.
Remix Editing with Final Cut Pro 7
Remix Editing with Final Cut Pro 7
Register for Remix Editing with Final Cut Pro 7
After Effects Basics
After Effects CS5 Basics
Summer Dates TBA
Instructor: Cory Kelley
Tuition: $280/members, $310/general
Max Attendance: 5
After Effects CS5 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.
Introduction to Blender: CG Animation and EFX
Introduction to Blender: CG Animation and EFX
Register for Introduction to Blender: CG Animation and EFX