Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own short film.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
On this short intensive course, you will explore how to construct an exciting story, experiment with different shots and camera movements, and get to grips with recording and editing technology, producing your own professional-looking short movie. An excellent introduction for those wishing to begin a career in filmmaking or start their personal film making practice.
What will we cover?
An overview of planning, pitching and scripting the idea.
Film language including shot descriptions, camera movement and their uses.
The function and importance of the different stages of production.
Editing in DaVinci Resolve software. An introduction to the software and to a range of established editing techniques.
Exporting for exhibition and how to deliver your final film across multi-platforms ranging from YouTube, Vimeo
or Facebook to networks and festival runs.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Write a script in the correct format.
Understand framing and composition.
Use a range of digital technologies to record images and sound.
Use basic editing techniques in DaVinci Resolve to edit a short film
Be able to export your movie using the appropriate codec.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ course. You are expected to have some basic computer skills including opening applications, navigating, opening and saving files.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual assistance and handouts. Work between classes is encouraged as it helps you practice techniques and develop your film project further. We use Google Classroom E-learning platform which will store all tasks, notes and resources. You will be sent an email with the necessary information and will need to login into your Google classroom before each sessions starts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The latest professional equipment and software are available for your use in the class throughout the course. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive - please note PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to.) If you wish to develop your work further outside the class you will need to have access to a camera that can record video. Alternatively, you can use your mobile phone.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can develop your skills further in a range of film making courses including Narrative, Experimental, DSLR and Documentary film making. We also offer digital video editing courses in Da VInci Resolve and Premiere Pro and can complement your skills in a range of short courses in After Effects and animation.
Monika Kita is an artist and filmmaker with over 25 years of experience in the art world. Her works have been presented at festivals and exhibitions across the UK, Europe, and South America, including the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca, BBC Shorts, East End Film Festival, and the Venice Biennale. Teaching is an integral part of her practice. She fosters a flexible and open approach that encourages connections between concept, process, and material – recognising spontaneity and liberation as the beating heart of artistic practice. Monika designed and leads the City Lit expanded experimental film course at City Lit. She also teaches a range of short courses in experimental filmmaking, DSLR for video, and shooting for short films, alongside contributing to the City Lit dialogues course, City Lit fine art, and other related courses that situate moving image and animation practice within a broader fine art context.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/shoot-a-short-film-beginners2490805Shoot a short film: beginnershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/animation-film-thumb.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Animation & Filmmaking/Courses/Art & design/Animation & Filmmaking/Filmmaking & production22851132115915061228511321159<p>Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through<br>all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own<br>short film.</p>133066859Shoot a short film: beginners249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/animation-film-thumb.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceSep 2026Art & designVG147249249Shoot a short film: beginners199162249Monika Kitashoot-a-short-film-beginners/vg147-2627<p>Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through<br>all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own<br>short film.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00On this short intensive course, you will explore how to construct an exciting story, experiment with different shots and camera movements, and get to grips with recording and editing technology, producing your own professional-looking short movie. An excellent introduction for those wishing to begin a career in filmmaking or start their personal film making practice.<p>Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through<br>all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own<br>short film.</p><ul><li> An overview of planning, pitching and scripting the idea.</li><li> Film language including shot descriptions, camera movement and their uses.</li><li> The function and importance of the different stages of production.</li><li> Editing in DaVinci Resolve software. An introduction to the software and to a range of established editing techniques.</li><li> Exporting for exhibition and how to deliver your final film across multi-platforms ranging from YouTube, Vimeo</li><li>or Facebook to networks and festival runs.</li></ul><ul><li> Write a script in the correct format.</li><li> Understand framing and composition.</li><li> Use a range of digital technologies to record images and sound.</li><li> Use basic editing techniques in DaVinci Resolve to edit a short film</li><li> Be able to export your movie using the appropriate codec.</li></ul>This is a beginners’ course. You are expected to have some basic computer skills including opening applications, navigating, opening and saving files.You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual assistance and handouts. <br>Work between classes is encouraged as it helps you practice techniques and develop your film project further.<br>We use Google Classroom E-learning platform which will store all tasks, notes and resources. You will be sent an email with the necessary information and will need to login into your Google classroom before each sessions starts.The latest professional equipment and software are available for your use in the class throughout the course. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive - please note PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to.)<br>If you wish to develop your work further outside the class you will need to have access to a camera that can record video. Alternatively, you can use your mobile phone.<p>You can develop your skills further in a range of film making courses including Narrative, Experimental, DSLR and Documentary film making. We also offer digital video editing courses in Da VInci Resolve and Premiere Pro and can complement your skills in a range of short courses in After Effects and animation.</p>Animation & FilmmakingFilmmaking & productionvirtual199249162VG147NONEWed16/09/26 - 14/10/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMonika KitaBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00EveningSep 2026Art & design249249Shoot a short film: beginnersshoot-a-short-film-beginners/vg147-2627<p>Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through<br>all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own<br>short film.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00On this short intensive course, you will explore how to construct an exciting story, experiment with different shots and camera movements, and get to grips with recording and editing technology, producing your own professional-looking short movie. An excellent introduction for those wishing to begin a career in filmmaking or start their personal film making practice.<p>Have you always wanted to make a film but didn’t know where to start? This course will guide you through<br>all the film making processes including scripting, filming, recording sound, editing and exporting your own<br>short film.</p><ul><li> An overview of planning, pitching and scripting the idea.</li><li> Film language including shot descriptions, camera movement and their uses.</li><li> The function and importance of the different stages of production.</li><li> Editing in DaVinci Resolve software. An introduction to the software and to a range of established editing techniques.</li><li> Exporting for exhibition and how to deliver your final film across multi-platforms ranging from YouTube, Vimeo</li><li>or Facebook to networks and festival runs.</li></ul><ul><li> Write a script in the correct format.</li><li> Understand framing and composition.</li><li> Use a range of digital technologies to record images and sound.</li><li> Use basic editing techniques in DaVinci Resolve to edit a short film</li><li> Be able to export your movie using the appropriate codec.</li></ul>This is a beginners’ course. You are expected to have some basic computer skills including opening applications, navigating, opening and saving files.You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual assistance and handouts. <br>Work between classes is encouraged as it helps you practice techniques and develop your film project further.<br>We use Google Classroom E-learning platform which will store all tasks, notes and resources. You will be sent an email with the necessary information and will need to login into your Google classroom before each sessions starts.The latest professional equipment and software are available for your use in the class throughout the course. It would be useful to bring a memory stick (or portable hard drive - please note PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to.)<br>If you wish to develop your work further outside the class you will need to have access to a camera that can record video. Alternatively, you can use your mobile phone.<p>You can develop your skills further in a range of film making courses including Narrative, Experimental, DSLR and Documentary film making. We also offer digital video editing courses in Da VInci Resolve and Premiere Pro and can complement your skills in a range of short courses in After Effects and animation.</p>Animation & FilmmakingFilmmaking & productionconfigurable
15061159Filmmaking & productionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/art-and-design/animation-and-film-making/film-production-courses1/2/285/1132/1159/15061/Courses/Art & design/Animation & Filmmaking/Filmmaking & production
