SUMMER & FALL 2026
Homeschool Filmmaking Classes
CA$16.95 - CA$158.20
MONDAYS from 10am - 11:30am Ideal for kids 8-13 Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213 Individual Classes $15 plus hst All 11 Classes $140 plus hst (save $25) Checkout price include hst This session we will make a short, fun, found footage movie! It requires a lot of planning and techniques so over the 11 classes we will write and produce a movie! Found footage is a genre that presents as if it was filmed by someone, and found by someone else. It is generally hand-held, feels "real" and is somewhat mysterious! Don't worry parents, it won't be scary for your young ones. Classes will include screenwriting and planning, creating shot lists and storyboards, production design, acting, camera techniques, lighting, sound and sound design, editing, and mixing. Your child can join at any week and they will participate in the tasks that day. Because it is ongoing, some of the tasks below may be a week ahead or behind. You can always email us and we'll let you know exactly what we will do that class. September 21 - Screenwriting 28 - Shot lists and Storyboards October 5 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting 26 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting (no lessons on the 12th, Thanksgiving, or during the Hamilton Film Festival on the 19th) November 2 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting 9 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting 16 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting 23 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting 30 - Camera, Lighting, Sound, Acting December 7 - Editing and Mixing 14 - Editing and Mixing
Filmmaking Lessons
CA$27.12 - CA$108.48
TUESDAYS FALL 2026 Before registering please contact us here to request a spot between 3:00 and the last lesson starts at 8:30pm but earlier or later lessons can be arrange. $24 + HST per lesson but you pay per month. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213 Like music lessons, for movie making! Checkout price includes hst Weekly, one-on-one, 30 minute, filmmaking lessons for all ages! We will work with the student to focus on their interest in filmmaking. It could be directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, stop motion, pre production elements, or filmmaking in general. You must book a month at a time. You always get first choice to maintain your monthly timeslot. If you sign up in the middle of the month, select "single class" from the payment menu. Fall 2026 Dates: September 22, 29 - $48 October 6, 13, 26 (no lessons on the 20th because of the Hamilton Film Festival) - $72 November 3, 10, 17, 24 - $96 December 1, 8, 15 - $72 All prices are plus hst. The total will be reflected when you check out.
AUDITIONING FOR ANIMATION: TEENS!
CA$224.87
AUDITIONING FOR ANIMATION: TEENS! (Age 12-18) November 7th and 8th NOON - 3pm $199 + hst (final price is 224.87) In this fun and informative weekend intensive, students will dive into the world of auditioning for animation voiceover. This 2-day course will focus not only on bringing cartoon characters to life through voice acting technique, but also how to apply these skills to create memorable voice auditions that stand out from the crowd. We'll be covering: -Introductory Voice Acting technique -Analyzing scripts and character breakdowns -Audition Instructions & Etiquette -Bringing your uniqueness to your auditions -Practical experience recording in our professional sound booth -Hearing playback and getting direction in real time. We'll be preparing an audition from start to finish. From the moment an actor first receives the script, to developing our performance, to the final product, we'll be breaking it down for you step-by-step so every student leaves feeling confident behind the mic! Whether you're a new voice actor who has a future goal of auditioning, or a working actor who'd like to refine their approach to their auditions and get a fresh perspective, this class will offer some great tips on bringing YOU to your auditions and letting your uniqueness and talent shine.
Turn Your Idea Into a Movie!
CA$84.75
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.
Make A Short Film - Fall 2026
CA$369.00
WEEKENDS (3 weekends, 6 classes) Saturdays and Sundays 9am - 3pm November 14,15, 21,22, 28,29 Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre 357 Wilson St E, Ancaster Room 213 You will collectively write and produce a short film from script to screen. The completed short film will be presented at the Hamilton Film Festival in the Emerging Filmmaker screening in 2027. We will cover these basic elements while making the movie: - Screenwriting - Script Breakdown - Creating a Shot List - Acting - Camera - Sound - Directing - Producing - Script Supervision - Editing - Movie Release and Marketing Ideal for late teens, and adults who are new to filmmaking. No experience necessary.
