Written by Raindance | 19 June 2009 | in news - Training

To provide key information and hands-on experience of directing drama for the screen. Students will gain an understanding of screen grammar and techniques for directing actors in the time frame of a shoot.

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Everyone wants to be a director. If you can create a 'look' for your film, your career will rocket. 

But why do so many British feature films, especially those by first-time directors, fail to achieve this important artistic success? When the technique needed for visually pleasing single-camera direction is so basic, why do so many directors fail to make the right choices? And when actors can add so much to a production, why don't directors take the time to ensure that their actors perform to the best of their abilities? 

This intensive seminar teaches you the secrets of maximising performance from the cast while realising the importance of the ultimate audience - the camera. Learn how to direct on-time and on-budget, get the results you want and keep the producers happy. Single camera shooting techniques are explored in depth. Students will be given a number of exercises to undertake, including the opportunity to participate in directing a short dramatic scene which will be critiqued by Patrick Tucker. 

Tucker illustrates his points throughout with handouts and examples from Film and Television. There will be practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises using a professional digital camera. 

Day One: The Grammar Of Directing

• Shooting techniques
• Roots and reasons for selecting a camera style
• The grammar of single camera placement
• Style: approaching the script in an individual way
• Shooting script: developing your visual shorthand
• Planning: reading and analysing the script
• Turning Points: finding the key dramatic moments
• Storyboarding versus the scene sheet
• Screen geometry and grammar
• The 'Line': what it is and how to avoid crossing it
• Lenses: eyelines, hitting the mark, blocking, the 'look'
• The frame: the 'hot' area, acting in the frame
• Long, medium and close-up acting

Day 2: Working With The Camera

• The Camera: the audience and camera movement
• Directing the actor's voice: creating screen intensity
• The Edit: shooting coverage, thinking in advance
• Shooting tips: save money and create a special 'look'
• Etiquette: organising the shoot and actors professionally
• Crew: maximising human resources
• The Showreel: a director's resume
• Video Clips: examples of good and bad directing
• Directing Actors: communicate effectively with talent
• Career opportunities
• Picture composition
• High definition video

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Written by Carolyn Atherton | 23 February 2009 | in news - Training

WRITERS' GYM SERIES WITH ELLIS FREEMAN

THE LONDON FILM SCHOOL

The Writers’ Gym aims to stimulate ideas through being playful. Over eight evening sessions, each course is designed to seek ways to unblock, gain writing habits, develop those ideas and find your voice.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 27th February 2009

Written by Carolyn Atherton | 06 November 2008 | in news - Training

From Carolyn Atherton at the London Film School:

Applications are now open for the following workshops at the London Film School. The courses will be running primarily as part of FAST FORWARD - the School's new professional upgrade programme for film and TV professionals looking to move up a level in their craft area or sidestep into a new one (more info at www.lfs.org.uk). As a result places are very limited and those interested  are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Written by Alison Sterling | 04 November 2008 | in news - Training

From Alison Sterling @ Brief Encounters:

Encounters Short Films Festival presents Encounters Film School: the Final Edit

Up your skills levels and get some great insights from top industry professionals (Paddy Considine, Anna Pangborn, Eddie Hamilton) when you sign up for the Encounters Film School. 

Written by Carolyn Atherton | 21 October 2008 | in news - Training

LFS Workshops presents:

Alexander Mackendrick on Filmmaking with Paul Cronin

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th Jan 2010

This two day workshop is an excellent opportunity for any film-maker who wishes to learn more about film-making from one of the masters of the medium. Alexander Mackendrick's practical approach serves as one of the best introductions to the craft of film-making available to film-makers today. The workshop is structured around the illustrated lecture MACKENDRICK ON FILM which features rarely seen footage of Mackendrick teaching and talking about his approach to film-making.  

Paul Cronin is the editor of ‘On Film-making : An Introduction to the Craft of the Director' by Alexander Mackendrick

"Paul's material is fabulous. There were some gems here that I hadn't heard expressed so succinctly before. He's amassed an extremely valuable tool for film-makers in general and I thank him for the work he's undertaken to share this valuable archive and insight with us." Lee Thomas, Head of Production & Development, Screen West Midlands

For more info visit www.lfs.org.uk or contact Carolyn Atherton: workshops@lfs.org.uk  (0)20 7836 9642.

