Workshops

Aim:

To equip students with advanced practical skills and theoretical knowledge in film and television production, with a particular emphasis on specialist areas such as cinematography, editing, sound design, and production management, through hands-on workshops and industry-standard practices.

Task

In preparation for the workshops in the coming weeks you need to: 

• Watch some videos on your designated role/ roles and make notes on anything you find interesting.

• Any behind the scenes facts or advice the presenters give you.

• Make notes on anything you didn't know about the role/ roles. 

Screenwriting

Recap the responsibilities of a screenwriter 

We are then going to put the skills and responsibilities into practice.

• You will know the fundamentals of scriptwriting from font to size to where each type of text is positioned (e.g. dialogue, actions etc.)

• You will be tasked to use industry software (Celtx, Arc or Final Draft (Trial versions)) 

• You will develop your scriptwriting techniques, script annotation, character development, performance rehearsal and creative communication 

• You will each create and make your own script in your chosen software, one to two pages only with one character, in one room, with dialogue of the one person speaking to themselves/ having a two way conversation with themselves and you must include actions for the character and emotions. 

• You will practice using a working script from the industry

• Be prepared to gain feedback on your scripts

Directing

Recap the responsibilities of a director. 

We are then going to put the skills and responsibilities into practice.

• You will be given a script to work with

• You will each read the script and make notes on your script in order to direct your actor and camera operator- this will use the techniques used last week with the working script. Then you will develop a corresponding storyboard and shot list which you will be utilising. 

• As the director you will take responsibility for visual storytelling, blocking and staging and directing actors which include creating backstory and enhancing your actors emotions.

• In a group of 3 you will be given a role each e.g.: director, actor and camera operator for the practical

• Each group will be given a specific set of camera shots to stick to, e.g. one group will have developed shots for close ups, the other group will have developed shots for mid shots and the last group will have developed shots for long shots. You can use any of the sub shot associated with these shots and use any movements or angles for this.

• You will then take part in the practical and then swap roles, until all of you have done each role. 

• Be prepared to gain feedback from the workshop 

Recap the responsibilities of a cinematographer.

We are then going to put the skills and responsibilities into practice.

• You will each have your scripts from last week and all your notes along with your storyboard and shot lists.

• As the cinematographer you will collaborate with the director and take responsibility for the visual style and mood, lighting set up and camera angles/ shots/ movements. 

• You will learn about cinematic rules such as the 180 degree rule, rule of thirds, frame within a frame, leading lines and symmetry and asymmetry. And cinematic lighting techniques such as high key lighting, low key lighting, directional lighting and colour contrast.

• In your same group of 3 you will be given a role each e.g.: director, cinematographer and script supervisor (you will learn about this role, this week)

• You will then take part in the practical and then swap roles, until all of you have done each role

• AND you will get into the habit of checking your footage right after filming to ensure the footage is as it should be, doing this along with your director and you will work with your script supervisor to ensure all notes are correct.

• Be prepared to gain feedback from the workshop 

Editing 

Recap the responsibilities of an editor

We are then going to put the skills and responsibilities into practice.

• You will download all the footage from the cinematography workshop and upload to premire pro

• You will then work on organising your workspace by labelling and renaming the footage in terms of close up, mid shot or long shot- the clapperboard will help with this as you need to use shot number and take number with this.

• You will create a rough cut of the footage with help from your paperwork and script supervisor notes

• The rough cut needs to be 1-2 minutes

• You will learn about editing rules such as crossing the 180 degree line, shot/ reverse shot, cutaways, reaction shot and match on action.

• Be prepared to gain feedback from your edit