18 Storytelling courses in Walton-on-Thames

“Photography is my way of bearing witness to the joy I find in seeing the extraordinary in ordinary.” -Harold Feinstein Photography For Parents - Advanced Course Next course starts on 15th April 2024  6 week Photography course designed to help further advance your photography skill and move beyond simply capturing what's in front of you. Choose this course if you are already friends with your camera but want to learn how to shoot creatively in full manual, how to go beyond the basic composition rules and start expressing yourself through photography KEY COURSE INFO: Course type: Instructor-led or self paced Course duration: 6 weeks Course format: Online course with Interactive weekly live classes, personal photo feedback and support group WHAT YOU LEARN: In this course we build on the key photo skills we introduce in the Fundamentals Course and learn some new ones ( although completing the Fundamentals course is not a pre-requisite)  You will love this course if you want to keep growing your photographic eye, truly control your camera and start making your photos reflect who you are and who your family are. This is the course where your photography really picks up the pace. We will support and challenge you to help you find your own voice in photography. creative use of manual mode creating strong compositions low light shooting capturing emotions introduction to flash using colour in photography THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU IF : Are already familiar with your camera - but want to get better at using it in full manual - with no overwhelm or frantic guesswork You want to take photographs that look more polished and that truly show you what you pictured in your head - still true to your kids and who they are You want to be able to capture true emotions and express yourself through photography You want to get more creative with light and colour to elevate your images and make them shine Next course starts on 15th April 2024 The bookings for this course are not open yet - request to be added to the waiting list to be offered priority booking and Early Bird prices when the course registration opens 5 core course modules Support Facebook group Weekly online Live class Personal Feedback on your images BONUS: extra module with ideas to keep your creativity flowing BONUS: PDF course workbook HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL LEARN in this course :  This course was designed to help you grow your photography skills beyond just being able to take "nice looking photos". You will love this course if you want to keep growing your photographic eye, truly control your camera and start making your photos reflect who you are and who your family are. This is the course where your photography really picks up the pace. We will support and challenge you to help you find your own voice in photography. How do I get FULL control of my camera? - shooting in full manual - but with clarity and purpose When is the ‘correct’ exposure not the RIGHT one and why is my camera confused? And more importantly, how to fix it in camera? How do you capture genuine emotion and NOT just fake smiles? No more 'smile for Mummy' How to make your light AND SHADOWS work for you? and capture stunning images even if you think you have barely any light What makes a ‘strong image’ and how do I begin to get them more consistently? INSIDE THE MODULES - aka WHAT DO YOU LEARN? Module 1: Getting started in Manual mode First steps into shooting in full manual – understanding your exposure and metering, finding correct exposure for your subject, handling over and under exposure and adjusting your settings without even taking your camera away from your eyes. Major Takeaways: At the end of the module you will have gained full control of your camera - no more guessing game and unpredictable results with all the control going firmly to you. You will be able to understand your jump off points for different situations and how to adjust them to the changing light or environment Module 2: More on manual exposure and why your camera is often wrong Learning when the ‘correct’ exposure is not the “right exposure”, understanding and interpreting your histograms, learning how your environment can help you get the right exposure even in tricky light, dealing with challenging light situations. Major Takeaways: Knowing when to trust and not trust your camera's exposure assessment. Knowing exactly how to adjust things when the images don't turn out looking right out of the camera. Having a method to help you capture different colour accurately - especially when it comes to skin tones, or elements that are bright or dark Module 3: Powerful composition  Learning what makes a strong image and learning to create your own, consistently, with the help of our advanced composition techniques – beyond the rule of thirds. Visual storytelling and creating connection to create images which go beyond just pretty. Major Takeaways: Learning new concepts in composition - things that will help you create exiting visual flow, help with impactful storytelling and draw the viewer's eye into the image rather than away from it.  Next course starts on 15th April 2024Get your space now Module 4: No such thing as bad light There is no such thing as bad light - even with just a sliver of it you can make a statement in your images. In this module we teach you how to work with low light - through low key photography - playing with light and shadows. And we give you an introduction to Flash - for when you want to boost your existing natural light that little bit more.    Major Takeaways: You will learn how to use light and shadows to your advantage, literally learning to paint with light - letting it uncover your subject, and hide what you want to stay out of light. Much like the light module in our Fundamentals course this is very much an AH-HA lesson that will shake your photography to its core. Module 5: Photographing emotions  In this module we get under our subject's skin and focus on photographing emotions. We show you how to reply on more than facial expression to show emotions and how to use your creative toolkit, including colour theory to make the viewer see and understand the emotion felt in the moment.  Major Takeaways: Learning how to capture genuine connection with your subject and their true emotions – whether happy or mad! Going beyond the smiles or frowny faces to portray your children’s true selves and capturing the moment. Using body language and other creative means – from colour theory, editing style and more! BONUS Module 6: Your creative self Exploring various photographic styles and conventions. Learning to recognise your own strengths and weaknesses and taking steps to grow further. Bonus creative exercises to take you outof your rut and help you continue to grow your photography. In my opinion Advanced level 2 is absolute must as it expand the knowledge from level 1 to the point, that you can take photos confidently, and knowing what you do. I did it online and my teachers were superb, passionate, helpful and very flexible.  Aga Stefaniak Photography for Parents ADVANCED Book your space now: COURSE STARTS : 15th April 2024( 6 weeks incl 1 week break)COURSE COST :   £279 (payment plans available) What’s included: 6 weekly modules covering all key aspects of children’s photography, weekly live online class ( also recorded) - on Wednesday evenings personal feedback and advice on your images private support group PDF workbook Photography for Parents ADVANCED But will it work for me? - our guarantee: We know our course works. We have seen a few thousands of students go through our courses and really improve. BUT, if you find that after the first couple of modules that it just doesn't work for you, you haven't learnt anything new, it's the wrong level for you, you haven't improved, or you simply don't get on or engage with it - we will simply refund you in full. Simple as that!

