NFTS Cymru Wales: Self-Shooting: Storytelling

This course is a practical, in-depth introduction in how to tell a story using camera and sound in factual self-shooting. It is suitable for those who are already (relatively!) comfortable using camera and sound technically, or for those who have completed our Self-Shooting 1 – Introduction course. If you can use a camera but are not confident shooting material that works well in the edit, then this is the course for you.

Over 2 days, you will learn how to shoot the right material to tell a story so that it cuts together. This will be taught in a series of enjoyable exercises on the industry-standard Sony FS7 camera. The course will include:

• introduction to storytelling
• basic observational shooting
• shooting dialogue
• shooting in scenes
• shooting a sequence
• interviewing as part of a scene
• lenses, depth of field, framing, operating & sound

Through a series of practical exercises in pairs, you will learn how to break down a scene in front of you into shots that tell a story and can be used in the edit as a sequence. You will practice this in different scenarios that you are likely to come across as a factual self-shooter. You will review exercises with the tutor and be given individual feedback within the group.

Many of the skills taught on this course can be applied to any camera or shooting format and will be of benefit to you regardless of which camera/s you normally use.

This course is ideal for Shooting Researchers, Assistant Producers and those with practical shooting experience at any stage of their career who wish to take their skills to the next level. It is also suitable for Directors, Producers and other professionals who have basic self-shooting experience and wish to become more proficient.

About the tutor: Zillah Bowes is a filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist who has made award-winning films as a director and cinematographer shown worldwide. She has worked with Ffilm Cymru Wales, BBC and Channel 4 among others. Her films include STAYING/AROS MAE, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Premiers Plans Film Festival and SMALL PROTESTS, nominated for a Grierson Award, which won the Current Short Cuts Vimeo Award. Her films as cinematographer include ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival.

To progress, you may also be interested in:
NFTS Cymru Wales: Self-Shooting - Visual Language | NFTS
NFTS Cymru Wales: Self-Shooting - Interviewing | NFTS