Indie Filmaker Classes
NOVAC hosts seminars, lectures and hands-on workshops both in-person and online. We strive to provide our community of aspiring and working storytellers with access to classes, facilitated by experienced filmmakers from the local industry, that will help them get their start and continue to expand their skillsets.
CURRENT FILMMAKER CLASSES
Each month we bring you a fresh batch of curated indie filmmaker courses designed to empower your storytelling abilities!
2025
Instructor Darcy McKinnon
Distribution-Driven Fundraising for Documentaries
This workshop will be a conversation about the landscape of distribution for documentaries today – and how that connects to your fundraising plan. The distribution landscape for documentaries has changed significantly over the past few years – leading to shifts in resources, a changing market and new opportunities to connect your film to your audience.
Instructor Reyna Hope
Cinematographers: Creating Your Path and Your Process
In this workshop, we discuss creating your unique path and process as a cinematographer. We’ll explore cultivating a deeper understanding of imagery and finding the “why” behind your visual choices. In a look inside Reyna’s personal process, she’ll share how a DP can translate that vision practically on set, with their director and crew. Reyna will also speak on finding your personal “why” behind your work and using it to navigate a sometimes challenging yet rewarding career.
Instructor Misty Talley
Film Editing: Designing Coverage and How to Use It
Understanding how to plan coverage going into a shoot for your edit to not only work but be expressive of your characters and themes. Learn how to translate what is on the page into a dynamic and doable shot list. And in the editing room, know how to best utilize the coverage that you have and control the pace and emotion of the edit.
Instructor Zac Manuel
Many Hats: A Workshop and Discussion
This workshop explores the journey of bringing a film to life—from the first spark of an idea to the final stages of production and distribution. Using examples from Zac’s directorial work over the past five years, we’ll examine how projects evolve, adapt, and take shape, sometimes in ways we never anticipate.
Instructor Nailah Jefferson
Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking
Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking will explore the current documentary landscape and practices being adopted by filmmakers and funders to better support a less extractive and more inclusive experience for documentary participants. Click the circle icon below to register!
PREVIOUS INDIE FILMMAKER CLASSES
2024
Film Financing Masterclass
Instructor Thomas Lim
This masterclass explored the essential factors to consider beyond simply crafting your story, aiming to maximize your chances of securing financing for your film project.
Screenwriting: Stories on Grief and Memory
Instructor Justice Singleton
In this intimate lecture and writing workshop we reviewed screenwriting and storytelling principles around plot, character and the unexpected circumstances of grief.
Archiving Workshop: Digitizing Analog Media
Instructor Gene Fredericks
This beginning class is intended for those who want to convert tapes using NOVAC’s digitizing facility. The analog to digital conversion class will provide a general technical overview and a hands-on practical demonstration of the processes.
Self Financing Your Short Film
Instructor Logan Jackson
In this workshop, we looked at how to self fund your short film, from conceptualizing the idea to adapting it into a shootable script, the power of a shoot date and creating your project with what and who you have available.
Rotoscope with Rotobrush
Instructor Alex Wiltz
In this workshop, we did a deep dive of Rotobrush’s general functionality and advanced compositing techniques in Adobe After Effects 2024. Held Monday, May 13, 2024 from 6-9PM.
Directing vs Producing: Maintaining a Filmmaker’s Vision
Instructor Fabiola Andrade
In this workshop, we learned the different paths directors and producers take to carry the spirit and integrity of the story through all the production stages. Held Wednesday, May 8th from 6-9 PM.
Beyond the Screen: Activating Your Film in Non-Traditional Film Spaces
Instructor Kelsey Scult
In this workshop, we explored how to activate your film in non-traditional film spaces. Held Wednesday, April 24th from 6-9 PM.
Strategizing Your Festival Run
Instructor Gian Smith
In this workshop, we covered tips on making the most out of your festival run including developing festival strategy during film development, understanding your demographic and what to do once you’re accepted. Held Monday, April 15th from 6-9 PM.
Iterative Editing
Instructor Misty Talley
In this workshop, we learned how with iterative editing you can improve the speed at which you work as well as the quality with the bonus of saving yourself some serious stress. Held Wednesday, March 27th from 6-9 PM.
The Art of Cinematography
Instructor Nathan Tape
In this workshop, we explored how to utilize composition, lighting, camera movement, color, and depth of field to tell the most dynamic visual story possible. Held Wednesday, March 6th from 6-9 PM.
