How to Make a Short Film: An Introduction to Filmmaking
The British Film Institute (BFI)
  • Start Date: 03 Oct, 2022
  • 4 weeks
  • Study Content: Videos


Do you have a passion for film? Learn the key skills of filmmaking in this practical course from the BFI.

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility

Course Description

Kick-start your filmmaking practice with simple techniques and basic equipment


Film is the ideal medium for telling stories, communicating ideas, and entertaining friends and family, so why leave it to the professionals? This course has been specially designed to help anyone interested in filmmaking to master the essentials and start making their own work.


Each week, our step-by-step guide will help develop your skills and enhance your understanding of the medium. Starting with the significance of a single shot, you will find out how films tell stories, consider how to show movement, and use sound. You will also discover how to script and storyboard, organise a shoot, choose what to film, and plan and polish your work in the editing process.


You will learn by interrogating a wide range of British films including student work from the BFI Film Academy, archive titles from the BFI National Archive, and videos specially created by your course leader. There will also be plenty of opportunities to learn from each other as you are encouraged to share and discuss your ideas, experiences, and what you have made.


From absolute beginners to those wanting to refresh their skills, How to Make a Short Film is designed for anyone with a passion for film and filmmaking.


You might be a student or filmmaker at the start of your career, a professional who wants to incorporate film into your work, or an educator - such as a teacher, youth worker or arts practitioner, who needs the skills to support and develop the work of others.


You might also want to try filmmaking as an expressive activity in itself, experimenting with different techniques, and using the activities to discover the creative potential of the medium.


To take part in the course, you will need something to film with and something to edit on. You could film and edit with just a smartphone or tablet, but using a still camera or camcorder provides you with more creative options. It is also easier to do more ambitious editing on a computer, particularly if you have access to a program like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.


The course requires you to have a video editing program or app. You could use a free program like iMovie, VN Editor or Hitfilm Express. Pro options include Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro.


Using a tripod, handle/filming case (for a smartphone) or a stabiliser will help you film steady shots. A basic clip-on ‘lavalier’ microphone and headphones helps improve sound quality, but are not essential. To make the most of natural light you could also use some affordable folding reflectors.


Last but not least, you will need one or two friends or family members who are happy to be filmed!


    • Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

    • The British Film Institute (BFI)

      The British Film Institute (BFI) was founded in 1933 and is a charity governed by a Royal Charter.

      The BFI combine cultural, creative and industrial roles, bringing together the BFI National Archive and BFI Reuben Library, film distribution, exhibition and education at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX, publishing and festivals. The BFI award Lottery funding to film production, distribution, education, audience development and market intelligence and research.

      Film Forever is the BFI’s five year strategic plan for 2012-2017 to support UK film. The plan covers all of the BFI’s activities and is based around three priorities – education and audiences, support for the UK film industry and unlocking film heritage.

       

    • You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
    • COLLABORATION POLICY

      By enrolling in a course on or through eLearnAfrica, you are joining a special worldwide community of learners. The aspiration of eLearnAfrica is to provide anyone with an internet connection access to courses from the best universities and institutions in the world and to provide our learners the best educational experience internet technology enables. You are a part of the community that will help eLearnAfrica achieve this goal. eLearnAfrica depends upon your motivation to learn the material and to do so with honesty and academic integrity. In order to participate in eLearnAfrica, you must agree to the Honor Code below and any additional terms specific to a class.

      ELEARNAFRICA HONOR CODE PLEDGE

      By enrolling in a course, program, or degree hosted on the eLearnAfrica App or Site, I agree that I will:

      • Complete all tests and assignments on my own, unless collaboration on an assignment is explicitly permitted.

      • Maintain only one user account and not let anyone else use my username and/or password.

      • Not engage in any activity that would dishonestly improve my results, or improve or hurt the results of others.

      • Not post answers to problems that are being used to assess student performance.

      • Abide by any and all requirements of the eLearnAfrica Participants as may regard the expectations of civil or academic behavior or of community standards.

      VIOLATIONS

      If you are found in violation of the Terms and Conditions or Honor Code, you may be subject to one or more of the following actions:

      • Receiving a zero or no credit for an assignment;

      • Having any certificate earned in the course withheld or revoked;

      • Being unenrolled from a course, learning program or degree program; or

      • Termination of your use of the App and/or Site.

      • Additional actions may be taken at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica and eLearnAfrica course providers. 

      No refunds will be issued in the case of any corrective action for such violations.

      Honor code violations will be determined at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica, the Partners, or Members. You will be notified if a determination has been made that you have violated this honor code and you will be informed of the corresponding action to be taken as a result of the violation.

      CHANGING THE HONOR CODE

      Please note that we review and may make changes to this Honor Code from time to time. Any changes to this Honor Code will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with an updated effective date. By accessing the App and/or Site after any changes have been made, you signify your agreement on a prospective basis to the modified Honor Code and any changes contained therein. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of this Honor Code.

      Effective Date: September 22, 2016