Lighting & Grip Bootcamp 2026 (In Partnership with IATSE 856)

Date: May 30 & 31, 2026 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Cinelease Winnipeg (19 Ronn Road)
Registration Fee: $125.00
*Registrations are currently only for IATSE 856 Members and Permittees

About the Workshop:

This two-day workshop is for those interested in learning more about working in the Lighting and Grip Departments. Through hands-on practical exercises, participants will learn how to scout and rig locations, manipulate the existing lights, and create an acceptable exposure and colour balance.

This is an entry-level course that will introduce participants to professional lighting equipment and basic grip gear.

Topics will include:

• An overview of the basic gear used by each department
• Fundamentals of cabling and power distribution
• Manipulating natural and available light
• Introduction to rigging
• Reviewing how the equipment works together
• Introduction to Condor Mounts and Candlesticks

Day 1:
10:00 AM: Introductions 10:30 AM: Gear Overviews
11:00 AM: Fundamentals of Cabling and Power Distribution
12:00 PM: LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM: Exercise
3:00 PM: IATSE 856 Membership and its importance
4:00 PM: Q&A’s
5:00 PM: Wrap – hand out FTM evaluations

Day 2:
10:00 AM: Introduction to Rigging
11:00 AM: Reviewing how equipment works together 12:00 PM: LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM: Introduction to Condor Mounts and Candlesticks 3:00 PM: Exercise
4:00 PM: Q&A’s 5:00 PM: Wrap – hand out FTM evaluations

About the Instructors:

François Balcaen‘s 28-year career in the motion picture film industry has given him an in-depth knowledge of storytelling as a visual art.  His attention to detail and strong cinematic style evoke his fundamental principal that above all, the emotions that lie within the narrative must rule…

His directing resume includes the documentary film “Marguerite:  Hier et Aujourd’hui”, an immensely moving account of the Grey Nuns 275 year history in Canada.  His follow up, “La Liberté” relives the often turbulent 100 year history of Manitoba’s only french language newspaper.  “Un Musée Pour L’Humanité”, finds a group of high school students discovering the world of human rights and by extension the founding of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

João Holowka is a long-serving film industry professional and FTM instructor. He has worked as a Gaffer, Lighting Technician, and mentor to many lighting interns. His film credits include: ATM, Goon, You Kill Me, and My Winnipeg.

Cancellation Policy

• Participants must cancel up to 4 full business days prior to the course start date to receive an 80% refund.
• No refund will be given to participants who cancel within 4 full business days before the course start date, or if they do not attend the course.
• Film Training Manitoba reserves the right to cancel, or postpone, any course where a minimum registration level has not been met. Participants registered for a course that is canceled will receive a full refund.