film camera in urban settingThe SoCA Armouries will host a public workshop Saturday on creating short, community-focused films that can be shared easily through social media.

Community filmmaking workshop coming to downtown campus

On Saturday, June 15, the School of Creative Arts (SoCA) will host a public workshop on creating short, community-focused films that can be shared easily through social media.

“Guerrilla Filmmaking 101 for Community Builders” promises to teach registrants the mechanics of a story, structure, and the basics of video technology.

The workshop is a collaboration between SoCA, the Propeller Project, Windsor Law, the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF), the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, and the Toronto-based DOC Institute.

“The saying ‘think globally, act locally’ has never seemed more vital and relevant,” says SoCA professor Kim Nelson, director of the Propeller Project. “Since film is such an effective form of communication, I am excited to team up with this incredible cast of filmmakers to offer a free workshop for community members who are passionate about our city and wish to express themselves about what is important to them.”

Besides Nelson, instructors include UWindsor film professor Nick Hector, Windsor Law professor Anneke Smit, filmmaker Lana Oppen, and journalist and community advocate Makram Kamel.

“This workshop highlights the potential of collaboration across the campus and with community partners such as WIFF and the DWCC,” says Smit, who teaches and researches in municipal and urban planning law. “A healthy civil society is key to the development of good law and policy. Over and over, we see that the strongest cities and towns are the ones where the best conversations are happening. This project is a great one for Windsor Law to be involved with, as a community-facing law school.”

The workshop will take place at the SoCA Armouries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although it is free and includes lunch, space is limited. Interested attendees must register on Eventbrite.

—Rachelle Prince