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

FALL CLASSES!

Voice Acting

CA$60.00 - CA$900.00
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


BEFORE BOOKING please email us to arrange a time slot.
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Homeschool Filmmaking Class

CA$15.00 - CA$155.00

MONDAYS

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

​Individual Classes $15 plus hst (16.95)

​All 12 Classes (Save $25) $155 plus hst (175.15)



September 15, 22, 29, October 6, October 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15

(no lesson Oct 13 Thanksgiving or Oct 20th Hamilton Film Festival)



We'll take the kids through different techniques of filmmaking. Some classes will be one-offs, and others 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 all 12 classes to participate.
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Filmmaking Lessons

CA$24.00 - CA$96.00

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 but you pay per month.

​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:

September 23, 30

October 7, 14, 28 (no lessons October 21 - Hamilton Film Festival)

November 4, 11, 18, 25

December 2, 9, 16
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Blank Page with Terrance Odette

CA$240.00

MONDAYS

Fall, 2025


6:30pm - 8:30pm

​$240 + hst

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

Fall Session 6-Part session

Monday October 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1


Blank Page Challenge

Are you willing to accept the challenge of the blank page? If so, I invite you to join a

small band of writers on a six-part adventure to collectively create an original 30-page screenplay.


  • Week one: Ground rules, premise, lead character, goal, obstacles, and additional
  • characters.
  • Week two: story beats, synopsis, themes
  • Week three: scenes—to be divided up among the group, go home and write
  • Week four: read through, take notes, go home, and rewrite.
  • Week five: read through, take notes, go home, and polish
  • Week six: read through, open discussion with Q&A


Facilitator: Terrance Odette

Since his first feature film, “HEATER” (Sundance, 00’), award-winning writer-

director Terrance Odette’s films have shed light on the social inequalities and forgottenvoices of postmodern Canada. Odette's feature work has played to critical acclaim(Variety, Village Voice, MacLean’s, Globe & Mail, Vancouver Sun [voted Top-Ten All-Time Canadian Films]) 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

6-part series and feature edit BIKE (24’). Scripts optioned: SKIN THE GHOST, LIGHT

OF THE VOID, BRETHREN (in development), and BEAUTIFUL FACE.
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Saturday Morning Cartoons

CA$30.00 - CA$150.00
SATURDAYS


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


November 1,8,15,22,29,Dec 6
ALL 6 classes are $150 + hst (save $30)
Or individual classes are $30 +hst


Ideal for anyone interested in animation typically ages 8 - 15


Saturday Morning Cartoons program is a throwback to a more traditional style of animating. We put the devices away, combining patience and creativity in these hands-on classes! We have some creatives from the film industry running these classes that are perfect for the budding animation enthusiasts! 


We supply all the materials and will capture the animations with a video file to share with you!


Nov 1 - Muppet Style puppeteering for film/tv with Benton Lowe
Nov 8 - Animatics with Ryan Silvestri
Nov 15 - Stop Motion Facial Expressions with Chelsea Irwin
Nov 22 - Shadow Puppets for Film/TV with Benton Lowe
Nov 29 - Cartoon Voice Acting with Tarah Consoli
Dec 6 - Holiday Card stop motion with Nathan Fleet
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One on One

CA$48.00

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 funding...whatever your area of interest is. New to intermediate skill level.
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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!

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FILM CAMP - MARCH BREAK 2026

CA$50.00 - CA$325.00

MARCH BREAK CAMP

The filmmaking camps are a great way to get your kids involved in a unique "script to screen" activity that promotes creativity, teamwork, and fun! Each camp we produce a short film that will premiere at the Hamilton Film Festival in October! The kids will get a hands-on experience as they learn a number of skills like directing, producing, writing, acting (if they want), sound, props and design, camera, and lighting. What are you waiting for? Action! 



9am - 3pm

​Ideal for kids 8-13

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





Camp Only $325 + hst

with before care add $50 + hst

with after care add $50 +hst

with before AND after care add $100 + hst


Please note that we can only providing before / after care on a weekly basis, rather than daily. 


Before is 8am - 9am. 

​After is 3pm - 5pm

​
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MAKE A SHORT FILM

CA$359.00

WEEKENDS (3 weekends, 6 classes)

Jan 24/25, 31/Feb 1, Feb 7/8

9am - 3pm


Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

357 Wilson St E, Ancaster

Room 213


Students 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 on Sun Oct 18th, 3:30pm.


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 older teens and adults who are new to filmmaking. No experience necessary.
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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! 

The Steve Parton Student Achievement Award

Picture

​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

Oliver is a dedicated student and entered the film school having already completed some stop motion animated films.
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!