Classesandworkshops - Nils Osmar home - Dates, times and tuition - FAQ - Policies and procedures - About the instructor - Seattle acting classes - Seattle writing classes - Seattle software classes - Seattle art classes
Hello. I'm Nils Osmar. This page has information about my film classes, which are held in Seattle, Washington. The classes meet on the University of Washington campus, about five minutes by freeway from downtown Seattle, and are sponsored by the University of Washington's ASUW Experimental College.
I currently teach several classes related to acting and filmmaking
Filmmaking 101
Beginning
acting
Beginning
Acting 2
Let's
make a movie
Documentary
filmmaking
It's
time to write your screenplay
When I'm not teaching, I work as an artist, writer and filmmaker.
I came into filmmaking from a background in stage production, and started making movies in 2002. Since that time, filmmaking has become a big part of my life. I've made three features and over thirty shorts, many of which have premiered at major international festivals. My films are available to watch on Youtube, Vimeo, the Wonderproductions web page, and IMDB. I've been teaching through the Experimental College and other programs for over twenty years.
My upcoming classes related to film and video production are listed below. If you're not sure which one to start with, I'd recommend Filmmaking 101, then going on to Let's make a movie.
In addition to the classes listed below, I offer private instruction in storyboarding, lighting for film and video, audio for filmmakers, and Final Cut Pro.
Here's a list of the classes I have coming up soon:
Filmmaking 101: All the basics
Want to learn the basics of filmmaking, but can't afford to spend
$30,000 for film school? This class can teach you what you need
to know, at a price that won't break the bank. Whether you're
interested in making home movies for the fun of it, making shorts
or features for film festivals, or making commercials, web videos,
or promotional materials for your business.... whether you're
aiming for a career as a filmmaker, or just learning about filmmaking
as a hobby ... this enjoyable, information-packed course will
get you off to a great start. You'll learn about:
- how movies are made (the three stages of production, and what
needs to be done during each stage)
- cameras and camcorders (you'll learn the differences between
standard and high def camcorders, consumer, prosumer and pro models,
and how to find a camcorder that has the features you need, at
a price you can afford)
- camera angles, including closeups, medium shots, and more, and
how to use them to tell your stories
- how to record high quality audio, and avoid common audio problems
- all about lighting: how to use inexpensive lighting effects
to dramatically improve your movies
Plus: how to hold auditions; where to find actors; how to get
your movie screened and distributed; and some key information
about copyright issues, release forms and more. More
information - dates and times - sign up now
Documentary filmmaking
You don't need a fancy camera
or a lot of money to make a documentary. You just need an idea,
a good camcorder, a microphone and some lights, and knowledge
of how to go about it. In this class you'll learn how to
plan and organize your documentary; how to set up and film interviews;
how to get good audio and lighting under field conditions; how
to buy or rent the equipment you need, at the best price; how
to record video and audio in the field. Plus, tips about
film festivals and distribution. More
information - dates and times - sign up now
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay
In this class, you'll learn
how to write a screenplay that is grounded in the traditional
elements of storytelling, yet expresses something personal and
unique without relying on simplistic formulas. We'll focus
on plot, genre and character development, identifying and writing
for your target audience and more. Plus, you'll learn how
to find an agent and how to pitch your screenplay to buyers and
producers. We'll wrap up with a demonstration of script
formatting using Final Draft. The instructor has written
and produced over thirty screenplays and teleplays, including
three full-length feature films. More
information - dates and times - sign up now
Beginning Acting
(not
technically a filmmaking class, but if you plan on working with
actors, it's also a good one to take)
Acting is fun! In this
enjoyable class, held in Seattle (and open to everyone), you'll
learn how to create characters, memorize dialogue, and use your
voice, body and emotions as acting tools and perform short scenes
onstage in front of other students. Plus: warm-ups, theater
games, improvisational acting, information about the Seattle theater
scene, how to audition. Great for beginners, and for those
wanting to get back into acting after a break from it. Instructor
has participated in live theater for over twenty years as an actor,
playwright, producer and director, and has taught acting classes
in Seattle since 1996. He is the creator of an award-winning television
series, The Edge. His films have played at international
film festivals. More
information - dates and times - sign up now
Let's Make a Movie!
In this class we'll create
and film a short independent movie from scratch. Students
are free to act in it, help write or choose a script, help out
on crew. It's a fun way to find out what it feels like to
be in front of the camera (or behind it), great for people thinking
about producing movies of their own. (No previous acting
or filmmaking experience necessary.) More
information - dates, times and tuition - sign up now
Questions
and answers
1) Is Filmmaking
101 a hands-on
class, or is it lecture/discussion?
Answer: It's both. The lectures cover the fundamentals you need
to know to go out and start making movies. The hands-on exercises
(some in-class, some in the form of homework exercises between
class sessions) give you practical experience applying what we're
learning in class.
2) What's the difference
between Filmmaking
101 and your other
class, Let's
make a movie?
Answer: In Filmmaking 101, you learn how to make movies.
It's an information-based class, aimed at giving you the key basic
information you need to start going out and making your own films.
(A large number of the students who take Filmmaking 101, actually
go out and make their own movies, and have gotten them into some
major film festivals).
In Let's make a movie, we jump in right from the first class meeting and start filming one. The students choose a script, cast it, and actually film it. (And students can act in the movie if they want to.) Because we're racing the clock to finish filming it by the end of the quarter, there's no time to sit around chatting about things like types of camcorders, all of the different lighting setups, types of microphones, types of contracts and release forms, types of camera angles and their uses, etc. So we started the Filmmaking 101 class to give us a place to cover all of those things.
If your goal is to make your own movies, and have them turn out well enough that you can submit them to film festivals, you should take both classes. Taken together (either the same quarter, or in subsequent quarters) they'll give you both theory you need to make high qualitym ovies, and a chance to apply it working on an actual film.
Private instruction
Private instruction and small-group instruction is available in
the topics above, as well as Lighting for Film and Video, Audio
for Filmmakers, and How to Draw Storyboards. Call 206-420-1309
or email for rates and information.
Team-building classes and workshops
If you own or manage a Seattle area business, and are looking
for an enjoyable team-building or morale event for your employees,
or instruction and training in one of the topics on this web page,
we can help. Call 206-420-1309 or email for rates and information.