Intro to Filmmaking

Intro to Filmmaking is a 4-part introductory workshop for artists who are interested in learning how to work with video. This hands-on workshop provides artists with camera, audio, and lighting basics from pre- to post-production.

Under the guidance of filmmaker Aia Raafat, participants will gain experience handling equipment, learn how to set up for a video shoot, and complete exercises to simulate various shooting conditions and situations. Participants will work together in small groups to produce a short video.

Topics include: pre-production, scripts and storyboards basics, camera basics, shooting techniques, lighting techniques, cinematography basics, audio production basics, and an introduction to video editing with DaVinci Resolve.

This is an in-person workshop offered at Digital Arts Resource Centre (67 Nicholas St, Ottawa) and the DARC Soundstage. To participate in this workshop, we're asking that all participants wear a mask while on site at DARC.

Registration

Session 1: Saturday, April 20, 1pm-4pm

Session 2: Sunday, April 21, 1pm-4pm

Session 3: Saturday, April 27, 1pm-4pm

Session 4: Sunday, April 28, 1pm-4pm

Participants will need access to:

• All filmmaking equipment and software will be provided by DARC.
• (Optional) Personal laptop with DaVinci Resolve 18 (download here)
• Any additional materials will be sent in advance via email

Please Note: Desktop computers will be provided for participants to use but you may bring your own laptop and receive a discounted workshop rate if you prefer. Workshop time will not permit the instructor to troubleshoot hardware or software issues on your laptop.

Instructor

Aia Raafat is a trilingual Ottawa-Gatineau based communications professional and filmmaker. Aia has a Bachelor degree of Arts with honours and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Ottawa in Communications and Media Studies. During her studies, Aia worked as a teaching assistant at the UOttawa and conducted research analyzing video content on social media platforms. Driven by her passion for arts, Aia focuses her creative work on promoting the work of not-for-profit organizations in Canada via video content. Aia aspires to empower vulnerable and diverse populations including immigrant youth, racialized women and LGBTQ2+ communities with creative and artistic skills to tell their stories. Aia attended the Deutche Welle (DW) school for online blogging and video production where she trained in Germany’s national broadcasting studios. She then passed the certification exams for Adobe Premiere, Adobe After effects and Apple FinalcutX. Aia is currently exploring cost-efficient and innovative digital video techniques such as smartphone technology and VR to apply in her future video projects. Aia volunteered with UNISDR where she led the production of video content for the third world conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Sendai, Japan. She volunteered with the Daytime Ottawa crew at RogerTV cable 22 for several years. Aia has been working in communications and teaching video production for over 7 years now.

Workshop Pricing

This workshop is $150 for Members and $200 for Non-Members. You may bring your own laptop to receive a discounted workshop rate if you prefer. To access our member pricing, join our membership at https://digitalartsresourcecentre.ca/joinus/.

Fees for this workshop can be waived if access to funds is a barrier to participation. For more information please email education@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.

Accessibility

All doors at DARC have accessibility buttons to press for automatic entry. DARC is located on the main floor (one story above ground) of the Arts Court building. DARC’s main entrance is located at 67 Nicholas Street which is fully wheelchair accessible. Alternate wheelchair-accessible entry is available through 2 Daly Ave at the Arts Court main entrance or the Ottawa Art Gallery. Elevator access is available from 9AM – 11PM.

The DARC Soundstage is a 600 square foot video production facility located in uOttawa's Morisset Hall (65 University Private). 65 University Private is located one story below ground. This entrance has a wheelchair accessible ramp, but no accessibility buttons to press for automatic entry. Alternate wheelchair-accessible entry is available through Cumberland Street.

DARC staff are available and happy to assist with all inquiries and requests regarding physical access. We also welcome inquiry, feedback, and resources regarding accessibility and accessibility improvement by phone (613.238.7648 x. 6) or by email at access@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.

Cancellation Policy

DARC is unable to provide course attendee refunds for cancellations. DARC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses if necessary.