Key Takeaways
- VFS’s Horror Bootcamp provides hands-on experience developing and producing a short horror scene.
- Participants learn from working industry professionals across directing, cinematography, acting, and makeup.
- The event includes an Industry Talk, workshops, and on-set production, resulting in a finished scene for your portfolio.
To bring a great horror scene from idea to screen, it takes more than just a great script. Horror filmmaking combines the creative talents of writers, directors, actors, makeup artists, cinematographers, and countless other disciplines, all working together to terrify and thrill an audience.
This October, Vancouver Film School is bringing those disciplines together for Inside the Craft: Making a Horror Scene, a three-day In-Production Bootcamp designed to give aspiring and emerging filmmakers hands-on experience collaborating on a short horror production.
Taking place October 2-4 at VFS’s Film Campus, the experience will combine an industry panel, hands-on workshops, and production of a short scene. Participants can register as a writer/director, actor, or makeup artist, while Observers can attend the event without taking part in the hands-on activities.
At the centre of the experience is award-winning filmmaker Karen Lam, who will lead the short horror scene and work directly with participants.
“There’s a huge difference between learning about filmmaking and actually getting to experience the process” says Omari Newton, VFS’s Head of Acting. “This bootcamp gives emerging creators the opportunity to work across disciplines, learn directly from working professionals, make creative decisions, and see those decisions play out on set. That kind of hands-on experience is invaluable because filmmaking is ultimately a collaborative craft. You’re not just building your skills in isolation, but learning how to communicate, adapt, solve problems, and contribute to a production alongside other creatives.”
FROM IDEA TO PRODUCTION
The bootcamp is built around the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
On Saturday, participants will take part in personalized, hands-on workshops focused on their chosen discipline. Writers and directors will work with Karen Lam to develop their own version of a short horror scene based on a provided prompt. Acting participants will audition for the lead role(s), while makeup artists will work with industry professional Vanessa Giles to learn how to apply horror makeup.
Following the workshops, one script will be selected for production, select actors will be chosen to star, and one writer/director will be selected to shadow Karen during production.
Then, on Sunday, the work moves onto the set. Participants who aren't selected for a specific production role can assist throughout the process and gain firsthand insight into how the different elements of a horror production come together.
The completed scene will be edited following the event and shared with Participants at a later date for use in their portfolios.
VFS’s In-Production Bootcamps bring creatives together with industry talent to collaborate on real projects.LEARN FROM WORKING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
The experience brings together a group of filmmakers and performers with experience across writing, directing, cinematography, makeup, acting, and production.
Karen Lam: Director, Writer, and Producer
Karen Lam has worked full-time in the film and television industry since 2000. She began her career as a producer and entertainment lawyer and was one of the architects of the British Columbia tax credit program before assisting with the creation of tax shelters for U.S. 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. The film won Best British Columbia Feature Film, while Karen received Best Director at the British Columbia Leo Awards in 2021.
Karen has also written television scripts for SYFY and Netflix, including Van Helsing and Ghost Wars.
Thomas Billingsley: Cinematographer
Vancouver-based director of photography Thomas Billingsley specializes 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 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
Professional makeup artist and instructor Vanessa Giles brings extensive film and television experience to the bootcamp's makeup component.
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 now shares her expertise with the next generation of makeup artists.
Brenna Llewellyn: Actress
Brenna Llewellyn is a Canadian actress known for her work 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 to the event.
Robert Zawistowski: Cinematographer and Editor
Polish-Canadian Robert Zawistowski is a Vancouver-based cinematographer known for his narrative work, including the feature film Pitfall, TV series Passage, and the award-winning short film Queen of the Underworld.
Robert began his career directing and producing music videos in Vancouver's heavy music scene, establishing himself through a rigorous work ethic and attention to detail. His work has been featured internationally at festivals and in online publications.
He brings experience in narrative cinematography, music videos, editing, and visual storytelling to productions across film and television.
INDUSTRY TALK ON MAKING GREAT HORROR
The bootcamp begins Friday, October 2 with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) Industry Talk on Making Great Horror, bringing together Karen Lam, Thomas Billingsley, Brenna Llewellyn, and Robert Zawistowski for a conversation about what it takes to make successful horror.
Drawing on their experience across writing, directing, producing, cinematography, and acting, the panel will explore the craft and business of bringing horror to life – from developing compelling concepts and creating memorable characters to collaborating on set, solving production challenges, and finding your way into the industry.
Attendees will hear behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and practical advice for aspiring filmmakers and creatives looking to build lasting careers in film and television. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to ask their own questions.
REGISTER TO EXPERIENCE THE CRAFT FIRSTHAND
For emerging filmmakers and creators, there's a big advantage to experiencing how a production actually works. A script has to become a shootable scene. A director has to translate an idea into action. Actors have to find the character. Makeup has to support the story. Cinematography has to turn those choices into images.
Everyone has to work together when those pieces come together on set. VFS’s In-Production Bootcamp brings those creative disciplines together in one hands-on experience. This is your opportunity to develop your craft, collaborate with other emerging creatives, learn directly from working industry professionals, and experience the process of taking a horror scene from an initial idea through production.
Visit our official event page to learn more and to register.