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Program Information
Adventure Filmmakers Workshop, Banff Centre 2022, photo by Rita Taylor
Overview
The Adventure Filmmakers Workshop is an exceptional chance for independent and emerging filmmakers to advance their skills under the guidance of two of the world’s premier and proven adventure filmmakers. During a jam-packed 10 days in the fall, participants will hone their craft, strengthen their skills, whilst networking with fellow filmmakers, industry insiders, and decision-makers.
This all takes place within the core of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, where epic stories are told through the eyes of adventurers, authors, photographers, and filmmakers from around the globe.
What does the program offer?
Workshop sessions will help participants sharpen their narrative, vision, organize their workflow, develop audio and editing techniques, and perfect their pitches. Applicants are encouraged to focus on one specific film project that they have in mind and to be prepared to share it with the group.
We pack the days with hands-on practice, lively discussion, and brainstorming. Including inviting industry insiders as guest speakers, offering rare access to potential mentors, collaborators, sponsors, and backers. In groups you will shoot, edit and post-produce a short film project to present and review with the group and faculty. Our faculty promote an open, interactive, and creative atmosphere.
On-campus lodging and meals are provided — all that participants have to do is focus on their craft and soak up the inspiration. Participants will have access to the VIP screening rooms and viewings of film screening and simulcast presentations of the 2023 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.
For a full schedule, view the itinerary section below.
Who should apply?
This workshop is designed for emerging filmmakers with a few projects already under their belt. To get the most from the program, applicants should have a strong desire to take the next step in all aspects of their filmmaking, including pre-production, pitching, location skills, the handling of the edit, and distribution. Past participants have included elite athletes transitioning to filmmaking, adventurers wanting to expand to different media platforms, and established filmmakers wanting to break into the adventure genre.
A strong knowledge base of technical sound, camera, and editing skills is essential. This program is not aimed at those who only want to explore what it is like to be an adventure filmmaker – the Adventure Filmmakers Workshop is for those who are committed to filmmaking as a life choice.
Enrolment is limited to 18 participants.
Banff Centre invites applications from anywhere in the world, and artists of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities, and expressions.
Scholarship support generously provided by the Asper Endowment and the MacLachlan Ridge Family Endowment.
Program generously supported by:
Itinerary
Arrival - Thursday Oct 26
Day 1 – Friday Oct 27
- Welcome, orientation
- Intros, group allocations, group and individual feedback
- Film viewings and discussion: the good, the bad, and the ugly …
Day 2 – Saturday Oct 28
- Anatomy of success: What makes a successful film
- Production development and planning before the camera rolls
- Budgeting and funding options; distribution
Day 3 – Sunday Oct 29
- The art of storytelling and narration
- Storytelling resources
- Making the perfect pitch workshop
- Technology, sound on location, and appreciating the mix
- Post production sound and music
Day 4 – Monday Oct 30
- Pitching Workshop
- Interviewing, and edit workflow
- Secrets for staying organized for small and large projects
- The black art of lighting
Day 5 – Tuesday Oct 31
- Legal - releases, talent, music, post production
- Social Media
Day 6 – Wednesday Nov 1
- Group Film Project - Shoot day. Get out there and get your film in the 'can'.
Day 7 – Thursday Nov 2
- Editing and post-production day. Turn your 'rushes' into a finished film.
- Evening: participants have access to the VIP screening room to view simulcast presentation from the Jenny Belzberg Theatre
Day 8 – Friday Nov 3
- Filmmakers will have access to the VIP screening room to view films and attend Festival workshops at the Festival Stakeholder Symposium
Day 9 – Saturday Nov 4
- Filmmakers will have access to the VIP screening room to view films. Guest speakers (tba)
Day 10 – Sunday Nov 5
- Full day of recap, review short films, and presentations from guest lecturers (to be announced)
Day 11 – Monday Nov 6: Departure Day
This schedule is subject to change and additions will be guided by the needs of participants.
