LEARN TRADITIONAL FILM MAKING WITH MONO NO AWARE

MONO NO AWARE is now offering PUBLIC COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS at our learning lab in downtown Brooklyn. These classes are made affordable and accessible thanks to the support of the New York State Council for the Arts (NYSCA) individual donors and patrons like yourself.

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS IN PERSON 2025

MONO NO AWARE has re-opened the doors for community-led workshops. We’re proud to offer traditional film making workshops here in Brooklyn, NY. Offerings are all ages, open to the public for a hands-on learning experience. Instructors are locally-based, practicing filmmakers and artists looking to share their years of knowledge and experience.  All related workshop materials; film stock, chemical processing, cameras, editing and projection equipment are included.  At the end of each workshop session we organize a FREE public screening open to you and your friends!  Each session, MONO NO AWARE partners with local and international film festivals to offer entry waivers to all our participants.  To assist you in entering your work, MONO NO AWARE will digitally scan and host your finished film on our Vimeo+ channel. Please read our list of workshop policies below before registering (below).  These workshops would not be possible without the support of NYSCA ; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the New York State Legislature . We are proud to have partnerships with KODAK, CINELAB, COLORLAB, and to work with THE GOWANUS DARKROOM. SEE PARTICIPANT WORKS AT OUR VIMEO PAGE.

* JUNE

+ MOTION PICTURE COLOR TITLES ON 16MM FILM * DEVELOPED, PRINTED & PROJECTION READY ** THREE SEATS REMAIN **
Learn to create, expose properly, full color motion picture on a 16mm animation stand for the projection of titles and credits! You’ll learn to conduct and develop an exposure test, set proper framing and capture to time the length of each title. Capture from digital image or rendering!
SUNDAY JUNE 22ND from 5 - 9 PM + ALL INCLUSIVE + FILM STOCK + CHEMISTRY + DEV & SCAN!
REGISTRATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALL AGES - SLIDING SCALE * OXBERRY ANIMATION STAND * KODAK VISION 3 COLOR NEG *

+ LIGHTING FOR COLOR FILM - FULL STUDIO & CAPTURE WITH THE AATON CAMERA - TWO DAY INTENSIVE **
In this workshop participants will be introduced to the possibilities of lighting for color film. These two full day sessions teach how to to capture and push the potential of color negative stock. Spend the weekend with us in our seamless studio set up with a variety of lighting tools to learn the true potential of 16mm film.
SAT & SUN JUNE 28TH & 29TH from 10 AM - 4 PM FULL INDOOR SESSION WITH SEAMLESS STUDIO @ MONO
REGISTRATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SLIDING SCALE.

* JULY

+ PROJECTION BASICS FOR 16MM FILM : TABLE TOP MODEL EIKI SSL-O ** 4 SEATS REMAIN **
Learn to thread, operate, maintain, and exhibit your 16mm film using the EIKI-SSL-O table top projector and other models.
TUESDAY JULY 8TH from 7:00-9:30 PM + INCLUDES A CREDIT FOR ONE DAY RENTAL ($55 VALUE)
REGISTRATION NOW LIVE * ONE NIGHT SESSION * * SINGLE CHANNEL * EIKI, ELMO & KODAK PORTABLE MODELS

+ STEENBECK FLATBED EDITING TABLE & CIRO SPLICER : 16MM EDITING TECHNIQUES ** ONLY TWO SEATS REMAIN **
Sit down at a 4-plate Steenbeck flat-bed editing table and learn to edit your film at 24 fps. Hands on experience with Ciro splicer rewinds and more. Workshop includes 4 hours facilities credit !
WEDNESDAY JULY 9TH From 7-9:30 PM + CREDIT FOR FACILITIES ACCESS TO THE TABLE (FOUR HOURS!)
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW ! EDIT IN REAL TIME * FLATBED EDITING ON FOUR-PLATE STEENBECK TABLE

+ OPTICAL PRINTING ON THE “JK” DUAL PROJECTOR OPTICAL PRINTER : TRAVELING MATTES & PRINTING TECHNIQUES **
Spend the weekend at MONO NO AWARE learning the art of optical printing on the J/K Optical printer. Complete 1-1 printing techniques, Step printing, Skip printing, Traveling mattes and complex special effects on 16MM film to alter time and perception.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY JULY 12th & 13th from 10 AM - 4 PM
+ 4-HOURS DRY LAB ACCESS CREDIT FOR INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS + FREE SCREENING PARTY JULY 19th

+ INTRO TO 16MM FILM MAKING WITH BOLEX USING 3383 COLOR POSITIVE PRINT STOCK & HAND PROCESS E6 **
One day intensive INCLUDES 100’ OF FILM TO TAKE HOME! Learn the basics of the Bolex camera to explore the possibilities of capturing moving images on Kodak’s 3383, color print stock. Learn the chemistry and lab skills needed to cross process the film in E-6 - capture and create a projection ready color print all in one afternoon!
SATURDAY JULY 12TH 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW * THREE WORKSHOPS IN ONE - BOLEX + EXPOSURE TEST + CROSS PROCESSING COLOR FILM!

