3 Beginner-Friendly Analog Film Classes in 2024
16mm Tactile Filmmaking workshop, Halloween Edition, October 2023 - Photo by Garry Taylor
In a world dominated by digital marvels and instant gratification, there's a nostalgic yearning for the charm of yesteryear's cinematic treasures. Austin School of Film, a hub for creative exploration, understands this sentiment and has curated an array of courses that delve into the magic of Super 8 and analog filmmaking.
We’ve released our 2024 selections for the first few months of the new year so take a look, learn something new, and just a heads up — spaces are firm and limited in these classes due to the nature of working with motion picture film and equipment.
A weekend, hands-on analog film workshop exploring the creative process and timeless aesthetic of Super 8 filmmaking.
Super 8 has made a bold return in contemporary filmmaking, reclaiming its place as a go-to medium for artists and creators seeking texture, warmth, and emotional immediacy. From Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour visuals and Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? to indie films at Sundance and campaigns by Gucci and Jacquemus, Super 8 is no longer just nostalgic — it’s intentional.
Spend the weekend immersed in the tactile magic of film with this hands-on introduction to one of cinema’s most iconic analog formats. Designed for beginners, curious creatives, and digital natives alike, this workshop covers everything from loading and shooting film to understanding exposure, framing, and the quirks that make Super 8 so rewarding. Participants will also learn the basics of hand-processing, splicing, and digitizing their footage for use in modern editing workflows.
With class sizes limited to eight participants, each student receives personalized instruction and direct access to cameras, film stock, and processing materials. Whether you’re exploring film for the first time or reconnecting with its roots, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to experience the creative process in its purest, most hands-on form.
Topics covered:
Technical components of any Super 8 camera
What to look for if you’re wanting to rent or buy a Super 8
Different brands of Super 8 cameras
Different types of film stock
Getting ready to shoot: camera basics
Reading a light meter
Aspect Ratio + Camera Composition
Lighting basics: indoors & outdoor
Focus & Zoom
Shooting a roll of film in class
Developing your film stock
Splicing your reel
Digitizing your footage
Post-Production tricks
The class takes place in both indoor and outdoor settings, giving students a well-rounded experience in shooting on film. By the end of the workshop, each participant will walk away with a completed Super 8 reel and a digitized version of their footage.
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This course will be held at our Canopy location in our Black Box Studio. However, students will also learn about manipulating natural light (outdoors) on the campus. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for anyone interested in exploring Super 8 film as a storytelling medium. No prior analog experience required — just curiosity and a love for tactile, hands-on processes. Students must be 16 years or older to enroll.
Supplies & Materials: All Super 8 cameras, film stock, and processing materials are included. Participants are welcome to bring their own Super 8 camera if they have one.
Certificate: This course is part of Austin School of Film’s Film Forward Certificate Program.
Certification: This course, along with all Austin School of Film programs, is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
Damage + Responsibility Clause: Students will be handling real motion-picture film and vintage analog equipment. Respect for the tools, materials, and process is essential. While Austin School of Film is not responsible for damages due to misuse, instructors will provide thorough guidance and supervision to ensure a safe and rewarding creative experience.
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
Super 8 cameras have staged a triumphant comeback, making their mark in contemporary filmmaking. From Beyoncé's Vogue Behind the Scenes, music videos like Daisies by Katy Perry and Kiki Do you Love Me by Drake, to crafting unique wedding videos, and content creators like Madelyn De La Rosa utilizing for brand marketing.
Super 8 has become a symbol of retro allure, oozing messy nostalgia and to be put simply — a vibe.. Our "Intro to Super 8 Filmmaking" workshop dives into the basics, ensuring students leave with not just knowledge but a tangible understanding of how to shoot and where to get what they need to shoot.
The workshop covers everything from technical components and choosing the right camera to the art of shooting on film. Students learn to develop their film stock, splice their reel, and digitize their footage. With a class limited to just 8 students, the hands-on experience promises an intimate and comprehensive introduction to the art of Super 8 filmmaking.
Upcoming sessions:
January 20 & 21 (2 spots remaining)
February `17 & 18 (8 spots remaining)
Deadline to register for our Fall 2026 course is August 15, 2026.
