London Film School, offer full-time MA Degree courses in both Film Making and Screewriting.

“Tracey thoroughly explained all the facets involved in documentary production... I’m now under no illusion as to just how hard it is to make a good documentary, and yet after Tracey’s inspiring workshop, I feel more motivated than ever to have a go.” Previous participant feedback.

The first workshop in our 'A to Z' series gives an overview of taking an idea for a documentary from development through to the finished product, and on to the international market.

The course is especially useful for those who already have some experience of documentary filmmaking in a certain area, but want to learn how it all fits together in order to manage a project from start to finish. For those with little or no industry experience it provides a strong grounding in all aspects of the production process.

The interactive nature of the course means that participants' ideas and treatments will be introduced within the context of completed films and broadcast schedules. Participants will have a maximum of seven minutes to talk about each idea, after which Tracey will lead a discussion with the group.

Day 1:

• Which ideas should you develop? – The rules you’ll need to decide whether an idea is worth working up.
• Researching an idea - How much research should go into an idea in order to write a treatment?
• Writing a good treatment – Useful rules to apply to any written treatment that will make it stand out from the crowd.
• Presenters – When should you get one and how?
• Taster tapes – When are they necessary?
• Where should I try to sell my idea? – Should I approach production companies or go directly to broadcasters?

Day 2:

• Budgeting - Working through the different elements of a budget.
• Legal considerations – Release forms, contracts, insurance and copyright.
• Post production – Preparing in pre-production for post. Budgeting for international versions.
• Co-Producers – How to find co-production funds and what rights will they demand.
• Private Finance solutions – EIS tax break schemes, deferments, director/producer investment.
• Sales agents and distributors – How to find them, what kind of deal to expect, festivals and markets.
• Alternative Funding – Foundations like Wellcome and BritDoc, regional Film Council bodies.

By the end of the two days each participant should be able to shape their ideas with a clear understanding of how they could fit into the market place. Those wishing to workshop their ideas more intensively may consider progressing to Tracey's Ideas Surgery.

In addition, students will come away with a comprehensive understanding of the basics of budgeting, production and marketing of their project - areas which are explored further in Producing for the First Time.

Award winning executive producer Tracey Gardiner (Grierson, Scottish BAFTA, Wincott) has many years experience of developing and pitching factual programmes, series and long form documentaries in a range of genres.

Top

Click here to visit the 'A to Z' homepage.

 

Times: 10.30am-5.30pm
Capacity: Max. 12 participants
Fee: £220
10% Early Bird discount available until 22nd December.

The three 'A to Z' workshops are scheduled in succession, however they can be attended separately as stand-alone courses.

How to apply

Please submit the following items (only one application is required):

• Application Form
  (click to download)
• CV
• Personal Statement (i.e. a few brief paragraphs explaining why you're applying for the course(s), what you hope to gain from them etc.)

Once your application has been approved we will provide you with instructions for booking your place(s) online.

The places are offered on a first come first served basis until each course is full.

Email us:
Carolyn Atherton:
workshops@lfs.org.uk

Telephone us:
+44 (0)20 7836 9642