Team-building
classes and workshops
Looking for training,
team-building or morale-building workshops for your employees,
in the greater Seattle area? Morale-building classes and workshops
can give your employees a chance to take a break from their routine,
have some fun, reconnect with their creativity, develop listening
and problem-solving skills, and get to know and appreciate the
people they work with on a new level. We offer workshops in all
of the topics below. Recent workshops for Microsoft and other
corporations have included Acting, Improv, Make a Movie in a Day,
and some drawing and painting classes. Questions? Call 206-420-1309
or email
Workshops to choose from:
Acting classes
Beginning
acting
Let's
make a movie
Art classes
Drawing
for absolute beginners
Drawing
faces and portraits
Figure
Drawing for beginners
Acrylic
painting for beginners
Drawing
in pen, brush & ink
How
to draw clothing
Perspective
drawing
Cartooning
Film classes
Let's
make a movie
Filmmaking
101: all the basics
It's
time to write your screenplay
Documentary
filmmaking
Software classes
Photoshop
for Beginners
Final
Cut Pro for Beginners
Writing classes
It's
time to write your screenplay
Writing
fiction & short stories
Corporate workshops: teamwork, training
and morale building
Need an enjoyable team-building or morale event, or instruction
in one of the topics on this web page for your employees? We can
help. Call 206-420-1309 or email for
rates and information.
Course
descriptions: Acting
classes
Beginning acting
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.
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.)
Acrylic painting for beginners
Looking for a beginning
painting class in Seattle? In this enjoyable introductory class,
aimed at absolute beginners, you'll learn how to mix and blend
colors, use brushes, explore forms and textures, and paint some
familiar objects. Even if you don't know an artist's brush from
a toothbrush, you'll have fun, learn a lot, and get off to a good
start. We'll be painting with pro quality Golden brand acrylics,
because they're easy to paint with, easy to learn, and are a great
medium for beginners and professionals alike. (Note: You can either
bring your own materials, or buy a $35 supply kit in class that
includes everything you'll need.)
Cartooning
In this workshop, you'll
learn how to create your own cartoon characters, even if you've
never drawn before. We'll draw humorous, simplified faces
and figures, cartoon animals and more. Plus: tips for drawing
comic books, graphic novels, inking, coloring, copyrighting your
artwork and getting published. The instructor's artwork
has been published in the U.S. and Europe. Nothing to bring
or buy; all materials are provided.
Drawing faces and portraits
In this class you'll learn
to draw faces and portraits using an easy step-by-step method,
even if you've never drawn before. We'll begin by sketching
some faces based on simple underlying shapes, then add details.
You'll learn about features, proportions, shading, and expressions,
and how to use surprisingly easy "right brain" methods
to make your sketch look more like the person you're drawing.
Beginners and experienced welcome. Nothing to bring or buy;
all materials are provided.
Drawing for absolute beginners
Anyone can draw ... this
means you! In this class we'll work our way through a number
of exercises designed to train the eye, hand and imagination to
work as a unit or a team. You'll learn about shapes, shading,
contour drawing, negative space and more. This class provides
a thorough, enjoyable, step-by-step introduction to drawing.
For people who have not drawn before or would like a refresher
in the basics. Instructor is a professional artist.
Nothing to bring or buy; all materials are provided.
Drawing in pen, brush & ink
Ink drawings can be striking
and beautiful. Come spend a fun evening drawing, inking, and exploring
this fascinating art form. In this class you'll learn to use brush
pens, inking brushes, felt tip pens and nib pens to create striking
high-contrast images. Plus: feathering, hatching, cross-hatching,
and more. (Note: the focus of this class is on learning to use
brushes and pens, not on developing foundation drawing skills.
If you're looking for a training in basic drawing skills (how
to draw what you see, or see in your mind's eye), our "sister
class," Drawing
for absolute beginners
is the course you're looking for.
Figure Drawing for beginners
Anyone can learn how to draw
people! In this class you'll learn how to draw the human
figure, using an easy step-by-step method. We'll start by
sketching some figures based on simple, underlying shapes, then
add in the details. You'll learn about proportions and foreshortening,
motion and action and how to use shading to make the figure look
real and three-dimensional. Plus, an easy method of drawing
clothing on the finished figure. No need to buy or bring any art
materials; they're all provided.
