Filmmaking Fundamentals:
Vertical Videos
About the Class
This class is about learning the basics of filmmaking through the emerging vertical format, as a precursor to more complicated filmmaking and larger screens. Participants will develop skills in concepting, directing, producing, formatting and editing while collaborating to create their own short films. By the end of the course, each student will have experienced different roles in a film production and gained the confidence and technical knowledge to bring their creative ideas to life. As Raindance Film Fest in the UK says, “vertical filmmaking is the future of storytelling.”
Register by September 1
Keep an eye out for the registration link! Space is limited.
When
Thursdays 5 - 7 PM, September 17 - November 5
Where
RPAA (3rd floor, Dominion Energy Arts Center)
Ages
12-18
Tuition: $600 ($650 with a payment plan. $100 deposit required at time of enrollment for all payment plans)
Requirements: Students are required to have their own smartphone - preferably a higher number or more recent generation iPhone.
Austin Lewis
Instructor
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Austin Lewis is a Richmond-based creative producer, director, and editor. He completed his M.F.A. in Filmmaking through Maryland Institute College of Art in 2023. More recently, he was voted Best Filmmaker in Style Weekly's Best of Richmond 2026 readers' poll. Austin runs his own production company Artisan Creative Production, LLC. His major film credits include producing, co-writing, directing and editing WILDMAN (2023, Winner of Best Virginia Film at Virginia Queer Film Festival and Best LGBTQ+ at Georgia Shorts Festival) producing, writing, directing, and editing People Don’t Die in the Comics Anymore (2019), and producing and co-directing the feature film Shanidar (2025, Winner of Best Cinematography - Chicago Women's Film Festival).
John Reinhold
Instructor
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John Reinhold is a seasoned marketing & media professional, cultural connector, and creative voice in Richmond’s arts and music scene.
With more than 20 years at RVA Magazine, he has helped spotlight the voices, places, artists, musicians, and stories that shaped the RVA we know today.John has contributed to many unique projects in Richmond, including The Richmond Mural Project. With experience in collaborative stage and film projects, he is overjoyed to work with RPAA, bringing his technical expertise and passion for the arts to mentor younger generations, helping them thrive in collaborative creative environments, and continuing to be a trusted voice in connecting community and supporting the arts in Richmond, VA.
Driven by a love for music, creativity, and community collaboration, John has over 20 years as a professional DJ and event producer, often collaborating with the Party Liberation Foundation. where he also serves as a board member for the nonprofit. He champions immersive cultural experiences, collaborative gatherings, and inclusive creative spaces that reflect the region’s vast diversity and energy.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with family, traveling, playing music, and spinning fire at events—all while nurturing connections within the arts and broader community wherever he goes.
Virginia Bertholet
Executive Producer
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Virginia Bertholet, originally from Staunton, discovered her passion for visual storytelling in a film class. After earning a B.S. in Mass Communications from VCU, she worked in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond before returning to Virginia. Her career spans movie development, independent production, work with The Martin Agency, and the Virginia Film Office, with projects ranging from documentaries to social media campaigns. Her work—both for clients and her own—has earned more than 100 awards. A former faculty member at VCU and GMU, Virginia taught film production and the business of filmmaking, and she continues to mentor emerging filmmakers. She also serves on the Ashland Theatre Board.