Capital Film Arts Alliance (CFAA)

CFAA Meetings
3x per month
now taking place at

NEW CFAA LOCATION:

Futures Explored
2533 R St.,
Sacramento CA 95816

Need PAs?
Trained For Hire
on your next shoot!
CLICK HERE
Trained, Certified Production Assistants

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NOTE: Non-Member Admission Fees have increased to $10.

DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIPS
ARE STILL AVAILABLE!

Annual membership is $50...
NOW Get TWO Years
for only $65!!
Membership info at www.capitalfilmarts.org/membership

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Support local filmmaking
Through the CFAA. 100% of
all donated proceeds go back
into the organization's
programs and events.
Fees are tax deductible.

CFAA PROGRAMS:
(unless otherwise stated)

2nd Tuesdays @ 7pm

Actors Workshop -

3rd Tuesdays @ 7pm

Filmmaker Forum -

4th Tuesdays @ 7pm Screenwriters Lab

ALL EVENTS HELD AT:
Futures Explored
2533 R St., Sacramento

CFAA TESTIMONIALS: 

Laurie, you are so much the glue that holds our media community together, with opportunities and information - and we’re so lucky! Thanks for continuing with the newsletter’s publication!
- Beverly Lewis,
Placer County Film Commissioner

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The most important thing I've learned about being a filmmaker in Sacramento is that the CFAA has your back. I'm just getting started with my journey, but at every turn, CFAA has been there with information, connections, and most importantly, encouragement.
I highly recommend you join so you don't get left behind. Thanks, CFAA!
~ Kat Kinglsley
Filmmaker

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The CFAA is a great way to
meet, reconnect and communicate
with Sacramento's top film
and media makers.
You should check it out!
-Rick Kuebler,
My Hero Productions

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I can’t tell you how much
the CFAA means to me!
They have been there and helped
me thru the years make by making me a better filmmaker and by giving a place to create business and personal relationships with professional folks in industry of entertainment!
-Cliff Allen,
Screams 4 Reel

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To submit your CFAA testimonial - please contact us by email:
[email protected]

We Appreciate Our Sponsors

FOR Filmmakers, Actors and Writers

BY Filmmakers, Actors and Writers.

The CFAA is here for YOU.

The CFAA is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to connecting, informing and educating filmmakers, writers, actors and crew who live and work in the Sacramento Capital region and it's surrounding NorCal counties.

Expand Your Creative Skills and
Increase Film Industry Connections
with the Capital Film Arts Alliance

ANNOUNCING - NEW CFAA LOCATION:

at Futures Explored

2533 R St.,
Sacramento, CA 95816

Check out our Programs - Tuesday Nights @ 7pm:

MONTHLY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS:

Every 2nd Tuesday @ 7pm

Monthly

CFAA ACTORS WORKSHOP

with Jason Bortz

and Donna Lisa Otto

Tues., May 12th, 2026
@ 7pm-9pm

SPECIAL CALLBACK AUDITIONS HERE TONIGHT

at Futures Explored,
2533 R St., Sacramento

Call back Auditions for the CFAA produced short film 'Decline' will be taking place on May 12th during the Actors Workshop. As a part of the CFAA Filmmaking Series, 15 actors selected for Callbacks from the earlier April 14th auditions have been invited to read from the scripted sides provided for their specific parts, and everyone will learn more about the casting process from beginning to end. All others are invited to watch and learn.

Film production dates are June 13th & 14th and crew positions are still open.
Contact Aaron to inquire.

The monthly Actors Workshop will resume in June! Typically, this is an all level class exploring the range of skills well-rounded actors must consider when taking on the craft of acting. From script breakdown, vocal and physical work, improvisation, monologue and scene study, film analysis and character work, this is a condensed 2- hour sampler designed to broaden the mind and strengthen the skill-sets from beginners to professionals. It's time to work your acting muscles with instructor Jason Bortz, who brings his energetic vibe to our gathering, sharing his experience and acting tips, as well as his background as a filmmaker. It's time to stretch your acting muscles and embrace the acting craft through fun, knowledge and movement. You will love this program!

NEW CFAA LOCATION:

Futures Explored
2553 R St.,
Sacramento CA 95816

Admission is FREE to CFAA members, and $10 for non-members.
Membership info at www.capitalfilmarts.org/membership

Host: Aaron Leong

Every 3rd Tuesday @ 7pm

Monthly Filmmakers Forum

A CFAA Education Forum

Filmmakers Forum

with Aaron Leong

and Friends -

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
7pm-9pm

Introducing...

The CFAA Filmmaking Series!!

Month by month, the CFAA will guide attendees in learning the step-by-step process of making a short film. Every month will bring us closer and closer to the actual production of this, and the script has been selected, so come and find out more on every 3rd Tuesday!

The best talent in the production industry will be here to inform and aid the CFAA team to help YOU to make a movie!!

The Filmmaking Series

CALL TIME:
May 19th @ 7pm

- PRODUCTION MEETING

- CAST READ-THROUGH

Join us for the next installment of our Step-by-Step Filmmaking Series! Having already selected our script and scouted locations, pre-production phase: translating the vision into a technical plan and building the team to execute it. We are now moving into the critical production phases... This month, we dive deep into the final production planning stages and will have a script read-through with the final cast. Join us for the:

PRODUCTION PLANNING MEETING
AND
CAST READ THROUGH OF SCRIPT 'DECLINE'

The first Auditions and follow-up Callbacks have taken place. We will announce final casting choices and proceed with the planned stages of upcoming production, post and final exhibition screenings.

