🎬 Welcome to Character Driven Media
đź“Ť Gabriola Island, BC
Home of Behind the Lens Filmmaking Workshops and hands-on creative experiences for youth and families.
Led by award-winning director, radio/TV host, published writer, and mom of six — Joani — Character Driven Media is a small-but-mighty island studio where stories come alive and confidence grows frame by frame.
🎥 What We Do:
✅ Filmmaking & livestreaming workshops (ages 13–18)
âś… Audio & video production
âś… Studio & location shoots
âś… Creative mentorship & project development
âś… Community storytelling initiatives
⚡Rooted in Adventure, Imagination, and Honour, our workshops and productions help emerging storytellers find their voice, sharpen their skills, and collaborate in meaningful ways.
🌲 Island-based. Character-focused. Real-world ready.
🎭 Workshop Philosophy: Process Over Product
At Behind the Lens, we’re not chasing perfection. We’re cultivating creative courage.
Our philosophy — process over product — means we value the learning journey more than the polished result. That journey is guided by three core principles that shape every workshop session:
🔥 Adventure
Taking creative risks, trying something new, stepping outside comfort zones — that’s where the magic happens. Whether it’s acting in a scene, directing your peers, or learning to use a new piece of gear, we believe adventure builds resilience. Mistakes are part of the path, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
🌈 Imagination
From brainstorming wild story ideas to rethinking how a scene is shot, we encourage participants to stretch their minds. Imagination is more than play — it’s a problem-solving superpower. In every role, from camera operator to editor, we make space for creative thinking and bold storytelling.
🛡 Honour
We hold space for each other with respect, integrity, and responsibility. Every crew member matters, and every contribution counts. Honour means showing up fully, being trustworthy in your role, and treating the process — and each other — with care. It’s what turns a group of individuals into a team.
We don’t promise Hollywood polish. What we promise is a filmmaking experience that’s real, empowering, and unforgettable — where youth discover their voice, their capability, and their creative spark.
The final film may last five minutes. But the lessons? Those last a lifetime.
👩🎬 Meet Joani — the Heart Behind Character Driven
Joani didn’t just study storytelling—she’s lived it. From backstage in bustling theatres to quiet editing rooms on Gabriola Island, she’s worn just about every creative hat there is. A natural teacher with a deep love for character, she’s spent decades helping others find their voice through film, photography, live events, and media.
She’s a radio and TV host, an award-winning director, a makeup FX artist, and a licensed esthetician—because sometimes creativity calls for camera-ready magic. A published writer, PPOC member, and cover photographer, she’s known for blending grit and grace with a camera in hand and a story to tell.
Her workshops aren’t about chasing fame—they’re about learning the craft, working as a team, and building confidence that sticks. Whether you’re behind the scenes or in front of the mic, Joani’s goal is simple: help young people discover that their stories matter—and give them the tools to tell them well.
🎥 Real-World Gear. Real-World Skills.
At Behind the Lens, participants don’t just point and shoot — they step into a real production environment, using the same tools and systems trusted by professionals around the world.
From multi-cam setups to live switching, sound capture, and post-production workflows, every step of the process is hands-on, collaborative, and built on industry-standard equipment.
Here’s a sample of what participants will use:
- 🎬 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras (x3)
- 🎛️ ATEM Live Production Switchers for real-time multicam directing
- 🎞️ DaVinci Resolve Studio (including Fairlight for audio and Fusion for visual effects)
- 🎙️ Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice 635, and Rode mics for professional sound
- 🎥 Canon XA40 camcorders for event coverage and documentary-style footage
- 🔁 OBS Studio and NTSI tools for livestreaming and broadcast workflows
- 🤖 OSBOT AI Cameras (x3) with tracking software for autonomous shooting
- 🟩 Green screen techniques, lighting setups, and practical effects demos
- 🎧 Zoom recorders, interfaces, and mixing tools for sound-on-the-go
- 📁 Synology NAS systems for media asset management and collaborative editing
- 💻 Integration of open-source software for accessible post-production
- 📱 Mobile media mastery — using Android and iOS devices in smart, cinematic ways (because sometimes your best camera is the one in your pocket)
Whether you’re filming a short, livestreaming an event, or building a teaser for social media, you’ll walk away with practical, portable skills and an understanding of how real production crews get it done.
