Presented in partnership with Capilano University’s Indigenous Digital Accelerator and National Canadian Film Day, this six-day, hands-on workshop is designed specifically for aspiring and emerging Indigenous Production Managers and Coordinators who want to build the practical skills to confidently lead short film productions.
Led by film industry professional and educator Ingo Lou, this intensive bootcamp walks participants through the essential responsibilities of production management — from script breakdown and budgeting, to hiring crews, managing paperwork, and prepping for post.
Drawing on real-world short film examples, industry-standard tools, and practical exercises, this training demystifies the complex logistics of filmmaking. By the end of the bootcamp, participants will walk away with the core knowledge, templates and workflow strategies needed to successfully manage the pre-production and early production stages of a short film in British Columbia.
What You’ll Learn
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The roles and responsibilities of Production Managers and Production Coordinators
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How to break down a script for budgeting, scheduling, and production planning
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Creating production budgets using Telefilm-standard templates
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Hiring and managing cast and crew, including union compliance
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Managing location agreements, insurance, gear rentals, and casting logistics
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Preparing and distributing essential production paperwork, including call sheets, start packs, and contracts
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Practical cost-tracking and post-production budgeting for short films
Who Should Attend
This bootcamp is open to Indigenous participants with a passion for storytelling and an interest in managing the creative and logistical aspects of film production. No prior experience is required, though a basic understanding of film production terminology is helpful.
This course aims to create equity in the film industry for Indigenous peoples by providing accessible online training. It incorporates elements of film history while supporting Indigenous participants from remote communities and those currently working, ensuring they have opportunities to grow and succeed in the industry.
Program Details
Instructor: Ingo Lou
Term: Summer 2025
Format: Online
Schedule: 6 full days across 3 weekends
Instructor Bio
Ingo Lou is a seasoned producer, production manager, and assistant director with over two decades of experience across independent film, broadcast, and digital platforms. His credits include Heart of Gold (2023), Apex (2021), and Indian Road Trip (2020). A dedicated educator, he teaches Line Producing and Production Management at Capilano University and has mentored emerging filmmakers through organizations like the Canadian Media Producers Association, Crazy8s Film Society, and the Indigenous Digital Filmmaking Program at CapU. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Workshop Format
Each workshop day includes:
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3 hours of morning instruction
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1-hour lunch break
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3 hours of afternoon instruction
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1 hour of applied assignments or quizzes
The curriculum is divided into three core weekends:
- Foundations of Pre-Production: Script breakdown, budgeting, scheduling
- Production Logistics: Crew hiring, gear, casting, paperwork, coordination
- Budgeting & Post-Production Prep: Cost-tracking, delivery planning, case studies
Required Materials
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Textbook: Film Production Management 101 by Deborah Patz (3rd Edition)
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The instructor will provide additional materials and templates.
Learning Outcomes
Participants who complete the Indigenous Film Production Management Bootcamp will leave with:
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A working knowledge of the production office and on-set workflow
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Familiarity with industry-standard tools and documents
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Practical experience applying budgeting and coordination strategies to real scripts
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The confidence to step into Production Management or Coordination roles on Indigenous and independent short films
Interested in applying? Contact the IDA Program Coordinator to request your application package: inded@capilanou.ca. Applications are due Monday, July 28, at 11:59 p.m. PST.