Stories and metaphor are a powerful way to stimulate hope and by-pass resistance – they can also enhance problem solving and creativity, beneficially impact the mind/body system and much more… Accredited CPD Certificate : 6 hours Length 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) Wonderful – inspiring, informative and empowering communication skills masterclassJENI NELSON, PSYCHOTHERAPIST / HYPNOTHERAPIST Why take this course Stories can be incredibly powerful therapeutic tools. They help bypass rigid views about life, enhancing the listener’s flexibility of thought. And by suspending ordinary constraints, they help people reclaim optimism whilst fueling their imaginations with the energy necessary to attain goals. In the physically ill, they can also stimulate the immune system and speed recovery. All successful psychotherapy and counselling involves storytelling and the use of pertinent metaphors, both of which tap into the natural way our brains work. We can’t know what goes on in another person’s mind but, if you perceive the ‘pattern’ of a story and understand that it could be useful to them at a specific point in their life, that is reason enough to tell it. Their unconscious, creative imagination will seek and find the ‘meaning’ relevant to their situation. No explanation, no direct statement of a story’s meaning can substitute for the way it acts on the hearer’s mind. Join us to discover more and learn how to source and tell such therapeutic tales yourself… Gareth was fantastic, brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm as well as stories to the course...PROJECT MANAGER Wonderful practical skills - I was entranced the whole day...PSYCHIATRIST What will you learn How and why our brains work through ‘pattern-matching’ How to use this profoundly useful tool for getting through to people stuck in the black-and-white thinking of emotional distress A powerful way to stimulate optimism, hope and independence in distressed people Increased ability to source and tell therapeutic stories yourself Ways to enhance your own problem solving capacity, as well as being better able to help others with theirs A new way to motivate and engage people Insights into the mind/body communication system and how useful this tool can be for promoting healing and recovery A great way to build rapport and bypass resistance How to choose the appropriate stories and metaphors for different people, and when to use them Practical ways in which therapists, teachers, GPs, managers, policy planners etc can apply this knowledge to their work The ability to enhance flexibility of thought, creativity and confidence in your clients How stories and metaphor can also help us diagnose where problems lie A new love and deeper understanding of the value, resonances and resources within stories Greater confidence in dealing with a wide range of people – and a solid understanding of, and practise in, the therapeutic precision of metaphor and more… So informative and relevant to my everyday work..SCHOOL COUNSELLOR Pat Williams, creator of this course, talks you through its benefits Course Programme The ‘How to tell stories that heal’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am How and why stories help people 11.00am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.30am How to find the right story for each situation 1.00pm Lunch (included) 1.45pm How to use stories as therapy 2.45pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.00pm How to tell stories well: the three simple rules 4.00pm Day ends This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Date: Tuesday 30th May Time: 4pm Location: Studio A - Landor Road Come and celebrate another year of great filmmaking at CFS at our Summer Screening event. This is a great opportunity to see the exciting work produced by yourselves and other students on the big screen, whilst also meeting new and talented people you can work with in the future.Event Details: There's a real range of films to see, from insightful documentaries, to extraordinary flights of fantasy, to wonderful experimental storytelling. The best way to see these tales unfold is on the big screen!Be sure to book your tickets in advance so as not to miss out. We hope to see you there! Films showing include: - Red Flash- Beyond Your Wildest Dreams- The Geezer- Sparring All-Stars- Mantaro- Curves on Curbs- Merry-Go-Down- They Want to Be Like You- Two Wrongs This is a free event that all students are welcome to attend (please note this is an event for those who are 18+ years old). The deadline to book this event is 28th May