🎥 Behind the Scenes: Tools of the Trade at Behind the Lens
This isn’t a workshop about pointing your phone and hitting record. This is hands-on experience with the real-world gear, software, and systems used in professional studios, newsrooms, and production sets across the globe. Teens learn by doing — with cinematic tools that take their creativity seriously.
🎬 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras (x3)
Used in indie and studio films alike, these compact cameras offer cinematic depth and control with ProRes and RAW recording. Participants learn about manual shooting, dynamic range, and how to craft the visual language of a story.
🎛️ ATEM Production Switchers
Used for multicam live broadcasts, students get a crash course in live event directing — switching between angles, adding overlays, and building live broadcast packages in real time.
🎞️ DaVinci Resolve Studio
This all-in-one post-production suite is used for editing, colour grading, and special effects — from music videos to Oscar-nominated films. Participants dive into Fairlight for audio mixing and Fusion for motion graphics and compositing.
🤖 OSBOT AI Cameras (x3)
These smart, auto-tracking cameras follow motion without the need for an operator — perfect for solo performers or dynamic scenes. Participants learn how AI can change the game for livestreaming and low-crew production.
🎥 Canon XA40 Camcorders
A staple of field journalism and documentary shooting, these 4K camcorders offer pro-grade functionality with simplicity. Students get hands-on with optical zoom, real-time framing, and integrated XLR audio.
🎙️ Professional Microphones
- Shure SM7B: The gold standard in podcasting and vocal work.
- EV 635: The rugged field mic trusted by reporters for decades.
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Rode directional mics: For mobile and boom use.
Students learn best practices for clean dialogue, interviews, and sound capture on location.
🔈 Zoom Recorders, Audio Interfaces & Mixers
Workshops include portable recorders and audio rigs that help teens capture professional-grade sound for documentaries, narrative scenes, and live performance — even in the field.
🟩 Green Screen, Lighting & Visual FX
Using chroma key, students explore how to transform locations, build fantasy worlds, or shoot interviews with polish. They also learn lighting techniques that create mood, character, and production value in any space.
📦 Synology NAS & Workflow
A Network-Attached Storage system lets teams collaborate, access footage from multiple workstations, and manage assets — just like a real post-production team. Secure backups, project sharing, and folder management are part of the experience.
💻 Software Toolbox: Pro-Grade Meets Open Source
Participants build confidence using studio-quality software alongside open tools they can continue exploring at home.
🟣 OBS Studio
Create professional livestreams with overlays, scenes, and real-time switching. OBS is the gold standard in streaming and hybrid production — from concerts to content creators.
🔴 Reaper
A full-featured digital audio workstation for audio editing, music production, and voiceover. Reaper balances power and flexibility, teaching students how to control every nuance of their soundtrack.
🎞️ DaVinci Resolve
Both the free and studio versions give students access to advanced editing and colour correction tools used in major motion pictures — no watered-down learning.
🎙️ Audacity
Accessible and efficient, Audacity is a favorite for voiceover, sound design, podcasting, and cleanup. Students build confidence in audio editing, levels, and effects using this intuitive software.
📱 Bonus: Mobile Filmmaking Tips
While we focus on pro gear, we also teach how to get great shots using your phone — with apps, framing tricks, gimbals, and colour-correcting tools for Android and iOS.
🤖 Tech Meets Technique
At Behind the Lens, participants get exposure to emerging tools like AI-driven cameras and livestream software, but every flashy gadget is grounded in solid, professional workflow.
Students learn to:
- Plan shoots using storyboards, shot lists, and scripting techniques
- Keep productions organized through footage logging and project management
- Take on real crew roles — including camera operation, live switching, lighting, sound, and editing
- Understand how technology enhances (but never replaces) a strong story and a solid plan
This is not just about “playing with gear.” It’s about learning how productions actually get made — from first idea to final edit — with guidance from an experienced media professional.