Home›Film School›Filmmaking›Filmmaking for Beginners Filmmaking for Beginners BOOK NOW DETAILS BOOKING & TIMETABLE VENUES TUTORS Our Filmmaking for Beginners course is a practical introduction to the world of film, designed for adults who want to make their first short film or build confidence behind the camera. If you're looking for a hands-on, practical course designed to give you both technical and creative training, this is the perfect way to get started. Working with a professional filmmaker, you will explore the creative and technical foundations of filmmaking, from developing ideas and planning shots to working with camera, lighting and sound. You'll learn how to use modern filmmaking equipment, and have the opportunity to dive deeper into your own areas of interest, whether that be cinematography, writing and directing, sound, lighting, or editing. Culminating in a practice shoot with a script and actors, you'll be able to try out all the skills you've learnt under the guidance of an experienced tutor. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS COURSE Step behind the camera, develop your creative eye and technical skills, and learn how to bring your film ideas to life. Build confidence behind the camera in a supportive beginner-friendly environment Learn the creative and technical foundations of filmmaking Understand how to develop ideas and plan shots effectively Gain practical experience using camera, lighting and sound Explore how lens choice, framing and screen direction shape a scene Work as part of a small crew to shoot short scenes Learn from a professional filmmaker with hands-on industry experience Begin developing the skills needed to make your first short film Camera Operation Learn how to operate Blackmagic cinema cameras and build confidence working with professional filmmaking equipment. Camera Settings Understand key camera settings including ISO, aperture, shutter speed and white balance. Lens Choice Explore how different lens choices shape your shots, influence perspective and affect the look of a scene. Lighting Techniques Learn how to use lighting to create mood, focus attention and support the story you want to tell. Sound Recording Discover how to capture clear, engaging audio that supports your scenes and strengthens your final footage. Cinematography Principles Explore core cinematography principles, including camera angles, composition and screen direction. Short Scene Filming Work as part of a small crew to shoot short scenes, putting your technical and creative skills into practice. Classes Starting Soon Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 24 Aug 2026 - 21 Sep 2026 Mon 18:30-21:00 4 weeks (no class 31 Aug) Matt Taylor City Academy, Farringdon £250.75 15% OFF Book Now 03 Oct 2026 - 04 Oct 2026 Sat 10:00-16:00 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) Lyndon Ives City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 29 Oct 2026 - 19 Nov 2026 Thu 18:30-21:00 4 weeks Lyndon Ives City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 28 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 Sat 10:30-13:00 4 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 24 Aug 24 Aug 2026 - 21 Sep 2026 £250.75 Day:Mon Time:18:30-21:00 Duration:4 weeks (no class 31 Aug) Tutor: Matt Taylor Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 03 Oct 03 Oct 2026 - 04 Oct 2026 £295.00 Day:Sat Time:10:00-16:00 Duration:2 days (Saturday and Sunday) Tutor: Lyndon Ives Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 29 Oct 29 Oct 2026 - 19 Nov 2026 £295.00 Day:Thu Time:18:30-21:00 Duration:4 weeks Tutor: Lyndon Ives Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 28 Nov 28 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 £295.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-13:00 Duration:4 weeks Tutor: Matt Taylor Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE View All Classes × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close Useful information Do I need any previous filmmaking experience? Not at all. This course is designed for complete beginners, but those with a little experience are also welcome. Do I need to bring my own camera? We provide Blackmagic 4k and 6k cameras. If you prefer to bring your own, please be familiar with its menu navigation so you can follow along. What will I make during the course? You’ll work as part of a small crew to plan, shoot and edit footage throughout the course. Is the course more creative or technical? It’s a blend of both, you’ll learn the technical foundations while exploring storytelling and creative decision-making. What happens after the course? Many students choose to keep building their skills with focused, practical training. Explore the pathway that suits your goals: Documentary Filmmaking – learn how to research, plan and capture real stories with impact. Short Film Course – take a project from idea to screen with guided script, shoot and edit. Cinematography Courses – refine camera, lensing and lighting techniques for a cinematic look. Want to learn more? After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses: Documentary Filmmaking Filmmaking Foundation Short Film Course See all Filmmaking courses Filmmaking Summer School Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School FIND OUT MORE Browse Courses You can filter Courses by month and tutor Month All Months Tutor All Tutors Matt TaylorLyndon Ives Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 24 Aug 2026 - 21 Sep 2026 Mon 18:30-21:00 4 weeks (no class 31 Aug) Matt Taylor City Academy, Farringdon £250.75 15% OFF Book Now 03 Oct 2026 - 04 Oct 2026 Sat 10:00-16:00 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) Lyndon Ives City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 29 Oct 2026 - 19 Nov 2026 Thu 18:30-21:00 4 weeks Lyndon Ives City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 28 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 Sat 10:30-13:00 4 weeks Matt Taylor City Academy, Farringdon £295.00 Book Now 24 Aug 24 Aug 2026 - 21 Sep 2026 £250.75 Day:Mon Time:18:30-21:00 Duration:4 weeks (no class 31 Aug) Tutor: Matt Taylor Venue: City Academy, Farringdon Offer:15% OFF BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 03 Oct 03 Oct 2026 - 04 Oct 2026 £295.00 Day:Sat Time:10:00-16:00 Duration:2 days (Saturday and Sunday) Tutor: Lyndon Ives Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 29 Oct 29 Oct 2026 - 19 Nov 2026 £295.00 Day:Thu Time:18:30-21:00 Duration:4 weeks Tutor: Lyndon Ives Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 28 Nov 28 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 £295.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-13:00 Duration:4 weeks Tutor: Matt Taylor Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close ADD ME TO THE WAITING LIST If you'd like to be added to the waiting list for 'Filmmaking for Beginners' fill in the form below and we will contact you if a space becomes available. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Number * PAYMENT OPTIONS You are welcome to join the course up to the second class. ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course. Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833. CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG. If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more places on the same course. INDUSTRY TUTORS City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance. CANCELLATIONS POLICY We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking. We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend. (For more information please see our terms and conditions) Want to learn more? After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses: Documentary Filmmaking Filmmaking Foundation Short Film Course See all Filmmaking courses Filmmaking Summer School Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School FIND OUT MORE City Academy, Farringdon Closest Station: Farringdon Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden View Details Get Directions Want to learn more? After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses: Documentary Filmmaking Filmmaking Foundation Short Film Course See all Filmmaking courses Filmmaking Summer School Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School FIND OUT MORE All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you, they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class. Matt Taylor View Profile Lyndon Ives View Profile Want to learn more? After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses: Documentary Filmmaking Filmmaking Foundation Short Film Course See all Filmmaking courses Filmmaking Summer School Use state of the art filmmaking and post-production equipment to write, direct and edit a short film in the Adult Filmmaking Summer School FIND OUT MORE
