Hands-on Intensive 1-Week Filmmaking Workshop

OVERVIEW

The One-Week Hi-Def Filmmaking Workshop is the most intensive, instructional one-week program in filmmaking that can be found at any film school. In one short week, students are instructed in the basics of writing, directing, camera and digital editing, and each student writes, directs, shoots, and edits a short film project.

The pace of this one-week course is feverish, and students must be prepared to live and breathe filmmaking for the length of their stay.

The workshop is offered at the following locations: New York City; Los Angeles; South Beach, Florida; Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida; Harvard University; Paris, France; Gold Coast, Australia; Florence, Italy; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Moscow, Russia.

Curriculum

The program begins with two days of intensive study in camera, writing and directing. On day three, students begin shooting their individual exercises, which they continue shooting on day four. Day five is composed of editing class and post-production, ending with a final screening.

In the one-week workshop, each student writes, produces, directs, and digitally edits his or her own film on digital video, and rotates among crew positions when his or her classmates shoot.

Equipment and Facilities

Students use digital cameras, portable Lowel lighting packages, and digital editing software. Classrooms are equipped with a television, DVD player, and video cameras for demonstration and screening of clips.

Workshop Goal

The one-week workshop was designed to serve the needs of a variety of students, yet through hands-on classes and exercises, all students gain an understanding of the requirements and rigors of filmmaking, as well as experience the exhilaration of seeing a completed project.

For some, the One-Week course is an opportunity to see if filmmaking is the appropriate craft for them.

All students enrolling in the One-Week Filmmaking Workshop should be aware that this is an introductory course. The limitations of a one-week course should be apparent, given that many people spend years studying film and perfecting their craft. While the One-Week HD Filmmaking Workshop is not meant to be a substitute for longer-term programs, many students have made excellent projects and decided to pursue movie making in the future.

Course Descriptions

Director’s Craft Writing Project Advisement Editing Hands-on Camera/Lighting

Director’s Craft

Director’s Craft introduces students to the language and craft of filmmaking. Topics covered include storyboarding, composition, camera movement, continuity, montage, pacing, and rhythm.

Writing

This course is designed to help students develop their scripts for their short films. Students will be instructed in story structure, dramatic arc, creating characters, text and subtext, refining stories, and scriptwriting style.

Project Advisement

In this class each student pitches his or her project in front of his or her instructor and crew. Modeled after a professional pre-production meeting, Project Advisement gives student directors the chance to share their creative vision and solicit feedback on what would enhance their story while also being feasible given the limitations of their shooting schedule.

Editing

Editing is an art unto itself. Regardless of the editing system a filmmaker uses, it is the editor’s ability to work with the shots and tell a story that makes all the difference. Workshop students will learn how to use the digital editing system, Avid Media Composer. Each student edits his or her own film. Students are taught the fundamental concepts of film editing, both practical and aesthetic.

Hands-on Camera/Lighting

A hands-on class and instructor-led workshop in which students are introduced to the fundamentals of HD image making. The craft of composing images with the Canon 5D HD cameras will be taught “from the ground up” and will presuppose no prior knowledge of filmmaking. The proper use of basic lighting instruments and their contribution to the image will be explored in class exercises and demonstrations. The students will also learn fundamental lighting techniques.

*Students must write, shoot, direct, and edit one film project to complete the 1-Week Filmmaking Workshop.

Dates & Tuition