Fee: £150 (includes networking lunches) - Early Bird Discount: Book by 15th December to receive a 10% discount!

Written by Carolyn Atherton | 15 July 2008 | in news - Training

LFS Workshops presents: 

Writers' Gym Series with Ellis Freeman, The London Film School, Central London

Part-time courses in practical tools for creative screenwriting

"I applied because I wanted to be inspired, to think more creatively about my approaches to screenwriting and to improve my knowledge. The Writers' Gym ticked all the boxes for me. It surpassed my expectations! Ellis is a fantastic teacher." - Christie Walker, Writers' Gym participant June 2008

Written by Carolyn Atherton | 15 July 2008 | in news - Training

LFS Workshops presents:  Improvisation for Screenwriters in Film & TV with Sean McCann 

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July 2008, The London Film School, Central London

Improvisation can be employed at any stage of the writing process; from the very first ideas to the penultimate draft of the finished screenplay.

Written by Rachel Devenport | 11 June 2008 | in news - Training

From Raindance: 

The original pioneer of independent filmmaking in the UK, Raindance courses have inspired a whole generation of filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughan.

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is one of the most anticipated releases of the year but he worked hard for his success with the help of Raindance. Chris took Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking and his first short, Doodlebug and his first two features, The Following and Memento screened at the festival.

The Lo-To-No Budget filmmaking course is designed to demystiy the film industry in one weekend. Learn how to shoot, edit and direct your first feature cost-effectively and develop a plan for submitting to film festivals and distributors.

Written by Rachel Devenport | 15 March 2008 | in news - Training

JOHN TRUBY’S 22 STEP STORY STRUCTURE
Saturday/Sunday 5/6 April 9.30am – 6pm £250 + VAT
University of Westminster, Central London

• 
  Top 10 mistakes writers make about story.
• Five best and worst questions about screenwriting.
• How the 22-step-approach is different from the 3-act structure.
• Five unique story elements of blockbuster films.
• Five best techniques of character and plot.
• 
  John Truby is Hollywood’s premier story consultant and founder of Truby’s Writers Studio. He has worked as a story consultant and script doctor for Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, FOX, and HBO, among others. 

Written by Nic Wistreich | 11 January 2008 | in news - Training

NPA producer training is legendary. I can credit it with getting the know-how to set-up both Netribution and another (now successful) production outift as limited companies while I was still a student.

I also later turned the information on incorporation - from the first class of their intensive producer training - into one of Netribution's most popular articles, How to register a Ltd Company for £31, which has appeared in all the funding books, and triggered the Writer Currently Known as James MacGregor to first contact us commending the site back in January 2000. Would I have set up Netribution and helped friends to incorporate Spirit Level if I hadn't been to the NPA class? Very possibly not.

NPA SPRING TRAINING 2008

1. NPA Co-Production Training | Weekend Course | 10:00 - 18:00
Pre-Berlin - 2nd & 3rd Feb  / Pre-Cannes - 26th & Sunday 27th April

2. NPA Pitching Skills for Film-makers | Evening Session | 18:30 - 21:30
Pre-Berlin - 5th February /Pre-Cannes - 30 April

3. NPA Budget & Schedule for Feature Film | Weekend Course | 10:00 - 16:00
16th & 17th February

4. NPA Five Week Intensive Producer Training | 1 day p/w over 5 weeks | 10:00 - 17:00
Feb 21st, 28th, March 6th, 13th, 20th

5. NPA How to Set Up and Run a Production Company | Weekend Course | 10:00 - 16:00
23rd & 24th February

6. NPA Producing A Short Film | Weekend Course | 10:00 - 16:00
8th & 9th March

7. NPA 1st Draft: Feature Film | 1 weekend per month over 6 months | 10:00 - 17:00
March 8th & 9th 2008

8. NPA 1st Draft: TV Drama | 1 Saturday per month over 6 months | 10:00 - 17:00
Running from March - Dates TBC

9. NPA Genre Days | A Series | 10:00 - 18:00
4th April - Horror / 2nd May - Sci Fi (in partnership with the Sci-Fi Film Festival www.sci-fi-london.com) /13th June - Comedy

For full details please see below or go to www.npa.org.uk