August ROUNDUP: Soft Starts, Bright Lights, and Creative Play
August feels like a soft exhale—the pace slows, the light lingers, and we begin to ease back into rhythm. As the summer fades and that back-to-school energy stirs, we’re embracing the in-between with a lineup that’s relaxed but rich in possibility.
From a totally free hands-on workshop with film heros to foundational lighting and editing classes, we’re keeping the spark alive without the pressure. Whether you’re returning to your craft or just getting curious, August is your moment to reset, explore, and create. Come through—your seat’s waiting.
L to R: Chinwe Okorie (Film Director), Natalie Howard (Education Manager), Faiza Kracheni (Executive Director), Second Photo by Eani Creative
FREE WORKSHOP: Paint the Reel with Chinwe Okorie & Faiza Kracheni
Saturday, August 2 | 1–4pm
We’re kicking off August with Paint the Reel—a free, hands-on analog film workshop led by award-winning filmmaker Chinwe Okorie (twice nominated Best Austin Filmmaker by the Austin Chronicle) and our very own Executive Director & Experimental Media Artist Faiza Kracheni.
Inspired by Chinwe’s new short film Cycles, which explores grief, family, and the bond between father and daughter, this drop-in session invites participants of all ages to paint, scratch, and collage directly onto 16mm film strips. It’s a joyful, tactile way to tell stories—no cameras, no experience needed.
Together, we’ll create a collaborative experimental film that captures memory and motion, frame by frame. Every participant will receive a digitized version of the final reel to keep. No RSVP required—just bring yourself and your story.
P.S. Our Education Manager Natalie Howard will be on site to answer all things Austin School of Film related too!
RSVP for free
Intro to Lighting for Film & Video
Saturday & Sunday, August 9–10 | 10am–4pm
We officially kick off the fall season with our Intro to Lighting course—a foundational favorite taught by one of our go-to local gaffers whose work spans large productions to indie sets. Learn to control, shape, and work with light across all budgets, with practical demos, gear exploration, and hands-on setups. If you’ve ever struggled with flat footage or want to take your visuals to the next level, this class will change your game. Trust the light!
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Intro to Adobe Premiere Pro
Saturday & Sunday, August 16–17 | 10am–4pm
This weekend course is perfect for beginner editors or creators looking to sharpen their skills in Premiere Pro, the editing platform trusted by pros worldwide. You’ll learn everything from cutting clips to adding transitions and color correction—all on preloaded iMac workstations with real-time feedback. Leave with a strong editing foundation and confidence to tackle your next project.
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Intro to DaVinci Resolve (Certified Course)
Saturday & Sunday, August 16–17 | 10am–5pm
Running the same weekend, we’re also offering our Certified DaVinci Resolve course. This hands-on, beginner-friendly class is taught by Blackmagic Design–certified instructors and covers everything from editing to color grading and green screen workflows. Looking to level up your resume? You’ll have the option to take the official end-user exam and earn your certification.
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What’s Next?
Natalie Howard, Education Manager by Aaron Tamez
September is when we really turn the dial up. Most of our project-based courses begin then—including Screenwriting, Avant Garde & Experimental Filmmaking, Digital Filmmaking: Script to Screen, and more. And we’re already live with dates into October and November if you’re a planner.
Oh, and mark your calendars for our FREE Open House on Friday, September 6, where you can ask questions, see one of our locations IRL, meet our staff, and get a taste of the community.
August is your soft landing into the fall season. Come play, come learn, come experiment. We’re ready when you are.
Still not sure where to begin? Schedule a free consult with us.