The Film Shoot Weekend

Planning on Saturday and shooting real actors on Sunday this will kick start your ambitions to make that movie you always talked about.

Working from a script provided you will; scout locations, create camera plans, shot lists, storyboards and a shooting schedule for Sunday’s shoot.

On the Sunday you will shoot with real actors, directing the crew to complete the shoot as scheduled. At the end of Sunday you will review the rushes and discuss them with the actors and your fellow filmmakers.

Whilst no editing will take place on the Film Shoot Weekend, every participant will be given a DVD of the final edit when it is completed after being edited on the Editing - Final Cut Pro course.

Who should take this course

Writers, directors, producers, actors, filmmakers, cinema lovers, anyone with an interest in how movies are made and who seek an introduction to the filmmaking process.

This Film Shoot Weekend will give you a good feel for what its like to work in the industry as a freelance crew member, working with real actors to a tight schedule, under the direction of others and fulfilling different technical roles.

Course Requirements

Whilst you can simply join the Film Shoot Weekend as a complete package, you may gain more insight into the separate aspects of what’s being created if you have already attended the Filmmaking Foundations (if possible we recommend you book them together as a package).

Course Outline

Saturday

• Developing your vision - know your story
• Pre-production
• Location research
• Location obstacles
• Lighting considerations
• Camera placement techniques
• Storyboarding
• Scheduling

 Sunday

• Sound and microphone techniques
• Lighting different faces and backdrops
• Communicating with your cast and crew
• Communicating with your editor
• Keeping your eye on the prize - directing for the edit
• Working with actors
• Directing the camera
• Work with the technical crew to create the film
• Shoot the entire script, working with actors and the drama director

What people are saying

‘This course really gave me an understanding of the amount of work that is required on a film set. The knowledge I was able to pick up was invaluable.  If you want to get a real feel for what it might be like on a film set then I couldn't recommend this course enough. I enjoyed it so much that I will be hoping to attend it again in 2012.’ David Stock

‘A unique opportunity to be part of the whole process - a worthwhile experience in a realistic setting.’ Kathy Petrakis

What's Next?

The next course to take after the Film Shoot Weekend is the Editing Course. There you’ll see the weaving together of your hard-shot rushes into the finished film according to the vision on your storyboard.

If you only signed up for the Film Shoot Weekend – you should also consider taking the five evening Filmmaking Foundations course as well, they’ll deal in more depth with the technical aspects of filmmaking you encountered on the Film Shoot Weekend.

Learning to make films can only be done through experience and making more films. So if you’ve done the Film Shoot Weekend and the Editing Course, you should do another Film Shoot Weekend.

Beyond the Film Shoot Weekend lies Film School Sundays - an advanced filmmaking course run over 4 consecutive Sundays.

If you aren't sure which course is for you, click here to have a look at our handy Filmmaking course guide.