CREATIVE MEDIA LAB
MAKE A FILM FROM START TO FINISH…
If you join our Creative Media Lab program not only will you learn all the steps needed to make a short film or short animation, you will also have a completed film that you can use for your portfolio.
The films we make may also be entered into film festivals as well as be shown at various screenings around the world. Our latest animation “BackJump” will premiere at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)
After, your film will be released on our youtube channel Spectrum Studios. We will share it with pride to our community and from there you can send it to anyone and everyone that you know.
Learn more about Spectrum Studios
WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
Live-Action | CoLab
Co-Lab is the spot for all you aspiring filmmakers interested in live action productions, this means any production where we use cameras, real actors, locations etc.
If you choose this path you will be co-creating a 5-7 minute live-action short film in a group of other filmmakers. You will learn the whole process from pitching your film idea to putting the final touches on your completed film.
If you are ready our production team is waiting for your direction. Action!
Animation | CoToons
CoToons is all about animation. This is the place where you learn to hone your skills in all things animation.
If you choose this path you will be co-creating a 3-5 minute animation. This process includes story development, character design, storyboarding, animation foundation, colouring and compositing.
If you are ready, pick up the pencil and sign up.
WHAT WILL YOUR WEEK LOOK LIKE?
MONDAY
A new Workshop every week!!
Every Monday you will be introduced to a new production skill, these will sometimes be overlapped with the stage of production you are at with your group project but sometimes they are just really interesting skills that you can explore a little. Our workshops are run by our experienced staff, giving a warm but challenging workshop with fun activities.
WEDNESDAY
CoLab Production Day
If you have chosen the CoLab path then today will be your main production day. On Wednesday you will brainstorm, write and develop your group project, each Wednesday you will work on this through every step of production together. Sometimes if the project needs extra work we may work on these projects on other days.
FRIDAY
Feedback Fridays
On Fridays we watch, review and critique. You will have a chance to show personal work of yours for feedback from the group. We will also look at the progress of the productions, and sometimes we will just watch an important film for reference or to critique as a group.
TUESDAY
CoToons Production Day
If you have chosen the CoToons path then today will be your main production day. On Tuesdays you will brainstorm, write and develop your group project, each Tuesday you will work on this through every step of production together. Sometimes if the project needs extra work we may work on these projects on other days.
THURSDAY
Day Off / Extra Production Day
This is a day off for everyone that is part of the Creative Media Lab. Although when production starts on your projects, you may be required to come in on Thursdays to finish the films. This being said we will give you lots of notice if we will require you to come in on these days.
At a Glance
$2120 per semester
Age: 21+
WINTER/SPRING 2025: January 6th - May 23rd
FALL 2025: September 9th - December 20th
CML is essentially a 3 day a week commitment with potential for extra days when filming if needed.
CoLab
Monday - 10am to 3pm
Tuesday - Day off
Wednesday - 10am to 3pm
Thursday - Day off
Friday - 10am to 3pm
CoToons
Monday - 10am to 3pm
Tuesday - 10am to 3pm
Wednesday - Day off
Thursday - Day off
Friday - 10am to 3pm
GET ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE.
Our Production Studio aka Spectrum Studios is equipped with industry standard equipment and software’s for filmmaking and animation. From high end computers equipped with the latest software’s like Adobe, Davinci, Unreal Engine, Krita, and Ableton to a virtual production workflow with cyclorama greenscreen, we have everything you need and more to fulfill your film ideas.
DEVELOP HIREABLE SKILLS
During production days at Spectrum, CML participants have a chance to engage in various media projects and shadow a film crew on set or during post-production. This allows them to learn and develop production skills, get credentials for completed work and launch a career in film and media.
Spectrum Studios also takes on commercial video contracts like corporate videos, event coverage and offer services for anyone looking for high quality production work.
While these positions are rare due to the organizations scale, there are still real opportunities for paid contracts for participants aspiring to enter the freelance video world.
Clink the link to learn more about the type of production contracts we do and where your skills need to be to be paid.
WARM AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TEAM
Our CML team is made up of filmmakers, animators and support workers that together make for the absolute best supportive learning environment. Our staff will nurture your ideas, push your creative boundaries, while making the experience a fun, exciting and fulfilling time. Everyone that joins our team goes through training in all realms of support so you can trust that you are in good hands.
We believe that artistic expression is the best way to share interests, find passion, and develop social networks in a collaborative setting.
Learn more about our amazing team and mission.
WE ALSO MAKE STUFF
CML so far has created many short films some that made it into festivals, even won awards.
Take a look at some of our CML x Spectrum Studios productions.
WANT TO WATCH MORE?
Well you are in luck! We have 2 channels filled with films, skits, reviews and animations all created by autistic and neurodivergent filmmakers.
Subscribe to both and join our growing online community
SPECTRUM PRODUCTIONS
SPECTRUM STUDIOS
FAQ
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FAQ *
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The day is from 10:00 am - 4:00pm.
Participants arrive at 10:00 am, after settling in we will work in our group for 2 hours. There is a 1 hour Lunch that starts at 12:00. It is important to bring your own lunch. Please note Spectrum is a Peanut and Tree nut free zone. We will resume working at 1:00pm and start cleaning and packing up around 3:50pm. Depending on the day, we will go to the local park for activities after lunch.
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The first week is focused in pre production, this would include brainstorming, script writing, character and costume design, table reads, storyboarding, and creating shot list.
The second week we focus on production, this is when we start filming, acting, and/or animating.
During the last two days we will do an assembly edit to get a feel of how our movie will look on screen!
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Our camps will fill up to a max of 15 campers per camp. We have found this is the optimal capacity of our studio, one that allows for a fun and sensory friendly experience.
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No, you do not need any experience. Our only requirement is to be willing to work in a group and a desire to create movies!
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Our summer camp staff are well trained to support our participants. We have many spaces in the studio dedicated as quiet spaces as well as noise canceling headphones. Feel free to send a inquiry to info@productionsspectrum.com about accommodations.
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The only thing you need to bring is a lunch that is peanut and tree nut free. We have an abundance of state of the art equipment as well as costumes at our studio.
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The movie will go through an intensive editing process and our final films will be ready to be screened at our Annual Gala fundraiser in November! Keep an eye on your emails for upcoming news or subscribe to our newsletter to be alerted of when tickets go on sale.