AT THE NEW CFAA LOCATION:

Futures Explored
2533 R St.,
Sacramento CA 95816

COMING UP...

On June 13 & 14, we will host the weekend production of Decline.
The following film meeting on June 23rd will provide the opportunity to review the film dailies and discuss the final stages of editing, color and post.

Don't miss a single month of this exciting program, and if you want to be a part of the crew, you better show up ready to learn and work!

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SCHEDULE OF 3rd TUESDAY FILMMAKING SERIES:

February 17- The Script breakdown. Scheduling.
March 17 - Locations & Permitting
April 21 - Shot Lists and Crewing Up
May 12 and 19 - Auditions and Final Cast Read-Through.
June 13-14 and 16 - Production (13-14 weekend) and Production Review
July 11-12 and 21 - Production days (11-12 weekend) and Final Review
August 18 - Picture lock and Edit/Spotting session
September 15 - Sound Design
October 20 - Music/Scoring
November 17 - Color
December 15 - Screenings

CFAA FILMMAKER FORUM IS HOSTED BY AARON LEONG
Aaron Leong is a board member of the CFAA who is an accomplished cinematographer and director. He went to SF State University’s Theatre Dept for a double emphasis in Performance and Directing. After working for several years as an actor for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Programs, he started a production company. During that time, he started to do more commercial filmmaking and went back to school for film at The Art Institute in Sacramento, focusing more on Directing and Cinematography. He continued his cinematography training at the Global Cinematography Institute in Los Angeles where he was taught by renowned ASC members such as Vilmos Zsigmond, Dean Cundey and Russell Carpenter among others. After 20 years in various areas in the industry, Aaron has directed features, shorts and commercials and has DP’d for features, shorts, documentaries, reality TV, commercials, and corporate work just to name a few. Aaron also has 18+ years of experience flying Steadicams and is an M2 Volt owner/operator. He also rents out a lot of gear to productions. You can check it out at www.4thwallfilmworks.com.

Admission is FREE to CFAA members, and $10 for non-members.

Membership info at www.capitalfilmarts.org/membership

MEETINGS AT THE NEW CFAA LOCATION:

Futures Explored
2533 R St.,
Sacramento CA 95816

Every 4th Tuesday @ 7pm

Monthly

CFAA Screenwriters Lab

featuring:

Author, Screenwriter, Filmmaker, Creative Director, Speaker

DAVID FLANAGAN

Tues., May 26th, 2026
@ 7pm-9pm

AT THE NEW CFAA LOCATION:

Futures Explored
2533 R St.,
Sacramento CA 95816

Join the CFAA Screenwriter’s Workshop as we review

Killer Pitch Decks

The Killer Pitch Decks lesson is part of the CFAA Screenwriters Lab, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th, 2026. Hosted by David Flanagan and Paul Newton, the session focuses on the visual and narrative craft required to sell a project. Core Focus Areas Visual Storytelling: Leveraging David Flanagan’s background as a creative director and filmmaker to create high-quality, professional presentations. Narrative Craft: Understanding how to translate a screenplay's vision into a concise, persuasive deck that captures a producer's or investor's interest. Pitching Strategy: Learning how to effectively communicate the "hook," tone, and marketability of a film or television projects.

Your CFAA Screenwriter Lab Hosts: David Flanagan is a Sacramento-based author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and creative director with a passion for visual storytelling and narrative craft across all media. He has been creating his whole life, in almost every type of media that can be imagined. His background lends itself to a level of quality work that has been his calling card.
Assisting David is Paul Newton, a familiar faced to the CFAA. As someone who truly loves screenwriting and filmmaking, Paul is an awesome addition to the team.

Topics coming up:
February 24 - Annual Workshop Plan
March 24 - Log Lines & Pitching
April 28 - Independent Producer R. Scott Reid Q&A
May 26 - Killer Pitch Decks
June 23 - The First 10 Pages
July 28 - Story Structure - Formula vs Freedom
August 25 - Creating Better Character - Voices & Arcs
September 22 - The Professional Writer
October 27 - Festivals, Contests, and Agents
November 24 - The 2nd and 3rd Acts
December 22 - TBD

CFAA Screenwriter Lab Hosts:
David Flanagan is a Sacramento-based author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and creative director with a passion for visual storytelling and narrative craft across all media. He has been creating his whole life, in almost every type of media that can be imagined. His background lends itself to a level of quality work that has been his calling card.
Assisting David is Paul Newton, a familiar faced to the CFAA. As someone who truly loves screenwriting and filmmaking, Paul is an awesome addition to the team.

Membership info at www.capitalfilmarts.org/membership. If you wish to attend readings or be added to the Screenwriters list, receive Zoom links meeting notifications, and to and have scripts sent to you for review in advance of meetings, email: [email protected]

HOW MUCH?
FREE for CFAA members. $10 for Non-members.
Annual membership donation is $50 and this yearly fee provides entry to ALL CFAA meetings and workshops. Info at www.capitalfilmarts.org/membership

FEES: (for public events)
Admission is free to CFAA members and $10 per meeting for non-members and guests.
All ages, skills and experiences are welcome!

MEMBERSHIP:
Only $50 per year.
Click HERE to sign up today with Paypal