Strategizing Your Festival Run
Instructor Mo Munchies
In this workshop, we had a conversational workshop helping anyone that has questions about all things content creation, how to build a brand, and the tidbits people do not tell you about content creation. Held Wednesday, February 28th from 6-9 PM.
Producing Music Videos
Instructor Ricardo Betancourt
In this workshop, we worked through the basics of producing music videos from low to high budgets – where do the jobs come from, how do we win, how to put them together, and most importantly how do we survive them? Held Wednesday, February 21st from 6-9 PM.
The Art of Cinematography
Instructor Benh Zeitlin
In this workshop, with Academy Award-nominated director and composer Benh Zeitlin, we discovered how to use music in film from the point of view of the director. Held Monday January 29th from 6-9 PM.
Strategizing Your Festival Run
Instructor Zaire Love
In this workshop, we learned to take your production from ideation to execution to promotion and how to add some secret sauce to your personal brand. Held Wednesday, January 17th from 6-9 PM.
2023
Directing Documentaries
Directing DocumentariesInstructor Jasmín Mara López
In this workshop, we explored approaches to directing doc films through a personal lens, using her feature film “Silent Beauty“ as a case study. Held Wednesday, December 13 from 6-9 PM.
Practice Your Pitch
Practice Your Pitch
In this workshop, we prepared your pitch materials for grants, film festival panels, investors and more! Held Wednesday, November 29th from 6-9 PM.
Instructor Melissa Cripe
Production Design: Finding Your Visual Voice
In this workshop, we re-examined and observed our own curiosities in order to define our visual identities and grow our portfolios to attract dream clients. Held Wednesday, October 25th from 6-9 PM.
Moving Between the Art World and the Film World
Instructor Rachel Nederveld
In this workshop, we unpacked how artists can make that leap – from approaching producers, finding the funding, and how to leverage your art. Held Wednesday, October 18th from 6-9 PM.
Documentary Breakdown!
Instructor Darcy McKinnon
In this workshop, we worked to build concrete deliverables that can help with fundraising, planning, communication and execution of a documentary film project. Held Wednesday, September 20th from 6-9 PM.
Post Production for Producers and Directors
Instructor Misty Talley
In this workshop, we learned how to plan for post-production during prep gaining a basic knowledge of delivery specifications to complete your film. Held Wednesday, September 13th from 6-9 PM.
Art, Design and Motion Graphics for Documentary and Social Video
Instructor Tom Parrinello
In this workshop with Tom Parrinello from NBC News Digital, we unpacked some recent work from the NBC News Digital Motion Design team by talking through their creative process and how they support the visual storytelling efforts of their colleagues. Held virtually Tuesday, August 22nd from 6-8 PM.
The Queer Lens
Instructor Justice Singleton
In this two-session workshop, we created communal space and intimacy for participants to write and share in a consensual and safe space. Held Saturday, August 19th & Saturday, August 26th from 12-3 PM.
Color Grading for Feature Films
Instructor Bradley Greer
In this workshop, we learned color science, primary color grading techniques and using color as a storytelling tool. Held Wednesday, July 26th from 6-9 PM.
Production Design: Storytelling, World Building, and the Film Industry
Instructor Hannah Beachler
In this very special workshop with Academy Award-winning Production Designer Hannah Beacher, we defined Production Design and the role of the Production Designer on narrative feature length films and how How the Designer works with the Director and Cinematographer, and other crafts to build worlds. Held Thursday, June 22nd from 6-9 PM.
Poetic Documentary Filmmaking
Instructor Emilia Mello
In this collaborative workshop with Wildwood Cinema, we explored the potential of poetic documentary to tell stories inaccessible to traditional storytelling techniques. Held Tuesday, June 13th from 6-9 PM.
Directing: Taking a Narrative Feature from Page to Screen
Instructor Jaclyn Bethany
In this workshop, we studied the transition from script to screen, focusing on directing narrative features. Held Thursday, June 1st from 6-9 PM.
Finding an Agent & Manager For Writers, Directors, and Actors
Instructor DaVida Chanel Baker
This workshop covered that maintaining a successful career in the entertainment industry as a writer, director, actor or multi-hyphenate is essential to surround yourself with a team that supports your work and helps to expose you to opportunities.
35mm Filmmaking
Instructor Casey Shaw
In this collaborative workshop with Cinematographer Casey Shaw, Keslow Camera and Kodak Film Lab Atlanta, we spent time in the classroom and the field learning practical skills to demystify the process of shooting movies on 35mm. Held Saturday, May 13 from 12-3PM and Sunday, May 21 from 12-3PM.
