Get ready for two jammed-packed weeks of practical filmmaking exercises and industry-standard workshops! Even if you've never written a script, picked up a camera or thought seriously about a career in filmmaking, this course will leave you with the tools and inspiration you need to shout 'Action!'.
You'll first learn the basics of filmmaking and participate in group exercises with your fellow participants. The exercises and group workshops are designed to get you feeling confident behind the camera, before embarking on your own short film shoot. You'll have the chance to direct, write, shoot, and edit your own short film with the help of a professional cast and crew.
The Beginners Summer School will jump-start your passion for filmmaking.
NOTE: You are encouraged to come up with at least two ideas that you might consider filming before the course begins. These ideas must be 5mins maximum in duration and feature two characters. You will also be given some examples of short films to watch and scripts to read for the first directing exercise.
A day-by-day breakdown is available below. Please keep in mind that course timings and content are subject to change. The final schedule will be emailed to all participants in advance of the start date.
BLOCK ONE
The first few days are all about filmmaking foundations. What makes a good short film? How can you best tell your story? You'll also complete a directing exercise with your peers, based on these foundations. This exercise will be subject to constraints in locations and number of set-ups to test your creativity.
DAY 1
- Introduction to the Summer School, course overview, expectations and what you hope to gain from this course.
- The Short Film: This class will explore the common elements that makes a short film successful/ unsuccessful. The class will also involve watching a selection of short films with discussion. In this class we will discuss participant ideas in an early stage and apply ‘short film rules’ to them.
- Directing Actors: This class will cover the basics of directing actors for screen and how to analyse a script and sculpt performance. Participants will be given exercises to direct one another.
DAY 2
- Camera Tutorial
- Directing Exercise #1: Participants will direct a 3-5min scene using an existing script in groups of four. Two participants will act, one will camera operate and one will direct. Everyone will rotate roles so each person has a chance to direct. Constraints will be given on location, shots and set-ups.
DAY 3
- Film Screenings + Feedback
- Screenwriting Masterclass with Guest Script Tutor
Overnight Assignment: Devise idea for Directing Exercise #2
DAY 4
- Script Surgery: Half the group will attend a script surgery with the Guest Script Tutor in the morning. Ideas will be workshopped, and feedback will be given.
- Cinematography Masterclass with Guest Camera Tutor: Half the group will attend in the morning. This will cover the basics of composition, shot sizes, the use of natural light and visual storytelling, with a practical exercise to bring together everything.
- The groups will swap in the afternoon.
DAY 5
- Location Recces: Half the group will take part in location recces in the morning - visiting potential external locations for the next shoot and determining suitability for your film.
- Editing class with Guest Editing Tutor: Half the group will attend in the morning. This will cover the basics of creative film editing. Participants will given rushes to assemble a short film.
- The groups will swap in the afternoon.
- Preparing the Shoot: A short workshop on how to structure shoots so that you don't exceed the time limits.
BLOCK TWO
The next block will be spent preparing for your final films. You will take turns to direct your scripts, working in groups with your peers. You will also take on the role of camera operater and actor in your peers' films. Each film will be assembled by professional editors, and screened to the group for feedback. You'll then take what you learn from this experience and apply it to your final film.
DAY 6
- Directing Exercise #2: Participants will direct their own 3-5min films, based on the scripts they've written. Working in groups of four, two will act, one will camera operate and one will direct. Everyone will rotate roles so each person has a chance to direct. Constraints will be given on location, shots and set-ups.
All films will be assembled by professional editors for the next day’s screenings.
DAY 7 (Half Day)
- Film Screenings + Feedback (Morning)
- Participants will be encouraged to use the afternoon to begin working on their ideas for Directing Exercise #3
DAY 8 (DAY OFF!)
- Participants are expected to work on their final scripts.
DAY 9
- Demystifying the Camera: Half the group will spend the morning getting hands on experience with professional camera operating under the guidance of the Guest Camera Tutor.
- Script Surgery: Half the group will attend a script surgery with the Guest Script Tutor in the morning. FINAL ideas should be workshopped & polished.
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The groups will swap in the afternoon.
Overnight Assignment: Complete final script for Directing Exercise #3
DAY 10
- Rehearsals with Actors & Crew: Half the group with take part in rehearsals - going from table reads to full rehearsals and blocking action.
- Final location recces: Half the group will take part in location recces in the morning - visiting final external locations.
- The groups will swap in the afternoon.
BLOCK THREE
DAY 11
- Directing Exercise #3: It's shoot day for half the group! Six participants will direct their 5min (approx.) short film using a professional cast and crew. Each person will have three hours to shoot. Participants not directing will assist with the shoots.
DAY 12
- Directing Exercise #3: It's shoot day for the other half of the group! The remaining six participants will direct their 5min (approx.) short film using a professional cast and crew. Each person will have three hours to shoot. Participants not directing will assist with the shoots.
DAY 13
- Editing: Each participant will get three hours to edit their short film with a professional editor.
DAY 14
- Q+A with filmmaker.
- Final Screenings & Feedback
- Wrap Drinks + Food
The final day will be spent reviewing all twelve films, and seeing your progress from the first exercise. There will be group feedback and notes from your peers and our guests tutors, followed by a farewell event.
At the end of the course each participant will receive a certificate of attendance, plus a USB of all of their scenes which may be used for showreel purposes or as part of an application portfolio.