Voice Acting
CA$67.80 - CA$1,017.00
VOICE ACTING DEMO REEL Classes take place at: Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213 Having a VO demo reel is an important step in your journey as a voice actor. Whether it's to help you get a great agent, promote yourself, or submit for auditions, it's the perfect calling card to showcase your skills! When you book a custom voice demo reel with us, you'll work one-on-one with veteran voice actor and coach Tarah Consoli to create a tailored voice reel that lets your unique sound shine. This package includes a private coaching session to work out the voice skills you'd like to showcase, script creation and selection, and then a fun recording session in our studio sound booth to bring it all to life. We'll add a little editing and music and you'll have your brand new demo reel delivered and ready to put out into the world. - - 1 hour one-on-one coaching session (in studio or remote) to prep characters and scripts - - Recording session in our studio sound booth - - A fully-edited 60-90 second voiceover demo delivered to you Your choice of: - Commercial Reel $750 plus HST - Animation Reel $900 plus HST - Kids & Teens Demo Reel $450 plus HST - Voice over and Audition Coaching $60 plus hst, per hour Checkout price include hst BEFORE BOOKING please email us to arrange a time slot.
One on One
CA$54.24
DAYTIME $48 per hour session (plus hst = 54.24) Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213 Checkout price includes hst Typically WED, THUR or FRI daytime (9am - 4pm) If something we offer doesn't fit into your schedule, we offer daytime 1-on-1 sessions in person, and online. These are available in one-hour classes and you can focus on your area of study. Please reach out in advance to inquire about a date / time, and your area of interest. Email Ideal for a consult of how to get a film started, improving or learning a new skill, questions about funding...whatever your area of interest is. New to intermediate skill level.
GIFT CARD
CA$50.00 - CA$350.00
Give the gift of filmmaking! We have so many classes and camps, for all ages, that run year-round, and now you can gift these to that budding star, the emerging filmmaker, or to someone who wants to try something new! For birthdays, holidays, celebrations, or just because! Once you purchase a gift card, email us to let us know what you'd like to apply it to and we will take care of the rest!
Summer Film Camp
CA$56.50 - CA$734.50
TEACHERS & CAMP OVERVIEW Jun 29 - July 3, Nathan Fleet - Kids Kids write, produce and star (they decide the genre by vote) $325 + hst July 6th - July 10, Nathan Fleet - (Advanced Kids) Kids write, produce and star (they decide the genre by vote) Advanced kids must have the equivalent of 3-4 camps of experience. Please email us if you are unsure. $325 + hst July 13 - July 17, Avery Fleet (Kids) Kids write, produce and star (they decide the genre by vote) $325 + hst July 20th - July 24, Michael Penney (Kids) Kids write, produce and star (This film will include visual effects) $325 + hst July 27 - July 31, Mike Trebilcock (Advanced Kids) Kids will produce and star in this film that will lean towards horror / Thriller and will include practical and visual effects Advanced kids must have prior filmmaking experience. Please email us if you are unsure. $325 + hst Aug 3 - Aug 7, Mike Trebilcock (Kids) Sold Out Kids will produce and star in this film that will lean towards zombie / horror and will include practical and visual effects. $325 + hst Aug 10 - Aug 14, Avery Fleet (Kids) TWO SPOTS OPENED UP Kids write, produce and star (they decide the genre by vote) $325 + hst Aug 17 - Aug 21, Mike Trebilcock (Teens) One Spot Available Kids will produce and star in this film that will lean towards thriller / horror and will include practical and visual effects $325 + hst Aug 24 - 28 and Aug 31 - Sept 4 Mike Trebilcock (Teens for Two Weeks) The teens will spend more time to make one film. Kids will produce and star in this film that will lean towards thriller / horror and will include practical and visual effects Please note that we are only providing before / after care on a weekly basis, rather than daily. Before is 8am - 9am. After is 3pm - 5pm
ACTING CLASSES
All acting classes and sessions will be happening at their location, and through their website.
For all acting inquiries, please contact:
https://www.hamontactingstudio.com/
We will still be working with HamOnt Acting Studio to bring their film works to our screens at the Hamilton Film Festival. Although we are apart, we're still connected, and that means YOU are connected!
HAMILTON SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
357 Wilson St E, Ancaster
plenty of parking on site
email us
The Steve Parton Student Achievement Award
Steve was an endless supporter of music and film education for kids.
Before he passed away in 2021 he donated all of his film equipment to our classroom.
We have a permanent plaque in our room to honour his memory.
On behalf of his family and our school, each year we will be awarding one of our top students $200 to go towards something that will enhance, and further their filmmaking endeavours.
Annual recipients will be announced at the Hamilton Film Festival at the end of the Kids Can Film program. This year, Sun Oct 19th, 1pm after the Kids Can Film program.
Photo by Andie Parton, Steve's mom.
2025 Student Achievement Award Recipient
Oliver Mizener
Years later, he continues to study and strives to learn new things with an open mind, and a very positive attitude. Congratulations Oliver, I know Steve would be proud of you, as we all are!
