This past summer, you may recall that Vancouver Film School had Emmy-winning Director Michael Spiller on-campus for an exclusive 3-day In-Production Bootcamp, offering participants real, hands-on TV comedy production workshops in Vancouver where they learned from and worked alongside a titan of industry.
Now, just in time for the holiday season, we’re bringing our In-Production Bootcamp back! Hallmark Moviemaking Magic is a 3-day Hallmark holiday movie production workshop in Vancouver. Running from November 29 to December 1, this exclusive event is tailored for writers, actors, and directors to access Emmy-nominated Hallmark talent & top TV creators to experience the industry production pipeline of a Christmas Hallmark movie. No experience is required, and this is a great way for aspiring artists to get a taste of Vancouver Film School’s Film Production, Acting for Film & Television, and Writing for Film, Television & Games programs.
Hallmark movies have fast become a holiday staple and a quintessential Christmas tradition, with approximately 40 new Hallmark holiday movies produced each season that attract 70+ million viewers during the Christmas season, alone. British Columbia is the primary shooting location for countless Hallmark classics (around 60 each year!), including Time to for Her to Come Home for Christmas, To All a Good Night, and Christmas on Cherry Lane, making VFS’s campus the perfect setting for this industry production experience.
*Very limited spots are available for this event! We suggest registering ASAP to avoid a case of FOMO!*
Hallmark legend Ron Oliver kicks off the event with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on breaking into Vancouver’s entertainment industry and how he’s built his own successful career in film, television, and as an author. Then, during the bootcamp, Writer Zachary Hug, Actor Michelle Harrison, and Director Michael Nankin will work directly with you to produce a short, 5-page scene.
Gain real, on-set TV production experience at VFS’s upcoming In-Production Bootcamp.THE AMA
Don’t miss Ron Oliver’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, where he’ll share insights into Vancouver’s entertainment industry, the magic behind Hallmark movies, and how these films have become a dominant force – creating numerous jobs and helping artists to build long, successful careers in Vancouver’s film & TV industry. As always, the audience will have a chance to ask questions. This is part of VFS's ongoing AMA series, which has featured industry legends like Matthew Lillard and Kevin Smith.
THE BOOTCAMP
Once again, VFS is bringing the industry to YOU! Experience working on a professional TV set as writers, actors, and directors collaborate to bring a short scene to life! You’ll take part in industry workshops and a table read as part of the pre-production process and on the final day, the scene will be filmed. Register as a writer, actor, or director – whichever you’re most passionate about!
WRITERS:
- Take part in a 2-hr holiday movie scriptwriting workshop with veteran Hallmark Writer Zac Hug for insight into how to write heartfelt, funny, and dynamic scenes & characters.
- Write your version of the final page of the scene.
- The top 6 scripts will be chosen, followed by table reads; a group vote will determine which script is shot.
ACTORS:
- Take part in a 2-hr workshop on how to audition for Hallmark movies, with Head of Department Omari Newton. Gain insight into the look, tone, & acting technique required to book roles.
- Audition for your chance to play the supporting role in the scene.
- All other actors get to be extras on shooting day.
DIRECTORS:
- Take part in a 1-hr directing workshop for Christmas movies, with the great Michael Nankin, for insight into how to light, block, & direct actors.
- Craft and deliver a 20-second pitch for your chance to shadow the guest director during shooting day.
Emmy-nominee Ron Oliver headlines our AMA event, with Zachary Hug, Michelle Harrison, and Michael Nankin joining us in-studio for the bootcamp. THE TALENT
We’re thrilled to have this incredible lineup of industry veterans from the world of Hallmark TV movies on-campus at VFS:
RON OLIVER: Emmy-Nominated Director, Writer, Producer
Emmy-nominated Director Ron Oliver, renowned for his Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movies, has created award-winning feature films and television for studios such as Warner Brothers, Fox, Universal, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. His Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movies are among the highest rated in the network's history, routinely landing on Variety's "Top 25" list, and his work on the feature Falling for Christmas helped make it the #1 movie around the world for Netflix. As Writer/Director on Nickelodeon’s iconic Are You Afraid of the Dark, he has been recognized for creating one of the "Top Ten Most Frightening TV Shows". He’s been nominated twice for the prestigious Director's Guild of America Award and is also a published author of award-winning short fiction.
ZAC HUG: Screenwriter, Playwright
Zac is an experienced TV writer and creative writing teacher. His credits include Drop Dead Diva, Shadowhunters, and numerous Hallmark films, including Road to Christmas, Matching Hearts, and Ghosts of Christmas Always. He’s produced plays for the New York Fringe Festival and teaches television writing at UCLA, DePaul, and UBC.
MICHAEL NANKIN: Director, Producer, Writer
A Leo Award-winner, Michael was just 10 when a standard-8 movie camera was placed in his hands by his grandfather. Michael made films throughout his childhood but started his career as an Illustrator and Animator. His undergraduate musical-comedy, Junior High School, caught the attention of Disney studios, who hired Michael and his filmmaking partner to develop features. At age 22, Michael co-wrote and co-directed Midnight Madness and in 1989 he joined the staff of Life Goes On – the first show to publicly hire HIV-positive actors. His other credits include Good Lord Bird, Battlestar Galactica, Chicago Hope and Pickett Fences.
MICHELLE HARRISON: Actor, Executive Producer
Since attending Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City, Michelle has appeared in over 100 movies and television shows, sharing the screen with talented A-list actors. Her recent projects include 9 seasons as Nora Allen on CW’s The Flash and the indie project Re:Uniting, for which she won a Leo Award for Best Actress. Michelle can currently be seen on stage as Doris in Miracle on 34th Street at The Arts Club this holiday season.
Spots are limited for this one-of-a-kind holiday movie production bootcamp! To be a part of this unforgettable experience (and holiday movie magic!), register today. We look forward to seeing you on set!
FAQ
- What is the Hallmark Moviemaking Magic workshop?
Vancouver Film School’s In-Production Bootcamp: Hallmark Moviemaking Magic is a 3-day event to learn from and work alongside Emmy-nominated Hallmark talent and legends of Vancouver’s film & television industry.
Day 1 features an Ask Me Anything with Emmy-nominated Director Ron Oliver, renowned for his Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movies, as he shares insights into Vancouver’s entertainment industry and the magic behind Hallmark movie production.
Day 2 & 3 are production days. Work alongside Hallmark Writer Zac Hug, industry actors, and veteran Director Michael Nankin to write, act, and assistant direct a short 5-page scene. This is real, hands-on industry experience in Hallmark movie production and a glimpse into Vancouver Film School’s 1-year industry training programs.
- How do I register for Vancouver Film School’s holiday bootcamp?
Reserve your ticket online to register for the event. Spots are very limited and are first come, first serve! You can choose from one of two options when registering:
- Register only for the Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Emmy-nominated Director Ron Oliver. The cost for the AMA is $20.
- Register for both the AMA and the Hallmark movie workshops. The cost for both the AMA and workshops is $150.