Filmmaking Diploma

Our one-year full-time Diploma is a vocational multi-disciplinary course specialising in short narrative fiction filmmaking from script to screen.

The intensive nature of this practical course demands 100% of your time and commitment. The course runs for 11 months and you will be expected to work 30+ hours per week.

Your tutors are experienced professionals currently working in the film and TV industry.

Over the duration of the course you will work with a variety of tutors to expose you to different filmmaking approaches and methods, and increase your contacts for when you leave.

You will learn a diverse range of technical, creative and analytical skills across several key areas of filmmaking, including:

• Screenwriting
• Directing
• Producing
• Cinematography
• Production Sound
• Editing

Over 48 weeks, your training progresses naturally from an introduction to the aesthetic and technical aspects of filmmaking to hands-on experience of filmmaking in which all students direct a two-minute short film shot on Super 16mm at the end of Term One. Your technical and creative skills are further enhanced over the next two terms as you go on to produce films ranging from four to eight minutes in length.

Course length and commitment

• 11 months, 44 weeks of tuition
• Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
• Students are expected to work additional hours, including
  evenings and weekends particularly during workshops
  and the production of films

Key benefits of the course

• You will receive in-depth hands-on training across several key disciplines of filmmaking, behind the camera:
  
  • The art and craft of Screenwriting
  • Directing Drama
  • The technical and creative aspects of Cinematography, Sound and Editing
  • Production skills including Production Management and 1st Assistant Directing
• Though the intense nature of this course you can cover more ground in one year than would normally be possible
• An overview of the filmmaking industry, including Distribution, Finance, Copyright and Legal aspects
• Your tutors are practising film and TV industry professionals, teaching up-to-date skills and being potential sources of work for graduates.
• You will use both Super 16mm and digital formats
• No hidden costs. Your course materials and budgets for films are included in your course fees
• Excellent tutor-to-student ratios (many class sizes are 8-10 students to a tutor). Average intake is 18 students per diploma
• You take part in the production of many filmmaking exercises, individual projects, commercials, two-, four- and eight-minute films – this provides you with a significant body of work for inclusion in your showreel
• You will work collaboratively with students and tutors on all your filmmaking activities
  
  • All your films are crewed by fellow students and supervised by LFA tutors
  • When directing, you work with the screenwriter to develop the script, and an editor in Post-Production
  • You can work with other like-minded schools that deliver complimentary courses in Production Design, Music Composition, Makeup and Costume Design to increase essential student contact

• You will receive fast track entry into the industry through access to work placements and work experience. See “Preparation for Life after LFA” at the end of the Diploma Course section
• While on the course you will receive complimentary membership of , the LFA’s exclusive
  Club for emerging filmmakers with access to all their events on independent filmmaking, finding work and productions

Term One - A Foundation in Filmmaking

The first half of this term is focused on the aesthetic and technical aspects of filmmaking, combining essential theory with practical exercises, screenings and discussions covering the following:

SCREENWRITING
You will begin the writing process early in the course to allow you time to develop your technique and creative ideas. You will explore in depth the short film format from concept and character through to dialogue. In Term Two and Three a proportion of student scripts are selected to go into production.
Selected scripts then go through intensive workshop sessions until they are ready to go into production.

LFA students learn early on in the course that in the film business ‘writing is rewriting’ and so modeling industry practice takes priority during the development period.

DIRECTING
Fundamentals of Directing, looking at the script through pre-production, production and editing. The role of a storyteller and team leader. The setting and production of an individual project that is analysed. Work with actors that
includes staging, text analysis and casting.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Principles of both the camera and lighting. Covering the 5 roles: Cinematographer, Gaffer, Camera Operator, Focus Puller and Clapper Loader. Predominantly working with Super 16mm cameras to understand the nature of light, framing and mechanics of film. The classes include laboratory visits and combined practical exercises with sound.

PRODUCTION SOUND
Definition of sound, the physics behind it, the physical recording of analogue and digital sound. Working to a frame, multiple tracks and the craft of sound. Some practical sessions are combined with cinematography.

EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION SOUND
Students work with existing drama material and their own individual project rushes to learn the AVID Xpress Pro editing package. These practical sessions are woven together with theory lectures that include: cutting techniques, filmic time and space, editing styles, folleys and rubberbanding. Exercises on the use of music in film covering a brief history of music in cinema, the aesthetics of film music and a practical guide to working with a composer.

MASTER CLASSES
In addition to the five listed disciplines you are taught the principles of Assistant Directing, Production Design, Script Supervision and Makeup & Hair.

TWO-MINUTE FILM PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
The latter half of Term One is devoted to an intense film production workshop where you work 12 hour days and you each make a two-minute film and crew seven others.

Tutors guide and assess you through your first formal shooting experience on Super 16mm with professional actors. This supportive environment is where you discover your strengths as you each perform 9-11 crew roles including preparing, directing and editing a two-minute film.

Written assessments cover technical, creative and collaborative abilities - constructive feedback is an ongoing process throughout the course.

This is followed in Term Two by a formal evening screening of completed films in the Screening Theatre at the Academy.

Term Two - Advanced Techniques & 4-min Films

The early part of this term introduces you to the role of a producer/production manager and further develops your technical skills through master classes and workshops leading to the production of the four-minute films. You will have assessment tests and one-on-one careers guidance. You will be given advanced theoretical and practical tutoring in the following subjects:

SCREENWRITING
Script-editing Master Class by a visiting Script Editor. Reader reports, script selection and pre-production polishes.

DIRECTING
Screening and debrief of two-minute fi lms with discussion
and analysis of film, recap and advanced training dictated
by student needs. Pre-production support.

PRODUCING
Basic principles of production and producing including acquiring a working knowledge of Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling software. Preproduction support.

LEGAL, FINANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Introduction to contracts, copyright, distribution and financing for independent filmmakers, covering both short and feature films.

CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SOUND
Recap sessions, tests and advanced techniques with grip equipment (track and dolly) on Super 16mm and radio mics. Preproduction and on-set support.

EDITING
Recap tutoring and advanced techniques in AVID Xpress Pro editing, screening and feedback on work throughout post-production. You are all expected to edit.

ONE-ON-ONE CAREERS GUIDANCE
This is the fi rst of several sessions where you have the opportunity to look back at how you performed in Term One and whether at this stage you are starting to know what areas of the film and television industry play to your strengths. This also gives us the opportunity to put you forward for jobs/work experience in the right areas.

PRE-PRODUCTION AND SHOOT SUPPORT DAYS
Mentoring and tutoring in small production teams in the fi elds of Script Editing, Producing, Directing, Cinematography and Production Sound continues through the term. Technical support is provided on student shoots in Cinematography and Sound.

FOUR-MINUTE FILM PRODUCTION
The majority of this term is spent on the production of four-minute narrative fiction films. You will pitch to direct/produce and work as a team across 4-5 films rotating through a variety of crew roles. These crew roles are informed by the assessments from the two-minute film workshop in Term One.

You are given relative autonomy in your decision-making.
For example the Academy provides your team with a two thousand pound budget to manage when producing this four-minute film. As a team you will decide what proportion of the budget should be spent on film stock, locations, actors etc.

Each crew role has its own clearly defined function and responsibilities, giving you an experience of the industry roles in conditions which emulate those of a professional film set. A Director works with a Writer to develop the script and an Editor to edit the film.

You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a supportive environment and to find your own creative voice.

Term Three - Masterclasses & 10-min Films

In Term Three you are given greater independence and move onto production of their eight-minute films, working with larger budgets and crewing collectively. In addition, Master Classes, chosen in conjunction with you, deal with more advanced techniques.

Further one-on-one careers advice sessions also take place in the third term to help you focus on the career paths you wish to follow.

As in Term Two, in pre-production you are dedicated to the film on which you are working in a key role: Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography. During shoots all students crew each other’s films, with more focus on the field in which you wish to specialise after graduation.

The term concludes with a screening and debrief of your films.

SCREENWRITING
Script-editing Master Class by a visiting Script Editor. Reader reports, script selection and pre-production polishes.

PRE-PRODUCTION AND SHOOT SUPPORT DAYS
Mentoring and tutoring in small groups on your short films, in the fields of Script Editing, Producing, Directing, Cinematography and Sound.

