As part of their TVFP 200 course (Techniques for Video and Film Production), third quarter Digital Filmmaking students at our Kelowna, BC film school get to participate in a “mentored film shoot”. The mentored film shoot brings together industry professionals, to give students hands on experience on a true film set environment. When we talked to the student participants from last year, many said that the mentored shoot was priceless experience in preparing them to work on real film sets.

During the shoot, students work through five areas alongside industry professionals, including Directing, AD (Assistant Directing), location sound, and camera operations.

In the coming weeks, quarter 3 student Jordan Marlin, will be bringing readers through the entire process, starting from the initial pitch, to the final hours in the editing room. He covered the pre-shoot a few weeks ago and today he talks to us about day one of the four day shoot!

Shoot Day 1

Today was our first day shooting, and to say we where all pretty stoked would be an understatement. After completing our first task of renting out and stashing equipment, we where delegated to our respective jobs for the day. Me and Shane had our first go at real set audio.

Me, armed with a shoulder slung audio mixer, and Shane with an unwieldy boom pole, strode out to our location, just a few blocks from the school. The better part of the day consisted of me yelling ‘Speed’ every few moments.

After shooting was done, Shane, the audio mentor and I went to one of the studios to record a voice-over using our actress. We enlisted the help of an audio student to navigate the pitfalls of the mixing board and soon enough, we had a few clean tracks of narration.

Though far from my ideal choice, working audio on set is a fine balancing act. Literally, for the boom operator.

Students in the College for Arts and Technology’s Digital Filmmaking program are immersed in a practical film studio setting from day one. Our 18 month Canadian film school programs are offered in Kelowna, BC, Halifax NS, and Fredericton NB. Visit our program page or contact us to learn more about how you can get started on your film training in the near future!

Tags: BC Film Schooldigital filmmakingfilm school Kelowna