Workshops / Mini-Meetings

Jeffrey Tambor's Acting Workshop / Photo: Jay West

Quick Links: Film Panels | Conversations | 2010 Speakers

SXSW workshops are a way to get down to the nitty gritty of film with leading industry figures - witness first hand how they work and learning to apply their knowledge to your own working methods. With subjects ranging from acting skills to constructing the perfect trailer, the workshops are a great way to absorb some of the essential skills you need to move ahead with your career.

Blow Something Up! Live Action Special Effects
Steve Wolf, Special FX International
Explosions, Pyro, Snow, Rain, Smoke, Fire, Bullet Hits and Stunts add visual sizzle to movies, TV, Commercials, music videos and live events. Learn how live effects can put your project over-the-top. Experience how easily and affordably you can put these proven attention grabbers to work for you, your film, and your thrill-seeking audience.

Cinematic Titles: A Case Study
Dave Tecson, EdgeWorx
This workshop takes a film title sequence to pieces and explores the different pieces of the process that brought it to the big screen, from conception to realization.

Direct a Great Film by Storyboarding with Stick Figures
Mark Bristol, idsoftware.com
You don't need to be an expert wacom-jockey or drafting guru to learn the tools necessary to storyboard your dream project. This class will teach the essentials of storyboarding and film composition as pre-visualization tools.

Editing Fiction, Non-Fiction and Everything In-Between
Michael Taylor, Editor
The best editors work like sculptors to craft their footage into the most effective film possible. Learn how editors are able to wring magic from a huge range of source material, how you can work with them, or simply to hone your own editing skills and become one of the best.

How to Cast your Indie or New Media Production using the latest in Online Tools
William Marshall, Screen Actors Guild
Learn from our panel of Casting Directors and Industry Professionals how to cast your Indie or New Media production using tools that are right at your fingertips. From free services to pay services learn which of the casting sites is right for you, and your budget.

Mean Green Sustainability Machine
Larry Engel, American University
Learn how to green your productions, leave a smaller footprint on an ever-more fragile planet, and by going green actually save money!

Finding the Money: NEH and ITVS
Michael Shirley, NEH
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to meet representatives from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Independent Television Service. Come hear about funding opportunities for your documentary film, funding priorities, the review process, and tips for a successful application.

The Power of Super 8 Film
Rhonda Vigeant, Pro8mm
Super 8 is the OG of guerilla filmmaking. Find out how you can make this beautiful, classic film gauge work in an HD world. From finding a camera to choosing film stock, scanning and encoding options, inclusive workflows, tips that make the difference and more. These aren't your grandpa's home movies anymore!

How to avoid "Fixing it in the Mix"
James LeBrecht, Berkeley Sound Artists
Make your film sound as good as it looks, and learn the pitfalls and solutions of production/location audio. Expert advice is provided by 2 seasoned pros: a Hollywood sound supervisor, Indie filmmaker and author, and a sound designer/mixer and author with extensive experience in the Indie and Documentary worlds.