EDITING
First-cut editors are supported and guided by tutors. Four-minute films from Term Two are polished. You are not all expected to edit an eight-minute film.

0NE-ON-ONE CAREERS GUIDANCE
You will analyse your progress so far. Tailored sessions with guest industry speakers, agents and production or facilities
companies are set up for the end of Term Three to further inform you on career progressions.

MASTER CLASSES INCLUDE:
Script Editing (as in Term Two), Steadicam, 35mm moving picture camera, HDTV, Makeup for Film and TV, Documentary, Commercials, and Production Design.

Preparing You For Life After the LFA

We equip you with the necessary creative and business
skills and contacts help you build your filmmaking career
and continue making independent films.

The aim of our structured feedback and constructive criticism throughout the course is to help you realise your strengths and weaknesses and eventually help you to focus on one or two key disciplines to pursue after graduation.

We offer screenings and discussion workshops, assessments and one-to-one opportunities to discuss future career options with staff and industry professionals.

You are recommended to regularly attend screenings and Master Classes and Q&A’s with practising filmmakers, and are offered many opportunities to meet established fi lmmakers.

You receive complimentary membership to our filmmakers’ club /span>

Professional Career Progression

85% of LFA students gain work in the industry within 6 months of graduating on the diploma.

Since its inception in 2002, the London Film Academy has established a firm reputation and high success rate in meeting the demand for informed, multi-skilled, innovative and adaptable apprentices for the film and TV industry.

Graduation

Graduation ceremonies are hosted by the LFA for students, crew, cast, friends and family at a leading London cinema. All films produced on the Diploma course are screened and followed by a presentation of awards and a reception.

Prizes are awarded to winning students, as voted by your peers, tutors and LFA staff. Previous sponsored prizes include free Kodak film stock, free film processing from Soho Images, a subscription to ‘Sight & Sound’ magazine, an Apple ipod and the use of equipment and production administration support from the LFA.

In addition to this, dedicated Graduation Showcase screenings for the film and television industry take place in a central London screening venue.

We involve you in marketing these Showcase screenings to industry professionals—including producers, production companies, agents, industry bodies supporting emerging film makers, short film distributors and short film sales agents.
The post-screening networking session in the bar allows those invited to seek out promising students and forge career long contacts.

We continue to offer you careers and business advice long after graduation.

LFA Diploma Course is run in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London. LFA and Goldsmiths are members of the elite Skillset Media Academy Network - a group of institutions that have been identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK television and interactive industries as Centres of Excellence in creative media education and training.

Student Visas

LFA is accredited by the BAC (British Accreditation Council for Higher and Further Eductation).

LFA Diploma Course is run in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London. LFA and Goldsmiths are members of the elite Skillset Media Academy Network - a group of institutions that have been identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK television and interactive industries as Centres of Excellence in creative media education and training.

Financial Assistance

LFA Funding For Filmmaking Diploma
The financial assistance in the form of Scholarships and Bursaries, has been set up to promote cultural and social diversity within the school and is available for Filmmaking Diploma course only. These Scholarships and Bursaries are available to students whom the LFA consider to have demonstrated a high standard of work and work ethic through their supporting materials and interview, and whose financial circumstances would otherwise not permit attendance on the course. If you are applying for a Scholarship or a Bursary you must show a credible need for financial assistance through documentation and include a Personal Statement explaining reasons why would like our financial assistance.

LFA Scholarships
There is one half-scholarship available per Filmmaking Diploma intake (e.g., the LFA Scholarship award for September 2009 intake amounts to £8,750 therefore a Scholarship student will pay £8,750 = £17,500 - £8,750).

LFA Bursaries
There are a few Bursary placements per Filmmaking Diploma intake (e.g., the LFA Bursary award for September 2009 intake amounts to £5,000, therefore a Bursary student will pay £12,500 = £17,500 - £5,000). LFA Bursaries are given on merit and at the LFA's discretion.

OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING

• Career Development Loans (CDL)
• Skillset's Screen Bursaries
• Hotcourses
• British Council
• UK Council for International Student Affairs
• The Arts Council
• The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund
• Swedish Loan and Grant programme
• Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales
• Charles Wallace Trust, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma