Want to learn more advanced lighting. Any workshops in LA area?

[Jackson Miller]

Hey guys. I really want to learn some more advanced/intermediate lighting in a hands on environment without having to sit through a BS class where I already know 95% of what the teacher is saying. I go to a community college and the classes are ok, but I learn stuff pretty quickly and already had my basic 3 and 4 point setups down (at least in theory) before my high school class learned them (internet!)

So, I realized, If I could get in a more advanced, all meat "class" or workshop, I could probably learn tons of stuff in just a few hours or one weekend or whatever. So I guess I never really had thought about it before, but since I am near LA these have got to exist. Are there any good lighting workshops I can take? I really want to get some more hands on experience (other than what I do with my own gear).

Also... money. I don't have a lot. I figure searching a lot on google will bring me to all of the super high priced ones that aren't even necessarily good quality and are more about money making than anything else. So I figured some of the gurus here might be able to point me in the right direction. If it was a super high quality thing, my parents might be able to lay down a couple hundred $ because they think my education is important. But I actually have no idea what to expect as far as a cost. So lay it on me. Do these even exist?

Thanks.

 

[RyanT]

A much better teacher would be a working DP and there's quite an easy way to find those!

Since you're near LA, find some jobs as a PA. It shouldn't be impossible. Get on some sets and just take note of the lighting setups. You'll find that the more "advanced" setups don't necessarily mean more lights, just more carefully placed ones. That's the best way to learn. (Besides shooting your own films of course.)