Filmmaking Course for Beginners

What you'll learn

Continue learning how to make a short video with our video courses in Sydney!

Do you have a short film idea that you want to shoot but you don't know where to begin? This Filmmaking Course for Beginners is designed to show any beginner the filmmaking process from start to finish. On this course, you will learn to identify production roles, know your equipment, and develop skills in visual storytelling using music, sound and lighting to maximise the impact of your work. You will use specialist knowledge, relevant to your field of interest to contribute to the production and success of a film project.

If you are looking to gain a scalable understanding of the process of making a micro-budget film from start to finish, from concept through to festival submissions this short filmmaking course is for you!

Learning outcomes

By the end of this short filmmaking course, you should be able to:

• Undertake practical exercises in shooting and editing a short film
• Work collaboratively in a team to make a short film from start to finish
• Build knowledge of the various production roles and try your hand at a range of skills on set
• Learn the basics of the post-production process
• Develop a simple script in collaboration with your peers
• Understand the pre-production processes of filmmaking
• Understand the various roles on a set and what suits your skillset
• Work within a budget to hire actors/actresses, secure locations and gear
• Create a basic storyboard and shot list to follow on the shoot day
• Produce your own short video or film (3 min length) and earn your first IMDB page credit

Course content

What will be covered in this filmmaking course?

Session 1: Introduction

An in-depth walkthrough of the filmmaking process covering the work we'll undertake and ascertaining student's interest in the individual roles in film production. 

• Introduction to filmmaking from start to finish
• Roles and responsibilities in the filmmaking process
• What makes an effective short film
• The "Elevator pitch"
• Polishing your film idea
• Creating a micro-budget film
• Homework: Pitch your concept for a short (3 min) film.

Session 2: Screenwriting

Students will decide on a pitch and collaborate on creating a script for the film, following some guidelines on how to create a film that is effective to shoot on a small budget, within limited timelines.

• Pitch session
• How to write an expressive screenplay
• Writers room - collaborating to create a script
• Table reads
• Final selection of project for the course

Session 3: Pre-production

Students will collaborate on a script breakdown, detailing what is needed for the shoot and create a preliminary shooting schedule and budget.

• Table read of the final script
• Script breakdown process
• Editing to match your budget/resources
• Creation of a shooting schedule
• Creation of a budget

Students will collaborate on storyboards for the finalised script and adjust the schedule accordingly, after which they will look to onboard key cast and crew, including learning about required contracts and agreements.

• Create a shot list for the film
• Create storyboards, based on the shot list
• Create lighting maps/set designs as required by the storyboards
• Clarify and lock in casting, required crew and additional resources for upcoming shoot dates

Session 4: Shoot planning

A final pre-production session where roles and responsibilities will be allocated.

• Final review of pre-production materials (schedules, storyboards and script)
• Location scouting
• Location design and set dressing plans
• Lighting plans
• Allocation of roles and responsibilities for shoot day (including any outstanding external cast and crew)
• Training session with the camera gear and lighting to be used on the shoot day
• Film set etiquette crash course

Session 5: Shooting (on location)

A full, standard shoot day with actors, equipment and craft services. Students will experience multiple roles on set and complete shooting for their film.

Session 6: Post-production 1 - Editing

Editing Students will collaborate on the "assembly cut" of the film, learning how to ingest files, sync sound, select takes and sequentially edit in Adobe Premiere Pro. Students with an interest in editing will be provided with the initial files and encouraged to submit their own cut of the film the following week.

• How to get all your files onto a computer and into a usable format (in Adobe Premiere Pro)
• Review and select takes
• Craft an "assembly cut" from the footage
• Basic editing terminology, cuts and techniques

Session 7: Post-production 2 - Music & sound, grade & titles, Credits & distribution

Students will collaborate on the final steps of post-production, refining their cut into a polished final product with music, sound effects, colour grade and titles.

• How to score a film and manage rights for low-budget productions
• Students will each be provided with a "fine cut" of the film and access to a large database of music and encouraged to create a unique mood and energy by scoring the film
• Where to find and how to add sound effects and foley to your film
• How to colour grade a film (in Premiere) and create mood, intertextuality and story using colour
• Selecting typefaces, fonts and how to integrate titles into your film

Students will be taught the process of ensuring all agreements are in place for the final cut of the film, as well as given guidance on how to submit their future projects to film festivals and seek distribution.

• How to add credits to your film (and ensure they are accurate)
• Collection and ratification of cast and crew agreements
• Distribution channels for short films
• How to submit to festivals
• How to protect your rights in online distribution

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

Equipment provided

• Sony A7sii Camera
• Samyang CinePrime lens set
• Heavy-duty film tripod
• Ninja Ronin V Monitor/Recorder
• Aputure LED Panel Lights (various), bounces and reflectors
• Zhiyun Crane 2 Gimbal
• Smoke machine
• Dolly
• A professional sound recordist will be on set with his recording kit, including boom and lavalier microphones (and sync sound unit)2x Sony AS7iii
• 27 inch iMac Computer Room
• Premiere Pro editing software