Location Lighting
Starts May 4
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2 sessions: Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am-6:00 pm & Sunday, May 5, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
This workshop offers an introductory exploration of location lighting principles designed for small projects and documentaries, making use of techniques and tools employed by cinematographers and filmmakers. Participants will acquaint themselves with the skills and technical knowledge essential for crafting visually compelling environments that convey the director’s vision. Through collaborative hands-on exercises, attendees will practice applying these theories and techniques to communicate mood, meaning, and narrative impact.
Participants will have access to lighting equipment provided by FilmNorth and other professional lighting gear, using both traditional film lights as well as LED lights commonly used by video creators and independent filmmakers, ensuring exposure to the tools commonly encountered in professional productions. There is a lunch break during the Saturday session.
Workshop topics include:
- Establishing creative visual objectives
- Basic types of lighting
- Selecting locations and angles
- Optimizing available light in interior and exterior locations
- Manipulating sunlight and existing interior lights
- The functions of different light sources
- Diffusing, focusing, and modifying light
- One and two person interviews
NOTE: this in-person course is held at FilmNorth, 550 Vandalia Street, Suite 120, Saint Paul, MN 55114. FilmNorth is following CDC’s current COVID-19 variant guidance for Ramsey County:
- People may choose to mask at any time. Masks are recommended for those who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or at high-risk for complications associated with COVID-19 variants.
- People with any COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should stay home.
Tuition: $245 regular | $195 member | $155 low-income
Originally from Minneapolis, Ben Bowman is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked primarily in New York. His work has been seen on Amazon Prime, Comedy Central, ESPN, NBC, Twin Cities Public Television, International Film Festivals, and the World Wide Web. Some of his clients have included Target, General Mills, American Express, Microsoft, McCann, The Criterion Collection, and Prince. He directed the critically acclaimed feature film Knucklehead (2016) which was distributed on Amazon Prime, and was awarded honors by over a dozen film festivals around the world. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in directing, camera, and digital media. He holds an MFA in film production from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, where he has also taught.
Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy
- Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
- If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
- For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes).
- Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
- By registering for this FilmNorth class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.
