Inside the Craft: Making a Horror Scene
VFS IN-PRODUCTION BOOTCAMP
COLLABORATE ON A HORROR SCENE WITH AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER KAREN LAM.
A 3-day In-Production Bootcamp for directors, writers, actors, and makeup artists to collaborate with an award-winning filmmaker on a short horror scene.
KAREN LAM
Director, Writer, and Producer
Karen Lam has worked full-time in the film and television industry since 2000. Starting her career as a producer and entertainment lawyer, Karen was one of the architects of the British Columbia tax credit program before assisting with creating tax shelters for US studio clients. Since leaving film finance, Karen has written and directed ten short horror films, three music videos, two seasons of Very Bad Men for Discovery+, and five feature-length films, including The Curse of Willow Song (2020), which won Best British Columbia Feature Film, with Karen receiving Best Director at the British Columbia Leo Awards (2021). Karen has also written television scripts for SYFY and Netflix, including Van Helsing and Ghost Wars.
THOMAS BILLINGSLEY
Cinematographer
Thomas Billingsley is a Vancouver-based director of photography specializing in cinematic digital capture for theatrical, broadcast, and online productions. He trained through Langara College’s Professional Photography Program and Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts, receiving scholarships for academic merit, artistic excellence, and volunteer service. After running a successful commercial photography studio for more than six years, Thomas transitioned into film production, bringing his extensive technical training and artistic eye to narrative films, commercials, and music videos. His work on the feature Lucille’s Ball earned him a Leo Award nomination for Motion Picture Cinematography, while his Bravo!FACT short Pilgrims screened at Cannes’ Not Short on Talent Film Corner.
VANESSA GILES
Makeup Artist
Vanessa Giles is a professional makeup artist and instructor with extensive experience in film and television. Her credits include The Chronicles of Riddick, Watchmen, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes, Fifty Shades of Grey, Sucker Punch, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Night at the Museum 2, Big Eyes, Once Upon a Time, and The X-Files. She has also worked as personal Makeup Artist to Charlize Theron on Tully. Vanessa has worked as a Department Head and Key First Assistant, collaborating with leading makeup artists including Ve Neill and Victoria Down. She currently shares her expertise with the next generation of makeup artists.
BRENNA LLEWELLYN
Actress
Brenna Llewellyn is a Canadian actress known for her roles in film and television, including Savannah in the Tubi horror film Lowlifes and Val in Warner Bros.’ Final Destination: Bloodlines. She received a Leo Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture for her role as Aubrey Miller in the drama thriller The Sinners. Brenna will also appear as Lexi in the Amazon MGM Studios series Off Campus and as Sara in the upcoming series Elle. With experience across horror, drama, and television, Brenna brings a range of on-screen experience.
How It Works
Just in time for Halloween, Vancouver Film School’s three-day In-Production Bootcamp brings a touch of horror to our campus. The event features an Ask Me Anything – covering horror moviemaking, industry insights, and beyond – hands-on workshops, and the production of a short horror scene, led by filmmaker Karen Lam. Register as a Participant (as an actor, write/director, or makeup artist) OR as an Observer (no hands-on work).
The event kicks off on Friday, October 2 with the Ask Me Anything. Then, on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, take part in intensive workshops in preparation for production day – where all Participants will collaborate on a short horror scene; you’ll receive a copy of the final scene for your portfolio at a later date.
VFS AMA (Ask Me Anything) Industry Talk
Attend a Talk with Karen Lam, Thomas Billingsley, & Brenna Llewellyn
Friday, October 2 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street
Cost (AMA Industry Talk & Screening only): $20
In-Production Bootcamp:
Hands-On Workshops (Acting, Writing, Directing, Makeup Design)
Saturday, October 3 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street
Production of Short Horror Scene
Sunday, October 4 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street
Cost for Observer (AMA + In-Production Bootcamp): $60
Cost for Participant (AMA + In-Production Bootcamp): $200
Ensure that you scroll through the entire registration form below for all options.
