LET’S MAKE A MOVIE

Sign up now for the September 2022 class
Course 177301 - LET'S MAKE A MOVIE
Nils Osmar, Instructor

DATES AND TIMES: This class has five meetings.
CLASS DATES:
Sunday Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m (Bothell, WA)
Sunday Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Bothell, WA)

FILM DATES:
To be in the movie, you must be available from 10-5 on at least ONE OF THE FILM DATES shown below. You do not have to be available for all three:

Sunday Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (location TBA
Sunday Oct. 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (location TBA)
Sunday Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (location TBA

Sign Me Up!

This class is now in its 22nd year!

  • In this Seattle acting/filmmaking class, now in its 22nd year, we’ll create a short movie, working together as a group. 
  • We’ll have two in-person meetings to get ready for filming, then three day-long meetings to film the movie. You must be available for at least one day of filming (the entire time).  
  • Taking this class is a fun way to learn some key things about filmmaking ––– get some acting practice and coaching ––– and be in a short movie.
  • To see some of the films made previously in this course, scroll down.

FAQ!

Can I take this class if I don’t live in Seattle? Yes, you can take it anywhere in the world, as long as you have access to a way to film your scene (with the instructor’s long distance guidance).

If I live in Seattle, can I meet with the instructor and film my scene in person? Yes, we’ve found it workable to film that way if only one student is involved. This would not be a group meeting, but a meeting between one student and the instructor –– using masks (when not being filmed) and social distancing. The camera can be actually be ten feet away from the actor on a tripod and still film closeups. Another possibility would be meeting with the instructor to be filmed outdoors or on a back deck.

Who can sign up?

  • Anyone who has taken Rekindle School’s Acting 101, 102, 103 or 104 class(es) is welcome to sign up.
  • Most students are adults. If a student is under 18, he or she will need the instructor’s permission.

 

  • Here’s a short film I made recently.
  • One of the actors was a “Let’s Make a Movie” alumnus.
  • To see a film made remotely using the same directing method I’ll be using in the online “Let’s Make a Movie” class, scroll one more movie down.

NOTE FROM NILS:

  • Here’s a film I recently made using the “remote directing” method used in the LET’S MAKE A MOVIE – ONLINE ACTING CLASS. 
  • I wrote and directed it. I was also an actor in the film.
  • The other actor in the movie lives in another state. He was filming himself with his own camera.
  • I was directing his performance and his camera angles using Zoom. 

STUDENT COMMENTS ABOUT LET’S MAKE A MOVIE:

“I’d 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 (in the Let’s Make a Movie class) was very useful helping me perform in front of camera and the fact (that I was) comfortable in front of camera got me the gigs.  

Tell everyone to not give up and give it your all if you want to make it. It was a slow start, but now I’m living in L.A. and loving it. Thanks again, your classes are good. – K. S. (Hollywood)

I was looking for a filmmaking class, then decided it would be fun to try acting too. I ended up taking the class twice, once to get some experience behind the camera, and the second time to try my hand at acting. Both experiences were interesting and very challenging. I’m also taking the Crash Course in Filmmaking class, which fills in a lot of the more technical information there wasn’t time to cover in Let’s Make a Movie.  I recommend all of the instructor’s classes. – Barb B.

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

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)

About the instructor

Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts since the 1980s, working as a visual artist, writer, director and independent filmmaker. He has taught acting classes, film classes, and other classes and workshops for over twenty years.  His films have played at major film festivals. To visit his IMDB (professional film credits) page, click here.

Frequently asked questions

What if I don’t like the script we end up with, and don’t want to be in the movie?  This is rarely an issue, but if, after reading the script, you decide you don’t want to be in the movie, and let the instructor within 48 hours of the script being mailed out, you can you can either get a refund of 1/2 of the tuition you paid, or switch your enrollment to a different quarter.

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.

Above: a short film made in “Let’s Make a Movie”

What will happen to the movie when it’s finished? We’ll upload it to Youtube, so you can send links to your friends to see it. We’ll give actors a link where they can download it if they would like to use a clip from it for their reels.

Some short films made in the Let’s Make a Movie class

https://youtu.be/CbT6JZ8peLA