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CLASS 315: Let's Make a Movie
Spring quarter 2012

When: Thursdays 7-9:30 p.m., April 26-May 24 (five meetings)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $150
UW Students with current ID: $145
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class we'll create and film a short independent movie from scratch. Students are free to act in the movie, help write or choose a script, and help out on crew. (You can choose how you want to participate.) You'll learn how movies are made, how to operate a camcorder, set up lights, mark scenes with a slate, record audio, and more.  Everyone is welcome; no previous experience is necessary. The instructor has directed over thirty short films and three feature length movies. His films have played at international film festivals. There is a $9 materials fee payable to the instructor, due in the first class.

To visit the instructor's IMDB (professional film credits) page, click here

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts since the 1980s, and has taught both accredited and non-accredited classes in Seattle for over twenty years, through the University of Washington's ASUW Experimental College, Antioch University Heritage Institute, the Wonder School, and Classesandworkshops.com. His films have played at major international film festivals. Nils Osmar home page

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:
This class is sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College, the Wonder School, and Classesandworkshops.com. It's open to everyone; you don't have to be a U.W. student to sign up. (If an enrollee is under 18, please contact us first to make sure the class is a good

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Is Let's Make a Movie a film class or an acting class?
It's both. It's a hands-on production class, which covers information of interest to both the actors and filmmakers.

What will we be doing in the class?
Let's Make a Movie is a fun course in which we dive in from day one and actually make a short independent movie.  You'll learn making a movie by actually participating in the process of making one.

Can everyone act in the movie?
Absolutely.  Every student who wants to be in the movie, will be in it.

Are students required to act in the movie?
No. Some people sign up just to learn about filmmaking, and decide they would rather focus on behind-the-scene things like operating the camcorder, setting up lights, or recording audio. It's fine to either act in the movie, be on the crew behind the scenes, or both.

Who writes the script?
We'll talk about tips for writing a good script in the first meeting. Then anyone who wants to write one, is free to try doing so. We'll read the scripts aloud in the second class, and vote on which one to produce. (There are also some scripts in the class archives in case no one in the class writes one. So there are always lots of good ones to choose from.)

What kind of equipment will we use?
We'll use the same high-quality equipment filmmakers use when making movies for film festivals: a top of the line prosumer camcorder, a professional-quality tripod, and professional lighting and audio equipment.

I notice it meets on the U.W. campus. Are most of the people who take the class, University of Washington students?
Our enrollment is usually about 1/3 U.W. students, and 2/3 members of the general public. The folks who sign up end to be of all different ages and backgrounds.

What sorts of movies do you usually film in the class?
In the past, we've done everything from film noire detective movies, to mockumentaries, horror flicks, zombie movies, action movies, science fiction and fantasy, satire, humor, and romance. We'll film whatever the students as a group decide to make.

What will happen to the movie when it's finished?
We'll upload it to online, so you can send links to your friends to see it. And we'll also make a professionally printed DVD. It's a beautifully printed professional DVD with a wrap around cover and color label. (The $10 supply fee covers the cost of both the handouts you'll receive in class, and the DVD)

What does the $10 supply fee cover?
It covers the cost of the handouts you'll receive in the class, plus a copy of the movie on DVD.

Can students get additional copies of the DVD?
Yes. The supply fee covers the cost of your first copy, and you can order additional copies if you want more, for $5 each (plus shipping/handling if you need them mailed to you).

Watch the instructor's movies online

STUDENT COMMENTS:
I'd actually like to thank you. After taking your (Beginning Acting and Let's Make a Movie) classes last year, I now have had two acting gigs. One in a movie called Sideways Japan... it was a Fox production... and I was in a commercial in Hollywood, that was a Time Warner production. The reel we made was very useful helping me perform in front of camera and the fact the directors thought I was funny and comfortable in front of camera got me the gigs. So your class I did pick up some pointers and payed attention. Tell everyone to not give up and give it your all if you want to make it. It was a slow start, but now im living in la and loving it. Thanks again, your classes are good. -K. S., Hollywood

I saw a class similar to this at _____ but they wanted $8,000.00 for it! Thank you for a fun learning experience and for keeping it affordable! - Sharon B., Seattle

Thanks for teaching the class! The wrap party was a blast. It was fun seeing our class movie on a big screen...- S.G., Seattle

I was hoping to learn some basics about filmmaking and see how it was all done. That's exactly what I got. I will recommend the class to my friends. - J.G., Seattle

Just a note to say that I loved the class. Thanks Nils! - V.M. (Seattle)

I was impressed with the professionalism of the movie we ended up with. Everything about it was great. The class was far more than I expected. - Joe G. (Kent)

The instructor was very patient and supportive. We are completing the course project, making a film, as promised. Nils has, and will continue to devote many additional hours working on the editing. I'll probably take this class again. - M.F., Seattle

It was nice being able to choose, we could be in the film, or be on the crew, or just watch. I did crew this time around but I'll be taking it again and try acting. - Brad R., Bellevue

Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I was scared to death. But I really enjoyed the class, and liked the show. It's fun to have done it. - Mary L. (Bellevue)

Thanks so much for the class. I had a great time, and learned what I was hoping to. - Mike G., Seattle

Classes starting soon:

ACTING CLASSES
CLASS 110: Beginning Acting
CLASS 300: Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 120: Actors workshop: Auditioning

ART CLASSES
CLASS 210: Drawing for Absolute Beginners
CLASS 220: Figure Drawing
CLASS 225: Drawing clothing and drapery
CLASS 230: Drawing Faces and Portraits
CLASS 240: Perspective drawing for artists
CLASS 250: Acrylic Painting for Beginners
CLASS 270: Cartooning for fun and profit
CLASS 290: Drawing in pen, brush & ink
CLASS 295: Exploring charcoal

FILM AND VIDEO CLASSES
CLASS 300: Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 310: Filmmaking 101
CLASS 320: Documentary Filmmaking
CLASS 550: Start writing your screenplay

SOFTWARE CLASSES: PHOTOSHOP
CLASS 400: Photoshop for Beginners

WRITING CLASSES
CLASS 510: Writing fiction & short stories
CLASS 550: Start writing your screenplay