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Develop your filmmaking skills from first idea to final edit

Intensive Filmmaking course - 5 days

Learn how to bring your ideas to life on screen with practical, hands-on filmmaking courses for every stage of your creative journey.

5 days Beginnes Welcome In-person classes Practical shoot exercises
NEXT COURSE

21 Sep 2026

Intensive Filmmaking Course - 5 days (FL-SUM-0926-1-80)

Time
10:00 - 16:30
Duration
5 days (Monday - Friday)
Venue
City Academy, Farringdon
Tutor
Matt Taylor
Course Fee £750.00
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See more dates below in the timetable.

Intensive Filmmaking course - 5 days

Our Intensive Filmmaking Course is a five-day, hands-on programme for beginners who want to experience the full creative process of making a film.

Across one focused week, you’ll be guided through each stage of filmmaking, from developing an idea and exploring genre to storyboarding, shooting, sound recording and editing in Adobe Premiere. Working collaboratively with your group, you’ll learn how different roles on a film set come together, including writing, directing, cinematography, sound and editing.

Designed as part of our Intensives programme, this course gives you the time, structure and practical experience to build real filmmaking skills quickly. By the end of the week, you’ll have helped write, direct and edit a short film, with a final screening and a completed piece of work to take away.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS COURSE

More than a filmmaking course, this is your chance to spend five focused days developing an idea, working as part of a crew and bringing a short film to life from first concept to final edit.

  • Experience the full filmmaking process in one focused week
  • Build practical confidence with cameras, lenses, lighting and sound
  • Learn how to develop ideas, characters and dramatic conflict
  • Understand storyboarding, shot planning, budgeting and scheduling
  • Work collaboratively across writing, directing, camera, sound and editing roles
  • Gain experience filming scenes as part of a production team
  • Edit your footage in Adobe Premiere
  • Finish the course with a completed short film created with your group
Film Production

Get hands-on with the full production process, from first idea and planning through to filming, editing and final screening.

Cameras and Lenses

Explore using BlackMagic cameras and lenses

Lighting and Sound

Learn how to light scenes for mood, clarity and depth, while capturing professional-quality audio with confidence.

Filming Fundamentals

Understand how to cover a scene from multiple angles, maintain continuity and use practical techniques such as “cheating the room”.

Story Development

Work with your group to develop ideas, characters, dramatic conflict, structure and pacing for your short film.

Storyboards and Shot Lists

Translate your ideas into visuals using storyboards and shot lists, helping you prepare clearly for production.

Production Day

Rotate through key crew roles, including directing, camera, lighting, sound and production management.

Working with Actors

Collaborate with your cast to bring performances to life and capture the shots needed to tell your story.

Editing in Adobe Premiere

Assemble your footage into a finished film, exploring takes, rhythm, continuity, sound design, music and colour correction.

Classes Starting Soon

Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking
21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
Mon
10:00-16:30
5 days (Monday - Friday)
Matt Taylor
City Academy, Farringdon
£750.00
23 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026
Mon
10:00-16:30
5 days (Monday - Friday)
Matt Taylor
City Academy, Farringdon
£750.00
21
Sep
21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
£750.00
Day:Mon
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday)
Tutor: Matt Taylor
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
23
Nov
23 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026
£750.00
Day:Mon
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday)
Tutor: Matt Taylor
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon

Example of what is covered on this course

Day One – Introduction to Film Production

Begin your filmmaking journey by getting hands-on with the tools of the trade. Explore the different types of cameras and lenses, starting with Canon DSLRs before stepping up to Blackmagic 4K and 6K cinema cameras, and discover how each choice shapes your storytelling. Learn how to light a scene for mood, clarity, and depth, and capture professional-quality audio with confidence. You’ll also be introduced to essential moving camera equipment and techniques that add dynamism to your shots.

Day Two – Filming Fundamentals

Dive into the practicalities of capturing great footage. Learn how to cover a scene from multiple angles, maintain continuity by “crossing the line” correctly, and use “cheating the room” techniques to make small spaces look bigger on screen. Develop your skills in working effectively with actors to bring performances to life and get an insider’s view of professional crew job roles, understanding how everyone works together on set.

Day Three – Story Development

Shift focus to the heart of filmmaking: storytelling. Work as a team to write your script, developing structure, character arcs, and pacing. Learn how to translate ideas into visuals through storyboards and shot lists, and plan your production with realistic budgeting and scheduling. By the end of the day, your project will be fully prepped for shooting, ready to bring your vision to life.

Day Four – Production Day

Step into the buzz of a working film set. Under the guidance of your tutor, you’ll rotate through crew roles, gaining practical experience in directing, camera operating, lighting, sound, and production management. Collaborate closely with your cast to capture every shot on your shot list, troubleshooting challenges as they arise. By the end of the day, you’ll have all the footage you need to tell your story.

Day Five – Post-Production and Next Steps

Discover the magic of editing as you assemble your footage into a finished film. Learn how to choose the best takes, create rhythm and flow, and maintain continuity. Explore how sound design, music, and colour correction can elevate your project. The day concludes with a screening of your work and a discussion on your next steps, from entering film festivals to continuing your training in filmmaking, cinematography, or editing.

Useful information

Do I need previous filmmaking experience?
No. This course is designed for beginners, though those with some experience will still benefit from the structured, hands-on approach.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. All cameras, lighting and sound equipment will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own camera if you are familiar with its controls.
Will I get to use professional cameras?
Yes. You’ll start on Canon DSLRs and then progress to working with Blackmagic 4K and 6K cinecams during the course.
What will my finished project be?
A short film created in collaboration with your crew, which you will write, direct, shoot and edit.
What happens after the course?

Many students progress to our Filmmaking Foundation, Documentary Filmmaking, or Editing for Film courses to continue developing their skills.

Your Film
We learn by doing. On this course you'll learn core filmmaking skills and apply these to a film that you and your group will create together. At the end of your course you'll leave with the short film that you have written, directed and edited.

Want to learn more?

Many of our filmmaking students go on to explore related creative pathways. Whether it’s mastering cinematography, crafting compelling documentaries, or honing editing skills, these courses build on your training and open up new possibilities for your projects.

Browse Courses

You can filter Courses by month and tutor

Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking
21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
Mon
10:00-16:30
5 days (Monday - Friday)
Matt Taylor
City Academy, Farringdon
£750.00
23 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026
Mon
10:00-16:30
5 days (Monday - Friday)
Matt Taylor
City Academy, Farringdon
£750.00
21
Sep
21 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
£750.00
Day:Mon
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday)
Tutor: Matt Taylor
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
23
Nov
23 Nov 2026 - 27 Nov 2026
£750.00
Day:Mon
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:5 days (Monday - Friday)
Tutor: Matt Taylor
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon

PAYMENT OPTIONS

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, 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
Cheque - You can also pay by cheque by filling out this form (click here) and posting it to the address above.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit 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. Please note bookings are non-transferable after 72 hours.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

10% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

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 of the same class/course.

City Academy, Farringdon
City Academy, Farringdon
Closest Station: Farringdon
Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden

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
Matt Taylor