
All classes take place at the
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, Room 213
357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster On.
On Wednesday's this summer, the parking lot entrance on Wilson will be blocked off for the Farmer's Market. Please use the Queen St entrance.
IN THE NEWS
Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton gets its own film school, aligned with festival.
Beyond James - And, Action! Local Film School Debuts This Fall
Bay Observer - A Hamilton Film School Opens in the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
Ancaster News - Curtain rises for the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
Beyond James - I Took An Acting Class and Ended Up in The Hamilton Film Festival
CBC Hamilton - Hamilton puppeteer teaches kids the power of imagination
Beyond James - And, Action! Local Film School Debuts This Fall
Bay Observer - A Hamilton Film School Opens in the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
Ancaster News - Curtain rises for the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
Beyond James - I Took An Acting Class and Ended Up in The Hamilton Film Festival
CBC Hamilton - Hamilton puppeteer teaches kids the power of imagination
FALL 2023
Get ready for the next season at the Hamilton School of Media Arts! We're bringing back Monday homeschool classes, Tuesday night filmmaking lessons, Actor's Gym, and many workshops, classes, and the return of the Indie Filmmaking weekends for adults and teens. The fall also brings the 18th Annual Hamilton Film Festival from Oct 21-29 and while regular programming may alter, the festival is a GREAT place to learn as there will be something for everyone! Keep your eye on this page for class registration. We officially begin Monday September 18th.
If there is something specific you are looking to learn, reach out to us!
If there is something specific you are looking to learn, reach out to us!
Monday Morning Homeschool Filmmaking Class
$15 + hst per class
165 + hst for all 12 (save 15)
It's back! 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. This can also include scene study (watching a scene and analyzing it). Ideal for kids 8-12.
You can always sign up at any point and contribute. You don't have to do the entire 12 classes to participate
Take one, some, or all 12!
Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18
Sept / Oct
Stop Motion:
Screenwriting, set building, character creation, prop making with different material (plasticine / paper) , camera, lighting, sound fx creation and music.
Nov / Dec
Short film live action:
Screenwriting, auditioning practice, rehearsing, camera, lighting, live sound recording, editing.
No lessons on Oct 9th for Thanksgiving, or Oct 23 during the Hamilton Film Festival,
165 + hst for all 12 (save 15)
It's back! 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. This can also include scene study (watching a scene and analyzing it). Ideal for kids 8-12.
You can always sign up at any point and contribute. You don't have to do the entire 12 classes to participate
Take one, some, or all 12!
Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18
Sept / Oct
Stop Motion:
Screenwriting, set building, character creation, prop making with different material (plasticine / paper) , camera, lighting, sound fx creation and music.
Nov / Dec
Short film live action:
Screenwriting, auditioning practice, rehearsing, camera, lighting, live sound recording, editing.
No lessons on Oct 9th for Thanksgiving, or Oct 23 during the Hamilton Film Festival,
Tuesday Night Filmmaking Lessons
$24 + HST per lesson
Weekly, 30 minute, filmmaking lessons for all ages! In this time, we will work with the student to focus on their interest in filmmaking. It could be directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, stop motion, or filmmaking in general. You must book a month at a time. You always get first choice to maintain your monthly timeslot. Please contact us here to request a spot between 3:30 and the last lesson starts at 8:30pm but later lessons can be arrange for adult students. There are two rooms running this session offering more times for students. The instructors will be Nathan Fleet, and Michael Penney. These classes fill up quickly.
If you sign up in the middle of the month / class, select "individual class" from the payment menu.
Please note there are no lessons October 24th during the 18th Annual Hamilton Film Festival.
Times available: (please email to confirm that the time is still available)
Nathan
4:30pm
8pm
Michael (begins Sept 26th)
6pm and 6:30 start time.
7:30pm-8:30pm start time
Weekly, 30 minute, filmmaking lessons for all ages! In this time, we will work with the student to focus on their interest in filmmaking. It could be directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, stop motion, or filmmaking in general. You must book a month at a time. You always get first choice to maintain your monthly timeslot. Please contact us here to request a spot between 3:30 and the last lesson starts at 8:30pm but later lessons can be arrange for adult students. There are two rooms running this session offering more times for students. The instructors will be Nathan Fleet, and Michael Penney. These classes fill up quickly.
