2025 Classes

CLASS SCHEDULE

Sat, March 1st: Zoom

10:00-12:00PM

• Class Overview

• Intro to team

  • Show work

• Project Overview:

  • Listen to the song

• Lecture: Role of the Gaffer

• Approach to lighting

  • Quality of light

  • Shaping light

Sun, March 2nd 11:00AM-5:00 PM (IN PERSON)

•  Intro to the grip truck

  • What’s in it?

  • How/when to safely use it

Cinematography Week 2: 

Wed, March 5th 5:30-7:30PM (ZOOM)

• Lecture: Role of the Director of Photography

• Crafting a vision with a director

• Creating a style

  • Mood boards, storyboards, shot listing, composition, framing, movement 

Sat, March 8th 1:00PM -7:00PM (IN PERSON)

•  Intro to the Camera

  • Principles of photography

    • Iris/ F-Stop

    • Lens

    • ISO

    • White Balance

    • Shutter Speed

    • Focus

    • Shoot Format

    • Aspect Ratio

  • Set up series of test shots with all available cameras

Sun, March 9th 1:00PM -7:00PM (IN PERSON)

•  Test Shoot

  • Blending Camera and Lighting knowledge to create collaborative images

Cinematography Week 3:

Wed, March 12th 5:30-7:30PM (ZOOM)

• Production Meeting for shoot

• Assign Roles

• Schedule

Production Weekend:
Sat March 15th - Sunday, March 16th

• Class will work together to create a Music Video that will screen at the Persistence of Vision Film Festival January 2026

  • Students will assume the roles of the following positions and will rotate throughout the production to gain experience in all areas.

    • Camera Operator

    • Gaffer

    • Key Grip

    • Best Boy

    • Grip

    • 1st AC

    • 2nd AC

By the end of this class, students will have a strong foundation in cinematography, hands-on experience operating professional equipment, and the ability to create a short film from concept to completion. 

Participants will prepare a short film script that they will then learn how to produce themselves.

Production Lecture classes are spent learning filmmaking fundamentals such as directing, producing, casting, cinematography and editing. Participants are expected to work on small crews for one another, giving each filmmaker an opportunity not only to write and direct their own film but also practice production roles such as cinematographer, producer, first assistant director, sound recorder or production designer.

By the end of the course, each participant will complete their own 5 minute short film. NOTE: Some classes will be taught virtually on Zoom and some will be in-person in the LKA Digital Arts Studio in downtown Hot Springs.

 NOTE: Most classes will be taught virtually on Zoom and some will be in-person in the LKA Digital Arts Studio in downtown Hot Springs.

I2P Filmmaking 1 Course Outline

WEEK 1

Tues, April 1 5:30-7:30PM Script Writing Class: We will go over dramatic structure, character development and subtext. Participants will begin developing their stories. We will also screen some successful short films.

Thurs, April 3 June 6, 5:30-7:30PM Script Writing Class: Project Pitches / workshop stories

Sat, April 5, 10:00AM-1:00PM Screenwriting: Screenplay format; scene study, dialogue, dramatic structure, cause and effect; participants will begin writing their scripts.

WEEK 2:

Tues, April 8 5:30-7:30PM Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts, draft one.

Thurs, April 10 5:30-7:30PM Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts, draft one (continued)

Sat, April 19 10:00AM-1:00PM Directing: Shot design, mise en scene, beat analysis.

WEEK 3:

Tues, April 15 5:30-7:30PM Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts

Thurs, April 17 5:30-7:30PM  Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts

Sat, April 19 10:00AM-1:00PMDirecting: Casting / Working with actors

WEEK 4:

Tues, April 22 5:30-7:30 PM  Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts

Thurs, April 24 5:30-7:30 PM  Script Writing Class: Workshop scripts 

Sat, April 26 10:00AM -1:00PM Producing Lecture: Production management, pre-pro

WEEK 5:

Tues, April 29 5:30-7:30 PM Producing: On-set roles and protocols, finalize schedules

Thurs, May 1 5:30-7:30 PM: Production meeting: Prep for Shoots/

Friday, May 1 5:30-7:30PM IN-PERSON Equipment Training / Final Preparations

PRODUCTION WEEKEND: ALL DAY FILMING  

FILMING WEEKEND 

May 3-4 8:00AM- 9:00PM both days

*All participants must plan to be on set for entire production schedule

WEEK 6: EDITING (In-Person)

Wed, May 7 4:00 PM-9:00 PM 

Thurs, May 8  4:00 PM-9:00 PM 

Friday, May 9 12:00 PM-9:00 PM

Sat, May 10 10:00AM- 9:00PM

Sun, May 11 10:00AM- 9:00PM

CLASS FEE: $400 *Need based scholarships available.

All equipment and production support is included with the class. No prior experience required, but this class is designed to challenge filmmakers of all levels.

There are limited need based scholarships available. If you'd like to be considered for a Low Key Arts scholarship for this class, please tell us about yourself and about your interest in film. Feel free to share any information you think is relevant to your qualifications for a scholarship for this class. 

NOTE: All scholarship awardees must volunteer for a minimum of 8 hours at any Low Key Arts event(s) within the next 12 months and must attend all classes. If awardee misses more than 1 class, they will not be considered for any future scholarship programs.

Class Meeting Schedule:

2nd Sunday of the Month 5:00-8:00PM

April 13 - Dec 14, 2025

Every participant will complete an outline for a full feature screenplay and will write and workshop the first act (approximately 20-35 pages) of the script. Writers are encouraged to write beyond this page count, but this is a minimum expectation for the course.

All writers will participate in a special screenwriting showcase at POV 2026 with staged readings of 3-4 pages of the scripts.

This is a college level course that covers script analysis, screenplay formatting, story structure, character creation, outlining, dialogue and screenwriting from scene to act level. The class will also include guest speakers who are working writers in the industry who will share their personal tips & tricks to writing and career development.

No prior experience required, but this class is designed to challenge screenwriters of all levels.

The class will meet once a month with bi-weekly office hours with instructors for students to drop in for one on one consultation as needed.