Hamilton Film School

WINTER FILMMAKING CLASSES 2025

QUICK LOOK
March Break Camp (Mar 10 - 14)
Make a Short Film (January weekends)
One-On-One (Day/Aft)
Teen for Teens workshop (taught by talented young creatives)

Monday Homeschool Filmmaking Classes for Kids / Writing Room: Screenwriting (teens / adults)
Tuesday Filmmaking Classes (all Ages)
Wednesday Acting Classes for kids, teens & adults
Thursday Actor's Gym
Friday Workshops
Saturday Saturday Morning Cartoons / Voice Acting
Sunday Workshops - TBA

CLICK HERE to return to the FALL calendar if you are booking one of the remaining classes this fall

MARCH BREAK

March 10th - 14th
9am - 3pm
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
$325 + HST
Ideal for kids 8-13

The kids will work together and create a short film, from script to screen, that will debut at the 20th Annual Hamilton Film Festival in October, 2025.

Make A Short Film

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
$325 + HST
8am - 2pm
Over three weekends - Jan 11/12, 18/19, 25/26
IN SESSION

From Script to Screen, you will work as a team to create a single short film that will premiere at the Hamilton Film Festival in October. You will each get an opportunity to write, direct, operate the camera, lighting, acting, and various assisting roles. We will also be discussing the business side of things on the last day including pitching, budgeting, funding, festival strategy and cast / crew building. No experience is necessary.
This class is for teens and adults.

Monday

Homeschool Filmmaking Classes for Kids!

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213
All 11 Classes $145 plus hst (save $20)
Individual Classes $15 plus hst

11 Monday mornings from 10am - 11:30am we'll take the classes through different techniques of filmmaking. Some classes will be one-offs, and others we will focus on a larger project. This hands-on class will give the student an opportunity to use filmmaking equipment, and discover filmmaking techniques. Ideal for kids 8-13. You can always sign up at any point and contribute. You don't have to do the entire 11 classes to participate. Stop motion including rotoscoping, pixilation, mouth movement, different materials such as paper, clay, wire..., camera, lighting, sound, foley, voice over, scene study, and green screen

Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 24 (no classes on Feb 17), Mar 3, 17, 24, 31 (no class on Mar 10)

Writing Room

MONDAYS 6pm - 8:30pm
$240 + hst (for all 6 classes)
357 Wilson St E, Ancaster, Room 213 - Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

Session 1
Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10 (Classes have begun)
No lessons on Feb 17, or Mar 10 for Family Day / March Break

Session 2
Feb 24, Mar, 3, 17, 24, 31, April 5

Once a week for 6 weeks, with the option for additional sessions.
Anyone who knows me knows that I will tell you quite frankly that you cannot call yourself a screenwriter unless you actually finish a screenplay. To be fair to all the screenwriters out there, like myself, who struggle in this extremely competitive craft, would you call someone a tradesperson who has not completed the required apprenticeship in their chosen trade?

Writing Room welcomes all serious screenwriters at any level of experience to join me each week for 2-3 hours to get it done. I’ll facilitate discussion on craft screenwriting, bring in guest screenwriters, and share information about screenwriting podcasts and books. Most importantly, allow time for each screenwriter to share a work in progress and allow feedback.

3 Requirements:
A working story idea, at any stage: synopsis or treatment, partial or complete draft of a screenplay.
Be open to sharing and listening to well-meaning and honest criticism.
Most important is the willingness to try and see it through to the end.

Facilitator: Terrance Odette
Since his first feature film “HEATER” (Sundance, 00’) award winning Writer-Director Terrance Odette’s films shed light on the social inequalities and forgotten voices of post-modern Canada. His feature work has played to critical acclaim, (Variety, Village Voice, MacLean’s, Globe & Mail, voted Top-Ten All-Time Canadian Films Vancouver Sun) and garnered numerous awards and festival screenings: (Sundance, Berlinale, TIFF, VIFF, LIFF_BFI). 2014’s “FALL” with Michael Murphy (Manhattan) and Cannes prize-winner Best Actress Suzanne Clement (Mommy) received 5 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD nominations, including Best Picture. Odette’s Latest efforts include the documentary feature UNIMAGINABLE (23’) and the narrative film BIKE (24’). Scripts optioned: SKIN THE GHOST, LIGHT Of THE VOID, in development BRETHREN.

