Here are the answers to questions I receive frequently about
the class:
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING IN THE CLASS?
Let's Make a Movie is a fun course in which we dive in from day
one and actually make a film. Students are welcome to act
in it, or help out on crew, or both. The idea is that people
will learn about making a movie, and acting in one, by actually
participating in making one.
CAN ALL OF THE STUDENTS ACT IN THE MOVIE?
Absolutely. Every student who wants to be in the movie,
will be in it.
WHO WRITES THE SCRIPT?
Anyone in the class is welcome to writing the script. We'll come
up with some parameters for the script in the first class. Then
anyone who does write a script, will be asked to bring some copies
to the second class meeting, where we'll read them over and vote
on which one to produce.
WHAT IF NO ONE COMES UP WITH A SCRIPT?
So far that hasn't happened, but if it ever does, I'll bring in
one of my own scripts to film.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT WILL WE USE?
We'll use the same high-quality equipment filmmakers use when
making movies for film festivals. Our camera will be a Panasonic
DVX100 (an top of the line prosumer camcorder). We will use professional-quality
tripods, lighting and audio equipment. The movie will be edited
using professional editing software, Final Cut Pro.
IS THIS A FILM CLASS OR AN ACTING CLASS?
It's both, actually. In the first meeting, we'll learn some key
things about filmmaking, scriptwriting and acting for the camera,
and make some decisions about what kind of movie to make. In the
second meeting, we'll read through the scripts students have come
up with, decide as a group which one to produce, and cast the
movie. (We do all of these things as a group.) We'll
also figure out things about design, costumes, and storyboarding.
In the remaining classes, we'll film the movie.
(Important note: Although this is both a film class and an acting
class, we do not have time in it to go into a lot of technical
information about filmmaking (types of camcorders, types of microphones,
theory of lighting, etc.) There simply isn't time to sit around
talking about the tech side of things when we're racing the clock
to finish making a movie. For that, you should take our "sister"
class, Filmmaking
101, also offered by the Experimental College.)
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE ACTING?
Interesting enough, we've found that it doesn't really matter.
The class is usually a mixture of some very experienced actors,
even a few pros, and some students who have never acted before,
and it always works out fine. Whatever your level of experience,
you'll get some coaching to help you come up with a good performance,
and make a film we can all be proud of. (If you're looking for
a basic acting class, you may also want to sign up for Beginning
Acting)
WHAT KINDS OF STORIES DO WE USUALLY FILM IN THE CLASS?
It depends on the class. We'll film whichever script people vote
to film. In the past, we've done everything from film noire
detective movies, to mockumentaries, to science fiction and fantasy,
to humor, to romance. (Of course, we'll need to choose one
that can be filmed with our existing resources.) (For example,if
the story takes place on a horse ranch, it may not be filmable,
unless we have a student who lives on one!) (We'll figure
out our possible locations for filming, in the first class.)
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MOVIE WHEN IT'S FINISHED?
We'll upload it to YouTube, so you can all send links to your
friends to see it, and it'll also play locally on Comcast cable
access televiaion. Also, there's a possibility that it may
be submitted to a film festival.
CAN WE GET COPIES OF THE FINISHED MOVIE?
Yes, you can get as many copies as you'd like. There is
a $5 charge for each copy, to cover the cost of making and mailing
the DVDs. You can also watch it and share it with friends
for free on UTube.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?
I started out as an actor back in the 1980s, then moved on to
writing and directing stage plays in the Seattle Fringe Festival
and other venues. Then in 2001, I created a weekly television
series, The Edge (winner of the Best of the Northwest Award of
Excellence from the Alliance for Community Media). After that,
I went on to produce two full length feature films. In all, I've
written and produced over thirty films, and have taught dozens
of film classes and acting classes.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS CLASS AND YOUR CLASSES?
We have several classes related to acting, movies and filmmaking.
They include:
* Lets
Make a Movie (the course described on this page)
* Filmmaking
101
* Beginning
Acting
* Documentary
Filmmaking
* How
to make an action movie
* It's
Time to Write Your Screenplay!
Here's the easiest way to get a handle on the differences:
Course 2715, Beginning
Acting is an overall introduction to acting. It's a good course
for everyone who would like to learn more about the basics of
acting and performing, get some experience acting, and get more
comfortable in front of an audience. It's also a useful class
to filmmakers., as you'll learn some things about directing actors,
and may meet some actors you'll decide to cast in your film.
