Our Year-Round Education & Events

We started by being the first to teach the technical side of performance to actors. This expanded quickly into teachings for both crew and actors with an emphasis on inter-departmental education.

Our labs and workshops promote practical, hands-on learning with industry leaders, ensuring safer sets, better collaborations, and successful creative projects. By involving vendors, we foster long-term partnerships that support sustainable careers in filmmaking.

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Case Study: Easterseals Disability Film Challenge

Case Study: EDFC x CFA

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, launched in 2013 by Nic Novicki, offers filmmakers with and without disabilities the chance to create short films showcasing disability. Partnering with Easterseals Southern California in 2017, the challenge promotes inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

Cinematography for Actors (CFA) was chosen as the educational partner, providing over 100 hours of hands-on workshops covering cinematography, directing, editing, color, marketing, producing, writing, PR, distribution, and improv. CFA collaborated with their network of industry leaders, sponsors, and vendors to produce and teach these workshops. All sessions were recorded and livestreamed for global accessibility.

Watch a promo from one of our workshops:

Watch Promos Here

Online Education
Available on YouTube

The Director’s Roundtable: Working with Actors
Available Here

The Emotional Impact of Eyeline
Available Here

Speeding Up the Self-Tape Audition Process with Frame.io
Available Here

The Actor’s Guide to Lenses
Available Here

Camera Movement: Working with an Operator
Available Here

The Line: Learning the 180 Degree Rule
Available Here

CFA x Hollyshorts Panel: Tell Better Stories: Bridging the Gap between Talent & Crew
Watch Here

Film Festival Strategy Workshop with Katie Bignell
Watch Here

The Purpose of an Actor’s Eyelight
Available Here

Practice without Gear: Coverage
Available Here

Collaborating in the Virtual World: A Panel on Virtual Production for First Timers
Watch Here

Coverage & Angles: Understanding Frame Size
Available Here

Blackmagic Cameras 101: Hands-On Workshop with John Parenteau
Watch Here

Davinci Resolve 101 with John Parenteau
Watch Here

CFA x GVM Lighting Workshop
Watch Here

CFA Labs & Workshops Gallery

CFA x Great Video Maker (GVM) Lighting Workshop

CFA Fiscal Sponsorship Panel at 20th HollyShorts

Educational Partners

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Connecting with collaborators in the film industry can be challenging. Our networking events are designed to facilitate meaningful connections between like-minded artists and vendors. These events have resulted in lasting bonds and professional opportunities, enabling our community members to find their film “family” and embark on successful projects together.