Hands-on 10-Week Filmmaking Workshop

The 10 week NYFA Australia Short Course sees the students embedded with the Diploma students in their first term*.

The following Subjects will be covered:
Screenwriting I
Camera
Production I
Safety on Set

The following Learning Outcomes will be achieved:

Screenwriting I:

On successful completion of the training and assessment of this unit you will have gained the skills and knowledge to:

Brainstorm, develop loglines, synopsis, understand 3 act structure, subtext, nuances of dialogue, script formatting according to industry standards, editing your screenplay, marketing screenplays, understanding mid points and theme.

This will be apparent with the attainment of the following skills:

• Generate and develop ideas for stories and documentaries
• Plan writing projects
• Create finished concepts and scripts
• Review and evaluate own stories, ideas and scripts

Camera

On successful completion of the training and assessment of this unit you will have gained the skills and knowledge to:

Understand focus, exposure, lighting, cinematography, special conditions and effects and set up camera equipment, set and change focus and capture shots.

This will be apparent with the attainment of the following skills:

1. Develop a working knowledge of the fundamentals of film and high-definition video cinematography.
2. Set up camera equipment and minimize camera shake.
3. Communicate with the crew.
4. Capture shots making necessary adjustments when required.
5. Set and change focus in consultation with the Director of Photography and pull focus on cue.
6. Recognise the role of the Cinematographer in the collaborative process and report to relevant production personnel on completion of shots regarding issues or required adjustments.
7. On completion of shots report to the continuity supervisor with camera notes.
8. Plan and shoot material for screen productions under special conditions.

Production I

To be a competent filmmaker, you must have an understanding of the entire film production cycle. During the production workshops, the knowledge of cinematic concepts you have acquired in other subjects will be applied to the practical decisions and activities you will encounter during the realisation of a film. Through this process you will develop methodologies in the following:

• Script interpretation
• Rehearsals and scene blocking
• Directing
• Working with crew
• On-set procedures
• Simple Editing
• Setting up a camera for coverage
• Production documentation
• Work health and safety

On successful completion of the training and assessment of this unit you will have shot and edited a mise-en-scene film and continuity film. In the process, you will have gained the skills and knowledge to:

1. Plan and prepare for shoots
2. Direct rehearsals for a shoot
3. Shoot scenes
4. Edit simple scenes
5. Evaluate performances from a director’s perspective and identify areas for improvement

Safety on Set

On successful completion of the training and assessment of this unit you will have gained the skills and knowledge to:

Manage a set and location safely for a film shoot.

This will be apparent with the attainment of the following skills:

1. Establish and maintain safety on set
2. Research and evaluate health and safety requirements
3. Identify hazards on set
4. Manage risks on set
5. Monitor and improve work health and safety on set

The following Projects will be completed:

Screenwriting I

Students will write a logline, synopsis, treatment, and screenplay for the following projects: Mise Scene (1 minute), Continuity (2 minutes), Non Sync Montage (3 – 4minutes)

No	Assessment Tasks	Method of Assessment
1	Non-Sync Montage (Part 1: Concept, Script, Part 2: Proposal)	Project (concept, script and proposal for funding)
2	Documentary (Pitch)	Observation (pitch)
3	Documentary Script and Behind the Concept	Project

Camera

1	Shoot Planning	Project
2	Rehearse, Shoot, Review	Observation
3	Shoot Planning: War of the Worlds	Project
3	Rehearse, Shoot, Review: War of Worlds	Observation

Safety on Set

1	Safety Laws and Guidelines	Written questions and scenarios
2	Conduct risk assessment	Observation with supporting written
3	Safety on Location	Observation with supporting written