EUROPEAN TRAINING CREATIVE COURSES


LONDON FILM SCHOOL, UK The lowdown “For me, being in the London Film School in the 1960s was a very special experience,” says London Film School (LFS) graduate Mike Leigh, now the school’s chair. Michael Mann, another celebrated LFS graduate, has also been open about the importance LFS had for him. “Progress in film- making is inconceivable to me without a formal education in cinema — for me it was two years at LFS,” Mann has commented. Set up in 1956, the school offers MAs in film-making and screenwriting and has recently started an MA course on film curating. Each student on the two-year film-making programme works on a minimum of six films. Alumni include Michael Mann, Mike Leigh.


by Bournemouth University, enables students to complete a portfolio of six short films, as well as master’s research or a production project accompanied by an exhibition. Alumni include Natasha Betteridge. Fees MA in Film-making: $24,300 (£15,000) per year which includes an average of 15 hours a week contact time. Requirements A BA degree in a relevant subject and some industry experience, or else substantial industry experience. Registration deadline There are multiple start dates for potential students. www.metfilmschool.co.uk


Fees The tuition fees for the MA in film- making are $12,164 (£7,495) per term in 2010-11. Requirements Minimum qualification for an application to be considered is a three-year university degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant area. Registration deadline A new MA film-making course starts each term, so it is possible to enrol for entry in September, January or May. www.lfs.org.uk


MET FILM SCHOOL, UK The lowdown The Met Film School, based at Ealing Studios in London, is part of a group consisting of the school, Met Film Production and Met Film Post. It trumpets its industry links: Met Film Production develops and produces a number of feature films each year and Met Film Post is a leading post-production business. On most courses students write, produce, direct and edit their own short films and are supported by their tutors and a professional editor. The MA in film-making programme, validated


THE NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL, UK The lowdown Opened in 1971, the NFTS is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year (see p12). The school became a Skillset Screen & Media Academy in November 2007, one of a select group of institutions recognised by Skillset as providing a high standard of vocational education, training and skills development for film and television. There are 200 students across the many courses offered and tutors include top industry figures. The school has its own purpose-built studios which include two film stages, a separate television studio and post- production facilities. “The main strength of the school is


that they are really helping you to find your voice by trying to understand you and the kind of film you want to make,” says director Tanel Toom, an NFTS alumnus whose The Confession was nominated for an Oscar this year in the live action short category. Alumni include Nick Broomfield, Nick Park, Lynne Ramsay. Fees Up to $14,280 (£8,800) a year for British and EU nationals, and $31,650 (£19,500) for overseas students. Requirements The school is looking


n 20 Screen International European Training Special 2011


for people with “ talent, commitment, passion, a voice of their own and the ability to engage with others”. While many applicants have a university degree, the NFTS will also consider applicants who do not if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification. Registration deadline Varies. www.nftsfilm-tv.ac.uk


THE SCRIPT FACTORY, UK The lowdown Billing itself as Europe’s “premier script development organisation”, the UK’s Script Factory is 15 years old. Its film training courses include everything from Writers’ Workout, a practical two-day workshop, to a new course, Script Reading Training for Distributors. Most courses are open to all. Alumni include Screenwriters from Christopher Hampton and Mike Figgis to Jimmy McGovern have had their work performed at staged readings. Fees The fee for two-day workshops is $440 (£270).


and Belgium as well as virtual script meetings. Alumni include James Walker, Harry Wootliff. Fees $340 (€250) per module for non- UK residents; $350+VAT (£217+ VAT) per module for UK residents.


Participants 20 Requirements Writers must demonstrate writing ability and have made no more than one feature film. Producers must have made no more than two features. Registration deadline Late January; now closed for 2011. www.saveourscripts.com


Requirements Open access, but a good understanding of story design and excellent communication skills are both essential. www.scriptfactory.co.uk


SOS – SAVE OUR SCRIPTS, UK The lowdown Run by London-based production company The Bureau, SOS — Save Our Scripts is a scheme which brings together writers and producers. Writers on the programme develop a feature-length script from a one-page idea while producers build their development skills. The workshops feature industry professionals from whom the producer will learn development tools and new ways of approaching this creative process. Guest speakers include Simon Beaufoy and Hanif Kureishi. SOS involves three residential workshops in the UK, France


SOURCES 2 SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP The lowdown Offers intensive training and script development for European film professionals working on a feature film or a creative documentary film project which addresses a broad international audience. The course is based around workshops, leading participants through a three-month development process. Aimed at screenwriters and teams of writers with co-writers, directors or producers. Alumni include Dorothée van den Berghe, Hans Van Nuffel. Fees Application fee $137 (€100) per project; participation fee $2,460 (€1,800) per writer/project; $1,230 (€900) for additional person committed to a project (co-writer, producer, director). Includes accommodation, meals at first session. Requirements Project with creative quality, production potential and cross- border appeal; track record. Writers must submit a treatment or first-draft script; producers and directors need to submit a DVD of a recent film, if available. Participants must undertake to take part in the full course and respect copyright. Registration deadline Early December www.sources2.de n


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