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The classic saying “everything old is new again” could very well apply to the series of exciting classes coming up at the Nepean Creative Arts Centre.
Instructor Roger Wilson is offering a series of classes for nine-year-olds to adults, using the basics of film. Animate This is for nine- to 14-year-olds, Science of Movie Making is for 11- to 14-year olds with a second component for 15- to 18-year olds, while Super 8MM and Black & White Film Making is designed for 15- to 17-year olds, and there’s even Camera-less Animation for adults.
“We’ve really got something for everyone,” says Wilson, “and it all starts with film.”
As Wilson points out, even the latest digital technology uses terminology and techniques that are primarily based in film. “Understanding the basics and the background of these techniques is often a real eye-opener for kids.”
The Nepean Creative Arts Centre has run animation camps before, and they’ve been very popular. “The difference this time,” says Wilson, “is that it’s a weekly class where students can either work in groups or on their own and even take things home to work on.”
The students will be introduced to all types of animation, from Claymation to stop-action. They can choose what form they want to work in, and will learn the patience needed for animation.
In the Science of Movie Making, students will be exposed to green-screen technology and learn how special effects are created, along with some of the basics of film making.
And Wilson says many teens are fascinated by the Super 8MM class because of the 2011 movie. “That movie gave quite the boost to interest in Super 8MM,” says Wilson. “It was a fun science fiction movie produced by Steven Spielberg.”
The class will get to use a dark room and learn the techniques used in filming in Super 8MM and Black & White film.
And finally, for adults, there’s a class in camera-less animation, where students will learn how to paint and draw on film stock. “I’ve done this kind of class with kids,” says Wilson, “and I was surprised how interested adults were in the process. So, this class is just for them.”
Find more information and sign up at ottawa.ca/nepeancreativeartscentre.