AMA Industry Talk: Making Great Horror
Join Karen Lam, Thomas Billingsley, and Brenna Llewellyn for a fireside chat about what it takes to make a successful horror film. Drawing on their experience across writing, directing, and producing for film and television, the panel will explore the craft and business of bringing horror to life – from developing a compelling concept and creating memorable characters to collaborating on set, solving production challenges, and finding your way into the industry.
You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and practical advice for aspiring filmmakers and creatives looking to build lasting careers in film and television. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions.
What to Expect at the Bootcamp
On Saturday, Participants will attend a personalized, hands-on workshop. Writers and directors will work with Karen Lam, while makeup artists will work with Vanessa Giles; industry talent for the acting workshop is still to be announced.
While writing and directing participants will write their version of a short scene, based on a prompt, acting participants will audition for the lead role(s), and makeup artists will learn how to apply horror makeups. One scene will be selected to shoot for production day, select actors will be chosen to star, and one writer/director will be chosen to shadow Karen during production.
Sunday is production day! Makeup artist participants will help apply makeups, while all other participants who weren’t selected will gain valuable insight by assisting throughout the production process. The completed scene will be edited after the event and shared at a later date for Participants to add to their portfolio.
FAQ
1. What is the VFS In-Production Bootcamp?
The event is a three-day, hands-on filmmaking experience focused on horror. Participants will take part in workshops led by industry professionals before collaborating on the production of a short horror scene, led by award-winning filmmaker Karen Lam. The event will also feature an Ask Me Anything Industry Talk on horror moviemaking.
2. When and where is the event?
The event takes place October 2-4 at Vancouver Film School’s Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street, Vancouver.
The AMA Industry Talk takes place Friday, October 2 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. PDT. Hands-on workshops take place Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., followed by production of the short horror scene on Sunday, October 4 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
3. Who can participate?
The Bootcamp is open to aspiring and emerging writers, directors, actors, and makeup artists who want hands-on experience collaborating on a horror production.
4. What is the difference between a Participant and an Observer?
Participants take part in the hands-on Bootcamp workshops and production activities. Participants can register as a writer/director, actor, or makeup artist. Observers can attend the AMA and Bootcamp but do not participate in the hands-on activities.
5. What will writers and directors do?
Writers and directors will work with filmmaker Karen Lam during a hands-on workshop. Participants will develop their own version of a short horror scene based on a provided prompt. One script will be chosen for the production and one writer/director will be selected to shadow Karen during production.
6. What will acting participants do?
Acting participants will take part in auditions for the lead role(s). Selected actors will have the opportunity to perform in the short horror scene filmed on Sunday.
7. What will makeup artist participants do?
Makeup artist participants will learn from Vanessa Giles how to apply horror makeup during the Saturday workshop and will have the opportunity to assist with makeup during production on Sunday.
8. Will I get to be involved in the production?
Yes. All Participants will collaborate on the short horror scene. Selected actors, one writer/director, and makeup artist participants will have specific production opportunities, while Participants who aren't selected for those roles can still gain insight and experience by assisting throughout the production process.
9. Will I receive the finished scene?
Yes. The completed short horror scene will be edited after the event and shared with Participants at a later date so they can add it to their portfolio.
10. What is the AMA Industry Talk?
The AMA is a panel discussion featuring filmmaker Karen Lam, director of photography Thomas Billingsley, and actress Brenna Llewellyn on what it takes to make successful horror. They’ll share insights into developing and producing horror projects, collaborating on set, overcoming production challenges, and building a career in the film and television industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
11. Can I attend just the AMA?
Yes. Admission to the AMA Industry Talk & Screening only is $20.
12. How much does the Bootcamp cost?
The Observer registration is $60 and includes the AMA and In-Production Bootcamp.
The Participant registration is $200 and includes the AMA, hands-on workshops, and In-Production Bootcamp.