Industry Filmmaking Diploma Course Overview

This is a sample of material provided to Industry Filmmaking Diploma students on the first day of the course...

Course Overview

The course is delivered in modules that are designed to build on each other as you increase your technical proficiency and develop your creative voice.

Modules

Module 1: Telling Stories

Module 2: Production Management

Module 3: Cinematography, Production Design and Crewing

Module 4: Screenwriting

Module 5: Directing

Module 6: Graduation Films

Module 1: Telling Stories

In this module you will focus on visual storytelling as you develop your understanding of the fundamental nature of Narrative and Cinema.

The module will cover the following areas at professional foundation level:

• Screen Grammar
• Directing
• Set Protocol
• Production Sound recording
• HD Camera Operation
• Foundation Lighting
• Casting
• Production Management
• Shooting on Location
• Editing
• Grading
• Sound Design

The module begins with workshop-based training that then run into several weeks of pre-production before traveling to the south coast of England for the ‘Location Shoot’.  On return from the shoot you will enter the post-production period.  The films will then be presented at an official screening evening. Finally, you will go through a structured assessment and feedback process to ensure you learn as much as possible from the module and carry that learning forward to Module 2.

Module 2: Production Management

This module begins in the first term and runs throughout the course, right up to the completion of the graduation films.  As you progress through the course you will be given more and more responsibility for all aspects of production management.

The module is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully manage the entire production process on a short film to a professional standard. As you will discover, good production management plays a vital role in supporting the creative process of filmmaking and often demands its own form of creativity.

Please note that there is a separate Production Manual, which clearly sets out the entire production process within the school.

Module 3: Cinematography, Production Design and Crewing

As suggested by the module title, here you will be addressing three key areas of professional filmmaking.

The module will begin with practical training in shooting on

Super 16mm covering the responsibilities of the following camera department roles:

• Director of Photography
• Camera Operator
• Gaffer
• Focus Puller
• Loader
• Camera Assistant

During this period of time you will also receive foundation training in production design and the relationship between the camera department and the art department in creating the look of a film.

You will then undertake further training in set protocol and the mechanics of the professional film crew to include training in the responsibilities of:

• 1^st Assistant Director
• 2^nd Assistant Director
• 3^rd Assistant Director
• Script Supervisor

These skills will then be applied to Super 16mm live projects where you will crew on either commercial or pop promo shoots for the directing students at the school. All of these shoots will be completed before the end of Term 1, as per your timetable.

Post-production will take place at the beginning of Term 2 in the New Year. The films will then be presented at an official screening evening. Finally, you will go through a structured assessment and feedback process to ensure you learn as much as possible from the module and carry that learning forward to Modules 4 and 5.

Module 4: Screenwriting & Module 5: Directing

In the second term of the course you will develop your creative screenwriting skills and your understanding of directing. These skills, in addition to the knowledge you have already gained, will then be applied in the production of short films in the latter part of the term.

These films will also provide the opportunity to apply the other skills you have been developing over the first term of the course, with the benefit of already having been through the process on the location films and the Super 16mm shoots.

Module 6: Graduation Films

This module provides the opportunity to apply the technical and creative training you have received during the course to a series of final films with more substantial budgets.

A detailed description of the parameters of graduation projects will be given at the launch of the module.  At this stage it is worth noting that the more successful short films you watch throughout the year, the better your creative frame of reference will be for devising festival quality short film projects when it comes to the time to pitch your graduation ideas.