+ MATTES & MULTIPLE EXPOSURES : THE TECHNIQUES OF TOMONARI NISHIKAWA * FUNDRAISER WORKSHOP !
Learn a multiple-exposure technique on the Bolex camera created through the used of complex mattes, a technique that Tomonari applied to many of his own 16mm films. In camera, in filter holder, complex matting and in camera multiple exposures!
SUNDAY - JULY 13TH From 10 AM - 6 PM @ MONO NO AWARE - ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO TOMONARI’S FAMILY
REGISTRATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALL AGES, SLIDING SCALE * TRADITIONAL FILM TO FILM WORKFLOW *

+ AN INTRODUCTION TO ARCHIVING FOR MOTION PICTURE FILM ** ESSENTIAL FOR ALL FILMMAKERS **
Learn the basics of film archiving, work flow, storage and professional practices for handling / storing your work on film.
WEDNESDAY JULY 16TH FROM 7-9:30 PM + Free archival can with registration!

+ MUYBRIDGE MOTION STUDY DECONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP ** SPECIAL OFFERING **
Star in your own Muybridge motion study! In this workshop we’ll capture a short action using a Super 16MM Bolex camera on B/W film then deconstruct the moving image into a series of stills to be carefully laid into a 4 x 5 photo tray and printed using a Beseler enlarger. You’ll learn the basics of 16mm motion picture film-making, b/w developing, photographic printing to reverse engineer your own movements from cinematic to proto-cinematic. 4 workshops in one !
SATURDAY JULY 19TH from 10 AM - 4 PM w/ MONO NO AWARE @ THE GOWANUS DARKROOM REGISTRATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALL AGES, SLIDING SCALE *

+ BLOW UPS 16MM FRAMES TO 120 MEDIUM FORMAT TO CREATE HIGH RESOLUTION SLIDES FROM POSITIVE ORIGINALS **
Ever wanted to single out ONE frame from your motion picture film and create a beautiful high resolution image? During this workshop you will learn how to optically enlarge a single frame of 16MM positive film to 120 Slide film and develop with E6 for a STUNNING positive slide image for direct viewing, print or scan. Workshop is all inclusive, 120 slide film, chemistry, safety materials and archival sleeves.
SUNDAY JULY 20TH H from 11 AM - 4 PM ** REGISTRATION OPEN NOW : )

+ MOVING IMAGE FILM LIGHT BOX : LEARN TO BUILD AND DISPLAY YOUR MOVING IMAGE FILM IN A BACKLIT FRAME **
Positive film prints can make a great display as a static object, learn to build and mount your S8 16 and 35mm film clippings into a drop frame that is back lit for display. Use them for exhibition, create them from the scraps on the cutting room floor, give them as gifts.
SATURDAY JULY 25TH From 11 AM - 5 PM @ MONO NO AWARE LEARNING LAB ** 
REGISTRATION NOW LIVE * ALL AGES * OPEN TO THE PUBLIC * ALL INCLUSIVE ! * SLIDING SCALE STARTS AT $25!

+ TEST IT YOURSELF * SUPER 8MM EDITION * CAMERA TESTING WORKSHOP **
Have a new camera? Buy used online? Gift from a friend? Or just haven’t used yours in a while? Bring it by and we’ll show you how it works, point out the pros and cons of your model, walk through how to clean, maintain and operate. We’ll test everyone’s camera, develop the film on site so that you can leave with confidence knowing that your camera is in working condition!
SUNDAY JULY 27TH From 10 AM - 4 PM @ MONO NO AWARE LEARNING LAB ** 
REGISTRATION NOW LIVE * ALL AGES * OPEN TO THE PUBLIC * ALL INCLUSIVE ! * SLIDING SCALE STARTS AT $25!

PRIVATE OFFERINGS ** YEAR ROUND **

PRIVATE ONE ON ONE WORKSHOPS on a number of topics. Reserve an instructor for 2 or more hours at a time to be guided safely through any topic of your choosing. These include access to all equipment at the MONO NO AWARE center of operations, chemistry, editing stations and scanner. In some cases we can even come to you, meeting you in the closest public park to socially distance and guide you through the experience. Each private workshop is fully customized to your interest. Contact us for more details. CLICK HERE TO COORDINATE WITH US, PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH SUBJECT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. PRIVATE WORKSHOPS ARE AVAILABLE ON ANY TOPIC FOR ANY DURATION, SIMPLY CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS.

WORKSHOP POLICIES
Workshop Registration:  Participants must register in advance for MONO NO AWARE workshops. Registration is possible via: PayPal with any major credit card, with check by mail, or you can get in contact if you would like to register in person with cash.  MONO will provide masks and gloves to everyone who asks, hand sanitizer will be provided, all surfaces and equipment will be cleaned before and after sessions. Participation fee must be paid in full at time of registration. Registration is not confirmed until payment has been received in full. MONO NO AWARE workshops are non-transferable. No refunds, transfers or make-ups are allowed for any missed sessions for any reason. Double check your schedule before registering. Workshops are subject to schedule and instructor changes or cancellation at the discretion of MONO NO AWARE. All registered participants will be notified of such changes in a timely fashion. MONO NO AWARE reserves the right to use participant work created in MONO NO AWARE workshops for promotional materials including, but not limited to, workshop trailers, preview stills, grant applications and printed flyers. Participants have the option to notify us if they wish their work to be withheld from being included in such materials, this must happen before the class session begins. Participants also have the option, if they do not wish for their photographic likeness to be used on MONO NO AWARE'S website, social media, and/or any other promotional efforts. All such requests must be made at the time of registration. Audio and video recording of MONO NO AWARE workshops is not permitted.  Workshop Facilities:  Each workshop location will be noted in the course description.  Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received via email only. Participants must cancel fourteen (14) full business days prior to the date of the workshop to receive an 50% refund. No compensation is available for cancellations less than fourteen (14) full business days prior to workshop start time. No compensation is available for non-attendance, INSANE AMOUNTS of fun and knowledge is available for attendance. We hope to see you there!