Film & Digital Media: Filmmaking Workshop

This dynamic seven-week filmmaking workshop offers you an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of key elements of filmmaking: story, image, and sound. Develop a story, and learn basic camera, composition, rules of continuity, lighting, sound design and editing skills.

Learn how to go from an idea to the execution of your film, or how to conceptualize and pre-visualize your film as filmmakers do in the real world. Get to know and practice various roles in the film industry. Meet like-minded friends from all over the world who share your passion for filmmaking and creative endeavors. This workshop is the ideal enhancement to your current filmmaking activities or curriculum.

You also will produce materials viable to be presented in current young filmmakers festivals and calls.

Once you have completed this course, you will have the skills to make complex films with current technologies and will have mastered the basics of visual storytelling.

Weekly Class Schedule

• Saturdays from 10 am – 12 pm PST – two 45-minute sessions with a break
• Optional mid-week check ins with the instructor by appointment

Find the full schedule here.

Meet Your Faculty

Originally from Colombia, Catalina Alcaraz-Guzman began her career as a community organizer and cultural developer. An active leader in the city of Medellin, Catalina participated as a volunteer in youth congresses, conferences and artistic events and performances against violence. In 2002, she moved to the United States to pursue her career as a filmmaker. Catalina received a BFA in Communication, specializing in history and popular culture, from Castleton State College. In 2013, she graduated from SCAD with an MFA in Film and Television. 

Catalina has been a guest speaker in film and documentary seminars for her contributions to documentaries and short films such as Birdsong & Coffee: A Wake Up Call. She has been an artist in residency at Reel Works in NYC, worked as a development producer for 22 Whitestone, and worked with Poverty Row Entertainment, where she co-produced the upcoming independent feature film Why Not Choose Love: A Mary Pickford Manifesto. Recently, Catalina joined the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program to pursue a Certificate in Feature Film Writing.

What You Will Need

Required Items

• Good internet connection 
• Computer with a working camera
• iPhone, iPad or smartphone with a functional camera
• Make sure your devices are charged before class begins
• Basic knowledge of Zoom
• Private, quiet space to work
• Access to Google Drive
• Access to email
• Access to iMovie  (For Windows, use this alternative: movavi.com/videoeditor)
• Lighting gels and filters (more details here):
  • Diffusion filter kit, 12×12”
  • Roll of matte black photofoil, 12” wide
  • Color correction filter kit, 12×12”
• Wooden clothespins, set of 50 
• Lights (lamps) and props around you (no need to purchase any props or lights)

Recommended Items

• FiLMiC Pro app for iOS or Android ($15 monthly subscription)

If you have never used Zoom, check out this Zoom tutorial. If you have questions about the required materials, email summer@idyllwildarts.org.