Composing Original Music and Sound Design for Film
Instructor Sultana Isham
In this collaborative workshop with the Material Institute, we looked at an historical and theoretical analysis of film, music and ethnomusicology by exploring excerpts of Sultana’s film composition work and the works of others to demonstrate the effectiveness of sound as alchemy through the combination of ethnomusicology and the power of empathy. Held Thursday, May 11 from 6-9PM.
Script Analysis: Preparing to Direct
Script Analysis: Preparing to Direct
In this workshop, we explored the useful tools of script analysis and how they can prepare a director to communicate with actors and other creative collaborators. Held Tuesday, April 25th from 6-9 PM.
The Power of Creative Producing
Instructor Fabiola Andrade
In this workshop, we learned how creative producers carry the spirit and integrity of the story through all the production stages and collaborate with the whole team. Held Tuesday, April 11th from 6-9 PM.
Special Effects Make-Up with Maya Pen
Instructor Maya Pen
As part of our collaborative efforts with BFFNO we hosted free filmmaker workshops. Held Wednesday, March 22nd from 6-9 PM.
A Case Study in Personal Storytelling
Instructor Jasmín Mara López
In this workshop, we explored personal storytelling via the documentary film, “Silent Beauty,“ and your own ideas from working with a family archive to writing your experience to caring for yourself, protagonists, and audience. Held Tuesday, March 21 from 6-9PM.
Producing and Budgeting for Narrative Film
Instructor Paul Fishback
As part of our collaborative efforts with BFFNO we hosted free filmmaker workshops. Held Monday, March 20nd from 6-9 PM.
Turning Your Doc Short into a Feature
Instructor Andy Sarjahani
In this workshop, we analyzed the value of shorts in refining your creative vision. Held Wednesday, March 15th from 6-9 PM.
Editing Theory in Practice
Instructor Misty Talley
In this workshop, we learned learn how to use the coverage you have to incorporate montage theory, control the flow of conversations, build tension, cut action moments, and more, all while leveling up your Premiere Pro skills. Held Thursday, March 2nd from 6-9 PM.
Getting into Directing Commercials
Instructor Abraham Felix
This workshop was a crash course in how to get signed and is for directors who feel confident in their ability to get something made/funded/self-funded. Held Thursday, February 9 from 6-9PM.
Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking
Instructor Nailah Jefferson
In this workshop, we explored the current documentary landscape and practices being adopted by filmmakers and funders to better support a less extractive and more inclusive experience for documentary participants. Held Thursday, January 26 from 6-9PM
Unveiling Narrative: Screenwriting Discovery
Instructor Zandashé Brown
In this workshop, we explored both the fiction writing process and the process of self-excavation, which are deeply interwoven in some of history’s most impactful stories. Held Wednesday, January 18th from 6-9PM.
Intro to Editing
Instructor Jane Geisler
In this workshop, we covered editing basics within Adobe Premiere Pro. Held Thursday, January 12th from 6-9 PM.
2022
Introduction to CinematographyInstructor E'jaaz Mason
Instructor E’jaaz Mason
In this workshop, participants worked together using a one scene script to execute a shot list and discussed why they would choose certain shot options for each script. Held Monday, December 19th from 6-9 PM.
Documentary Pre-Production: Turning an Idea into a Film
Instructor Angela Tucker
This workshop illuminated the mysterious process of turning an idea into a documentary film. Held Wednesday, November 30 from 6-9PM.
Directing and Interviewing for Documentaries
Instructor Carl Harrison Jr.
In this workshop, we covered the fundamentals of conducting successful, intimate interviews. Held Thursday, November 17 from 6-9PM.
The Archiving Process
Instructor Gene Fredericks
In this workshop, we explored the various processes and best practices required to move tape based media into the digital domain. Held Thursday, September 29 from 6-9PM.
Short Film Writing
Instructor Justice Singleton
In this workshop, participants developed a concept, crafted a vision board, and delivered 5 pages of a short film script over the course of three weeks. Held virtually on ZOOM August 10th, August 17th, and August 24th from 6-9PM.
Music Licensing for Indie Filmmakers
Instructor Sarah Bromberg
In this seminar, we navigated the world of music licensing, learned how to make your soundtracks poppin’…and strictly legal. Held virtually on ZOOM Tuesday, June 21 from 6-8PM.