The Filmmakers workshop

Our Mission:

Is to nurture filmmakers and give participants necessary skills and knowledge to get paying jobs on film sets while building a community of hard working and talented individuals.

First let’s define “Filmmaker”. In Mad Wife terms, a filmmaker is anyone involved with making movies. Either behind the camera or in front and everything in between.

Now that we got that out of the way… What is the Mad Wife Filmmakers workshop? We are excited to introduce a community driven, educational, environment for all filmmakers at any stage in their career. As of right now we will be meeting twice a week for an hour and a half each time at our Mad Wife Studio in central Reno (near the airport).

We like to call our workshops “Flowshops” the idea is that every time we meet it is a raw new experience where every attendee gets to learn something new about the filmmaking process. We will have what we are calling “Source Material”. Typically, in the form of a short film. During each meet up, we will use this source material as our base of learning, so drop-ins don’t feel left out, but members still feel like they are learning something new and moving towards their goal.

Speaking of goals… What is the goal of taking these workshops? To enhance and continue your filmmaking skills in an enriching and supportive environment so you can go out and get industry jobs or take the bull by the horns and make your own thing. Either way the support of the community and the studio will be backing you!

Each meet up we will be working the source material and when ready we will officially create a proof of concept from the source material. By the end of each film every attendee will have had the opportunity to handle equipment in multiple areas of filmmaking and have usable demo footage to help market themselves when applying for that next sweet gig.

Testimonials

An excellent class with an excellent teacher! Andrew was very skilled at making us all feel comfortable before any shooting was even done, so our nerves fell away. He is also very good at not judging anyone for starting from square one. So if you are concerned about not knowing what seems to be vocabulary or concepts that are industry basics, he completely covers everything and answers questions with zero judgement. He gives excellent critique, and takes the time to explain little things that if you were in an audition you’d never be able to ask a director. He also goes over prime examples of top tier acting and why it translates so well in film. 11/10 would recommend! – Juliana Hanski

Testimonials

I went into this class with an open mind. With being in front of the camera a whopping 9 months, I was ready to learn whatever Andrew was willing to teach. I wasn’t disappointed in the least bit. The class was even better than I thought it would be, because of the wide variety of topics covered.
Andrew covered things such as: the various roles of the crew members, ways a film can receive funding, what being part of a guild means, ways we can make more money as actors, and the terminology used on set, to include what different types of shots mean.
One of the best parts of class was the on-screen work that we got to do. We were handed scripts, partnered up with a second person, and shot a scene from each of the two perspectives. We then all watched it back on the big screen while Andrew critiqued us and gave each of us much needed feedback. I discovered things that I do on-screen that I wasn’t aware of until it was pointed out.
This class was well worth my time and money, and if you have a chance to attend one of Andrew’s classes, do it. – Michael Rock

Testimonials

I thought it was great. I got to see and hear a completely different side of filmmaking that I didn’t quite understand, through the eyes of a director. Andrew gave a ton of tips and guidance on what directors look for and see as well as the hierarchy on set. I feel much more comfortable with the knowledge given and I feel I can ask for what I need going forward.
I loved how Andrew broke down movement on camera, once he did that I was blown away.  I appreciated and valued being critiqued on camera. It’s always good to receive different perspectives from experienced professionals. The class was immensely helpful and I look forward to other workshops. – Christian Tippens

Testimonials

It was very informational and I learned everything I wanted too!  I’d definitely attend another one! It was fun, informative and helped me understand more of the acting and camera world! As an actor this definitely helped me more understand words that the DP might use on set and made me feel more comfortable to be able to confidently stand in front of a camera! Thank you for the videos! I greatly appreciate it!
-Grace Winters

Attendance Options

(Please note these are introductory prices and may increase soon.)

Please hit the Sign up button and fill out the questionnaire. It helps us better understand our community. No obligation or payment is due until you attend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an acting Class?

No. But actors are encouraged to take these workshops! You will learn what directors, cinematographers, and other crew positions are looking for from actors and how to better carry yourself on camera. You will also learn how to better communicate with crew. And if nothing else, you’ll get lots of footage for your demo reel. If you are looking for traditional acting classes we recommend checking out “Take 2 Performers studio

Do I get to use footage from these workshops for my reel?

Absolutely! As a matter of fact, that is one of our main priorities. Everyone is allowed to use footage from their workshops in their demo reels.

Why do you recommend taking all 8 workshops per month?

Our workshops are formed on what we call a “Flowshop” structure. This means every meet up you have the opportunity to try new things. It is our belief that this maximizes growth and learning in those “ah-ha” moments and the only way to get that is to be there!

Is it worth dropping in if I can't make each workshop?

Yes! Some is better than none.

Is this a certified program?

Not currently but that could change with time. The goal is to teach participants skills that will help get them jobs.

Is Gear Provided?

All required gear is provided. However, we highly recommend that you bring your own gear. If you do want to handle the higher end gear you must show a level of gear competency.

So what will I actually learn?

That is up to you! The foundations for learning everything from pre-production to final delivery and everything in between will be covered. The idea is that you’ll have ample opportunities each time we meet to observe, have hands on experience, and educational conversation.

How much experience do I need?

None… or you can be an absolute master. It doesn’t matter where you are in your filmmaking career everyone is welcome!

Who is the teacher?

The workshops are led by Andrew Arguello, the founder of Mad Wife Productions. We also plan to have other industry professionals join us for specifically focused meet ups.

Studio Space

Mad Wife Productions is now Mad Wife Studios! We have officially moved into a new home. Our studio offers a 20-25 foot wide cyc wall. Mostly white but we can paint it to be any color.  We also offer a full color and edit suit, ADR set up, 1000/mbps internet, and a studio approved server for safe storage and upload. One thing that makes our space unique is that you can rent the space for as long as you need, and you DON’T need to rent our gear to film here. This space is available for rent. Please shoot us an email for more info.

Audition Self-Tape Studio

Since COVID the rise of self-tapes have become the norm in our industry. But now YOU have to worry about being a director, cinematographer, and editor. While also finding a reader and then worrying about delivery to agents and casting directors. Then, you go up against other actors with professional home studios. So, by request, we are offering Studio Self Tapes. We handle all the aspects and pains of self-taping so you can focus on being an actor.

 

We will handle –

 

  • Hi-def camera with rich, crisp visuals and color.

  • Pristine, clear mic’d audio

  • Beautiful 3-point soft-lighting setup, with adjustable color-temp to flatter all skin tones

  • Props and basic furniture 

  • Professional reader and scene coaching

  • Options of grey and blue backdrops

  • Teleprompter

  • Instant Playback of takes so you can make adjustments as you wish.

  • Immediate editing and tape delivery (we edit and send your audition BEFORE you leave)

  • Full body slating

Please contact us for current pricing.

Demo Reel Creation

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