Copresented with Tasty Lighting Supply/Acme Stage and CineMechanics.

In-person. 2 sessions: Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Location: Acme Stage at Tasty Lighting Supply, 2635 28th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406.

Don’t miss this workshop taught by two of the best in the business: director/cinematographer Greg Winter and gaffer/key grip Dan Miller. Through analysis and hands-on application, you’ll learn the aesthetics of cinematography and lighting. These elements help to determine the form of the film and also guide the storytelling. We’ll examine how some of the rules and principles help to determine a film’s texture and look.

The workshop will cover the cinematic elements of pictorial aesthetics (line, shape, direction, size, texture, color, value, picture plane space, positive space, negative space, proportion, rhythm, and perspective), along with the framing and duration of the shot. Mr. Winter will use examples from independent cinema, as well as Hollywood and European films, and discuss past and present directors of photography. The focus will be on the principles underlying the cinematographer’s craft.

The workshop will also cover professional lighting techniques and how they affect the mood of a shot. We’ll cover the vocabulary used to describe lighting and how to use lighting equipment. There will be hands-on demonstrations with tungsten, HMI, Kino Flo, and LED lights. We’ll also cover some basic grip gear and how to use it along with lights to achieve a desired look, plus tricks and tips for efficiently moving on to the next setup.

This workshop is for directors and cinematographers with at least basic video production experience and makers of short films or a first feature who want to hone their skills beyond basic framing and three-point lighting. There is a lunch break each session.

I liked everything about the course; the academic with the hands-on experience with lighting and composition. It felt like I got a college course in cinematography and lighting in two days! —Winter 2024 student

NOTE: For this workshop FilmNorth is following CDC’s current COVID-19 guidance for Ramsey County:

• Masks are recommended for those who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or at high-risk for complications associated with COVID-19.
• People may choose to mask at any time.
• People with any COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should stay home.

Tuition: $295 regular | $245 member | $195 low-income

Greg Winter has worked as a cinematographer for more than 30 years. His first feature film, Detective Fiction, directed by Patrick Coyle, was admitted to the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and subsequently distributed on the Sundance Channel and the Independent Film Channel. In 2004 Greg was the cinematographer for the independent project, Justice, a feature film directed by John Shulman and Jean-Marie Almonor, which was nominated for a 2005 NAACP Image Award and distributed to Black STARZ. The film was also used as a voter registration tool around the United States.

In June 2005 Greg photographed Test Tube for director Ann Sorenson. A book he photographed about historic Minnesota quilts was nominated for a 2006 Minnesota Book Award. In September 2007 Greg completed Shared Sacrifice: Rock County in War, which focused on the experiences and impressions of Rock County residents during World War II. TPT included the film in the broadcast schedule around Ken Burns’s The War. In 2008 Greg shot “The Egg Timer” for director Emily Haddad, the IFP MN Fresh Filmmaker grant recipient.

Greg completed The Jingle Dress with director William Eigen in September of 2013. In July 2014 he completed photography on Robert in the Bedroom, a short on the subject of Alzheimer’s for director Cynthia Uhrich, and Domestics, a feature film directed by John Shulman and Jean-Marie Almonor. In September of 2016 he split the cinematographer duties with Buck Holzemer on Charlie Griak’s 2nd feature, Nina of the Woods.

Greg recently collaborated again with Cynthia Uhrich on “Oh My Stars,” a short film written by regional author Lorna Landvik. In October of 2018 Greg worked again with Ann Sorenson, this time with students from UNWSP, on “My First Funeral.” He is currently engaged on a documentary about artist and choreographer Patrick Scully with director Mark Wojahn.

Greg works as a freelance Director/Cinematographer. He also teaches at the University of St Thomas, University of Northwestern-St Paul, and FilmNorth. Greg also served 20 years on the Minnesota Film & TV Board.

Dan Miller is a longtime freelance lighting technician, who has worked in the grip and electric lighting departments for movies, commercials, and sporting and special events. Dan previously worked at the local ABC affiliate in Cedar Rapids, IA, directing the morning and noon news. After moving to the Twin Cities, Dan spent five years at a small ad agency shooting broadcast spots, corporate video, and business theater work. Since going freelance, Dan has been able to build a résumé that includes national ad campaigns, Super Bowl shows, and lighting the stage for President Obama.

Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
• For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes). 
• Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
• By registering for this FilmNorth class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.