As many readers of this site know, I have been working on setting up a brand new two day workshop for some time now, and am very excited to be officially announcing it today!

Last year I held my first ever Digital Cinema Bootcamp, and it was truly an amazing experience all around. It was such a pleasure to work with so many talented up and coming filmmakers (many of which I am still in touch with), and hearing such positive feedback from the attendees afterwards made it that much more rewarding.

Since then, I’ve had countless readers e-mail me asking when the next workshop would be held, and I’m happy to finally announce that it will be held on January 9th and 10th at my new studio in downtown Los Angeles.

The Workshop

The focus on this years workshop is two fold: Cinematography & Directing.

While last years bootcamp was primarily camera oriented, this year we focusing on creative directorial choices as they relate to the visual aspects of the craft, in addition to camera technique.

It’s becoming more critical than ever for filmmakers to have a thorough understanding of both aspects of the craft, which is why I chose to expand the scope of this year’s material. No matter what your background or experience level may be, this course is designed to help you become a more well rounded filmmaker.

Here are just a handful of the key topics that we’ll be covering throughout the course:

Day 1 (Lecture)

The first day of our workshop will primarily be focused on the fundamentals of both camera and direction. While it will be interactive, the format on day 1 will be mainly lecture based as we prepare for production on day 2. Topics covered will include:

• Camera choice
• Exposure techniques
• Lens options
• Depth of field
• Lighting
• Stabilization
• Camera movement
• Blocking
• Shot listing
• Coverage
• … And much more!

We will spend an equal amount of time covering both the technical and creative aspects of each topic as they day progresses.

Day 2 (Production)

We will take a very hands on approach to day 2, as everyone will have the opportunity to shoot and direct their own small scene. The class will be divided into small groups (or crews) at the beginning of the day, and each will be given a short script to work with. The groups will all be responsible for breaking down the script, creating a basic shot list, lighting the scene, and of course shooting it.

The first chunk of the day will be focused on prep as the groups create their shot lists, set up their blocking, and prep their camera and lighting gear. After lunch, each group will take turns shooting/directing their scene while the rest of the class watches on to understand the choices each group has made. Since every “crew” will be working with the same short scene, the differences in creative approach from one crew to the next will in themselves act as a great learning experience.

Since we will likely have a mix of beginner and intermediate filmmakers, the groups will be divided based on experience level so you can rest assured that the class will move at the right pace for you… And I will be there of course the whole way through to guide you on a one-on-one level as your prepare for, and eventually shoot your scene.

It’s also worth noting that bringing in your own camera is completely optional. I certainly recommend bringing a camera if you have one (as I can help you develop some camera specific techniques throughout the process), but we will have many other cameras ready to go here for anyone that doesn’t currently own one. The rest of the gear (lighting, tripods, etc.) will all be here at the studio and at your disposal, and we’ll even have in-house actors present that will be ready to take your direction once you start shooting your scene.

Pricing & Availability

This year I am limiting the workshop to only 10 spots!

It’s very important to me that the class remains small enough that I am able to take as much time as needed with each one of you, and that every group has long enough to prepare for their scenes. This is why I’ve chosen to keep the group so small, as it will ultimately lead to an even more rewarding and valuable experience for everyone on board.

The cost for this year’s workshop is $447, which covers the course itself, breakfast and lunch on both days, and a free copy of my DSLR Cinema Guide ($65 value) that you are encouraged to watch before attending the class. Many courses of this nature cost well over $600-$700 for just a single day, and they rarely (if ever) offer the type of hands on experience that you will get with this full weekend long workshop.

So for those of you looking to sign up, be sure reserve your spot before we are all filled up! You can book your spot by clicking the link below, and further instructions and info will be sent to you within 24 hours via e-mail.

I am very much looking forward to working with each and every one of you in January, and can’t wait to get started.

Hope to see you soon!

– Noam