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OUR APPROACH
THE APPROACH
FILM MAKING - REAL SUBJECTS, REAL PEOPLE, REAL SITUATIONS
We learn by a mixture of explanation, demonstration, rote learning, reading and primarily through actually applying knowledge, ideas, skills and doing things. That is what Hurtwood Film Academy (HFA) does - hands on sessions using cameras etc. on film making exercises, and then on real films in real situations about subjects of substance.
IN PRACTICE this means:
A six week introduction to the basics of production, covering: research and development, writing, producing, and directing with practical exercises from day one. Special attention is paid constantly, and then some, to our mantra: "What is the hypothesis - what is the meaning you are trying to convey with this shot / this sequence / this scene / this film". A six week introduction to the very basics of the technical areas of camera, sound, lighting, editing and after effects.
INITIAL PRACTICAL EXERCISES
HFAers have to shoot and edit:
- An interview. To show they understand the basic rules for shooting an interview effectively.
- Action and illustrative sequences. To show they understand the basic rules for shooting such sequences effectively and efficiently.
- A pure film making exercise about shot sizes, angles, camera height and montage. This might be anything from making a 41 second film of making toast, or making a cup of tea to a 90 second Western style gunfight scene, but the challenge is to make it visually interesting in some way beyond the norm.
- A lighting exercise. This would begin with a simple lighting exercise for an interview to build up to a more complex film noir lighting scene at some point.
- Editing and After Effects. Creating meaning through montage is explored.
- 6 Interstatal films. Along the lines of Channel 4 Station Promos. Our crews ask our students six questions such as: "Can you tell us the story of your first kiss?" and then edit the answers to NOT reveal the answer until the end, while building up the humour and possibly tension before the resolution.
STUDENT FILMS - 50 PLUS CREDITS
After this period of exploring knowledge and skills, students devote their time to research and development, pre production, shooting and editing their own film in small teams of two to five members. The skills and knowledge they have acquired are deepened and enriched through coming to grips with a real film for a real audience over what is often a 9 month period for the more complex productions.
Students genuinely "author" these documentary and fiction films themselves. The three practising film makers are ever there as back up, as tutors / mentors, but students develop, produce, shoot, direct and edit the pieces themselves as far as possible. It is old style teaching and learning "on the shop floor" essentially.
Films shot in the UK include: a boxing barrister; a profile of a special needs school in Woking; a promotional film for Lifetrain (a well known Surrey charity); profiles of pop stars Craig David, Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, and Andy Bell of Erasure; an intimate interview with Norman Wisdom; a documentary about life aboard a Royal Navy minesweeper; another about life in a Royal Navy helicopter squadron; and various films made in Hurtwood on the way British teenagers think in the 21st Century!
Films shot abroad include: the secret arts of glass making in Venice; designer jewellery in Vienna; a clash of cultures in Hong Kong; the struggles of a steel town in East Germany.
See our PRODUCTION SHOWCASE SECTION for full details and to view our films.
"Making films, getting my hands on this level of equipment
on real films, learning with film makers, fantastic."
(Ryan - HFA 2009)
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