CUT TO FEELING Silence the Doubt. Find Your Voice. A 4-Day Editing Workshop with Ben Williams

Dates: Saturdays in May (May 2, 9, 16 & 23) w/ a Screening June 1
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg Film Group, 3rd Floor, Media Lab – 100 Arthur Street

"I can feel 'it' — but how do I make my audience feel 'it' too?"

This is not a technician's software tutorial — this is a workshop on Emotional Resonance and Sensory Translation. We use DaVinci Resolve as our medium, stripping away 99% of the interface so you can focus 100% on the 1% that connects with an audience.

You will leave with one completed, polished movie trailer.

The Premise: If you can cut, move, and trim — you can learn to speak cinematically.

 

What You’ll Learn

SESSION 01: THE MIND // Organizing

• The Philosophy: We minimize the technical intimidation that overwhelms your spark.
• The Role: You are the Librarian — Custodian of the Silence, the Noise, and the Big Picture.
• The Action: Three tools. Full media control. Nothing in your way.

SESSION 02: THE SENSES // Layering

• The Philosophy: We don't stack tracks — we orchestrate multi-sensory-scapes.
• The Role: You are the Conductor, shaping Mood, Tone, and Vibe.
• The Action: Build Foreground, Background, and Atmosphere into a single living world.

SESSION 03: THE HEART // Cutting

• The Philosophy: We use intuition to cut through time and space.
• The Role: You are the Bridge between "I Feel" and "They Feel."
• The Action: Master Temporal and Spatial Relations — the grammar of the cut.

SESSION 04: THE VOICE // Finishing

• The Philosophy: We translate the work through the eyes of the audience.
• The Role: You are the Author — of trial, error, and refinement.
• The Action: Calibrate, polish, and deliver a trailer you're proud to show.

THE SCREENING

On Sunday, June 1, participants will present their finished trailers at a private screening in the Dave Barber Cinematheque. Friends and guests are welcome!

Time: TBD

 

Who Should Attend

You've never opened an editing suite. Or you have — and closed it ten minutes later.

Either way, you're in the right place.

This workshop is built for people who feel things when they watch films but don't yet know how to make others feel them too. You don't need a background in editing. You don't need to know what a timeline is.

You need a story you want to tell. We'll handle the rest.

You'll fit right in if:

• You film video, or just have footage sitting on a hard drive
• You've tried editing software and felt immediately lost
• You learn better by doing than by watching someone else click through menus
• You care more about impact than technical perfection

This is not a software course. It's a four-week introduction to thinking cinematically — and DaVinci Resolve just happens to be the tool we use to get there.

 

What to Bring

• A laptop (Mac or PC) with DaVinci Resolve installed — the free version is all you need. Download it at blackmagicdesign.com before your first session.
• Footage you'd like to work with, if you have it. If not, we'll provide material to work from.
• Curiosity. Everything else is handled.

Don't have a laptop? We have Macs available in the Media Lab — just let us know when you register so we can make sure one is ready for you.

Pricing & Support

This workshop is part of the Winnipeg Film Group's 2026 reduced-rate workshop program, made possible through generous support from The Winnipeg Foundation. Their contribution allows us to offer more affordable, hands-on filmmaking opportunities for our community throughout the year.

WFG Members receive a reduced rate on this and all workshops.

A General Membership is $60/year and includes reduced workshop rates, access to WFG's distribution services, funding programs, and discounted Cinematheque admission. If you're taking more than two workshops this year, membership pays for itself.

Filmmakers looking to take things further can add the Production Add-On — available in-person after application approval for an additional $90 — which opens access to equipment rentals, studio booking, and post-production suites.

Learn more about WFG Membership →

 

About the Instructor

Ben Williams is a filmmaker, mentor, and arts leader who has been championing independent voices since 2005. A U.S. citizen, Ben has worked on projects in New York, Toronto, and Shanghai for global names like Apple, TIFF, and Nike—including work with NBA legend Kobe Bryant. As a first-generation YouTube and podcast trailblazer, he has been producing digital content and teaching smartphone filmmaking for over 20 years. A former Production Center Director for the Winnipeg Film Group, Ben is one of only 16 people in history named a Lifetime Honorary Member for his impact on the local scene. He also heads The 48 Film Festival, packing sold-out venues at the Gimli Film Festival and CCFM with some of the largest screenings in the province. His instructional work ranges from teaching Advanced Picture Editing at the University of Winnipeg to leading youth labs with Creative Manitoba. Ultimately, Ben is dedicated to making professional storytelling accessible so you can own your narrative using the tools already in your pocket.

 

REFUND POLICY

Notice Given:	Eligible for:
At least 7 days prior to start date	Full refund
7 days to 48 hours prior to start date	Full refund less 20% administration fee
Less than 48 hours prior to start date	No refund

The Winnipeg Film Group reserves the right to cancel any course where the minimum registration has not been met. Anyone registered for a course that has been cancelled is eligible for a full refund, Cancelled course fees may also be used towards any other Winnipeg Film Group training programs.

Assistance and accommodations are available to participants with different disabilities. Please call or email us for more information: john@winnipegfilmgroup.com