Introduction to Movie Making
Meets: W from 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM
Location: MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall
There are still openings remaining at this time.
Discover the fundamentals of filmmaking in a fun, supportive, hands-on course designed for adult beginners. Over the course of four weeks, you'll learn how to plan, shoot, and edit a short film using a smartphone or basic camera.
What You'll Learn:
- How to develop a simple, visual story idea
- Practical camera and lighting techniques
- Best practices for recording dialogue and ambient sound
- How to organize, edit, and assemble a short video
- Tips for exporting and sharing your finished film
How You'll Learn It:
Each week will focus on different elements of the filmmaking process from pre-production to post-production: scripting, framing and lighting, sound, and editing. Weekly classes combine brief instruction, demonstrations, and practical exercises that help you develop the skills to create your own short video project.
Who Should Attend:
This course is ideal for adults interested in learning the basics of movie making for creative expression, social media, documentary storytelling or personal projects. No prior experience is required.
What You'll Need
Participants need a smartphone or digital camera, laptop, and headphones. A tripod is optional. We will be using a free editing platform called DaVinci Resolve 20 for this class, but if you have access to other editing software, you’re welcome to use that instead. .
Course Details:
When
June 3 - 24, 2026
Wenesdays from 6:15 - 8:15 PM
Where
MSU Bozeman (Romney Hall, Room 315)
Free parking is available after 6:00 pm in Bobcat Lots #3 & #15.
Registration Fee
$160
Instructor
Alexa Alberda is an instructor in the School of Film and Photography at Montana State University where establishing visual literacy and an appreciation for art is essential to her teaching philosophy. Alexa is a life long learner dedicated to creating engaging learning opportunities for her students while learning from the knowledge each person brings to the classroom. Outside of the classroom, Alexa works as a Producer of short narrative films. She deeply enjoys the chaotic world of filmmaking and is driven to create calm through her detail-oriented organizational style. Alexa's films have screened at multiple film festivals including the California Women's Film Festival, the Montana Film Festival, and the Wyoming International Film Festival.
Questions
Contact Kelsye Gould, Continuing Education Program Manager, at 406-994-3062, kelsye.gould@montana.edu.
| Fee: | $160.00 |
MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall
View the location on a map.Alexa Alberda
Alexa Alberda brings creativity and connection to the classroom. As an educator in the School of Film and Photography at Montana State University, establishing visual literacy and an appreciation for art is essential to her teaching philosophy. Alexa is a lifelong learner dedicated to creating engaging learning opportunities for her students while learning from the knowledge each person brings to the classroom. Alexa's students attend graduate school, and successfully establish careers in the filmmaking and photography industries.
Outside of the classroom, Alexa works as a Producer of short narrative films. She deeply enjoys the chaotic world of filmmaking and is driven to create calm through her detail-oriented organizational style. Alexa's films have screened at multiple film festivals including the California Women's Film Festival, the Montana Film Festival, and the Wyoming International Film Festival. As both a filmmaker and educator, Alexa brings empathy and enthusiasm to every space she encounters.
| Date | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/03/2026 | Wednesday | 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM | MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall |
| 06/10/2026 | Wednesday | 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM | MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall |
| 06/17/2026 | Wednesday | 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM | MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall |
| 06/24/2026 | Wednesday | 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM | MSU Bozeman - Romney Hall |