Tuesday

Filmmaking Lessons (30 min weekly)

Before registering please contact us here to request a spot between 3:30 and the last lesson starts at 8:30pm but earlier or later lessons can be arrange.

$24 + HST per lesson
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213
Like music lessons, for movie making!

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 "individual class" from the payment menu.

Dates:
Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 (total $96 plus hst)
Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 (total $96 plus hst)
Mar 4, 18, 25 (Total $72 plus hst) - no class on Mar 11

Wednesday

10-Part Acting Classes

BOTH CLASSES SOLD OUT
CLASS RETURNS SPRING 2025

Wednesday Night Acting Class for Kids
6pm-7pm
Winter Dates: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 19 (no class Mar 12)

Designed just for kids! Every week, young actors will dive into the world of on-camera performance, building confidence, mastering self-tape skills, and learning how to memorize scripts. Through fun improv exercises and exploring different types of characters, students will develop their acting chops and prepare for the screen. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, this class is the perfect place to shine!

Wednesday Night Acting Class for Teens* / Adults
7pm-9:30pm
Winter Dates: Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 19 (no class Mar 12)

This class is designed for actors looking to deepen their craft and excel on camera. However, if you’re a newbie, don’t be shy!! We’ll explore a wide range of characters, adapt our performances to fit the tone of each project, and master the art of taking direction. Through focused exercises, we’ll identify and break bad habits, uncovering your unique strengths and what you bring to every role. Whether you're an experienced actor or looking to refine your skills, this class will help you elevate your on-screen performance.
*there will be coarse language and mature subject matter in the scripts

Thursday

Thursday Evening Actor's Gym
$75 monthly membership, per person
$200 All Winter Months (save $25)
Drop-In 5:30 - 8:30pm
Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 20, 27 (no class Mar 13)

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213
This is a combo-class and all ages can drop in. Stay as long, or as little as you need to get in shape!

Thursday Night Actors Gym is the ultimate drop-in class for actors looking to flex their acting muscles! This dynamic session lets you pop in at any time, sign up for a scene like karaoke! Take the “stage” (T?) to work on your performance. While waiting for your turn, you can watch and learn from others or engage in fun exercises with fellow actors. It's a supportive and energetic environment where you can sharpen your skills, explore new roles, and grow as an on-camera actor. Perfect for actors of all levels!

Friday

Workshops

Gain, or improve on, skills that actors should know and be familiar with.
Most Fridays 5:30-8:30
$60 each
$150 for any 3 (save $30)

17th - Authenticity: we hear it all the time “bring yourself to the character” “I want it to feel authentic” what does that even mean?? Let’s dive in together and find out
24th - Tone: tone is a huuuugely underrated element in a self tape. You can deliver a beautiful performance but if the time is off..it throws the whole tape off!
31st - Bad guy: have you ever had to play a villain? Connecting with a character that the audience has to hate is hard. Learn compassion for them with the help of a therapist.

February
7th - Mindfulness: mindfulness in acting can be a huge eye opening experience. It makes us more present, more accessible to our scene partners, and SAFER!
14th - Intimacy on Camera
21st - Accounting: doing taxes as an actor is a whoooole thing. What you can and can’t write off might surprise you. Is it time to incorporate? Jess doesn’t know but this guy will!
28th - ACTRA: let’s talk to them! A representative of ACTRA is kind enough to answer your questions in class! This will give you so much insight into our union.

March
Mar 21st - Stunts for Actors
Mar 28th - Crying on Cue

*A week prior sign-up is required for classes noted

Saturday

Saturday Morning Cartoons!

This class is a throwback to hand-drawn, hand-made, hands-on style of film making. This is a device-free class (aside from when we are filming to capture something) as all techniques will be using paper, drawing materials, plasticine, and puppets.

Saturdays from 10am - 11:30am
$25 plus hst, per class
$135 plus hst, for all 6 (Save $15)
Materials provided.
Please note that the Dec 14 is for this year's remaining class and is not included in the "6"

Rotoscoping, mouth movement in stop motion, puppeteering, storyboarding, stop motion with plasticine, filming with matte painting / images.

