The first rule of Film Club:
You must be bored.
“I let go. Lost in oblivion. Dark and silent and complete. I found freedom.
Losing all hope was freedom.”
This is a quote from the 1999 classic Fight Club with Brad Pitt and Ed Norton.
Now, don't get me wrong.
You don't need to be have lost all hope, or be stuck in darkness, oblivion, to join this club.
But the first rule of Film Club is you must be bored.
You know that quiet, nagging feeling you get when you're shooting and you just feel....bored?
You feel like you've done it all and nothing you shoot really excites you anymore. You no longer rush to look at your images as soon as you can.
You feel heavy and a little lost at each shoot.
You know there's more in you but you're stuck in the well-worn routines you've established at your shoots. And you're not sure how to break out.
I've been there. Lots of times.
And I've learned to lean into that bored discomfort. Because when I lean in, letting go of what's become familiar to me, I find freedom again.
I find life and happy surprises.
My film photography hero and friend Yan Palmer, (just don't ask her about our friendship because she does this funny thing where she's like "Claire who?"), for years has been saying: FILM WILL SET YOU FREE.
And for a long time I held onto what was familiar, and boring, rejecting that statement which felt so contradictory to me.
Something as finicky and FINAL as film setting me free?
Maybe for Yan. Not for me.
But when I'd finally reached a point where I just couldn't handle anymore shoots with 3000 digital files, and galleries with 500 edited images, each image becoming exponentially less special to the one before it, I turned to film for my personal work in hopelessness and defeat. I didn't care if I never booked another shoot. I just wanted a job somewhere in administration.
I guess I hoped shooting film would be a fun challenge. Or just a change of pace.
But the strangest thing happened: film forced me to let go of perfection. I let go. I couldn't check the LCD screen on the back of my camera, so I just had to let go of the 'perfect shot'. (Which doesn't exist, as you know.) I was shooting blind, in a way, and it completely set me free.
The second rule of Film Club:
You must be hungry.
Hungry for a challenge.
Hungry for a push.
Hungry to connect with like-minded hungry people.
Hungry to create, to learn, to try, to fail...to try again.
-good film habits
-better understand what film is capable of
-assignments and tips specific to your predetermined needs and goals
-technical and creative skills that will inform your digital work
-support and constructive feedback from a group of like-minded peers
-endless inspiration
-mind-expanding possibilities
From past mentees:
"Claire gave me so many practical tips for film photography and her feedback on my assignments helped me refine my process so that I would take photographs that I love and am proud of.
She is an open book with so much experience and I felt free to ask her anything.
My favourite part was when she’d show me examples of her work because it fed the hunger in my soul to create something different and sometimes weird.
Actually there’s not much difference in her imagery and how she teaches - she’s real, she’s brilliant, she’s hilarious, and deeply caring. I feel so free and more confident to create since working with Claire and I am grateful I found a mentor AND friend!"
www.tristhaellanee.com
"If you’re looking for a way to find your own creative voice Claire’s mentorship is it! ... it fed the hunger in my soul to create something different..."
Tristha Jackson
What to Expect:
- We will start with a detailed questionnaire emailed to you as soon as you sign up. Questionnaires are due 1 week before the first class.
- Once we have a full class we will try to pick 3 dates that work for everyone in Feb, March and April.
- In our first class we will get to know each other a little, share our goals, hopes and dreams! Any and all film/camera questions are welcome during the class.
- I will follow up that class with personalized film lessons for each of you. You'll have 1 month to shoot your assignment, and have it developed and scanned.
- Our 2nd class will be spent going over the results from our assignments! Don't fret -- this kind of group critique is SO HELPFUL and inspiring.
- I will follow up that class with a 2nd personalized film lesson for each of you. You'll have 1 month to shoot your assignment, and have it developed and scanned.
- Our last class will be spent going over the results from our 2nd assignments! Any and all film/camera questions are welcome during the last class.
- Lastly, expect to be happily surprised by how exciting and inspiring shooting film can be!
Fine Print:
- A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking.
- Payment is due in full by the first class.
- Non-refundable, but you can transfer to someone else for the same spot, in the same class.
Film Club Investment
Film Club
$590 CAD
September-November 2023
-detailed questionnaire
-3 90-minute online group classes
-3 personalized film assignments
-Members Only Instagram club access
Private Film Club
$750 CAD
September - November 2023
-detailed questionnaire
-3 60-minute online personalized one-on-one classes
-3 personalized film assignments
-portfolio feedback
-Members Only Instagram club access
FAQ
Do I have to be an exclusive film shooter?
Not at all! Learning to shoot film will help set you free in analogue and digital. What you learn from film shooting will inform how you shoot digital. In other words, you'll end up shooting less, taking more risks, allowing for more beautiful "mistakes" and have a deeper technical understanding of your DSLR.
Do I need to come to all three online classes?
You don't have to do anything!
But you will miss out on TONS if you can't make it to a live class. The video will be available to watch for 24 hours if you have to miss a class.
Do I have to do the assignments?
Can you guess the answer? No! You don't have to do the assignments.
But the assignments will be specifically designed for YOU and your pre-determined goals, strengths and weaknesses. So if you choose not to do the assignments you probably won't get anything from the Club.
Do I need to be a professional photographer to join this club?
Not exactly... while this program is designed for professional photographers, it's open to anyone who is somewhat proficient shooting manual (digital or analogue).
Can we meet in person?
While this program is designed to be done online, if there are enough local participants to run a local program I will consider it! Otherwise it will all be online.
Alternatively, I'm always available to meet in person for one-on-one mentorship meetings, portfolio reviews, project critiques etc.