Course 2719, Filmmaking
101, is a lecture/discussion course. In it, you'll learn about
both the technical and business aspects of filmmaking. You'll
learn about camcorders, camera angles, audio, lighting, how to
plan, produce and direct your movie, how to find and work with
actors and crew, how to deal with contracts and release forms,
how to find locations for filming, and more.
Course 2717, Lets
Make a Movie, is a HANDS-ON course in which we actually dive
in, as a group, and make a short film. The students in Lets
Make a Movie are free to either act in it or be on the crew.
While you will learn a lot about filmmaking in Lets
Make a Movie, it does NOT cover the same ground as Filmmaking
101. In fact, we started offering Filmmaking
101 because people were coming to Lets
Make a Movie looking for detailed technical information
about lights, cameras, microphones, etc., which there is simply
not time to talk about in that class. (We're too busy racing the
deadline to get a film completed by the end of the quarter.)
Course 2724, How
to make an action movie is for everyone who would like to
learn how to make an action movie, i.e., how to tell a powerful
action-based story, how to make squibs, how to do action stunts,
how to choreograph and film car chases, fight scenes, etc.
Course 2723, Documentary
Filmmaking is an excellent course for people who are thinking
about making their own documentaries. You'll learn how to plan
your documentary, write it, direct it, edit it, avoid legal issues
and entanglements, and get it into film festivals.
Course 2312, It's
Time to Write Your Screenplay! is a class in screenwriting.
It's an essential course to take at some point if you're planning
on writing a screenplay of your own.
Other questions? Email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
Links
to the instructors' films
The instructor was patient, flexible and informative. - M.G.,
Seattle
I took the Filmmaking 101 class last quarter, and took this one
to get more hands on experience with filmmaking. It was great,
I learned a lot, had a lot of fun and am more ready now to start
in on my own project. - H.L, Bellevue
We did it! Woohoo! We made a movie! And got to see it on T.V.!
Thanks for all your work on it, in and out of class. It turned
out great. P.S. The special effects you put in were fantastic.-
George J. (Kent)
Just a note to say that I loved the class. My parents and my sister
came over to watch the show on T.V. It was a hoot! Thanks Nils!
- V.M. (Seattle)
I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Nils was very pleasant to work with
in every way; helpful, patient, and fun. - J.G., Seattle
I was really impressed with the professionalism of the movie we
ended up with. Everything about it was great. The musician did
a wonderful job. The class was far more than I expected. - Joe
G. (Kent)
Thanks for sharing your expertise, and for your encouraging attitude.
- J.V. (Bellevue)
I took it because I was interested in learning about production,
so I could put together my own show. I learned a lot. It was really
fun. - Julie G. (Seattle)
The instructor was very patient and supportive. We are completing
the course project, making a film, as promised. Nils has, and
will continue to devote many additional hours working on the editing.
I'll probably take this class again. - M.F., Seattle
I couldn't believe it when I found this class. There is nothing
like this in (Los Angeles). I guess because Seattle has a smaller
film scene and people are still helping each other out instead
of trying to rip everybody off. I am totally satisfied with the
class. I learned some things and got something good for my reel.
- Del M. (Seattle)
Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I was scared to death. But I really
enjoyed the class, and liked the show. It's fun to have done it.
I'll always be able to tell people I was on T.V. - Mary L. (Bellevue)
Thanks so much for the class. I had a great time, and learned
what I was hoping to.
- Mike G., Seattle
I found the course very helpful in my quest to create a (short
film) from scratch. - W.C., Seattle
I took your Filmmaking 101 class a couple of quarters ago, then
(Let's Make a Movie) this quarter. Both classes were great. The
Filmmaking 101 class was a ton of good information, much more
than I expected to be able to cover in a few meetings. The (moviemaking)
class was total fun, with the bonus that I got some experience
on the set. I would highly recommend both classes to anyone interested
in filmmaking. - Debbie L., Seattle
Acting in a Movie is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu
To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)
To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.
To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer
quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll
post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the
instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations
begin.
Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.
Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing
for absolute beginners
Learn
to Draw Faces
Figure
Drawing for beginners
Cartooning
Perspective
for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing
Clothing and Drapery
Exploring
Color
Beginning
Acting
Acting
in a Movie
Filmmaking
101
Writing
Fiction and Short Stories
It's
Time to Write Your Screenplay
Adobe
Photoshop
Sponsored by other schools *
Drawing
& painting Flowers
Drawing in
Ink
Drawing
comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic
painting for beginners
Drawing
with colored pencils
Documentary
filmmaking
Editing
tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup
for filmmakers
Improv
for beginners: acting without scripts
How
to make commercials & infomercials
Free
up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing
science fiction & fantasy
* click on the course title for registration information