HAMILTON SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS

Our film school has been an excellent feeder into the filmmaking community. Many of our students have benefited from our programs, our Co-Op placements (for high school and college), and screening and networking at the Hamilton Film Festival. We assist our New Generation Artists (18-30) with getting professional credits for their resume/cv, and with getting them onto film sets.  Studying at the Hamilton School of Media Arts has benefits that go beyond the class that you are taking, OR,  just come and have some filmmaking fun! 
LOCATION
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
357 Wilson St E, Ancaster
plenty of parking on site
email us

Filmmaking Classes

We have a new look and checkout! 

Homeschool Filmmaking Class

MONDAYS
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213
​Individual Classes $15 plus hst (16.95)
​All 10 Classes (Save $25) $125 plus hst (141.25)


​April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12, 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23 (no classes on Easter Monday or Victoria Day)


We'll take the kids 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 10 classes to participate.
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Writing Room with Terrance Odette (Screenwriting)

MONDAYS

6pm - 8:30pm

​$160 + hst ($180.80)

​357 Wilson St E, Ancaster, Room 213 - Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

Spring Session 4-Part session

Monday June 2, 9, 16, 23 - $160 

Once a week for 4 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. ​
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Filmmaking Lessons

TUESDAYS

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.


Spring Dates:

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (total $120 plus hst)

May 6, 13, 20, 27 (total $96 plus hst)

June 3, 10, 17, 24 ​(total $96 plus hst)
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Video Editing 101

THURSDAY EVENINGS


6-Part Editing class
May 8 - June 12
Ancaster Memorial Arts centre, 357 Wilson St E
Room 213
$199 plus hst


This session is designed to get you started wth editing, or to enhance the skills you already have. With the different programs available, we will give you the basic skills you will need, no matter the program you are working with.


In class we will set you up on iMovie or Davinci Resolve, both are free programs.
In class we will use iMacs, but if you have a laptop that you are already working on, feel free to bring that in with you.

 
  • Introductions and a brief history of editing
  • Organizing video files
  • Syncing sound
  • Editing a scene with coverage
  • Working with sound and sound effects
  • Finishing touches and exporting files


Ideal for those with no, or some experience. Or for those looking for ways to increase your efficiency when editing.
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Voice Acting

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


BEFORE BOOKING please email us to arrange a time slot.
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Cinematography 101

SATURDAYS IN JUNE

CINEMATOGRAPHY 101



$200 plus HST for all three (save $25)

$75 plus HST each class



9am - Noon



Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

357 Wilson St E, Ancaster, On, Room 213



  • INTRODUCTION TO CINEMATOGRAPHY - SAT JUNE 7- Cinematography History
  • - Cinematographer Types
  • - Cinematography Purpose & Styles
  • - Elements of Cinematography Optics/Lighting/Formats



  • CAMERA BASICS - SAT JUNE 14- Exposure Aperture /ISO/Shutter Speed/Frame Rate
  • - Formats & Aspect Ratios
  • - Lenses- Compostion
  • - Camera Movement



  • LIGHTING BASICS - SAT JUNE 21- Lighting Styles
  • - Lighting Equipment 
  • - Hard Lighting / Soft Lighting
  •  - Combining Lights





Sheldon has been shooting and editing video content for over two decades. He started in the film business working in the art department, on commercials and music videos, and has acquired a certain aesthetic sensibility which works in tandem with his natural sense of composition and cinematic choreography. Adding his arsenal of lighting skills to these strengths, makes him stand out as a shooter. He believes filmmaking is inherently fun and the best results are found when a crew is happy.

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One on One

DAYTIME

$48 per hour session (plus hst = 54.24)

​Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, Room 213


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 finding...whatever your area of interest is. New to intermediate skill level.
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GIFT CARD

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!

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SUMMER CAMPS!

Summer Camps
9am - 3pm (Monday to Friday) every week in the summer!
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
​$325 + HST

Summer has camps for kids and teens!
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. 

ACTING CLASSES

HamOnt Acting Studio has a new home in Dundas!
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!