UPCOMING CLASSES & TRAINING
Year-Round Classes in Digital Filmmaking, Cinematography, Documentary, Screenwriting, and more! Taught by professional filmmakers and university professors, our classes help students develop fundamental skills in filmmaking through in-depth discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and creative collaboration.
ADULT CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
All great films start with a blank page. Through screenings, readings, discussion, and critiques you will learn the principles of formatting, character development, dialogue, structure, narrative progression, and even what to do with your finished screenplay!
Course Length: 8 weeks
Times: Tuesdays, October 6 - November 24, 2026; 6:30 - 9:30 PM Central.
Location: Online
Instructor: Paul Peditto
Become a Chicago Filmmakers Member and receive $15 off all classes as well as other benefits!
Review our Registration & Refund Policies before purchasing.
Our basic production course is designed to cover key concepts and practices for making a digital film project. Topics include a thorough introduction to the professional DV camera, important aspects of lighting, sound, shot composition, camera movement, visual storytelling devices, working as a filmmaking crew, and editing. In-class demonstrations and exercises will allow students to work collaboratively on group projects as a digital cinema team.
Course Length: 10 weeks
Times: Thursdays, October 8 - December 17; 6:30 - 9:30PM. There will be NO CLASS on Thursday, November 26.
Location: In-person; Chicago Filmmakers
Instructor: Will Schneider
Become a Chicago Filmmakers Member and receive $15 off all classes as well as other benefits!
Review our Registration & Refund Policies before purchasing.
Learn how to edit using the industry-standard Adobe Premiere Pro! Topics covered include trimming, transitions, titling, sound, color correction and an introduction to visual effects. Adobe's digital editing software has long been used by professional editors around the world. This course offers a series of in-depth video tutorials for students to learn the complete process of editing on Premiere Pro, from organizing footage to uploading to the web, and weekly meetings with the instructor on Zoom to provide additional guidance. Topics covered include basic editing, trimming, transitions, titling, sound, color correction, and an intro to special effects. No previous film/video editing experience is necessary.
Course Length: 5 weeks
Times: Wednesdays, September 30 - October 28, 2026; 6:30 - 9:30 PM Central
Location: Online
Instructor: Mike Bohacz
Become a Chicago Filmmakers Member and receive $15 off all classes as well as other benefits!
Review our Registration & Refund Policies before purchasing.
Cinematography is known as the art of motion-picture photography. Cinematographers use controllable elements such as movement, visual composition and the nature of lighting to create the visual tone of a scene. This course will give students an introduction into lighting for film and television. They will first learn standard three point setups and then, using Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras, explore more creative lighting and framing based on story motivation. Students will also spend time in the classroom analyzing and discussing various examples of proficient cinematography from history while learning how to plan for their own lighting schemes.
Technical Requirements: Students are welcome to bring their own cameras and equipment but are not required to do so.
Course Length: 8 weeks
Times: Wednesdays, September 30 - November 18, 2026; 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: In-person; Chicago Filmmakers
Instructor: Jonathan Moeller
Become a Chicago Filmmakers Member and receive $15 off all classes as well as other benefits!
Review our Registration & Refund Policies before purchasing.