If you sign up in the middle of the month / class, select "individual class" from the payment menu.
Please note there are no lessons October 24th during the 18th Annual Hamilton Film Festival.
Times available: (please email to confirm that the time is still available)
Nathan
4:30pm
8pm
Michael (begins Sept 26th)
6pm and 6:30 start time.
7:30pm-8:30pm start time
Wednesday Night Acting for Film & TV - 10 Part Class
A fun way to learn some acting skills specifically for the screen, taught by working actors!
You will learn many of the techniques and skills required for on-screen acting including on camera techniques, reading and memorizing scripts, working with other actors in a scene, various styles and genres, exercises, and information you will need if you would like to pursue acting as either a hobby, a skill, or a profession!
You will learn many of the techniques and skills required for on-screen acting including on camera techniques, reading and memorizing scripts, working with other actors in a scene, various styles and genres, exercises, and information you will need if you would like to pursue acting as either a hobby, a skill, or a profession!
10 Classes
149 + hst
6pm - Kids ages 8-12
7:30 - 8:30pm Teens and adults
Sept 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
There are no classes during the Hamilton Film Festival on Wed Oct 25
149 + hst
6pm - Kids ages 8-12
7:30 - 8:30pm Teens and adults
Sept 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
There are no classes during the Hamilton Film Festival on Wed Oct 25
Thursday Night Actor's Gym
Thursdays from 7pm - 8:30pm
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St E, Ancaster
Room 213
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St E, Ancaster
Room 213
Thursday Evening Actor's Gym
Come flex your acting muscles! This is an ongoing drop-in class. Whether you are looking to keep your skills sharp, or need some specific guidance on an upcoming role or audition, this is the class for you!
$25 + hst
Come flex your acting muscles! This is an ongoing drop-in class. Whether you are looking to keep your skills sharp, or need some specific guidance on an upcoming role or audition, this is the class for you!
$25 + hst
No lessons Oct 26th during the 18th Annual Hamilton Film Festival

HamOnt Acting Studio owner Jessica Clement has been working professionally as an actor for TV and Film for 15 years.
Her work has received many shining reviews and awards, specifically for her performance leading the feature film “Night Blooms”, and as a series regular in the CBC/WGNA series “Pure”. She has acted alongside wonderful talents such as: Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere, Peter Outerbridge, Sarah Levy, Jason Priestley, Jason Isaacs, and Robert Pattinson. Jessica has a burning passion for her craft and works on it constantly both on and off set. Jessica is currently filming a spin off series of Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” as well as two feature films and dedicates all of her time off set to her acting students.
Special Programming and Workshops
Saturday Morning Cartoons!
Back by popular demand! These classes take the kids through traditional styles of animation and puppeteering. Think "old school." These classes are fun, creative, and also give the kids an opportunity to put the devices away and slow down a bit.
Take one, some, or all! All supplies provided.
$25 + hst each, or save $20 when you sign up for all 6 ($130 + hst)
Saturday Mornings from 10am - 11:30am
Take one, some, or all! All supplies provided.
$25 + hst each, or save $20 when you sign up for all 6 ($130 + hst)
Saturday Mornings from 10am - 11:30am
Nov 4: Flip Out! - We will make flip sticks and flip books using hand drawing techniques.
(no class on Remembrance Day)
Nov 18: Puppeteering One - Benton Lowe returns to take the kids through the basics of puppeteering for film & television.
Nov 25: Puppeteering Two - Using a short script, the kids will perform an film a short movie using puppets and learned techniques from Puppeteering One.
Dec 2: Claymation - Using plasticine, the kids will make and animate their characters.
Dec 9: Pixilation - The kids become the stop motion characters in this live action - stop motion short
Dec 16: Animated holiday video card. Using stop motion techniques, the kids will make an animated holiday card they can send out.
(no class on Remembrance Day)
Nov 18: Puppeteering One - Benton Lowe returns to take the kids through the basics of puppeteering for film & television.
Nov 25: Puppeteering Two - Using a short script, the kids will perform an film a short movie using puppets and learned techniques from Puppeteering One.
Dec 2: Claymation - Using plasticine, the kids will make and animate their characters.
