Inuvik (July 21/06) - A workshop being hosted by Dennis Allen is giving a lucky few the chance to produce their own films, to be shown tomorrow night during the Top of the World film festival.

"This is a guerrilla course in dramatic filmmaking," said Allen.

The course is a four-day journey through the ins and outs of filmmaking, which starts with script writing.

"I want to give these people a look into what goes into a script, and how to storyboard their ideas as well," said Allen.

The first night of the workshop introduced the group to the task of developing characters and planning their stories.

"They're then split up into three groups," said Allen. "Each group will produce their own video."

Will Belcourt of the National Film Board of Canada came to assist Allen in the workshop, giving advice to the audience while Allen instructed them on the finer points of editing.

The features will all be shot on miniDV tape, and will be edited at the Inuvialuit Communications Society studios.

"Once they have their plans made, and the shooting has been done, we'll go down and edit the films, which should be about three minutes in length," explained Allen.

The films will be premiered during the Top of the World Film Festival.

Participant Julian Tomlinson said he is excited to be developing his ideas into a film.

"Don't we all have an interest in making movies?" he asked.

With no background in film production, Tomlinson found himself at the door of creativity, and Allen and Belcourt let him in.

"I had lots of questions, and they did a good job of answering them for me," he said.

The workshop was a useful tool for Tomlinson.

"It's unbelievable. I'm so excited that Dennis is holding this workshop for us," said Tomlinson.

During the first night of the workshop, Tomlinson said they covered many of the necessary bases in script writing.

"We learned about drama and how to structure our ideas," he said.

Terry Halifax was another of the participants, and said he was also eager to work with Allen.

"I was curious about the work involved," said Halifax. "I've worked with Dennis before, and liked his work."

For Halifax, an accomplished still photographer, the idea of building ideas and planning a script entice him.

"I'm fascinated by the process I've seen so far," he said.