How to draw clothing
In this class you'll learn
how to draw realistic clothing and drapery, working step by step,
using an easy method. You'll learn about tension point, tension
lines, and support points, folds and wrinkles, and the seven types
of folds. A great class for those who are learning to draw the
human figure, but would like to learn how to put some clothing
on it. All drawing materials are provided.
Perspective drawing
Perspective can
be fun! Whether you draw or paint professionally, or just doodle
for fun, knowledge of its principles can make drawing easier and
more realistic. In this enjoyable. step by step workshop, you'll
learn the basics of perspective, including: vanishing points and
horizon lines ... how to draw objects in one, two and three point
perspective ...how to use negative space (the shape of the space
around what you're drawing) to help lock in the perspective...
how to make some objects in your drawings look close to the viewer,
and make others look further away Plus, you'll learn seven easy
ways to add a sense of depth to your drawings and paintings, even
in those times when you may not want to use formal perspective.
All materials e provided at no additional charge.
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.
Storyboarding
Thinking about making a movie,
independent film, or even a home video? It helps to start out
with a storyboard (a series of rough drawings showing what you
plan to film.) You don't need to be a great artist to draw a storyboard,
you just need to be able to sketch well enough to get your ideas
across. In this class you'll learn how storyboards work, how to
use one to tell your story visually, and get some practice drawing
them.
Beginning Acting
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
Storyboarding
Thinking about making a movie,
independent film, or even a home video? It helps to start out
with a storyboard (a series of rough drawings showing what you
plan to film.) You don't need to be a great artist to draw a storyboard,
you just need to be able to sketch well enough to get your ideas
across. In this class you'll learn how storyboards work, how to
use one to tell your story visually, and get some practice drawing
them.
Final Cut Pro for Beginners
In this basic introductory
class, aimed at beginners, you'll learn how to use the popular
software program Final Cut Pro to scan in video footage from a
camcorder and assemble it into professional-looking movies. Course
covers basic principles, filters and effects, titles, audio, split-screen
and other special effects, and exporting the finished video as
a Quicktime movie. Important notes:1) Final Cut Pro runs only
on Macintosh computers. If you own a P.C., I'd suggest looking
for a class in Adobe Premiere instead. 2) This class is demonstration,
not hands-on. That is, it's held in a regular classroom, not a
computer lab. The instructor will demonstrate features of the
program using a laptop hooked up to a projector. (Students with
Macintosh laptops are welcome to bring them and work along with
the exercises if they like)
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.
Final Cut Pro for Beginners
In this basic introductory
class, aimed at beginners, you'll learn how to use the popular
software program Final Cut Pro to scan in video footage from a
camcorder and assemble it into professional-looking movies. Course
covers basic principles, filters and effects, titles, audio, split-screen
and other special effects, and exporting the finished video as
a Quicktime movie. Important notes:1) Final Cut Pro runs only
on Macintosh computers. If you own a P.C., I'd suggest looking
for a class in Adobe Premiere instead. 2) This class is demonstration,
not hands-on. That is, it's held in a regular classroom, not a
computer lab. The instructor will demonstrate features of the
program using a laptop hooked up to a projector. (Students with
Macintosh laptops are welcome to bring them and work along with
the exercises if they like) To sign up now, call 206-420-1309
or click on the course title to use the registration links on
the class page.
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.
Writing fiction & short stories
Writing is a natural skill
that everyone can develop. In this Seattle writing class,
students will write short stories and other word pieces and get
feedback from the instructor and others in the class. The
focus will be on developing our writing skills, finding our genuine
voices, learning to let the process happen effortlessly and spontaneously.
Also: information about copyrighting and getting published.
Instructor is the author of a short story collection, The Hungry
Time, and has also written stage plays, screenplays and magazine
articles. All levels welcome.
Seattle art classes
Seattle
film classes
Seattle
acting classes
Seattle
writing classes
Seattle
software classes
Dates, times & tuition
Policies
& procedures
Frequently
asked questions
How
to sign up
Questions or problems registering? Call or email 206-420-1309 Nilsosmar@gmail.com