Beginner's film school

Become a young budding filmmaker from around the globe to take part in our intensive director training programme. Aimed at those with little or no practical filmmaking experience, this comprehensive two-week course will give you the foundations and the confidence you need to make your start. 
 
The training places an overwhelming emphasis on making films. In small groups, you will learn how to direct actors, act, understand the fundamentals of cinematography, production etiquette, recceing locations, turn ideas into dramatic short scripts, and edit. The course will also teach you that filmmaking is about communicating your ideas and working with others in a creatively rich way. 

Each participant will make three short film exercises, each one building on from the next. These exercises are dictated by practical restraints designed to allow participants to evolve creatively. As the course progresses, the exercise limitations become looser. The exercises are screened and critiqued throughout the course, where you will be able to reflect on your and others’ work and quickly learn from your mistakes and remedy them for the next shoot. 

In addition, the course offers group workshops in screenwriting, camera work, editing and sound design. The learning culminates with the production of your final short film, which will be made with the help of a professional cast, crew and of course your peers.  

Before the course begins, you are encouraged to come up with at least two ideas that you might consider filming. These ideas will evolve as you discuss and think about them rigorously throughout the course. They must be five minutes maximum in duration and feature two characters, ideally in one location.  

At the end of the course, each participant will receive a certificate of attendance, plus a USB of rushes and assembled footage which may be used for showreel purposes or as part of an application portfolio. 

A summary of the course is available below. Please keep in mind that course content is subject to change. 

Bursary applicable

There are ScreenSkills bursaries available to cover some or all of the costs of this training course - including travel, accommodation, subsistence, care or disability access support to attend this course. To find out more about the support you may be eligible for, click the button below:

Apply for a bursary

About this listing

This training course is not funded or commissioned by ScreenSkills, but has been reviewed to ensure it is meeting agreed standards such as industry-led diversity targets, appropriate business insurance, and evidence of previous quality training provision.