OVERVIEW

Age: 21+
WINTER/SPRING 2024: January 8th - May 17th
10am - 3pm — Monday to Friday

PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed March 11-15 (Mon-Fri), March 29th (Friday), April 1st (Monday)

FEE: $1800 (18 weeks)

Creative Media Lab (CML) offers a dynamic media production experience where autistic creatives and filmmakers can engage in all aspects of film and media production.

Participants will co-develop a live-action short film in CO-LAB, while also having the opportunity to:

1. Take part in the development of animated productions in CO-TOONS

2. Shadow on set productions of ongoing Spectrum productions such as Sweets with Pete, Spectrum Weekly, etc.

3. Take part in hands-on workshops to help develop skills in pre-productions, productions, and post-production.

Throughout the program, creators will learn and develop skills in pre-production (screenwriting, storyboarding, production design, virtual world building), production (lighting and staging, cinematography, sound recording, performing and acting), and post-production (editing, colour treatment, virtual compositing). Participants get a variety of hands-on experiences using industry standard equipment working on film sets, practicing virtual production and creating animation projects.

CO-DEVELOP A SHORT FILM with Co-Lab

Co-Lab participants focus on co-creating a 5-7 minute live-action short film using a virtual production workflow (VP) powered by Unreal Engine. Participants get to collaborate on developing a story and engaging in the production process as members of a film crew and performers. In this context, you will discover different specializations through interactive and hands-on workshops, but you will be able to choose your own role in the production of our short film, from writer, to performer, to editor. Our areas of focus include screenwriting, storyboarding, designing, directing, filming, acting, sound and picture editing of the short film. This year we will place special focus on virtual world building tools and design our film using these exciting new tools at the studio.

Successful films can be submitted to film festivals and get recognized by a wider audience.

Previous Co-Lab project Crystal Crusaders won the AI Merch Prize at Fantasia! 

CO-CREATE AN ANIMATED SHORT with the animation team

The animation team co-develops a 3-5 minute animation. This process includes story development, character design, storyboarding, animation foundation, colouring and compositing. Participants get to focus on their area of interest, develop their personal style of animation and perform as voice actors.

Successful animation projects can be submitted to festivals and get recognized by a wider audience.

Check out some of the previous animation projects at Spectrum: Nature vs Robots!

DEVELOP HIREABLE SKILLS

During production days at Spectrum, CML participants have a chance to engage in various media projects and shadow a film crew on set or during post-production. This allows them to learn and develop production skills, get credentials for completed work and launch a career in film and media. Examples of media projects at Spectrum include: Sweets with Pete and Spectrum Weekly!

Extras

Have a personal project you would like to develop?

The CML+ option offers access to additional one or two 45-minute mentorship sessions per week to help you develop your project pitch, and present it to the Spectrum team. During these sessions, you will also learn how to develop a project for a grant opportunity. Every year, Spectrum will select two or three artistic projects to back for an application to the Canada Arts Council or other funding opportunities.

*Important: Plus Mentor availability varies. It may take some time to be matched with a mentor.

I’ve been working at Spectrum for the past six years as part of the Creative Media Lab. I’ve worked on over 20 corporate production contracts as a camera operator on shoots in Montreal and Toronto. I have had some great training from Spectrum. They gave me the tools to continue to move forward with my career in video production.

Chris Dymond, Spectrum Freelancer

I have been creating soundtracks and original music with Ableton software for Spectrum Productions films for several years. I've also learned how to handle a boom mic and handle sound, and I now work on video production contracts at the studio. I would much rather come to Spectrum Productions than work in a warehouse like I used to!

Phillip Bignell-Harris, Creative Media Lab