Narrative filmmaking
This course is FREE if a) you live in London and your job is at risk of redundancy or b) you are either on Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) or Employment & Support Allowance(ESA) or c) you receive other state benefits (including Universal Credit). For more information click here
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: VG174
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
You will learn about essential stages of production from the pre-production stage through production, shooting to post-production, editing and rendering movies. You will learn the conventions of constructing an effective narrative, the meanings and uses of different shots and camera movements and how to get the best from your subject. You will also learn how to use video cameras and record sound, and how to capture and edit your work using a professional industry standard editing application.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- getting an idea
- different frame types and compositional elements
- recording with your camera
- Recording effective footage
- Capturing and editing footage in Premiere Pro
- Exporting your movie.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify and name some elements in creating a story/narrative
- create a basic storyboard from an idea
- identify different camera frames and moves and their meaning
- shoot video footage and sound for editing
- edit your sequence in Premiere Pro
- export your sequence as a movie.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ course. You are expected to have a basic knowledge of using computers including how to open applications, navigate, open and save files. Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in Film courses.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each session there will be demonstrations ,discussions and practical work including group and individual exercises, allowing for some individual tutorial support. Periodically there will be forum sessions were we will look at each other’s work to discuss different aspects of editing/ filmmaking in general and the post-production process. Asking questions and commenting is encouraged at all times. Handbooks, manuals and worksheets are available.
You will be taught with workshops, short lectures, practical exercises, tutorials and hand outs. Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in Film courses.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
We recommend for you to purchase removable storage (fast enough to edit video and at least 500GB) to collect and keep your data safe, though you will have your own account in class where you can accumulate your work from week to week.
You might also want to consider purchasing other books related to the subject of film making and editing. We will also provide you with a range of hand-outs free of charge and you can make use of books in the library.
Please note that a portable hard drive/USB stick if PC formatted can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
There are a range of film making and editing courses at City Lit as well as specialist courses in subjects like animation, colour correction, sound design and After Effects to enhance your skills. You may also be interested in our courses that explore the more conceptual underpinnings of film making and the creation of meaning.
Lily is a freelance film editor and consultant. Her main work over the past 10 years has been in helping people turn their dreams and visions into interesting films and successful artworks. She specialises in film editing, but also consults on all other aspects of film making and fine art. “To me, helping people find the stories the really want to tell and turn them into enjoyable and interesting films is uniquely rewarding and deeply fulfilling. I am particularly interested in enabling people’s own capacity, teaching them both practical skills (e.g. use of software and technical aspects of filmmaking) alongside conceptual underpinnings and critical engagement (version of visual literacy).” She has been teaching film and video related subjects ever since her own postgraduate student days. She is also an award-winning and internationally exhibited/collected artist.
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.