Feb 8 - Puppeteering - eye focus (with Benton Lowe)
Feb 15 - Mouth Movement. Let's make some lips and make them say something.
Feb 22 - Stop Motion - Focus on Easing (with Chelsea Irwin) Making a character with plasticine, and then applying the "easing" technique in a race setting, to give us the best looking movement.
March 1 - Storyboarding (with Ryan Silvestri. Ryan is a Sheridan Illustration grad) Learning to draw characters, and bring them to life with motion lines within a storyboard.
March 22 - Filming with Matte Images. Using an existing, smaller photo, and then inserting YOU as the live action piece.
March 29 - Rotoscoping
(no classes Family day weekend or before/after March Break)

INTRO TO VOICE ACTING with TARAH CONSOLI

SATURDAYS IN FEBRUARY
Feb 1, 8, 15
1-3pm, $149 plus hst
Kids (ideal for 8-12)
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St E, Room 213

About the class:

In this playful and informative 3-class intensive, beginners can explore the fundamentals of voice acting by working through different VO styles including voiceover for commercials, cartoons and narration. Under the guidance of veteran Voice Actor Tarah Consoli, students can discover dynamic and exciting ways to bring words off the page and their characters to life. The goal here is to try something new and get out of your comfort zone, leave class with a solid overview of what voiceover is, and above all else have FUN!

Tarah Consoli has been an actor in film, tv, theatre and voiceover for over 20 years. Some of her favourite voice credits include playing Darla Myers in Nickelodeon's Get Blake!, Frances in PBS Kids' Cyberchase, Butch Butane in MTV's Crash Canyon, and Audrey the Astronaut in the Emmy-Nominated cartoon "The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!" (PBS Kids) opposite Martin Short. She's also lent her voice to incredible tv shows like SuperWhy! (Netflix, PBS), Best Ed, Fugget About It (Pilot), ZooZoo (BBC Kids), Slick Silly's Adventures in Truckopolis, as well as countless commercial campaigns. She can be heard narrating audiobooks such as R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, Carter Higgins' A Story Is To Share, as well as playing Tori Pritel, the narrator of the acclaimed children's audiobook trilogy "Masterminds" by Gordon Korman. Tarah is an alumna of The Second City Touring Company, and has most recently been seen as Lisa in the Canadian Screen Award nominated film "Mother Of All Shows." Up next for Tarah is co-starring in the hybrid live-action and animated feature, The Christmas Witch Trial of La Befana, opposite Anjelica Huston.

Mastering the Voice Over Self Tape with TARAH CONSOLI

SATURDAYS IN MARCH
March 1, 8, 15
1-3pm, $199 plus hst
Teens and Adults (a great follow up to last years Intro to Voice Acting)
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St E, Room 213

For actors ready to bring their voice auditions to the next level, this 3-class intensive will focus on the art of the VO self tape, under the guidance of veteran Voice Actor Tarah Consoli. In addition to in-person weekly sessions, students will have an opportunity to apply the techniques they've learned in class to create and deliver selftapes as homework assignments between lessons. From building your studio to bringing characters to life from the comfort of your own home, this practical course will cover how to create compelling work in this modern remote setting. This course is for students who have had some voice acting training and are ready for the next step!

Sunday

Teens for Teens

Our young creatives are active in the local filmmaking community and we believe it is important for people to have role models / peers they can identify with.

SFX Practical Make-Up by Leah Klein

Leah is a talented practical effects artist who has been a student at the Hamilton School of Media Arts. We recognized her talents and have upgraded her to teacher!

Feb 2, 9, 23
10am - Noon
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Room 213
Limited Spots
$60 each
$165 for all three (Save $15)
No experience necessary and class is for youth ages 13-19 only

Feb 2 - Focus on bruises, placement of them, how they age, and how to keep it consistent throughout the film.
Feb 9 - Cuts/small lacerations and road rash, how to make them deep or protruded and properly colour them.
Feb 23 - 1st and 2nd degree burns and how to make them peel and look realistic.

We provide the supplies. Latex will be used.

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!

Click BUY NOW and enter the amount you wish to gift. We will deliver in Hamilton (until the postal strike ends) to a house / mailbox or you can pre-arrange to pick-up here at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213 by appointment [email protected]