Cinema Camera Operation & Basic Blocking with William Reed

Get Behind the Camera. Learn the Craft. Shoot Like a Filmmaker.

Cinema cameras are built for control—but knowing where the buttons are is only the beginning. In this immersive, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to operate a cinema camera while putting fundamental filmmaking techniques into practice.

Working in a small group limited to just eight students, you’ll receive personalized instruction and meaningful time behind the camera. Rather than simply watching a demonstration, you’ll actively work through the process of building a shot—from choosing the right lens and positioning the camera to framing, focusing, blocking talent, and creating intentional camera movement.

You’ll explore how filmmakers make decisions that shape the look and feel of a scene, including how camera placement and movement work together with blocking to create visual continuity, guide the audience’s attention, and tell a story.

What You’ll Learn

• Cinema camera controls and basic operation

• Choosing the right lens for a shot

• Camera placement and establishing perspective

• Basic blocking and coordinating camera movement with talent

• Cinematic camera movement and when to use it

• Framing and composition for narrative filmmaking

• Pulling focus and maintaining focus during movement

• Building and executing a simple shot

• Working efficiently with a cinema camera on set

• How camera, lens, movement, and blocking work together to tell a story

A True Hands-On Experience

With only eight students, this workshop is designed for participation—not observation. You’ll have the opportunity to get behind the camera, practice techniques, receive direct feedback, and gain practical experience in a supportive production environment.

Whether you're transitioning from photography or content creation into filmmaking, preparing to work with cinema cameras, or simply want to understand what actually happens behind the camera on a film set, this workshop gives you the opportunity to learn by doing.

Meet Your Instructor: William F. Reed

William F. Reed is an Austin-based filmmaker, producer, and educator with more than a decade of experience in independent film production. He is the founder of Rude Boy Pictures and has taught filmmaking through the Austin Film Society, Austin School of Film, Lone Star Film Society, and other arts organizations.

William previously served as Head of the Cinematic Arts Department at the Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was a co-conspirator of the Hill Country Film Festival. His filmmaking experience spans both digital and analog formats, including digital cinema, 16mm motion-picture production, 35mm still photography, and traditional darkroom processes.

His work includes the independently distributed feature film The Good Hearts Club and the forthcoming documentary Teenage Supernova, which received support from the Austin Film Society.

Known for making professional filmmaking concepts practical and accessible, William was recently a featured speaker at Precision Camera’s Filmmaker and Content Creator Weekend, where his class on creating cinematic images with everyday cameras drew a full audience.

Class size is limited to 8 students to ensure individualized instruction and substantial hands-on camera time.