Our beginner filmmaking course — an 8-week, hands-on introduction to the complete process of making a film from concept to screen.
Experimental film — often described as cinematic poetry, a visual fever dream, or art in motion — exists outside the traditional boundaries of storytelling. It’s the foundation of modern visual language, influencing everything from Hollywood films and music videos to fashion campaigns and commercial art. David Lynch’s Blue Velvet drew inspiration from Kenneth Anger, while Dior’s short film campaign was directly influenced by Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon.
In this award-winning 8-week course, students will explore the history, theory, and practice of avant-garde and experimental filmmaking. Blending creative lecture, film screenings, and hands-on analog production, the course introduces students to the experimental filmmaking process and the tactile craft of working with Super 8 and 16mm film.
Guided by an experienced experimental filmmaker, students will experiment with structure, abstraction, and emotion as storytelling tools — learning to see film not only as a medium of narrative, but as a living, expressive art form. By the end of the course, participants will have created their own experimental Super 8 short film and a 16mm Direct Animation project, bringing analog texture and visual experimentation to life.
Topics covered include:
Understanding the language & methods of experimental cinema
Explore experimental film’s history and connections to the evolution of all forms of motion-picture media.
Analyzing experimental short-form films & filmmakers
Applying experimental techniques to film exercises and projects.
Creating your own original experimental film
Technical Camera Lab: Shooting on Super 8mm Cameras
Technical Processing Lab: Developing Super 8 Film
Technical Editing Lab: Non-traditional editing techniques
What’s include in your tuition:
Super 8 camera rental ($150 value)
2 rolls of Super 8 film ($80 value)
Darkroom Access
Resource Slides (for post-class refreshers such as teching a camera, darkroom instructions)
Access to CINEMAKER & additional equipment access to support your film
Film & Friends showcase of final work (with food & drink plus filmmaker Q&A)
This course is designed to foster an understanding of film as both an art form and a means of creative expression.
Outside of Class Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate time outside of class to work on their projects, with support available through various resources offered as part of your course such as camera rentals and booking studio time in our of our production studios.
Student Experience: Students will work collaboratively in small production teams to write, shoot, and edit multiple short films using professional gear. Throughout the course, participants will receive creative and technical mentorship from instructors, guest filmmakers, and peers — culminating in a public screening of their completed work.
WINTER STUDENT ORIENTATION: Join us for an optional but highly recommended student orientation, just before classes begin where Austin School of Film will invite all project-based students for the quarter. This free bonus event is a great way to get familiar with gear check-out, studio access, and connect with your classmates, educators, as well as students from other project-based “Make Something” courses happening this winter.
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This course will be held in multiple locations including The Clayton and CINEMAKER @ The Canopy. All cameras, lighting, and equipment are provided for use during the course. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for those interested in art, experimental media, and alternative approaches to filmmaking. Open to ages 18 and up. No experience necessary — beginners welcome!
Supplies & Materials: All supplies are included: Super 8 camera, two rolls of Kodak film, access to additional gear, and use of our editing lab. Students may purchase up to two additional rolls of film (maximum four total) for $32 each.
Course Structure: This hands-on, 8-week course combines lectures, screenings, and studio-based projects to explore experimental film techniques. Students will complete two final works — one Super 8 short film and one 16mm Direct Animation piece.
Damage Clause: Students will be working with real motion-picture film and analog cameras. Respect for the materials and process is essential. Students are responsible for any costs incurred during their film production. While Austin School of Film is not liable for damages resulting from misuse, instructors are committed to supporting each student in completing a film they’re proud of.
Certificate: This course is part of Austin School of Film’s Film Forward Certificate Program.
Certification: All Austin School of Film courses are certified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
For those eager to explore the unconventional, the Avant-Garde & Experimental Filmmaking course offers an 8-week journey into the realms of cinematic poetry and surrealism. Designed for creative minds unafraid to break traditional narrative boundaries, this course guides students in producing their own experimental short films on Super 8 film format.