Effective communication in the workplace is part and parcel of our daily lives, but not everyone is a natural.  Do you find it tough standing up in front of people? Does the thought of engaging with audiences in any setting fill you with anxiety? Is doing a remote video message to colleagues on Zoom or Teams a tough call? Do you do it regularly but need some professional guidance on whether it’s working? At CoComms we can improve every aspect of your performance and offer a range of tips and techniques to help manage these environments and keep your audience engaged and interested. Public Speaking and Presentation Training In a professional setting it’s vital to come across as dynamic, trustworthy, credible and real. You want people to trust you and in turn get behind your vision or plan or proposal. If you can achieve this you can improve your confidence, your engagement and your prospects. Our training is designed to hone your presentation skills so whether you are pitching for work, taking colleagues through change or speaking to a new audience, you can do it with a clarity and confidence that makes your messages clear and insightful. The training includes: Perfecting your slides Working to produce a clean, easy to navigate slide deck that give logic and flow to your presentation. Developing your storytelling We use our journalistic techniques to show you how to build a story to keep your audience engaged with a well-structured and entertaining presentation. Calls to Action Make sure it is clear what you want to achieve and what you want from your audience. Rehearse and Review We film and then playback a range of practical presentation exercises so we can review your performance and work to make any improvements. Conference and Panel Training The audience at a conference may be a captive one, but that doesn’t mean they are always listening and engaging with what you have to say. We can make sure your keynote speech or panel contribution is memorable, appreciated by your audience and beneficial to your business. Our training looks at preparing for and delivering a speech from start to finish and includes: Defining your big ideas What is it you want to say and what do you want your audience to remember? Develop your narrative and script How can you get across your message using storytelling. Choosing the right language How vibrant and energised language can make the difference in your speech. The tips and tricks to make sure your speech is memorable How vocabulary and delivery techniques ensure your words are heard. Controlling the message How to deal with unhelpful questions and return to the main aspects of your story. Stakeholder Communication Training Engaging effectively with stakeholders with clarity and confidence can make all the difference to your relationships. A successful “town hall” meeting can win over your sceptics, convince those who are unsure and build a common goal between your business and stakeholders. Our stakeholder communication training prepares you for these vital meetings and includes: Focusing the meeting We look at how to control the meeting so the important business is covered and how to prepare for any questions or comments you may receive. Keep control of the conversation We teach you conversational techniques to focus on the main points without being too assertive or dismissive. Rehearse and Review We use video and practical role-play exercises to assess your performance and look for ways to improve. Breaking down the information We look at how to present facts and figures without overwhelming (or boring!) your audience. Our techniques will help you narrate the message in a clear and comprehensive way. Making an impact Using our journalistic experience we will work with you to develop your presentation skills to make the biggest impact and demonstrate credibility and authority. Video Calls for Business The world has changed. Now is the time to ensure your business is changing too. Many in-person meetings, conferences, networking events and clients hosting are, for now, a thing of the past. These face-to-face interactions have been replaced by video calls, webinars and online events. So, how do you develop contacts, maintain relationships and manage your team in this new virtual world? How do you look and sound confident, be heard, and build trust and credibility through a computer screen? At CoComms, we are online communications experts and our years of experience in broadcasting mean we understand how to engage a virtual audience. Interactive and practical training We work with you through a variety of scenarios to analyse your performance on video calls. Feedback on your performance We offer supportive, positive feedback and share our tried and tested techniques so you can improve. Make Video Calls work for you Through our training you will become more confident, more productive and more dynamic on video calls. Contact us If you have a query regarding any of our services or would like to book a consultation for free initial advice and guidance please get in touch