Image Gallery
Faculty
Keith Partridge
Capturing the essence of adventure in over 80 extreme location films has taken filmmaker and director of photography Keith Partridge to some of the world's most hostile and spectacular environments. Keith’s explorations have been pushing the limits of extreme filmmaking for television and cinema for over 30 years. He received an EMMY for cinematography for the BBC’s Human Planet series and the Guild of Television Cameramen’s Award for Excellence in 2017 for the filming of an exploratory expedition into the ‘Lost Worlds’ of Venezuela. In 2023 he received the Royal Television Society’s Camera Craft Award. He is also a lecturer with the University of Cumbria in the UK.
Photo credit: John Arran
Faculty
Michael Brown
In his career, Michael Brown has excelled as both adventure athlete and as a filmmaker. He has been to the summit of Mount Everest five times, each time with a camera rolling. His work as a director and cinematographer spans all seven continents. Films Michael has directed have won many film festival awards including the Grand Prize at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. He is also a recipient of three national Emmy® Awards, the International Alliance For Mountain Film's Grand Prize, the Explorers Festival's Camera Extreme and the Giant Screen Cinema Association (IMAX) Outstanding Cinematography Award. Michael's lens has captured ice caves for NOVA, tornadoes for Discovery, science at the South Pole for National Geographic, avalanches for the BBC and mountain climbing for giant screen IMAX movies. Michael has made a habit of going to the world's harshest, most dangerous environments and always comes back with incredible footage and compelling stories. Outside Magazine describes the cerebral filmmaker as a "swashbuckling librarian," and Men's Journal calls him "a master of gut-dropping action.
Faculty
Technical Requirements
What's Included
Single Room
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Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Full Flex Meal Plan
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Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Full Flex meal plan is equivalent to $61.95 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
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Participants have access to the VIP screening room to view films and attend Festival workshops.
Participant Resources
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Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Group seminars and workshops.
Showcase Your Work
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
The Library is delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with the following services:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Access to collections, including program relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and object library.
- Library accounts for borrowing materials.
- Digital Library, on campus and remote access.
- Library research assistance, by appointment.
- Archives research, by appointment only.
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Gym Membership
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Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous)
*Financial Aid of up to $1555 is available towards the Program Fees
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials to SlideRoom.
Application fees are not refundable.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
Please note: Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Resume
A one-page resume or CV describing professional education and achievements, including your most recent projects and your role in them, as well as where your films have been shown, and relevant academic, personal, and professional experience.
Cover Letter
In 500 words or less, explain both your background and your long-term goals as a filmmaker, and outline your current project. If you have requested a scholarship as part of your application, explain how this would benefit you.
You are encouraged to bring a camera to the workshop. If accepted into the program, please indicate the brand and type of camera you would bring in your cover letter.
Project Proposal
A 250-word pitch for the project you'd like to focus on during the program. Include the basic story line, what stage of development you are in, what kind of funding you are after, and how this project is meaningful.
Showreel
Please provide a URL link that showcases your work.
Learning Objectives
Provide a short summary of your learning goals for the program and how you hope to contribute to the workshop.
Financial Assistance
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, scholarships are available for this program. Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question to be eligible for financial assistance.
Adjudication
Adjudication is based on artistic merit, the potential impact of the program on artists’ practice and careers, project feasibility and the capacity of Banff Centre to help realize the project, and the project’s fit with Banff Centre’s values and strategic directions as described in its strategic plan. Banff Centre respects the need for artists to plan ahead for their visit; applicants will be notified as soon as adjudication is complete.
International Applicants
Banff Centre welcomes domestic and international applicants for this program. Please note, Banff Centre programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility requirements, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted individuals are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. Current wait times to receive a visa are much longer than normal, so applicants who require a Visitor Visa should check the current expected processing times prior to applying.
Eligibility
Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
Toll Free Number (Canada + USA)
1.800.565.9989
Phone
403.762.6180
