Filmmaking Course with John Boorman

Step into the film and TV industry by learning how to direct a film, with instruction and guidance from award winning film director and lead tutor John Boorman, supported by his team of professional film crew.

This is your chance to work with experienced heads of department to kickstart your career in filmmaking and make valuable contacts in the film industry.

We do not have any dates for this course at the moment, please contact us.

  • This practical, hands-on, immersive course in directing and contemporary filmmaking will bring you through the creative process of filmmaking from script to screen.
  • You will learn the art of screenwriting, storyboarding, scheduling, casting, directing, lighting, camera work, sound recording and digital editing.
  • At the end of this course you will have the necessary skills to make a short film for your business or for pleasure and will have made a short film to take away for your showreel or portfolio.

Networking

During the course you will have opportunities to network in an informal setting with fellow attendees, tutors and representatives from the film and TV industry.

Who Will Benefit From This Filmmaking Course?

This course is aimed at people who want to “step into” the film and TV industry. Participants may be enthusiastic hobbyists, or they may wish to use filmmaking as an additional skill within their employment, or may see this as a stepping stone or a foundation course to take the next step into the world of professional filmmaking.

Lead Tutor

This is a bespoke service catering for all skill levels, where participants will have the opportunity to engage with the highly experienced course instructor John Boorman, an award-winning film director with over 40 years' experience at the highest level, and his team of professional film crew.

Certificate

On the successful completion of your course, you will be awarded a personalised Irish Film School Certificate of Completion in Filmmaking, signed by John Boorman, in recognition of your educational achievement.

Alumni

You will also be invited to join the IFS Alumni Association where you can continue to exchange information, share tips and receive exclusive offers and invitations to events.

Day 1: The "Unturndownable" Script

Day 2: Visual Storytelling

Day 3: Film Producing Fundamentals

Day 4: Your Light and The Shoot

Day 5: The Shoot Continued and Post

Detailed Content

Day 1: The "Unturndownable" Script

  • Introductions: Meet John Boorman and your fellow attendees

Intensive study in:

  • Genres
  • Structure
  • Final draft
  • Working alone
  • Working with a writer
  • How to attract a lead actor
  • Group discussion on a scene selected by John Boorman for the shoot
  • Social Programme: group welcome dinner in city centre (optional)

Day 2: Visual Storytelling

Intensive study in:

  • Storyboarding
  • Number of set ups
  • Film: The art of the possible
  • The creative solutions arising from limitations
  • Group discussion on scenes from "The Making of Zardos" and "Deliverance"

Day 3: Film Producing Fundamentals

Sources of funding:

  • Public schemes
  • Awards
  • Film & TV financing

Film finance:

  • Co-productions
  • Pre-sales
  • Private equity
  • Gap financing

Budgeting:

  • Key budgetary issues
  • Key budgetary challenges

Legal elements of film production:

  • Talent management
  • Rights clearance

Taxation and tax relief

Insurance bonds:

  • Errors and omissions
  • Production insurance

Sales and distribution:

  • Issues and strategies

Social Programme: Irish Film School Networking Event 

Day 4: Your Light and The Shoot

Students will have the opportunity to try different filmmaking techniques with John Boorman and Oscar-winning Philippe Rousselot, whose work includes Fantastic Beasts, Hope and Glory, Interview With The Vampire and A River Runs Through It, including:

  • The Camera
  • Use of digital camera
  • Breaking down a scene
  • Set ups
  • Movement
  • Lighting
  • Framing

The Shoot will commence in the morning when actors will be brought into the studio and will be directed in the test scene by John Boorman. Students will get an opportunity to view John at work and there will be Q&A with him at the end of the demonstration.

An outstanding stage and screen actress, Lia Williams will give an overview of the working relationship between the Actor and the Director on a film. Lia has been nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway, and 3 Olivier Awards in the West End.

Day 5: The Shoot Continued and Post

On the final day students will get the opportunity to step into the film industry and direct the actors in the test scene. Students will also work with John Boorman and an experienced editor on various elements of post- production with an intensive study in:

  • Complete editing of the test scene
  • ADR
  • How a movie finds its shape
  • Previews
  • Connecting with the audience

These practical exercises will be followed by:

  • Group discussion and review of the week
  • Distribution of John Boorman’s essay “The Film Process”
  • Presentation of Certificates by John Boorman
  • Social Programme: networking drinks

This one-week Filmmaking course is designed to give you a hands-on, intensive and immersive introduction into filmmaking and directing. The IFS social programme will allow you to network with like-minded individuals and build valuable relationships and contacts with your fellow students and with professionals from within the film industry.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course you will have acquired the necessary skills to direct a feature film.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course you will be presented with a personalised Irish Film School Certificate of Completion in Filmmaking, signed by John Boorman, in recognition of your learning and achievement.

Alumni

Our Alumni Association will allow you to stay in touch long after your course has finished and will give you a forum where you can exchange information, share tips and receive exclusive offers and invitations to events.

The Future

This course will give you the confidence to go on to further study, to begin working in the film industry or to change careers. Many of those in employment will add value to their CVs with a new skill in digital filmmaking and could receive a promotion or an increase in salary as a result of completing this course.

Advantages

  • Personal tuition from an internationally acclaimed and award-winning film director
  • Coursework folder with comprehensive notes to take home
  • Instruction from a “working” professional film crew
  • State-of-the-art studios and classrooms
  • Limited number in student cohort
  • Easy transport links to the campus
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Full social programme
  • Networking opportunities
  • Access to exclusive Alumni Association

Lights, Camera, Action!

Places are strictly limited to a maximum of 30 students per cohort. So, take your first step into the business and contact us today!

  • To receive more information, please order a free brochure. Fill in your details and we will immediately send you a free copy of the Filmmaking brochure.
  • You can enrol now for this Filmmaking course with a credit card using our secure online enrolment form.