Fun, affordable classes in the arts! Looking for professional, step-by-step instruction at an affordable price, from a teacher with years of experience? Check out our classes! For a full list of Seattle art classes, writing classes, acting classes, film classes and more visit classesandworkshops.com Questions? Email Nilsosmar@gmail.com or call 206-420-1309
Let's Make a Movie! Next class starts on Tuesdays, 7-9:30 pm, 1/26-2/23 Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental College Taught by Nils Osmar QUESTIONS? Call 206-420-1309 or email Tuition: $200 for general public ($180 for UW students)
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.) The instructor has produced over thirty shorts and four full length features, and has taught acting and filmmaking for over ten years. His films have played in major international film festivals.
See also: Beginning Acting
To sign up now, call 206-420-1309 or click the link below. If you don't see a link, go to the Let's Make a Movie class page.
Questions and answers!
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. Students are welcome to act in it, help out on crew, or both. The idea is that people will learn about making a movie, and acting in one, by actually participating in making one.
Can everyone act in the movie? Absolutely. Every student who wants to be in the movie, will be in it. (You don't have to, though. Some people sign up just to learn about filmmaking, and help out on the crew. You can do either, or both.) Who writes the script? Anyone in the class is welcome to writing the script. We'll talk about tips for writing a good script in the first meeting. Then anyone who does write a script, will be asked to bring some copies to the second class meeting, where we'll read them over and vote on which one to produce. (Note: This class is not a subsitute for a full screenwriting course. if you're looking for a class that focuses solely on screenwriting, you should also take It's time to write your Screenplay) What if no one comes up with a script? Hasn't happened yet! But if it does, we'll film one of the instructor's scripts. So whatever happens, we'll have a good script to film. What kind of equipment will we use? We'll use the same high-quality equipment filmmakers use when making movies for film festivals: an top of the line prosumer camcorder, professional-quality tripod, and professional lighting and audio equipment. The movie will be edited using professional editing software. Is this a film class or an acting class? Its a hands-on production class, which covers information of interest to both the actors and filmmakers. You'll learn how movies are made, get instruction in some basic crew positions, then we'll actually make a short film. What if I don't have any experience acting? Not a problem. Whatever your level of experience (brand new, or experienced actor), you'll get some coaching and make a film we can all be proud of. If you do want to get a little acting experience first, take Beginning Acting. (It's fine to take both classes the same quarter) 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. (The only limitation is that we need to choose one that can be filmed with our existing resources.) (i.e., one that can be filmed during course hours, at the locations we have available) What will happen to the movie when it's finished? We'll upload it to YouTube or Vimeo, so you can all send links to your friends to see it.And if the students want, it can also play locally on Comcast cable T.V. Can students get copies of the finished movie? Yes, you can get as many copies as you'd like. There is a $5 charge for each copy, to cover the cost of making and mailing the DVDs. You can also watch it and share it with friends for free online.
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) Thanks for sharing your expertise, and for your encouraging attitude. - J.V. (Bellevue) 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 I took Beginning Acting in the summer then took Let's Make a Movie this quarter. I would highly recommend both classes to anyone interested in acting or filmmaking. - Debbie L., Seattle
Registration basics:
All classes are held in Seattle; most are on the U.W. campus.
To sign up click on the Add to Cart link, or call 206-420-1309.
The Add to Cart button is a Paypal link, but you do NOT need to have a paypal account. You can use any Visa or MasterCard, or cash or check. Just click through and you'll see a place to enter your credit card information.
Registration questions? Call 206-420-1309 or click here for more info.
Frequently asked questions: Are the classes sponsored by a school? They're sponsored by two programs: the Experimental College, a non-credit program of the University of Washington's ASUW, and the Wonder School of the Arts, an independent arts school established in 1996. (You do NOT have to be a UW student to sign up.)
Do you have to be a UW student to sign up? No, they're non-credit classes for personal enrichment, open to both University of Washington students and the general public.
Where are the classes held? Most of them are held on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Driving directions will be emailed to you when you sign up.
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. Or scroll down this page and usethe Add to Cart buttons below the course descriptions.
When can I sign up? If the classes are listed on this page, it means registrations are now active, so you can sign up at any time.
More info about signing up More classes starting soon:
Drawing & painting classes Drawing for absolute beginners Saturdays, 1/23-2/13 - 9-10:45 am - $99 (includes all materials) Figure Drawing for beginners Saturdays 1/23-2/13 - 1 pm-2:45 pm - $99 (includes all materials) Drawing Faces for beginners Saturdays 1/23-2/13 - 11 am-12:45 pm. - $99 (includes all materials) Perspective Drawing Saturday 2/21 only - 10 am-5 pm - $99 (includes all materials) Cartooning 101 Sundays, 1/24-2/14 - 11 am-12:45 pm - $99 includes all materials Painting for absolute beginners meets on Sundays 1/24-2/14 - 1 pm-3 pm - $99
Writing classes Writing Fiction & Short Stories meets on Wednesdays 1/27-2/24, 7 pm-9 pm - $125 It's time to write your Screenplay meets on Thursdays, 7-9 pm, 1/28-2/25 - $125
Acting & filmmaking classes Beginning Acting meets on Mondays, 7-9:30 pm, 1/25-2/22 (no class on 2/15) - $150 Let's Make a Movie meets on Tuesdays, 7-9:30 pm, 1/26-2/23 - $150 Documentary Filmmaking meets on Sunday 2/28 only - 10 am-5 pm
Photoshop classes Adobe Photoshop meets on Fridays, from1/29-2/12 - 7 pm-9:15 pm - $125
Nils Osmar, instructor 206-420-1309 Nilsosmar@gmail.com classesandworkshops.com