Film Classes

asses - Writing classes - Film classes - Acting classes - Computer classes
Take a break! Have some fun! Rekindle your creativity!

Return to Classesandworkshops.com - Nils osmar home page

Seattle Filmmaking Classes

Hello! I'm Nils Osmar. This page has information about my film classes, which are
held in Seattle, Washington. Most of them are held on the Seattle branch of the University
of Washington campus, about five minutes by freeway from downtown Seattle.

I work as an artist, writer and filmmaker, and have developed classes over the years in
those subject areas. (I've been teaching for about twenty years.) I've made movies since 2002,
and spend about half of my time these days writing, directing or editing independent films. I've made
three features and about thirty shorts, and have gotten several into major international festivals.
I currently offer six classes related to different aspects of filmmaking:

Boot camp for filmmakers: Basic training
Beginning Editing in Final Cut Pro
It's time to write your screenplay
Lighting for film and video
Documentary filmmaking
Let's make a movie

Dates, times and course fees are listed below.

You can take the classes in any order, but if you're new to filmmaking,
I'd recommend that you start with Boot camp for filmmakers: Basic training.
It'll give you a solid introduction to all of the basics you need to make a movie
including important information about lights, camcorders and audio equipment;
camera angles; how to turn a screenplay into a shooting script; how to find actors
and crew; how to get your movie into film festivals; and other key basics. The difference between
ending up with a professional-appearing movie, or one that looks like much of the junk
you'll find on Youtube, is in the information presented in this class.

If you've taken the Boot camp class, or are otherwise familiar with the basics,
the next important one is Lighting for film and video. (You don't have to take Boot camp
first, but I would recommend taking it at some point.) Lighting makes a huge difference in the
quality of your film.This class will teach you all the basics and give you hands-on training in setting up
several different lighting arrangements, and learning the basics of how lighting works.

All of the classes are partly hands-on and partly lecture/discussion, and have
homework to help you consolidate what you're learning in the classroom.

Another important class for those who are thinking of doing their own editing,
is Beginning Editing in Final Cut Pro. (Note: Final Cut only runs on Macs,
so you can skip this one if you have a Windows machine.l

If you're thinking of making movies involving actors, I would also recommend taking Acting
for the camera and Beginning acting at some point. They'll teach you how to work with actors,
and put you in touch with a pool of performers who may be interested in being in your films.
And the screenwriting course, It's time to write your screenplay, is essential if you're
planning on writing your own movies. (Professional movies always start with professional scripts.)

Let's make a movie is a great class, really fun, and will answer some key questions.
It's the one in which we actually film a movie in the class. The students help
write and produce it, and are the cast and crew. At the end of the quarter
we have a cast party where students can invite family and friends to watch
the finished movie. After that the films are uploaded online,
so students can send links to anyone they like.

Important note: People sometimes look at the list of classes
and think they can get all they need from the Let's make a movie class.
Let's make a movie is a xfun class, and you're certainly welcome to take it first if you want.
But it would be misleading to view it as a substitute for the others. Taking just
that one course, and skipping the other classes, would be like
helping out once or twice as a scrub nurse in an operating room,
then thinking you're qualified to perform surgery. In the Let's make a movie class,
we're racing the clock to actually make a finished movie by the last class meeting,
so we don't have time to go into most of the information in the boot camp, lighting,
screenwriting and editing classes. So if you really want to learn to
make professional movies, I would recommend taking all of them when you get a chance.

Documentary filmmaking is specifically for people interested in
making their own documentaries. The focus is on planning your documenary,
learning how to conduct interviews, filming and lighting under field conditions, etc.

If you have questions, feel free to Email me, or call 206-420-1309

Dates, times and course fees
and other classes of interest:

Fun, affordable classes in the arts!
Seattle art classes ~ Seattle writing classes ~ Seattle film classes ~ Seattle acting classes ~ Photoshop and Final cut classes
Now registering for classes in February, March, April and May

Welcome to Classesandworkshops.com
To register, click on the course title below, then click on the Add to Cart link
Or call 206-420-1309 to register by phone ~ You can pay using Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, check or cash
This page was updated on 1/30/10 ~ Questions? Call 206-420-1309 or email
NOTE: To sign up late for January classes, please CALL 206-420-1309.

Art Classes
Drawing for absolute beginners Saturdays, 4/24-5/15 - 9-10:45 am More info/sign up now
Intermediate Drawing class meets on Saturdays 3/13-4/3, 10 a.m.-noon - More info/sign up now
Acrylic painting for beginners Sun. 4/25-5/23 (no class on 5/9) 1 pm-3 pm More info/sign up now
Figure Drawing for beginners Saturdays 4/24-5/15 - 1 pm-2:45 pm More info/sign up now
NEW! How to make money as an artist Sun 5/23 only 3 pm-6 p.m. More info/sign up now
Cartooning Sun. 4/25-5/23 (no class on 5/9) - 11 am-12:45 pm - More info/sign up now
Learn to Draw Faces Saturdays, 4/24-5/15 - 11 am-12:45 pm. More info/sign up now
How to draw clothing Wednesday 3/3 only, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. - More info/sign up now
Drawing in pen, brush & ink Thursday 3/4 only 7-10 p.m. More info/sign up now
Questions and answers about our art classes

