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Introduction to Filmmaking

10-week Online Short Course

Overview

This class will be taught online using a mixture of MS Teams and Zoom – you can take part from the comfort of your own home from anywhere in the world!

The Introduction to Filmmaking course is designed to introduce students to the key elements of how to devise and create a short film. Students will participate in a variety of practical sessions which focus on developing understanding of the filmmaking process. During the course, students have the opportunity to apply these skills in the creation of their own short film. The content of the module will focus on:

  • The key elements involved in devising and creating a short film
  • Character creation and development
  • Narrative development
  • Visual storytelling
  • Film structure
  • The production process for filmmaking
  • Use of technology in filmmaking
  • Basic editing skills

Module content

The module is designed to:

  • develop knowledge and understanding of the key elements involved in devising and creating a short film
  • enhance practical and creative filmmaking skills
  • develop knowledge, understanding and ability to create interesting characters and narrative structures
  • provide the opportunity to plan and develop an original idea for a short film
  • develop skills in critical analysis

During the course students will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key elements involved in devising and creating a short film.
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan and develop an original idea for a short film from creation to completion.
  • Critically analyse their short film, identifying strengths and areas for development.

You will be assessed through:

  • Filmmaking Portfolio (80%)
  • Critical Analysis (20%)

Please see the Course Outline on the menu on the left for further information regarding the course and assessment.

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Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.

The important details

Age:
16+

Cost:
£240

Date:
Tuesdays, 8 October - 10 December 2024

Time:
6:30pm - 9pm

Venue:
Online


Course Information

There are no entry requirements for this course.

The course is designed so that motivated students will benefit from the training. We expect you to undertake a certain amount of self-directed study and preparation out with class times.

Students should be open, honest, generous, respectful, hard-working and willing to work as part of a team.

All students should ensure that they have:

  • Computer or tablet with ability to access Teams/Zoom, with webcam and microphone capability;
  • Internet Access;
  • A camera that can take video and still pictures (this can be a phone or a camera)

Any course specific preparation will be sent to successful applicants ahead of the course start date.

This course is suitable for students aged 16+, with no or little experience. Students should be keen to learn and plan to attend all classes.

Duncan Sanders

Credit-rated short courses are designed in accordance with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

By studying a credit-rated short course, students can benchmark their learning against national standards, and credits may be used towards further education programmes at many institutions throughout the world.

The course is 25 hours of study and is worth 10 SCQF credits and 5 ECTS credits. This course is set at SCQF level 6.


There is an additional fee of £100 to take part in the credit-rated portion of the course. Please ensure you have already signed up to the course via the Book Now button on the web page. Once you have completed that, please sign up for the credit-rated option, by completing this booking form:

Credit-rated Booking Form

By studying a credit-rated course, you will need to be matriculated to RCS*, we require some additional information from credit-rated students for this reason. Please read through the section below thoroughly before you submit. If you have any questions about what is required, please email credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk and we can help you.

* Please note although Credit-Rated Short Courses students require matriculation to get their accreditation, you will not be a full time matriculated student of RCS. Credit-Rated Short Courses do not qualify for student visas due to the short term nature of the course. You will also not qualify for a student email address or student card.

Please read the following eligible evidence dependant on your nationality and immigration status:

Scottish/Welsh/English/Northern Irish 
(Please provide 1 of the following)
– Passport
– UK Driving Licence
– Other Photo ID

Irish (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport

Europeans with Settled or Pre-Settled Status (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Europeans (post-Brexit) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Non-Europeans who can use the e-gates (Nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and Japan) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Vignette
– Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Online Credit Rated courses:
– if studying an online credit-rated course from your own country (outside of UK) you are only required to submit your passport.
– if studying an online credit-rated course within the UK, but do not hold a UK passport, please follow the guidance from above.

The Credit Rated or Admissions team may require further information or proof from individuals, and may be in contact with you to provide further evidence.

Providing a ShareCode
If you are providing a ShareCode as part of your evidence please visit https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and follow the instructions to access your code, and provide it in the Experience section of the Booking Form.

This course will run in-person on Tuesday evenings for 10-weeks from 8 October – 10 December 2024, 6:30pm – 9pm.

The course fee is £240 which is the equivalent to £24 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.


Further Information

We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:

Agnes Allan Bursary

Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.

The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.

Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.

James McAvoy Drama Scholarships

BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.

James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.

The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.

You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.

We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.

You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.

Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.

Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.

Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.

Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.

Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk

Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk

Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk