SWIFT Camera Lab 2026
Date: April 18 & 19, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Location: Cinelease Winnipeg (19 Ronn Road)
Registration Fee: $150.00
About the course:
This two-day course is designed for women-identifying, trans, and non-binary individuals who are familiar with DSLR/mirrorless manual camera operations and wish to become acquainted with cinema cameras and larger tools in cinematography. This course helps individuals with a general understanding of videography or photography gain confidence and a deeper understanding of cinema camera systems, as well as explore the possibility of furthering their careers in the industry.
Day 1:
Overview of different camera systems and how to build them. Participants will get experience with different cinema cameras. Instructors will share information and break down information about specs and camera operating systems, as well as related gear and camera accessories.
This day will consist of lectures and practical hands-on learning.
Day 2:
Participants will learn about stabilization, camera movement, and process.
For movement, this includes different options available and possible approaches to achieve a specific outcome (rigging, positioning, and possible supports). For process, this includes how to prepare for a shoot, tech surveys, and location scouts, decisions around shots, gear, exposure tools, colour profiles and a breakdown of camera departments on set.
The purpose is to familiarize participants with various supports and techniques, learn about their options and gain confidence.
Topics of this course will include:
– Overview of Blackmagic, ARRI, and Sony camera systems
– Building cinema cameras and accessories
– Camera movement and rigging
– Set culture and working in the industry
About the Instructors:
Laina Brown is an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematography and is the Director of Photography and Co-Owner of Folks Films. She works in TV and web series, music videos, comedy and drama. Laina specializes in Blackmagic and Sony Mirrorless Camera systems.
Laina has worked with Canadian artists including Boy Golden, Leith Ross, The Fretless, Begonia, and Dominique Rey. Some of her recent projects include “Big Small Town”, a FibeTV1 sketch comedy series on its second season, the reality cooking show “Ghost Kitchens,” and the French CBC series “Les faillites d’Astrid“. She shot the short film “Model Citizens,” which premiered on CBC’s Short Film Face Off and won a
Golden Sheaf for best comedy. Recently, one of her films was purchased by the National Gallery of Canada.
Laina studied Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, with a focus on drawing and photography. She is a ‘self-taught filmmaker’ with the generous guidance of many mentors, YouTube videos, and lots of trial and error! You can check out her work at www.laina.ca or www.folksfilms.com
Eden Carter is Head of Production & Cinematography at Think Shift Inc., where she serves as Director of Photography and lead camera operator on projects across Canada and the United States. She plays a key role in shaping and overseeing the visual direction of commercial work, from nimble documentary-style pieces to large-scale productions.
With over a decade of experience behind the camera, Eden brings a passion for compelling visuals and a deep commitment to thoughtful, high-quality storytelling. She likes to stay curious with light, lenses, and motion; always hoping to learn something new with every camera build.
Beyond her commercial work, Eden is a member of the RRC Polytech Digital Film and Media Production Program Advisory Committee. She enjoys collaborating on passion projects and cares deeply about building connections with other women in film. If you have a camera or you like to shoot, she’d love you to tell her about it.
Eden has a B.A. with a double major in Film Studies and International Development Studies from the University of Winnipeg, as well as a diploma in Creative Communications (Media Production) from Red River College Polytechnic.
Tamara Roshka is a Winnipeg-based cinematographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans documentary, commercial, and independent film. With a strong eye for composition and a practical, story-first approach to lighting, she brings both technical precision and creative intuition to every project.
Her background in documentary filmmaking has shaped her ability to adapt quickly in dynamic environments, while her experience across a range of productions allows her to move fluidly between intimate, observational work and larger-scale setups.
Alongside her work behind the camera, Tamara is deeply committed to advocacy and education. Through her involvement with Film Training Manitoba and the SWIFT program, she supports and mentors the next generation of creators, with a focus on creating more accessible and inclusive pathways into the film industry.