The curriculum spans the history of experimental cinema, from its roots to its influence on various forms of motion-picture media. Students delve into the techniques of experimental filmmaking, from shooting on Super 8mm cameras to non-traditional editing methods. With perks like Super 8 camera rental, film rolls, and access to studios, this course is a holistic experience, culminating in a showcase of final works at the popular "Film & Friends" exhibition.
Upcoming sessions:
These two sessions are the only two sessions planned for 2024 as this class will host twice a year.
January 9 - February 27, 2024 (Tuesdays)
Spring 2024: April 9 - May 28, 2024 (Tuesdays)
A one-day, hands-on analog film workshop exploring direct animation and tactile 16mm filmmaking — no experience required.
Step into the world of experimental cinema through the lens of direct animation and tactile filmmaking — with a twist!
This immersive, hands-on workshop introduces you to one of the most expressive and physical forms of analog filmmaking: creating moving images without a camera. Participants will learn to manipulate 16mm film stock using paint, ink, collage, and scratching tools to produce vibrant, one-of-a-kind works of “painted motion.”
Also known as Direct Animation or Cameraless Filmmaking, this technique transforms 16mm film into a canvas, bringing rhythm, color, and texture to life one frame at a time. Inspired by pioneering artists like Len Lye, Norman McLaren, and Stan Brakhage, and embraced today by experimental filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians, this tactile analog process continues to influence music videos, fashion films, and contemporary media art worldwide.
Over the course of a single day, you’ll explore these techniques by working with found footage from the 1950s–70s and clear 16mm film leader, building abstract sequences that blend nostalgia, color, and motion. No prior art or filmmaking experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
What You’ll Create: Each participant will leave with a digitized version of their finished 16mm film and a group trailer featuring original music—a cinematic keepsake of your analog exploration.
What’s Included in Your 16mm Kit
Small magnifying glass
paintbrushes
1 paint sponge
5 acrylic paint
Reusable paint palette
Hand-cut 16mm film strips (leader + found footage)
Extra analog treats + tools to explore
What We’ll Cover
Painting, scratching, and bleaching directly onto film
Working with clear leader and vintage found footage
Frame-by-frame visual storytelling and basic animation principles (FPS)
Creative do’s & don’ts when working with analog film
Techniques to build texture, rhythm, and abstract visual narratives
MORE INFORMATION
Location: This workshop will take place at The Canopy in Studio 110. For more information on locations we operate throughout Austin, please visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Perfect for artists, filmmakers, and curious beginners interested in hands-on analog artmaking. Open to ages 18 and up. No film or art experience required.
Supplies & Materials: All materials are included — 16mm film stock, paint, ink, bleach, scratching tools, and collage materials. Students will work with both found film footage (1950s–1970s) and clear leader to create original abstract sequences.
Course Structure: This one-day, low-pressure learning experience focuses on exploration and creativity. Participants will learn the fundamentals of tactile filmmaking and create their own short piece on 16mm film during the workshop.
Damage Clause:
Students will be working with real 16mm film and analog materials. Respect for the process and tools is essential. While Austin School of Film is not liable for damages resulting from misuse, instructors are committed to helping each participant create and complete a successful project.
Outside of Class Commitment: None required — all work is completed during the workshop session.
Certification: All Austin School of Film courses are certified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
DISCLAIMER: Every 16mm Tactile workshop is uniquely themed, ensuring each session is distinct. This particular workshop is a special edition exclusively for Valentine's Day, happening only once on February 3, 2024.
This exclusive artful 4 hour workshop provides a curated 16mm kit with all the materials needed to create hand-painted films using vintage 1950s - 70s found footage, leader, and an array of tools with found footage tailored to a “Valentine’s Day” theme - think love, spring, reds, and colors.
We cover everything from painting abstractly directly onto the film to experimenting with frames per second, scratching, and other techniques (plus you can invent your own!)
Participants not only leave with a tangible creation but also learn about film artist who utilized this technic in different ways and some cinematic history in the process! This low-pressure learning opportunity is perfect for adults aged 18 and above, regardless of their prior film or art knowledge.
Upcoming session:
February 3, 2024
Stay tuned for more!
Film & Friends showcase, November 2023 - Photo by Dani Hurtado