The Galway Film Centre has announced a number of industry related courses planned for the coming months including a course in Digibeta camera, Film Production, Sound Recording and Scriptwriting.
Introduction to Photoshop.
This weekend course will offer a basic grounding in Photoshop, the leading software within the graphics industry, covering the applications basic operation. It would suit people with an interest in digital video, photography, editing or people who work with in-house publications and newsletters.
Course Duration: One weekend
Course Dates: 12th & 13th of March
Course cost: 240 unwaged / 280 waged
Introduction to Digibeta Camera
This one weekend course is ideal for those who already have some experience of shooting on a different format and want an introduction to the broadcast quality Digibeta camera.
The theory of light and colour
Picture composition
Lighting, optics and sound
Techniques for news, magazine
Documentary programmes and basic drama productions
Shoot using current broadcast equipment
Review of project work
By the end of this course, participants will have developed skills and experience in operating the Digibeta camera on location and the confidence to put their knowledge into practice and ability to make a useful contribution to the programme making process.
Course Duration: One Weekend
Course Dates: 12th & 13th of March
Course cost: 230 unwaged/ 260 waged
Intro to Film Production- the role of the trainee AD
The first AD (Assistant Directors) along with a team of ADs and Production Assistants are the people on a film set who organise, manage and move the film along.
This course is aimed at school leavers or those trying to break into the film industry but not sure where to begin. It will look at the role of the trainee AD, which is one area where people can make a start in the film industry, the first rung of the ladder.
The course will outline the structures involved in the Feature film and Television Drama making process and give the course participants an understanding of the various roles involved and an insight into how film production is approached.
The course will cover set protocol, scheduling and will give an understanding of the chain of command in the production process.
About the tutor: Ivan Mc Mahon, 1st A.D. has worked in the Film and Television Industry for over fifteen years. He has been a 1st A.D. on over ten feature film productions, from Mystics to Warlock 3, aswell as being 1st A. D. on various Television Dramas, including Sinners, On Home Ground and The Big Wow Wow.
Course Duration: One weekend
Course Dates: 19th & 20th of March 2004
Course cost: 115
Foundation course in documentary making.
This eight weekend foundation course is aimed at people who have an interest in learning how to make a documentary. No previous experience is necessary.
This course aims to give an overview of how to make a documentary, participants will learn about different documentary styles and the history of documentaries. Multiple masterclasses will be held with local documentary makers who will showcase their work and share their experience, knowledge and expertise of making documentaries. Participants will gain an insight into how to research for a documentary and interviewing techniques.
Working as a group, a short documentary will be made. Participants will gain an insight into how a documentary is made and learn the various processes involved from the inception of the idea to the final product.
Participants will gain hands on practical experience with mini dv cameras, lighting equipment and sound, the final cut pro edit suite will be demonstrated to the participants. The final documentary will be edited by a professional, under the direction of the group.
This introductory documentary course will be a great learning experience for aspiring documentary makers.
Duration: Eight weekends
Course Starts: Starts 2nd of April
Cost: 660 unwaged and 720 waged
All participants will be given a copy of the documentary.
Sound Recording Course for mini documentary and mini drama techniques
Noel Quinn who has worked on Laws of Attraction (2004) and Reign of Fire (2002) will give this weekend course which will teach participants how to record effective sound and will cover the theoretical principles behind sound recording.
Course topics will include:
mic types, patterns & characteristics
wiring & powering
phasing
microphone suspensions & coverings
handling & placement
recording technique
microphone technique
Course Duration: One Weekend
Course Dates: April 2nd & 3rd
Course cost: 210 unwaged/ 250 waged
Proposal Writing Course.
This course is aimed at small production companies or independent producers to help them understand the commissioning process in terms of what the commissioning body is looking for.
The workshop will cover the following key elements.
Genre (entertainment/fiction/factual)
Knowing your audience
Developing your idea
Pitching
Delivery
This course will be given by Anne McCabe former commissioning editor of TG4 and RTE director of drama and documentary including Fair City and Ros na Rϊn
Course Duration: One weekend
Course Dates: 9th & 10th of April 2004
Course cost: 180 unwaged/ 220 waged
Introduction to Mini Digital Video Camera & Lighting Course
This one weekend introductory course is for individuals who intend to shoot drama/documentary programmes on MINI-DV Camera Equipment (Canon XM-1).
This course will explore TV terminology, composition techniques, lighting principles, shoot-to-edit and professional sound acquisition techniques on a Canon XM-1 the compact version of the XL1.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Operate the Canon XM1
Record effective sound through the XM1
Understand the principles behind three-point lighting
Identify the necessary material needed to cover a sequence
Course Duration: One Weekend
Course Dates: 9th & 10th of April
Course cost: 180 unwaged/ 220 waged
Directing drama for the small screen.
This course is aimed at emerging directors working in TV. It will cover the craft of staging shots for the camera and directing actors for the small screen, both for single and multi-camera work.
It will consist of practical exercises and camera scripting. Participants should have some experience of directing for TV or Stage.
This course will be given by Anne Mc Cabe former commissioning editor of TG4 and RTE director of drama and documentary including Fair City and Ros na Rϊn
Course Duration: One Weekend
Course Dates: 16th & 17th of April
Cost: 180 unwaged/ 220 waged
Scriptwriting Clinic.
This four day course will look at how to develop your story idea, it is aimed at emerging screenwriters trying to complete their first feature film screenplay. The class will be limited to four participants and offers a great experience for the writer to work along side a script- editor. It will cover areas such as wants and needs, objectives, obstacles, rising action and sequencing.
Those interested in this course should submit a script or treatment prior to the commencement of the course. E-mail: education@galwayfilmcentre.ie.
Tutor: Mark McIlrath is a script editor who works on feature film projects in Ireland, Italy, France and the UK. He has been through the Arista and North by Northwest programmes, after studying screenwriting in Moscow. He is a regular contributor to Film Ireland and Scriptwriter magazine on script editing theory and practice.
Course Duration: Four consecutive days.
Course Dates: Fri 6th to Mon 9th of May.
Course cost: 350
Also Available:
One day, one on one tuition is available in Final cut pro, Computer Aided Drawing and Photoshop dates arranged to suit participant and tutor 250.
Summer months series of workshops for the younger film maker (12-16 year olds)
For all courses at the Galway Film Centre Participants need to be members of the Galway Film Centre. Membership costs 45 unwaged and 55 waged. For further information or a course brochure please contact the Galway Film Centre on 091 770748 or e-mail education@galwayfilmcentre.ie or check out the website on www.galwayfilmcentre.ie
