OUR WORKSHOPS

Assistant directors are an important logistical role in any film and affect the whole crew and picture. In this position, students will focus on back-stage and on-set management. Students will work under professional assistant directors while learning the importance of the position, how to safely maintain a set, manage production assistants, keep a schedule, create call sheets, perform script breakdowns, work with actors, and work alongside directors managing the crew.

Students will work alongside professional prop makers, production designers, set dressers, and costumers. They’ll learn the various roles in the art department that come together to create a collaborative world on-set. They’ll learn the basics of designing sets, dressing them, the importance of continuity, and the methods of props for film use to an industry standard. Students will also learn the basic fundamentals of safely constructing a set, handling power tools, working to the specifications of a production designer/art director, and scenic painting.

As a camera-op and assistant, students will focus on how to properly operate industry standard cameras while complimenting an artistic vision. Students will learn how to slate, focus pull, change lens, mount camera accessories, use camera settings, and about the various positions in the camera department while working under and alongside industry professionals.

In the electric department, students will collaborate with the grip department, under the direction from the Director of Photography. Students will gain knowledge on different lighting fixtures, cables, and other light manipulation equipment. They will practice handling equipment, executing lighting plans, safely mounting light fixtures and cables, and managing set power via generators, outlets, and different power sources.

Students will learn an in-depth introduction and orientation to the practice of rigging and supporting grip equipment, cameras, vehicles, and other physical/mechanical devices. This department will teach you how to move past the simplicity of cameras on tripods and into artistic shots. In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of the equipment used in grip and rigging, students will engage in on-set exercises in inventory, maintenance, set-up, trouble-shooting, teamwork, set protocol, and safety.

Hair and Makeup for cinema and television is designed to train students with the proper application, skills, and terminology associated with working in the hair and makeup departments on a production. They’ll also be taught the importance of continuity, and how to safely work with actors.

**These two departments are offered separately.

In the sound department, students will work alongside professional sound mixers as boom operators, while learning the basics of sound mixing. Students will learn the fundamentals of sound, different industry microphones and equipment, and how to properly operate microphones while working alongside with actors and key department heads.

As a script supervisor, students will learn how to breakdown scripts, track key details for continuity, maintain the script, and assist in logging wrap reports.