First Step Film Workshop: Make Your Own Film

*** Note:
RSVPs made here do not guarantee a spot at the course. In order to register you must go to: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/product/first_step_filmmaking_2day/ and pay 275€, or if you are a student or over 65 with ID, you pay 250€.

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The goal of this course is to demystify the filmmaking process, making it the fun experience you know it can be. Have you always wanted to make a film? Let’s get that crossed off your bucket list! In a bit more than two days you will come up with an idea, shoot it, and edit it, all while being supervised by an experienced and entertaining instructor!

I have tailored this course to make it flexible enough to accommodate people with absolutely zero experience as well as for people who have done a bit of filming. With this course you don’t need any fancy equipment, you can use whatever you have for a camera and a computer. This is a very hands-on workshop, the bulk of the learning will come through the process of actually making your own short film. You will learn the basics of how to structure a story, the art and techniques of visual storytelling, and how to piece it all together in the edit.

The workshop will be taught in English and will include 2+ days of instruction, in field help and that sweet sense of accomplishment you will get from making your own film. In order to make sure you get the attention you need, the class is limited to a max of 12 people.

The workshop costs 299€, or if you are a student or over 65 with ID, you pay 275€.

Friday equipment check and brief storytelling:
In addition to the two days of instruction and practical film work we will hold a 2 hour pre-meeting on the Friday before the workshop, which is of course included in the cost of the workshop. These two hours will allow me to check your camera and computer, making sure that they are capable enough to shoot and edit footage. I will also make sure you have an editing program installed which you will be using on Sunday. There will also be a brief story/script session which will give you some tools to help guide your story writing process so that you can hopefully have an idea prepared for the next day. This Friday session has been added in order to assure that the workshop runs super smoothly, plus we will all get to meet a bit before and hang out! If you cannot make the Friday session please let me know so we can discuss your equipment.

What you need to bring:
A camcorder, DSLR or mirrorless camera with video capabilities, or even a phone that can shoot video (make sure to have enough space to record onto it). You will also need a laptop for editing on Sunday.

Actors will be available as well as some extra filmmaking support for the groups in the field on the Saturday shoot day. You can of course have any friends come to help with the acting, just please let me know.

Conducted in English.
No previous experience is required.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about what we are doing, feel free to reach out to me at ***alex@berlinfilmcommunity.com***.

Prep Day:
Friday, Feb. 6th – 19:00 – 21:00

• Equipment Check
• The basics of storytelling

Day 1:
Saturday Feb. 7th – 09:00 – 16:00

• How to get started – From smartphones to DSLR cameras
• Composition
• How to tell a story visually
• Shooting for the edit
• Working with actors
• Filming your own short with professional supervision
• Q&A and summary Day 1

Day 2:
Sunday Feb. 8th – 09:00 – 16:00

• Introduction to basic editing
• How do you tell a story through editing?
• Using music and sound effects in editing
• Supervised practical exercise: Editing of your short films
• Show your short film – Invite friends and family!
• Q&A and summary of both days

About the Workshop Leader:
Hi, I’m Alex DePew and I have been working in the film industry for over 16 years and have led several filmmaking workshops, many of which have been here in Berlin. I absolutely love teaching newbies the ropes and I get tons of joy when I see someone light up as they make a connection between what I am teaching and something they have seen in a movie. When a student then applies that knowledge to their own film, it is a thing of beauty.