Cinematography Workshop

This event took place on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at 9:30 amOld Fire Hall

The goal for the cinematography portion of the workshop will be to make the craft of cinematography accessible to women and under-represented filmmakers and emerging cinematographers.

The workshop will offer an immersive hands-on experience that will equip the attendees with the ability to block, light, and shoot  scenes, as well as providing a brief introduction to a range of different shooting styles. The course will focus on ways to achieve strong storytelling visuals in an achievable way; avoiding big budget, Hollywood examples and focusing on outcomes that are realistic and achievable for smaller indepdendent productions. 

By working with directors—as part of the course—there will be a strong emphasis on how imagery can best serve the story being told. Furthermore, participants in the course will be taught the skills to analyse and portray the relationship between different on set roles, and the importance of relationship building in a multidisciplinary environment. 

Kaayla Whachell is a cinematographer living on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations (Vancouver, Canada). She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia's Film Production Program and an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. She is also co-chair of the CSC’s Diversity Committee.

Kaayla’s first feature film, Portraits from a Fire, directed by Trevor Mack and funded by Telefilm, went on to win her “Best Cinematography” at the 2022 Leo Awards. Whether it be a narrative film, commercial, or music video, Kaayla believes that the cinematography must represent the director's vision and accurately showcase the individuals depicted on screen.

As a woman of mixed descent (Okinawan, Red River Metis, Czech), Kaayla continues to ally BIPOC filmmakers by showcasing their stories. She strives to produce a diverse film set for all people to thrive and create within.