'Selling' doesn't work. You've got to help customers buy. And that means engaging with the customer in a positive way, showing that you understand their requirement and giving them confidence that your product or service is the best possible way of meeting that requirement. This may sound painless but there's more to it than meets the eye and it's all too easy to get it wrong. You need to follow a process. This programme will help participants: Understand 'how buyers buy' and align their selling activities accordingly Recognise the difference between 'latent pain' and 'active vision' opportunities Conduct effective pre-call planning and research Stimulate interest and establish credibility with your prospects Get prospects to share / admit high priority pain Engage in consultative dialogue that promotes the differentiating strengths of your offerings Gain access to 'power' people within an opportunity Effectively qualify and disqualify opportunities based on objective decision criteria Better control and manage sell cycles Improve their chances of winning competitive opportunities Shorten sales cycles and avoid 'no decision' Negotiate the steps leading to a successful sale 1 An introduction to selling Understanding the key points that encourage a customer to purchase from us The difference between consultative selling and a transactional sale Understanding the roles that trust and empathy play in a sale Understanding how tricks and manipulation can sink a sale Vital pre-meeting research that must take place before a conversation Understanding how the customer sees us and why positioning is important 2 Structuring the sales conversation process Defining a set process for structuring a sales call with a chance to demonstrate understanding How the first minute of a conversation can destroy a sale Understanding BPO objectives for a sale How a step-by-step sales conversation process helps win more sales Understanding the mis-match between the customers buying process How our sales processes can lead to mistakes 3 How and why people buy An insight into the emotional factors behind how people arrive at purchasing decisions Using research from neuroscience that shows how sales people can really make mistakes Understanding how people make decisions about larger purchases Understanding the stakeholders in companies and their buying motives How to analyse the stakeholders and determine a win-plan 4 Understanding the funnel Studying the sales and buying process to understand the ratios of sales to prospects and better forecasting Understanding the role of forecasting in sales analysis Why many forecasts are nearly always wrong Understanding the stages of a sales process How 'verifiable outcomes' can really change forecasting 5 Questioning techniques Understanding the different questioning techniques and when they should be used Using the 'knowledge tree' as a framework for questioning Understanding the use of real empathy to help customers uncover their needs How effective research can really empower your questions How to ask 'high gain' questions How to ask difficult questions without feeling intrusive 6 Features and benefits How to practically apply them in a sales scenario How to align the benefits to customers' business goals Really understanding the difference and how to demonstrate true economic benefits to a customer How to discover business goals, and align value propositions to these How to craft an effective value proposition for a customer Using the SAR storytelling method to really engage customers to align their thinking patterns Using the latest neuroscience research that explains what customers are really thinking 7 Overcoming objections How 'confirmation bias' can hinder any sales conversation How the CLARA method of responding to customer concerns can dramatically improve the chances of customers responding to us in a positive way Practising the method to become comfortable and congruent with it 8 Closing the sale A deep dive into what closing is How different sales have different closes How too many closing methods can destroy a sale How to lead up to a close with a logical sequence of questions Using the ACSAT trust method of closing A clear methodology with a chance to practise the skills in a fun way

Join us for a special 61st anniversary screening of JFK (1991) by Oliver Stone Step back into one of the most tumultuous moments in American history with a powerful screening of the theatrical version of Oliver Stone’s gripping and controversial thriller that explores the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Through dramatic storytelling and a deep dive into the era’s conspiracy theories, the film raises provocative questions that still stir debate today. Event Highlights Historical context: CFS welcomes Dr Mark de Valk, Course Leader of Practical Filmmaking at Central Film School, who will first deliver a pre-screening overview on Oliver Stone’s 1991 film JFK. Film screening: A special 61st anniversary screening of the theatrical version of JFK (1991) by Oliver Stone. There will also be a demonstration of a Bell & Howell 8mm film camera that captured the event on 22/11/63.

Learn the basics of Data Science, combining a supported #CISCO Skills for All online course with practical learning and a project to help consolidate the learning.

Learn the basics of Data Science, combining a supported #CISCO Skills for All online course with practical learning and a project to help consolidate the learning.