FREE Camera 101 Workshop

In this Camera 101 workshop with Jashan Makan, participants will learn the camera basics of the Sony PXW-Z150 and the Blackmagic URSA Mini, including body overview, lens control, white balance, ISO/gain, frame rate, resolution, and ND filters, and how each camera tailors to a specific use. We will review Composition 101—covering the rule of thirds, headroom, lead room, symmetry, and movement—and explore basic camera movement such as static, pan, tilt, handheld, and tracking shots, using both a handheld camera and a gimbal. Participants will also learn how framing distance affects the emotion and tone of a shot. Finally, we’ll apply these skills through a series of shoot mock-ups, including how to film with a handheld camera for a documentary, how to set up a static interview, and how to create a simple aesthetic fashion shot using gel lighting.

About the instructor:

Jashan Makan is a multidisciplinary artist who moves fluidly between film, music, and visual design. Growing up between South Africa and Canada, from coastal towns to major cities, he became interested in how sound and image can capture a sense of place and emotion. After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2016, Jashan transitioned to a full-time creative career, bringing a technical understanding of structure and design into his creative practice. Through his studio Rendering Glint Films and collective FOREIGNERZ, Jashan has filmed and edited narrative, documentary, and experimental projects that merge intimate storytelling with a distinctive visual style. His background in music production and composition informs his cinematic sensibility, often blending texture, pacing, and atmosphere across mediums. His work reflects a curiosity for culture, identity, and the spaces that connect people through art.

Proudly supported by Calgary Foundation, SpanicArts, Calgary Arts Development, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Canada Council for the Arts.