66 Filmmaking courses

International Summer School for 13-18 year olds from all over the world at St Andrews, Cambridge and Yale Universities.

A good script is the bottom line of any film project. Without it you don’t get the commission, the best actors, the desired result. Film and television are collaborative mediums, so how should a Director and a Writer collaborate to achieve the best outcome?

Employing a mix of practical exercises and critical reflection, this introductory day course provides an overview of fundamental techniques for recording and editing voice, ambiences and sound effects for podcasts, video/film and art installations or just for fun. The course uses industry standard software and introduces a range of popular, high quality microphones and portable recording devices. The course has enough flexibility to be steered by the individual interests of the participants, but you will generally cover; the properties of sound, microphone selection and placement, gain structure, effective planning, noise limiting and reduction, sound editing, dynamics, sound processing and spatial effects. If desired, we can look at a variety of techniques for improving sound quality and recording audio from video conferencing, as we all find ourselves working and interacting in this manner every day. Computer experience is required. Morning Microphone Selection – why and when to use Applications, characteristics, limitations Microphone type – Dynamic, Condenser, Lavalier, Shotgun, Boundary, Stereo, Binaural Polar Patterns – Omni, Cardoid, Attenuated and others Practical microphone placement and technique Critical distance, proximity effect, shielding, simple acoustic treatments, filtering Lavalier microphone – positioning, preventing distortion & rustles Booming – positioning, preventing microphone bumps Stereo Mics – phase issues Afternoon Editing techniques (fades, looping) Building a mix Basic sound processing, noise reduction and dynamics (channel strips, EQ and compression) Insert effects (modulation, filtering, distortion) Send effects (delay, reverb) Automation (of volume, panning etc) Bussing (sending signals to multiple fx) Mastering effects (limiting) Exporting and file types   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

Date: 10th October Time: 4pm Location: Studio A Come and join our introductory session with Film Buddy for 2023! From work experience to mentoring programmes, Film Buddy has everything you need to get to grips with your career in film and start on the right track. Sign up for your FREE TICKET and we'll see you there!

Date: 9th October Time: 4pm Location: Studio A Come and join our introductory session with Film Buddy for 2023! From work experience to mentoring programmes, Film Buddy has everything you need to get to grips with your career in film and start on the right track. Sign up for your FREE TICKET and we'll see you there!

Date: Thursday 28th September Time: 4pm Location: Studio A - Landor Road Event Details: Richard Hewitt is a film producer, who has previously worked in the industry as a 1st AD and Production Manager over the last few decades. He has kindly agreed to visit CFS to discuss hiss experiences in these roles, whilst shining a light on the different types of producers and their responsibilities. He has produced many well known and respected movies, including: - Bohemian Rhapsody - The Theory of Everything - Never Let Me Go - The Aeronauts The session will wrap with a wider Q+A session at the end. This is a free event that all students are welcome to attend. Be sure to book tickets in advance though so that you don't miss out!

Time: 4pm Date: Thursday 9th November Location: Studio A Writer and director Andrew Legge joins us via Zoom for this exclusive screening event, where we'll be showing his recently released film 'LOLA' in Studio A, followed by a discussion and Q+A. Set during World War 2, the film charts the amazing invention by two sisters of a computer that's able to show glimpses of the future. By altering events in the present, the world changes around the two women, as time and space reach near breaking point. One of the best underground films to come out this year, be sure to come and see it, and then get a chance to speak to the man who made it afterwards!

Date: Wednesday 1st November Time: 3pm Location: Classroom 2 We are pleased to invite The Mandy Network to come and speak to all of our students about the services they provide, and how their website can help with casting and networking for your films. Offering a safe, professional manner for creative individuals to connect with one another, this is an essential event for any actors, filmmakers and future creatives to attend and learn from.

Date: Monday 30th October Time: 4pm Location: Studio A Director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk, Finding Forrester) creates a tender, meditative portrait of young gay men living off-grid in the early 1990s in My Own Private Idaho. Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix play best friends Scott and Mike, who turn tricks and hustle through difficulties living on the streets. Their bond and love is tested when ghosts from the past arise and they're forced onto the road to find answers. One of the most important films in LGBTQ+ cinema, My Own Private Idaho broke down barriers and flew in the face of taboo at the time of its release. Come and see this important story of celebrating gay culture on the big screen.

Date: Wednesday 11th October Time: 4pm Location: Studio A - Landor Road Events Details: Our 'QUEER COMING-OF-AGE' season continues with a father-son road trip story exploring body dysmorphia and familial acceptance; 2020's indie hit Cowboys. Steve Zahn and Sasha Knight star as Troy and Joe, a father and transgender son who head off into the Montana wilderness to escape Joe's traditionalist mother, played by Jillian Bell. Detective Faith Erickson is hot on their tail, as the father (suffering from bipolar disorder and a drinking problem) teaches his son to shoot guns, live off the land and become the man he wants to be. A powerful but gentle film about the freedom children are afforded in choosing who they are. After the film we'll head to The Landor pub next door where we'll discuss what we've seen over some drinks. Don't miss out, book your ticket now!