Dec 9: Pixilation - The kids become the stop motion characters in this live action - stop motion short
Dec 16: Animated holiday video card. Using stop motion techniques, the kids will make an animated holiday card they can send out.
Introduction to Aerial Photography.
Monday November 27th, 7pm - 8:30pm
$45
Monday November 27th, 7pm - 8:30pm
$45
A robust workshop for Canadian filmmakers, photographers, and beginners interested in learning more about the world of drones! In this workshop, you'll discover the latest advancements in drone technology and learn how to elevate your photography and filmmaking game to new heights. Get hands-on experience with the newest models and explore the best practices for capturing stunning aerial footage.
Patricio Munoz is an advanced certified RPAS drone operator who has flown Drones for independent music videos, events, real estate and television. He'll share his knowledge and experience to help guide you through everything you need to know, from navigating complex airspace regulations to mastering drone piloting techniques. With a comprehensive study guide, you'll leave the workshop feeling confident and ready to take your drone skills to the next level. See his work here https://www.youtube.com/@eleglance/
Patricio Munoz is an advanced certified RPAS drone operator who has flown Drones for independent music videos, events, real estate and television. He'll share his knowledge and experience to help guide you through everything you need to know, from navigating complex airspace regulations to mastering drone piloting techniques. With a comprehensive study guide, you'll leave the workshop feeling confident and ready to take your drone skills to the next level. See his work here https://www.youtube.com/@eleglance/
Fly On The Wall: The Making of an Indie Feature
$99 + hst
Ongoing | Enter anytime
Sign up anytime and get access to all previous materials starting January 12th.
Once registered, you will receive your private access. Any in-person experiences will be recorded and posted online so no matter where you live, you can experience everything.
SEPT 2023 STATUS: Post Production
Experience the entire process of a movie being made, from development to the screen. EAST END, will be a dramatic feature film, (hopefully) made in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is in the very early stages of development and we want you to be able to experience the process via documents, images, videos, live video feeds, and in-person experiences. How long this will take is unknown, but it will be a real-world experience of an independent Canadian feature-film attempting to get financed, produced and released. Successes or failures, you will experience the whole process as a fly on the wall.
The 5 stages you will likely access and experience are:
Every movie has a different plan or strategy and each creative project is like starting from scratch. We don't always have all the answers but we look for solutions and possibilities in order to complete the work. The hope is that this Fly On The Wall project helps other filmmakers on their journey through this insight, strategy, and inspiration.
The 5 stages you will likely access and experience are:
- Development: Budgeting, script writing, funding and applications, team building, casting, email correspondence, successful or rejected funding, film festival and release strategies.
- Pre-Production: Locations, casting, rehearsals, script breakdowns, permit applications, insurance, legal
- Production: On-set experiences, access to dailies, access to call sheets and correspondence, behind the scenes video and audio
- Post Production: Editing room experiences, seeing the score come to life, sound editing and mixing experiences, marketing and promotional materials.
- Exhibition / Distribution: Release strategies implemented, tickets to festival screenings (hopefully), sales (hopefully)
Every movie has a different plan or strategy and each creative project is like starting from scratch. We don't always have all the answers but we look for solutions and possibilities in order to complete the work. The hope is that this Fly On The Wall project helps other filmmakers on their journey through this insight, strategy, and inspiration.
SAFETY & REFUNDS
All our camps and classes will follow the current guidelines as set out by the province of Ontario. You can read the guidelines https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures
Full refunds will be issued if the camps have to close, or reduce capacity, as a result of public health measures.
For non-public health related cancellations, you will be refunded less a processing fee.
CONTACT
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E, Ancaster, On, L9G 2C1
Room #213
Questions or Contact: info@hamiltonfilmfestival.com
About the owner.
Nathan Fleet has been working in the field of entertainment for over 25 years. A natural educator, a musician by trade, and a filmmaker by default, Nathan has written, produced, directed, edited, composed and acted for several film, television, music video, and corporate productions. He is currently working on the 17th Annual Hamilton Film Festival, a TV series called WILD CHILD, as well as producing many other projects. Nathan teaches music and filmmaking, runs the Hamilton Film Festival, founded (and is the chair of) Lights Camera Hamilton, and he runs the music and film company Blue Pick Media. |
© 2023 Hamilton Film Festival Ltd.