Essentials of Post-Production: 9-Week Lab for Emerging Editors
Essentials of Post‑Production is a dynamic nine‑week series that empowers emerging filmmakers to shape their very first short film from the inside out. Designed for emerging filmmakers seeking meaningful, skill‑building opportunities, this course demystifies the entire editing and finishing process in a supportive, creative environment.
Participants learn how to organize footage, craft a compelling story, refine picture and sound, and prepare a polished final cut they can proudly share. With hands‑on projects, guided instruction, and collaborative feedback, participants build confidence, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of how films truly come to life in the edit.
From script to screen.
Across nine fast‑paced, creative weeks, students step into the editor’s seat and learn how movies truly come alive. This curriculum is built to spark curiosity, build confidence, and guide emerging filmmakers from raw footage to a finished short film they can proudly share. This curriculum blends creativity, technical skill‑building, and real‑world filmmaking practice — giving students a supportive space to grow, experiment, and discover their voice as storytellers.
Week 01 - Project Setup and Proxy Workflows: In this hands‑on workshop, students learn how to properly set up a post‑production project from the very beginning — organizing footage, creating efficient folder structures, syncing media, and building a workflow that keeps the entire edit running smoothly.
Week 02 - Building a Scene: In this workshop, students learn how to transform raw footage into a powerful, emotionally engaging scene. Through guided exercises and real editing practice, emerging filmmakers explore how pacing, shot choice, performance, and sound work together to shape meaning and move an audience.
Week 03 - Assembling Your Film: Students learn how to bring all the pieces of their project together and shape their first full cut. Building on earlier editing skills, emerging filmmakers explore how scenes connect, how pacing guides an audience, and how structure gives a film its emotional arc.
Week 04 - Review and Feedback: In this collaborative workshop, students learn how to evaluate their work with a filmmaker’s eye and use feedback to strengthen their story.
Week 05 - Motion Graphics and Animation: In this energetic workshop, students explore how motion graphics and simple animation can elevate their films and make their stories pop. Emerging filmmakers learn the fundamentals of creating dynamic titles, lower thirds, animated elements, and visual effects that add personality and polish to any project.
Week 06 - Color Correction and Sound Mixing: Students discover how the final polish of color and sound can completely transform a film. Emerging filmmakers learn the fundamentals of color correction and grading — balancing shots, enhancing mood, and creating a cohesive visual style. They also dive into sound mixing, exploring how dialogue, music, and effects blend together to shape emotion and clarity.
Week 07 - Export Settings: In this essential finishing‑stage workshop, students learn how to properly export their films, so they look and sound great anywhere they’re shown.
Week 08 - Final Feedback and Review: In this collaborative workshop, students learn how to evaluate their work with a filmmaker’s eye and use feedback to strengthen their story.
Week 09 - Community Screening: The Community Screening is a joyful capstone event where students share their completed short films with friends, family, and the wider community.
Collaborate with professionals.
All workshops at Cascadia Media Lab are led by working local film professionals who bring real‑world experience directly into the classroom.
Students learn in a collaborative, supportive environment where questions are encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every participant is treated with respect. Our instructors mentor students through hands‑on practice, guided feedback, and industry‑informed techniques—creating a learning space that feels both inspiring and grounded in the realities of modern filmmaking.
Accessible to all.
Cascadia Media Lab uses a sliding‑scale registration model to keep high‑quality film education accessible to emerging creators across the Pacific Northwest. Participants choose the fee that best matches their financial situation, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to learning or participating in our programs.
$400 - Full Price. Supporting us at this level allows us to continue to offer our amazing programs and allows us to provide scholarships to other community members who need it.
$300 - Your support is essential to our success. Supporting us at this level allows us to compensate our instructors at industry levels.
$200 - Your support keeps us going. Your support helps us maintain our office space and provide industry level equipment for all of our programs and participants.
$100 - Your support allows us to maintain our programming. Supporting us in this way allows us to continue to offer amazing programs!
$50 - We are grateful for your participation. We are excited to have you participate in the program!
Cascadia Media Lab offers a limited amount of scholarship seats for all programs. If you are interested in applying for scholarship, please reach out to derek.edamura@gmail.com.
Cascadia Media Labs also offers various payment plans for participants that are in need of financial assistance.