I offer a variety of work-shops tailored to suit a range of students or groups, in many aspects of video or film production.
I have been teaching film making for the last 16 years and have been the production manager at a film distribution company and run my own business for 17 years, working with a variety of clients on a range of projects from feature films and documentaries to music videos.
I love film making and teaching and take great joy in helping people to express themselves through film.
Alix Jackson a.k.a. MR.GRIM
Workshop 1 – 3 hr Stop Motion Animation Course. – $450 per group suitable for Kids 9+ yrs and their big person. – $100 per team (kid and big person) extra kids or bigs – $40
This workshop introduces participants to the basic elements of video production through practical exercises using Stop Motion Animation.
Students learn about the film making process by creating your own stories, filming them, editing them as a group, adding special effects sounds and music to bring their films to life.
Topics covered: Setup, Shot types, Animation speeds, Basic video facts, Telling your story, Editing, Recording Audio, Sound FX
Requirements: Parents must attend and are encouraged to participate
Preferred number of students 2 – 10
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Workshop 2 – 3 hr Film Making SMASH Course. – $450 per group or $60 per participant
I take each group through all elements of production from concept to finished film, in 3 hours. I also give all students access to links and resources, including story board templates, free video editing and after effects software programs, that will allow them to create their own projects with minimal resources.
I give each student the theory surrounding each element of production and then help them to apply that to their own projects in their own style.
Topics covered: Setup, Shot types, Basic video facts, Telling your story, Editing, Recording Audio, Sound FX
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Workshop 3 – 3 hr Film Making SMASH Course – For Kids 10+ yrs and their big person. – $100 per team (kid and big person) extra kids or bigs – $40
Exactly the same as the above course, but with small people 9+ yrs involved.
Topics covered: Setup, Shot types, Basic video facts, Telling your story, Editing, Recording Audio, Sound FX
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Workshop 4 – How to make a feature with no budget – 6 hr Advanced Course. – $800 per group or $100 per participant
Each group will receive similar information and course work for the first 3 hours, with the second half of the session devoted to creating our own short film which will be shot, edited and finished within the session, in real time with the entire class.
For this workshop we will be working in a number of the specialist techniques from the first session, including stylised shooting styles and at least 1 digital visual effect, which will be created by the students.
Examples of the types of visual effects can be seen here: VFX
Topics covered: Setup, Shot types, Basic video facts, Telling your story, Editing, Recording Audio, Sound FX, VFX basics, Mastering
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Workshop 5 – Visual FX – 3 hr – $450 per group or $60 per participant
I talk each group through the theory surrounding many different types of digital and practical special effects, then help them to create their own special effects.
Examples of the types of visual effects can be seen here: VFX
Topics covered: VFX basics and advanced concepts, What is a Green Screen? How do they work? Mattes, Keying, Rotoscoping
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Workshop 6 – Special FX Makeup – 3 hr – $500 per group or $70 per participant
As a group we look at and try to create our own ‘no-budget’ special effects make-up using common household ingredients, creativity and a stack of latex. Examples of my special effects makeup work can be seen here: SFX
For concession or pensioner rates, please send an email to: mrgrimproductions@gmail.com
Specialist Services – $100 per hour
I offer a variety of video production services. What do you need? Send me and email and let’s talk
Testimonials
“My first contact with Alix came about when several of my films from the 1980s were being distributed by ARTFILMS and Alix was the main person in charge of the technical work, getting those films ready for the catalogue of that company, as well as with many films by other local filmmakers…
In 2012 I started producing a film about the early life of Paul Cox which I edited with my friend Nigel Buesst. It was a “tribute” to Paul and his work from the time we were young filmmakers living next door to each other. Nigel and I encountered many difficulties during the editing phase which we could only resolve with assistance from Alix; owing to his deep knowledge of the complexities of the editing system his help during that stage was invaluable.
In 2107 I began re-mastering a group of three films which I produced during the 1980s under the title “Triptych”. In that period of my life I was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in film at Swinburne and later at the Victorian College of the Arts. I completely revised the audio tracks by going back to the final mixes from that period, also changing the titles and timings of some parts of those films. Once again I turned to Alix and he solved all the many technical problems which arose during a period of several weeks.
I have found Alix extremely enthusiastic and quick to catch on to whatever I needed to achieve in those films. I have great confidence in his ability to work with people, to assist them in their creative work, to show them alternative ways around problems.”
“Alix is a highly creative and generous teacher. We made a dozen short films in my primary school days that taught us everything from pre-production to post production. Our media room at school was stocked with props and equipment he’d brought in from home, which gave us the tools we needed to make creative media products.
He always encouraged us to think outside the box and assisted us greatly with achieving our ideas.
He has a natural enthusiasm for film making, which inspires the people around him. I am always excited to start a new job with him or even just to have a chat about our latest projects. It is clear that he loves his job and takes a lot of pride in it.
I do believe Alix’s classes inspired me to get into this field of work. He gifted me the skills to put together basic videos by the age of 12! This was invaluable and gave me a huge head start to my career.”
Mimi Field
Videographer at Urban Angles
“Alix has worked on several of our productions as technical advisor, usually in the editing stage or while turning a doco into a DVD. Such is the complexity of digital video that his advice has invariably rescued these projects from non-completion. This is a rare quality and much appreciated.
Whenever there were complex problems beyond our ken we could get Alix around to put us back on track.
Not only is he a master of the completion stages of film-making but has considerable experience in pre-production and shooting of various projects over the years. He is always reliable, punctual and a pleasure to do business with. Highly recommended.”
Nigel Buesst
Director (Sunrise Productions)