As a resource organisation for the Irish film industry, Filmbase is a centre for, and run by, filmmakers. It provides a range of training courses designed for new and emerging filmmakers to learn the trade, as well as programmes for the more experienced film professional to upskill.
Combining skill-specific short courses (Screenwriting, Producing, Camera & Lighting, Editing, Post Production) with industry masterclasses and longer running programmes, Filmbase Training focuses its emphasis on learning through practical production.
Recent masterclasses have included Matthew Carnahan (showrunner of Emmy-award winning House of Lies), Mel Churcher (acting coach on Marco Polo, Chalet Girl, The Lady, Sherlock Holmes) and Nancy Bishop (casting director on Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible 4, Snowpiercer). Every programme provided is aimed at gearing students for the reality of emerging into the Irish film industry.
IFTN runs through a selection of 2017 course offerings by Filmbase below:
Masters in Digital Feature Film Production
In addition to short course training, Filmbase also provide a one-year, full-time Masters in Digital Feature Film Production run in association with the University of West Scotland.
The course is a highly practical programme which prepares filmmakers for the reality of writing, developing, producing, pitching, shooting, editing and distributing feature films in digital formats. Throughout the course students will collaborate on the production of a feature film for exhibition and distribution.
Recent work from the programme has included The Randomer, which saw the class collaborating with writer/director Gerry Stembridge; and the winner of the Best Short Film at the Galway Film Fleadh 2016, Lily, a collaboration with writer/director Graham Cantwell. Previous feature films completed on the programme have included Keys To The City, How To Be Happy, Poison Pen, Light of Day, Monged and Fading Away – which have all enjoyed wide festival success with many going on to achieve international distribution.
The MA programme opens for applications in February each year, with courses beginning in September. Prospective applicants can find out more about the programme at www.filmmasters.ie.
Short-term Training
Covering a cross-section of disciplines, Filmbase provides short courses to suit any schedule. Lengths vary from 1 day or weekend courses, to intensive filmmaking programmes run over 8 to 10 weeks. For a breakdown of everything that’s scheduled, visit Filmbase.ie/training
Covering a cross-section of disciplines, Filmbase provides short courses to suit any schedule. Lengths vary from 1 day or weekend courses, to intensive filmmaking programmes run over 8 to 10 weeks. For a breakdown of everything that’s scheduled, visit Filmbase.ie/training
• Production Training
From Beginners and Advanced Directing, to specialised courses in Assistant Directing, Producing, Continuity, and Sound, Filmbase focuses on providing the skills for students to work on their next project with confidence, be it documentary or drama.
• Want to Write for Film?
Filmbase caters for writers of all skill levels, whether it’s getting a grasp of the basic rules of screenwriting to polishing third drafts for applications. Courses are usually run over 8 weeks or weekends, and cover everything from comedy writing, workshopping projects, writing features, developing TV Drama. Writers and Filmbase members are invited to submit their work to the Short Shots Funding Scheme, where their project, if shortlisted, is developed and is in the running to receive up to €10,000 euros in production funding, matched with €10,000 in equipment and room rental.
• Training for Young People
During midterm breaks and summer holidays, Filmbase offers specialised training for younger future filmmakers. Past courses have included animation, filmmaking and acting for teens. Filmbase is also the home for the yearly Cinemagic festival (http://www.cinemagic.org.uk/festival-cities/dublin).
• Intensive filmmaking classes
The Digital Filmmaking: Make a Short Film (10 weeks) and 8-week Documentary Filmmaking remain staple courses in which students learn all about the practicalities and theories of filmmaking, screenwriting and production - and then go on to shoot their own projects under the supervision of industry professionals. Perfect for anyone looking to develop their showreel.
• Post Production
Filmbase delivers Adobe Authorised training in After Effects and Premiere Pro as well as providing specialised training for anyone wanting to learn or further develop their skills in Final Cut Pro X.
• Opportunities for Actors
Intro to Acting is a popular course for people looking to start their career in performance, while Acting for Showreel gives actors the opportunity to both hone their skills and shoot personalised scenes. More advanced training for jobbing actors is also available: these include intensive workshops with top international coaches (Mel Churcher, Kirk Baltz), and special training for developing vocal, improv and comedic skills. Actors and Filmbase members are also welcome to apply for the Filmbase Close up scheme, a programme where actors will workshop with a different top Irish director each Tuesday for 8 weeks.
