Filmmakers Foundation Certificate | London

Have the film industry demystified in five evenings and learn the basics of writing, directing and producing.

Tutors:	Elliot Grove and special guest	Venue:	Apollo Cinema Piccadilly Circus, 19 Lower Regent Street London SW1Y 4LR
Date:	Tuesdays for 5 weeks Tuesday 12 October	Duration:	5 evenings
Time:	6:30 - 9:00pm	Price:	£165 + 17.5% VAT

Order online or register by calling Raindance at 0207 287 3833 For Raindance Members Discounts log into the Members Area
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The Filmmaker’s Foundation Certificate is designed to provide new and potential filmmakers with the ammunition to tackle their first short or feature film. Split over five weeks, this course equips attendees with the tools and skills to start making their film career. The classes are informal and relaxed and offer participants with an overview of the filmmaking process and industry.

Week 1: Writing for Low Budget Films

Writing your first movie but have a low budget? This week we will concentrate on how to get the most out of your script, locations and actors and how to make sure these elements will be in line with a low budget. You will develop the tools to turn your script into a unique and saleable story.
Discover -
- Writing on a low budget
- Creating characters that grab audience attention
- Essentials of screen dialogue
- Story structure explained

Week 2: Essentials of Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking

Making movies can be very expensive but debut films are usually made on miniscule budgets. A successful filmmaker can make the ordinary seem extraordinary and offer exceptional production values.
Discover -
- Finding Lo-to-No budget locations
- Low budget shooting tips
- Working with crew and actors with little money
- Negotiation and communication skills

Week 3: Director's Toolkit

Actors, cinematographers and directors form one of the most exciting relationships on a movie set. New directors need to learn to communicate their vision to their cast and crew in order to get the best results on screen.
Discover -
- Finding a cast
- Using and understanding the rehearsal process
- Protocol on the set
- Basics of camera placement and shooting

Week 4: Introduction to Production

Computer and camera companies have developed a bewildering array of low cost editing and camera equipment. Learn how to choose the right equipment and maximise its potential for the edit of your movie.
Discover -
- Basics of the picture and image capture equipment
- Introduction to DV equipment available
- Working with sound
- Limitations and benefits of desktop editing

Week 5: Breaking Into The Film Industry

If you really want to work in the film industry as a writer, director or producer, your chances of success will succeed if you make a plan of attack. Learn how to identify areas of interest to you, and how to approach the right people - the people who can help you, or who can hire you.
Discover -
- Creating a showreel
- Presenting yourself: CV's and query letters
- How to break in as a writer, a director or producer
- Getting jobs in crew: sound, camera, art department, post-production etc.

Writers, directors, producers, actors, filmmakers, cinema lovers, anyone with an interest in how movies are made and who seek a basic introduction to the filmmakiing process.

Chris Thomas has been working with directors at Raindance since 2000. He has developed a unique approach and style to directing that has inspired hundreds of filmmakers who have worked with him, Chris also directs for stage and is currently finishing his 3rd feature script.

Elliot Grove founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993, the British Independent Film Awards in 1998, and Raindance.TV in 2007. He has produced over 150 short films, and 5 feature films. He has written eight scripts, one of which is currently in pre-production. His first feature film, TABLE 5 was shot on 35mm and completed for a total of £278.38. He teaches writers and producers in the UK, Europe. Japan and America. He has written two books which have become industry standards: RAINDANCE WRITERS' LAB (Focal Press 2008) and RAINDANCE PRODUCERS' LAB (2004). His first novel THE BANDIT QUEEN is scheduled for publication in 2010.

"I'm so impressed with the course and support from Raindance I'm now going to join as members. Thank you all so much for inspiring me!" - Pauline Wai

"For someone who has never worked in film or even made a short, it's inspired me to pick up a camera and get going." - Rachel Doring

“The Filmmaker's Foundation course was a source of great inspiration and fun for me. It helped to get a group and a whole screenplay together. The course gave us enough assignments to foster creativity, yet left us plenty of time to discover our own strengths. I came away from the course with an array of techniques that I can call upon to encourage my imagination.” - Steven Hyndman

“I had quite a few ‘light bulb’ moments!” – Laura Paton

“A huge amount of information, presented in digestible chunks, and utterly invaluable.” – Jeremy Phillips

“Now I know how much I didn’t know.” – Ashley Holloway

Raindance Producers' Lab: Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking: discover the secrets of filmmaking from A-Z
Shot By Shot: A basic introduction to film direction

Evening Course: Writer's Foundation Certificate
Evening Course: Director's Foundation Certificate
Evening Course: Producer's Foundation Certificate
Evening Course: Documentary Foundation Certificate
Weekend: Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking: Dozens of low budget filmmaking tips, plus the latest on finance and marketing

To book, call Raindance on 0207 287 3833

For course details and updates, please see our training calendar

Filmmakers Foundation Certificate