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Documentary Filmmaking Certificate

Documentary Filmmaking Certificate

If you have an idea for a documentary and want to turn your dream into reality, this intensive, 6-week course will provide the grounding you need to transform your initial concept into a gripping factual film. With hands-on training from practising documentary professionals, you will gain all the skills you need and make your own collaborative documentary ready to pitch and package to the industry.

You'll work with broadcast quality digital cameras and learn and develop your skills in cinematography and sound. Hone your editing skills with Adobe Premiere Pro before you pitch your final project to a panel of documentary industry professionals.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Duration: 6 weeks, full-time
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (plus additional hours incl. evenings and weekends)

Make your own collaborative documentary in 6 weeks! Join our intensive six-week Documentary Filmmaking Certificate course to gain practical skills, documentary filmmaking experience and industry understanding to develop your own documentaries.

If you’ve got an idea for a documentary and want to know how to develop your idea into a gripping narrative then our Documentary Filmmaking provides the perfect grounding. We teach you documentary research methodologies and how to apply them to your productions to get them started. Throughout the course you will receive hands-on training by practising documentary professionals, equipping you with sought-after, industry relevant skills. You also gain an understanding of the different sectors of the documentary industry and how to effectively pitch and package your work to an industry panel.

Over the six weeks you:

  • Develop new and existing cinematography and sound abilities
  • Experience working with broadcast-quality digital cameras
  • Learn editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Practise pitching your final projects to a panel of documentary industry professionals

Working in small groups with excellent tutor-to-student ratios ensures that you benefit from the close-knit nurturing environment that we strive for at London Film Academy. Regular group feedback sessions, mentoring and technical support enhance your learning and your individual project needs.

All final documentary film projects are screened in our cinema.

Course Goals

  • Gain a thorough understanding of the basics of documentary filmmaking, including the UK film market, budgeting and funding
  • Learn pitching skills to successfully promote your documentary idea or completed project
  • Gain the ability to develop an idea into a treatment, using the research and storytelling tools taught on the course
  • Complete a five-minute Documentary short film
  • Learn technical skills on digital camera operating, sound recording/mixing and lighting
  • Learn basic Adobe Premiere Pro skills
  • Knowledge of Documentary short film development, production and post production

While on the course and for one month after you will receive complementary membership with LFA networking Filmmaker's Club

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To book your place on this course please:
Apply online or 
Apply by post, print out the application form and post to London Film Academy, 52A Walham Grove, London, SW6 1QR, email admissions@londonfilmacademy.com or fax to 0207 381 6116. As soon as we've received your application we’ll send you a confirmation email containing payment details. Please check your ‘Junk Mail’ folder if you appear to have not received this email.

ENTRY CRITERIA

  • Our Six-Week Documentary Filmmaking Certificate course is open enrolment and there are no entry requirements.
  • All applicants must be fluent in English: English Language Level: Upper Intermediate
  • Minimum age 18

VISA REQUIREMENTS
You can check if you need a visa by visiting the UK IMMIGRATION VISA (UKVI) website. You can also check with the British Embassy or Consulate in your own country or, if there is not one where you live, in a neighbouring country.

Visa applications can be a lengthy process and therefore it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned trip.

SHORT TERM STUDY VISA
For students studying on a course of 6 months or less (i.e. LFA Certificates, Foundations and Specialised courses)

NB: Do not travel to the UK if you wish to study without first obtaining the correct student visa. If you enter the UK under a short-term study visa or the incorrect student visa, you will not be able to switch this to the relevant visa without first returning to your home country.

London Film Academy has been reviewed by QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) for Educational Oversight.

 

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To apply online please click on the course date below.

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The films produced here are as good and in some respects better than many of the more high profile film schools in the UK. This is the right place for motivated and enthusiastic young filmmakers who want to develop their skills.

Sandy Lieberson, Film London

The LFA gave me the opportunity to learn as much as I could about editing, in particular the editing process, and the different software used within the industry. I always knew I wanted to be an editor but the LFA gave me the tools to become a professional one.

Lior Lovitz, Filmmaking Diploma

I believe that the teaching I received at the LFA was a key factor in being able to start a career in such a competitive industry. I honed my craft, using the skills I received on the course and obtained my first screenwriting job, which quickly led to my current position as Development Exec for Elstree Studio Productions.

Jake Rowlands, Screenwriting Diploma

Collaboration is crucial to filmmaking, and in keeping with this, one of the key criteria applied when selecting people for the diploma is there likely capacity for team work.

The Guardian, Shooting Stars

The course taught me so much in such a short amount of time that just a couple months after finishing, another student friend and I won third place in an International television contest with our short film.

Carlos Zoyzaya, Filmmaking Certificate

Every time I walk into LFA I'm struck by the atmosphere of creativity and support

KT Roberts, Get A Job In Film student

The Foundation course gave me the confidence to pursue my career as a director. Following the course I made my first film through Club Panico, with most of the crew being fellow students. I am now represented by an agent and have made several award-winning films.

Rachel Tillotson, Director, Foundation Graduate

To produce work of such high quality in such a short space of time is astounding. I would hotly recommend the LFA to anyone thinking of a film career.

Michael Ayers, Actor

The standard of education at LFA enables students to go out into the industry with the skills and experience necessary to find professional employment.

John Ward, Steadicam Operator ('Full Metal Jacket', 'The Fifth Element', 'The Ninth Gate') and LFA tutor

No short cuts from the LFA. All films we receive are well documented and of a very high standard, certainly a Film School we are proud to be associated with.

Len Thornton, Soho Images