Our classes

Filmmaking for Beginners

Filmmaking for Beginners

Our Filmmaking for Beginners Course is a crash course in filmmaking offering a fun and practical introduction for beginners.

Covering all the basics you need to get started: from setting up a camera, to developing a narrative, lighting scenes, recording audio and editing, our film course will encourage you to explore both the creative and technical elements of making your own films.

Our hands-on training is led by an industry filmmaker in professional central London studios, and will equip you with the skills and the confidence you need to get out shooting for yourself. During the lessons, you will be guided through a series of practical exercises in order to develop the fundamental knowledge you need to embark on a range of video projects.

You will learn the key principles of filmmaking using DSLR cameras, understanding how lens choices affect your shots, as well as how to make the most of your camera's settings, controlling ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, depth of field and much more. On this course you will be using Canon DSLR cameras. If you want to bring your own camera you should be familiar with its menu navigation, so that you can follow the rest of the class. 

Filmmaking for Beginners Course Content

During our Filmmaking Beginners (2 day weekend course), you will cover:

  • Camera operation: learn to use DSLR cameras, widely used in the film industry
  • Shooting: capture different angles, crossing the line, cheating the room and learn how to use them effectively in scenes
  • Narrative: create a shot list, planning, budgeting and how to storyboard a film
  • Writing: work oon script writing and story structure
  • Lighting: explore different lighting techniques and how to use them when shooting
  • Recording sound: capture great audio
  • Editing: an overview of key editing techniques, your film future and film festivals

During our Filmmaking Beginners course (5 weekday evenings course), you will cover:

  • Week 1: Camera operation, learn to use DSLR cameras, widely used in the film industry. 
  • Week 2: Lighting and Sound, explore different lighting techniques and how to use them when shooting as well as capturing great audio. Shooting, learn how to capture different angles, crossing the line, cheating the room and learn how to use them effectively in scenes. Learn to work with actors and about job roles
  • Week 3: Narrative, create a shot list, planning, budgeting and how to storyboard a film. Writing, work on script writing and story structure as a team. Pre production of your shoot
  • Week 4: Film your team's script whilst working with actors
  • Week 5: Editing, an overview of key editing techniques, your film future and film festivals. Screen your film

You will receive friendly feedback from your tutor throughout the course.

CLASSES STARTING SOON

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
15 Jan 2025 - 12 Feb 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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7 Feb 2025 - 7 Mar 2025 Fri 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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25 Mar 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 Tue 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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4 Jun 2025 - 2 Jul 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
15 Jan 2025 - 12 Feb 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Feb 2025 - 7 Mar 2025 Fri 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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25 Mar 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 Tue 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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4 Jun 2025 - 2 Jul 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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7 Aug 2025 - 4 Sep 2025 Thu 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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8 Sep 2025 - 6 Oct 2025 Mon 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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6 Nov 2025 - 4 Dec 2025 Thu 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
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PAYMENT OPTIONS

You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.

Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

INDUSTRY TUTORS

City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.

We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.

(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
15 Jan 2025 - 12 Feb 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Feb 2025 - 7 Mar 2025 Fri 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
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Book Now
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25 Mar 2025 - 22 Apr 2025 Tue 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
4 Jun 2025 - 2 Jul 2025 Wed 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
7 Aug 2025 - 4 Sep 2025 Thu 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
8 Sep 2025 - 6 Oct 2025 Mon 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
6 Nov 2025 - 4 Dec 2025 Thu 18:30-21:00 5 weeks Katiana Weems-Ado City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £350.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course

PAYMENT OPTIONS

You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.

Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

INDUSTRY TUTORS

City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.

We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.

(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.

FILMMAKING SUMMER SCHOOLS

Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School

Continue your journey

After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses:

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