Sold-out OSU-Tulsa workshop trains participants to work on film sets

The Center for Poets and Writers at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa is hosting an intensive, hands-on two-day film set etiquette or “Film Setiquette” workshop on Feb. 19 and 20.  Registration for the workshop is full, but those interested can sign up for the waiting list online.

Workshop participants will shadow and assist working professionals in various departments, including a cinematographer, hair and make-up artist, sound mixer, production designer, gaffer and assistant director. The experience will explore how a professional film set is run and offer students a grasp of best practices that will allow them to find work on other film sets as a production assistant or as an apprentice in one of those six departments.

“Especially with filmmaking, it’s all about hands-on instruction and learning with the tools and technology that’s in front of you,” said Zach Litwack, filmmaker in residence at OSU-Tulsa and workshop instructor. “There’s only so much you can learn from watching a video on YouTube or from reading a book.”

Hands-on Learning

In addition to Litwack, seven other experienced film professionals – Elizabeth Bey, Dylan Brodie, Sean Egan, Charles Elmore, Stephen Hanan, Josh Morris, and Ryan Weaver – will act as department heads on set during the workshop, teaching participants the ins and outs of each department found on a typical film set. Collectively, these teaching artists have worked on multiple Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning projects.

This workshop is part of OSU-Tulsa’s growing efforts to build educational opportunities and support Oklahoma’s rapidly expanding film industry. State-of-the-art, hands-on learning at OSU-Tulsa contributes to creating an experienced workforce in Tulsa to support film productions in the state, as well as gives students the necessary skills to start their own film projects.

“Every day I see more proof of this industry continuing to grow, and everything we’re doing at OSU-Tulsa is designed to help folks get involved in the growth if they’re interested,” Litwack said.

Future Film Workshops

More film education workshops will also be available in the Center for Poets and Writers’ upcoming workshop series, including the Powerful Movie Moments workshop starting in April and the Motion Picture Storytelling workshop starting in May. To check out other upcoming writing and film workshops, visit tulsa.okstate.edu/cpw/workshops.  

This article was updated on Feb. 7 to reflect that the workshop is sold out.