Acting Classes
Beginning acting Mondays 7-9:30 pm, 4/26-5/24 More info/sign up now
Improv for beginners Mondays 7-9:30 p.m., 3/15-4/12 More info/sign up now
Let's make a movie Tuesdays, 7-9:30 pm - 4/27-6/1 More info/sign up now
Questions and answers about our acting classes

Writing Classes
Writing fiction & short stories Wednesdays 4/28-5/26, 7 pm-9 pm More info/sign up
It's time to write your screenplay Thursdays 7-9 pm, 4/29-5/27 More info/sign up
How to write a novel (spring quarter dates TBA) More info/sign up
Questions and answers about our writing classes

Film and Video Classes
Let's make a movie Tuesdays 7-9:30 pm - 4/27-6/1 More info/sign up now
Documentary filmmaking Sunday 2/28 only - 10 am-5 pm More info-sign up
Lighting for film and video Saturday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. - 2/20-3/6 More info/sign up
It's time to write your screenplay Thursdays 7-9 pm, 4/29-5/27 More info/sign up
Video editing in Final Cut Pro - Fridays, 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m. - 2/19-3/5 More info/sign up
Boot camp for filmmakers: Basic training Sat 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2/20-3/6 More info/sign up
Questions and answers about our film and video classes

Photoshop and Final Cut Classes
Photoshop for Beginners Fridays, 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m. 4/30-5/14 More info/sign up
Video editing in Final Cut Pro Fridays, 7 p.m.-9:15 p.m. 2/19-3/5 More info/sign up

You can pay using Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, check or cash.
To sign up, click the course title to be taken to the class page,
then click the Add to Cart link on that page.
Or call 206-420-1309 to register by phone.

Frequently asked questions

Are these online courses? Or do they meet in a classroom?
They are in-person classes that meet in a classroom in Seattle, Washington.

Are your classes sponsored by a school?
They are sponsored by two schools: the ASUW Experimental College,
a non-credit program run by the Associated Students University of Washington (ASUW),
and the Wonder School of the Arts, an independent school established in 1996.

Are they accredited?
No, they're non-credit courses for personal enrichment.

Where are the classes held?
Most of them are held on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
The exact building and driving directions will be sent by email when you sign up.

Are they only for U.W. students? Or can anyone sign up?
They're open to everyone. You don't have to be a UW student.

How do I sign up?
To sign up by phone, call 206-420-1309. To sign up online, click on the course title
to be taken to the class page, then use the Add to Cart button near the top of the page.
You'll have a choice of paying by Visa or MasterCard, Discover Card or American Exress, or Paypal.
If you'd rather pay by check, download this form, print it, and mail it
If you have trouble downloading it, call 206-420-1309
or email us and we'll send you a copy.

How can I make sure that a class still has openings?
If the payment links are active the class still has openings.

Can I pay using a credit card or debit card?
Yes. We can take Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express.
To sign up online using a credit or debit card:

1) click on the course title to go to the class page
2) click the Add to Cart button
3) click "proceed to checkout"
4) click at the bottom where it says,
"Use your Credit Card or Bank account"
and enter your credit card information.

Or just call 206-420-1309, and we can take your credit card over the phone.

Can I pay using Paypal?
Yes. Just click the Add to Cart links then choose Paypal as your form of payment.

Can I pay by check?
Yes. If you'd like to pay by check, just download this form, print it,
and mail it to the address on the form along with your check or money order.
If you have trouble downloading or printing it, call us at
206-420-1309 or email us and we'll send you a copy.
Download registration form as .pdf - Download registration form as .html

Can I pay using cash?
Yes, if you don't mind making a trip over to pay in person.
Call 206-420-1309 for information about how to do so.

When will I receive a confirmation?
You should receive a confirming email within 24 hours of registering.
If you don't get a confirming email, please check your spam folder first.
if its not there, call or email 206-420-1309 or Nilsosmar@gmail.com

How can I learn more about the instructor?
Click on the course title, which will take you to the class page.
Then click on the instructor's name.

What is your refund/cancellation policy?

If you sign up for a class, then it is cancelled, you will receive
your choice of either a full cash refund or a tuition credit
good toward any of the other classes listed on this page.

If you sign up for a class, then change your mind or can't attend,
and notify us before the first meeting, you will receive your choice of either
1) a refund of the entire fee you paid for the class, minus the $10 registration fee,
or 2) a tuition voucher, good toward any class listed on this web page, for the full amount paid.

If you notify us after the first class meeting, but before the second meeting, you'll
receive a tuition voucher in the amount of 50% of the fee you paid.
The voucher is good toward any class on this web page, and is good for one year.

If you attend some meetings of a class but miss some meetings,
you can make up the meetings you missed the following quarter at no charge.

Course descriptions and registrations links (alphabetical):

Adobe Photoshop for Beginners

Photoshop is fun! Whether you're a total beginner, a home user or a graphics professional using Photoshop on the job, this class will help. You'll learn the key elements of the program, including scanning, layers, channels, filters, color correction and more. Class includes six hours of group instruction (demonstration, not hands-on), PLUS one FREE hour of hands-on private instruction (a $75 value) for each student, in which the instructor will meet individually with students outside of class to help with problems or individual projects.