Turn Your Idea Into a Movie!

3-Part Class Mondays Oct 26th, Nov 2, Nov 9

6:30 - 8pm, $75 + hst = $84.75

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213

Free parking on site.

Bring:

A laptop / notepad

Your movie idea if you have one (but not required)

Realistic expectations

Reel Advice

In this lecture-style class, you will learn how to turn your ideas into independent movies. You are encouraged to come with an existing idea and we can analyze what works, and what doesn't right now, and how you might adjust so that you can stop waiting, and get creating! For independent short films, features, documentaries, and series.

Part 1 - THE SCRIPT

It all starts with an idea and while ideas are free, and cost nothing to think about, turning that idea into moving images takes time, money and skill. Imagine writing the opening line "Paris, France". You can write it, but can you now head to Paris and start shooting? Everything you write becomes a cost the in eyes of a producer. We will discuss how to keep things within your reach while staying creative.

We will discuss the current funding landscape in Canada from an independent production POV, and what realistically can be done in the short term.

Part 2 - THE SHOOT

With an idea in hand, you now have to enter into pre-production, and production and that requires a lot of planning and creativity. We will discuss the steps you would need to take to get your project started.

Part 3 - FINISHING AND RELEASING

We will discuss the process of editing both sound and image, film festivals, community screenings, and YouTube.

P.S. If you wish to make a short film, please consider the MAKE A SHORT FILM class on weekends

November 14,15, 21,22, 28,29

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Nathan Fleet has been making movies since the late 90s and has directed shorts, music videos, corporate videos, featuring films, a web series, and television episodes. He brings almost 3 decades of knowledge working in the indie film landscape. His recent projects include Wild Child, East End, Three Wolves, and Phone: The Musical Series. Nathan was awarded a City of Hamilton Creator Arts Award in 2026. He runs the Hamilton Film Festival and is a member of the Hamilton Film Board.