Community Connects: Fundamentals of Story Structure in Film

The Community Connects series strengthens the links between members of the diverse multi-disciplinary Brampton creative community while fostering communal learning and knowledge sharing as well as developing individual members' facilitation skills.

Idea to Outline: Fundamentals of Story Structure in Film is a free, in-person screenwriting workshop for early-career and aspiring filmmakers with little-to-no formal training.

This workshop is designed to reassure creatives daunted by the writing process while fostering community with local artists in a safe and supportive space. The workshop will provide an overview of how structure in film is built, empowering participants to better tell their own stories.

Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of character development and story structure. By using short films from local and BIPOC Canadian artists as examples, the workshop participants will analyze key elements of structure and characterization. Participants will become familiar with the plot pyramid structure and the foundations of character development. Together, everyone will come together to identify the outline of a short film and put their new knowledge and skills to use.

Participants will gain:

• Knowledge and clarity on how to approach storytelling for film.
• A safe and encouraging environment for participants to move through any anxiety and self-doubt about making short films.
• Confidence about understanding how to give shape to their ideas and add dimension to their work.
• An opportunity to network and connect with other emerging filmmakers in Brampton with the potential to work on future projects together.

This workshop is for:

• BIPOC youth interested in filmmaking.
• Emerging filmmakers with little-to-no formal training.
• Photographers and visual artists looking to transition into directing.
• Emerging filmmakers with some experience but looking for more structure in their writing.
• Individuals interested in learning how to approach conceptualizing a short film.

Accessibility: If you need assistance or support to participate such as an ASL interpreter, please get in touch with us at [email protected] as soon as possible (minimum of three days in advance) so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Transportation: We can provide all-ages Brampton Transit Tickets free of charge to those who need them for all BAO in-person events. If you would like to pick up a ticket for yourself and others attending with you, please email [email protected] prior to the event and we will have them available for you onsite. Tickets work for both Brampton Transit and Züm buses.

Paula Ner Dormiendo is a Filipino Canadian director and editor in Brampton. She is an alumna of the Canon FUTURES Program, and the WIFT Connect Mentorship under Peabody Award Winning Director, Karen Shopsowitz with work screened internationally, including the Canadian Film Festival, WIFT, Reelworld, and a national broadcast on CBC Gem. Paula’s passion for meaningful, inclusive storytelling extends to her work with emerging artists, having been a co-facilitator for The Friendly Screenwriting Program, mentor for Flaunt It Movement and artist

Pam Lau is a Brampton-born photographer, director, and educator. Ambassador for Canon Canada and Curatorial Advisory Board Member for PhotoED Magazine. Frustrated with a culture of gatekeeping and lack of transparency, Pam co-founded Ecru; a grassroots educational initiative for those who face financial, cultural and institutional barriers to entering creative industries. From 2021-2023, Pam co-facilitated ‘Ideas From I’; a free film and photography program for pan-Asian youth funded by ArtReach.

Host or Publisher ACCIDA Brampton