Upcoming Events
Essentials of Filmmaking (Pilot)
Learn With Your Hands
Every workshop and course is built around real tools, real sets, and real creative problem‑solving, giving participants the practical experience they need to step confidently onto any film set.
Essentials of Filmmaking is a nine‑week, hands‑on introduction to the craft, creativity, and collaborative spirit of filmmaking. Designed for emerging filmmakers ready to take their first real step into the world of visual storytelling, this course blends practical instruction with the grassroots, community‑centered ethos at the heart of Cascadia Media Lab.
Participants will move through the full production pipeline — from idea to final cut — while learning the essential skills that shape compelling, authentic stories. Each week builds on the last, combining workshops, guided exercises, and small‑crew production labs that mirror real‑world creative environments. By the end, the cohort will have created a short film project that reflects their voice, their vision, and the region they call home
Week 01: June 23 - Loglines & Screenwriting
Week 02: June 30 - Introduction to Camera Operation
Week 03: July 7 - Introduction to Sound Mixing
Week 04: July 14 - Introduction to Lighting
Week 05: July 21 - Introduction to Producing
Week 06: July 28 - Casting
Week 07: August 4 - Advanced Camera Techniques
Week 08: August 11 - Rehearsal
Week 08: August 16 - Filming
Week 09: August 18 - Footage Review and Next Steps
Skills Lab: Introduction to Camera Operation
Introduction to Camera is a beginner‑friendly workshop that gives emerging filmmakers a solid foundation in how to operate a camera with confidence.
Participants learn the essentials of exposure, focus, frame rates, lenses, and shot composition while working directly with industry‑level equipment in a fully hands‑on environment. Through guided exercises and hands-on demonstrations, students build the technical instincts needed to move beyond automatic settings and start making intentional creative choices. This workshop is designed to demystify the camera, strengthen visual storytelling skills, and prepare new filmmakers for real production work in the field.
Workshop Agenda:
11:00AM - Introductions
11:30AM - Exposure Triangle Demonstration
1:00PM - Lunch Break
2:00PM - Shot Composition Demonstration
3:00PM - Visual Storytelling Activity
6:00PM - Wrap-Up and Questions
Essentials of Filmmaking: Production (Pilot)
Essentials of Filmmaking: Production is a seven‑week pilot workshop series. This series will focus on a hands‑on introduction to the craft, creativity, and collaborative spirit of filmmaking. Designed for emerging filmmakers ready to take their first real step into the world of visual storytelling, this course blends practical instruction with the grassroots, community‑centered ethos at the heart of Cascadia Media Lab.
Participants move through the full filmmaking pipeline — from idea to final cut — while learning the essential skills that shape compelling, authentic stories. Each week builds on the last, combining workshops, guided exercises, and small‑crew production labs that mirror real‑world creative environments. By the end, the cohort will have created a short project together that reflects their voice, their vision, and the region they call home.
Projected Workshop Schedule:
March 3rd, 2026 - Loglines and Screenwriting
March 10th, 2026 - Advanced Camera Techniques
March 17th, 2026 - Advanced Lighting Techniques
March 24th, 2026 - Advanced Sound Techniques
March 31st, 2026 - Casting
April 7th, 2026 - Rehearsal
April 11th, 2026 - Production Day (Filming)
April 14th, 2026 - Footage Review & Next Steps