What moves you when you watch an inspiring film or documentary? Have you ever thought, "I should make my own"? When you record a video or snap a picture to capture the moment, you have already begun. This group will support your inner filmmaker as you gather imaginative insights around your own strengths and challenges. Storytelling, art -making and improv will inspire the expression of your therapeutic video. Nourish your spirit in a collaborative, authentic, and playful space where product bends to process and flow.
A therapeutic video is probably different than videos you have made before. Traditional video making is geared toward a final product with an entertainment or artistic focus and requires a significant investment of time and possibly money. A therapeutic video is centred on a personal challenge you bring to a qualified creative therapy professional who guides you through a healing process using drama or art activities to spontaneously create your video.
INTRODUCTORY SESSION
August 10, 17 or 31, 2023 (pick one)
7:00-9:30 pm CDT
Location: WestEnd Commons 641 St Matthews Ave, Winnipeg, MB
$50*
WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Sept. 9 & 10, 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm CDT
Location: Winnipeg Film Group's Black Lodge Studio 304 - 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, MB
$350*
A pre-group meeting for the Weekend Workshop will give each participant an opportunity to have questions answered and for the facilitators to receive additional information.
* - sliding scale available
A therapeutic video is probably different than videos you have made before. Traditional video making is geared toward a final product with an entertainment or artistic focus and requires a significant investment of time and possibly money. A therapeutic video is centred on a personal challenge you bring to a qualified creative therapy professional who guides you through a healing process using drama or art activities to spontaneously create your video.
INTRODUCTORY SESSION
August 10, 17 or 31, 2023 (pick one)
7:00-9:30 pm CDT
Location: WestEnd Commons 641 St Matthews Ave, Winnipeg, MB
$50*
WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Sept. 9 & 10, 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm CDT
Location: Winnipeg Film Group's Black Lodge Studio 304 - 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, MB
$350*
A pre-group meeting for the Weekend Workshop will give each participant an opportunity to have questions answered and for the facilitators to receive additional information.
* - sliding scale available
Here is a link to a CBC Radio Interview with Bevan about these groups on August 14, 2023:
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-111-up-to-speed/clip/16003298-how-workshop-using-filmmaking-facilitate-healing
IN AN INTRODUCTORY GROUP YOU WILL:
This group will introduce you to therapeutic filmmaking and provide you with a taste of what you can expect in the weekend group.
- Understand how a therapeutic script outline is developed using a sampling of creative therapy activities that highlight your strengths.
- Participate in:
- filming a therapeutic narrative scene using a drama therapy process, or
- editing a therapeutic mindful group video from collective script ideas using a media library.
- Be guided by a drama and art therapist to better understand how a therapeutic filmmaking process can support you in your healing.
This group will offer you the opportunity to create your own therapeutic video.
- Playfully develop your therapeutic script outline:
- Identify a personal life challenge as a theme for your therapeutic video and gather personal insights using art and drama therapy activities. This will include expressive art prompts and character role creation.
- Dive deeper with various creative mediums to develop your video and gain additional insights. Options include art-making, storytelling, free-writing and improv.
- Spontaneously film your therapeutic video:
- Record a therapeutic narrative scene using a drama therapy process;
- Create a therapeutic mindful scene from images and symbols discovered in a mindful somatic process;
- Identify therapeutic video and sound clips from a media library to use in your video.
- Be supported through a video editing process to create your therapeutic video.
- Receive inspirational insights from other group member's videos and feel supported as you share your drafts.
- Be guided by a drama and art therapist to better understand your self and others.
These groups are here to support the creative expression of adults who:
- Find the idea of making short films or videos inspiring and are curious how video making can help them work through their challenges.
- Can manage their feelings in a group and are open to listening to others' experiences. Individual creative therapy is suggested for people who have a higher level of need.
- Are motivated to explore personal material in the development of a new film project for filmmakers.
FAQ:
There are times I feel overwhelmed by technology, and I have never made a video before. How will I manage in these sessions?
If you feel comfortable using Internet-based applications on your computer, video making will be simple for you to pick up. We provide the basic instructions for individuals who have no experience creating videos in a relaxed and fun environment.
How is individual therapy different than group therapy in exploring personal challenges?
When we have difficult life challenges, we can find ourselves isolated. Group therapy provides a safe opportunity to self-reflect and connect with others' experiences.
How will the facilitators ensure participants feel safe sharing?
Group members need to feel safe with other participants before sharing personal challenges and their video work. Safety is nurtured in the group through an agreement which includes a commitment to privacy, equal sharing time, and a non-judgemental attitude.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Basic computer application knowledge is required, but no video making experience.
- We will use smartphones and natural lighting for filming.
- You will need access to a laptop computer. Note that tablets and phones cannot be used for editing.
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ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:
Elliot Maxwell (Drama Therapist, Filmmaker) and Bevan Klassen (Art Therapist, Filmmaker) met at an Armand Volkas autobiographical therapeutic performance workshop. Inspired by that experience, they have created a therapy process using video making as personal expression. Bevan Klassen is an art therapist (DWHEAT) and works with individuals and groups to make videos as therapy. He has brought video making as therapy to a Winnipeg temporary youth shelter, CancerCare Manitoba, an art therapy clinic, and his own private practice. Bevan came to Art Therapy through the joy and healing he found as a filmmaker and his desire to support others on their journey using this unique therapeutic approach. Elliot Maxwell is a drama therapist, Reiki practitioner, and creative. Elliot received his Masters in Drama Therapy at Concordia, and then went to work at Aulneau Renewal Centre. Elliot has always found film and theatre healing, and loves the spiritual transformation that can take place in creative spaces. Drama therapy can allow one to play with rigid defences, experience catharsis and deepen self awareness and self compassion. Elliot can’t wait to be a witness and guide to your healing journey in this transcendent experience. For questions contact [email protected] |
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Here is the experience of a participant from a digital storytelling group facilitated by Bevan Klassen:
Bevan as facilitator, capably guided our work, especially in the beginning, with thoughtful questions, suggestions and support. He kept us on track and ensured the sharing process was respected as a sacred time. The video making software provided the tools I needed to explore my own experiences, thoughts and emotions and the video. Once presented, even in the roughest state, the video would reveal components of my healing journey that I was not aware of. I still use it today to help me integrate a hard moment or stressful week. It surprised me and continues to surprise me how an art form like film or digital story telling can lead you into places you didn’t realize you needed to safely explore and express and integrate. Your video can give voice to what others around you are feeling. It offered a means of deeply connecting with others as we each presented our creative stories, affirming shared feelings and hope.
Bevan as facilitator, capably guided our work, especially in the beginning, with thoughtful questions, suggestions and support. He kept us on track and ensured the sharing process was respected as a sacred time. The video making software provided the tools I needed to explore my own experiences, thoughts and emotions and the video. Once presented, even in the roughest state, the video would reveal components of my healing journey that I was not aware of. I still use it today to help me integrate a hard moment or stressful week. It surprised me and continues to surprise me how an art form like film or digital story telling can lead you into places you didn’t realize you needed to safely explore and express and integrate. Your video can give voice to what others around you are feeling. It offered a means of deeply connecting with others as we each presented our creative stories, affirming shared feelings and hope.