Courses - Online & in London

The 1950s was the beginning of the end for the Hollywood studio era, a golden age in place since the 1920s. The fifties are more difficult to pin down than the 1930/40s due to explosive diversity in both subject matter and cinematic technology, the profound influence of WWII, the development of European neorealism and the first signs of the French New Wave. An emphasis on teen culture emerged, represented by the brief career of James Dean. Film stars became anti-heroes. The moguls who founded Hollywood began to disappear. The studio business model was doomed. Hollywood reacted both defensively and creatively, going for broke—and producing some of the finest and most enduring films in its history, films that transformed the culture, from Sunset Blvd. (1950) to Some Like It Hot (1959)—both by Billy Wilder. From The Asphalt Jungle (1950) to The Misfits (1961)— Marilyn Monroe’s first and final films, both directed by John Huston. From Here To Eternity (1953 Fred Zinnemann) to A Place in the Sun (1951 George Stevens, part of his American trilogy). Fifties’ films reflected a darkening America. (See related courses on Fifties Musicals, Melodrama and Film Noir).

Many of the world's greatest books – as well as many of the worst - have taken romantic love as their theme. Take this opportunity to read some of the very best - novels which explore the complexity, heartbreak and frustration as well as the ecstasy of this most powerful human emotion.

Documentary-style films are the most popular genre on Social Media, on TV, and in Film festivals. Come and learn the essential techniques that make a gripping documentary.

Sculpting in relief and 3D is a lovely way to express your ideas and expand on your creative skills. This course is ideal for beginners to sculpting, giving a taster of several techniques. However, if you have experience in one material and would like to find out more, this course could also be for you. We will cover a range of materials and you will find out how different techniques have developed through time. This short taster course will be good preparation for any of our specialised sculpting courses.

Large scale printmaking enables expressive mark making. Use woodcut and linocut carving techniques to produce big, bold and multi-coloured, multi-layered prints for you to take home.