This past summer, you may recall that Vancouver Film School had Emmy-winning Director Michael Spiller on-campus for a 3-day AMA/production bootcamp. Attendees had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain real, on-set experience in TV comedy production, learning from and working 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 event (November 29 – December 1) 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. 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. Vancouver 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, Director Pat Williams, and Actor Michelle Harrison 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
We are THRILLED to be hosting Ron Oliver as the next guest in our AMA series. Following in the footsteps of industry greats like Matthew Lillard, Kevin Smith, and Michael Spiller, Ron takes the stage to discuss how Hallmark’s trademark movies have become a dominant force, how these productions have created numerous jobs in Vancouver, and advice on how to build a long, successful career in Vancouver’s film and TV industry. As always, the audience will have a chance to ask questions.
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 ‘Writing Holiday Movies’ 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 ‘Auditioning for Holiday Movies’ workshop with veteran Hallmark Actor Michelle Harrison for 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 for Holiday Movies’ workshop with veteran Hallmark Director Pat Williams 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 Pat Williams 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
Ron Oliver 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.
PAT WILLIAMS: Director, Executive Producer
The son of a press photographer, Patrick has had a camera in his hands as long as he can remember. His directorial debut came in 1996, while working as a Cinematographer, and this would forever change his career path. Over the next 27 years, Patrick would direct well over 200 episodes, with credits including Continuum, Smallville, and Degrassi as well as films for Hallmark, Sony, Legendary, and others. Patrick has won multiple Directors Guild awards and is a proud member of both the DGC and DGA.
To be a part of this unforgettable experience (and holiday movie magic!), confirm your spot here. We look forward to seeing you on set!