Raindance Diploma Courses- Filmmakers*Writers*

Filmmakers Foundation Certificate

The Filmmakers Foundation Certificate is designed as an introduction course for new and potential filmmakers to tackle their first short or feature film. This taster course is given in five weeks covering, Screenwriting, Directing, Producing, Low budgeting, and breaking in to the Film industry. This dynamic course gives you all you need to know about the ins and outs of filmmaking.

What? Filmmakers Foundation Certificate
When? 5 Tuesdays. Sept 14/ Oct 13
Where? Craven Street Rehearsal Rooms,
10 Craven St, London WC2N 5PE
How much? £189.75 (Premium Members £161.29)
Call Raindance to register: +44 (0)20 7287 3833

Writers Foundation Certificate

Raindance founder Elliot Grove has developed a simple, practical introduction to the art, craft and mechanics of screenwriting. As a script consultant, and having produced over 5 features and 150 short films within the last 20 years, he has a key understanding of the concepts, theories and tools that will make your screenplay exceptional.

The Writers' Foundation Certificate is for anyone who is interested in writing for the screen though it is not necessary to have a project for this class. This course is part lecture and part group discussion.

What? Writer's Foundation Certificate
When? 5 Wednesday. Sept 16/ Oct 28
Where? Craven Street Rehearsal Rooms,
10 Craven St, London WC2N 5PE
How much? £189.75 (Premium Members £161.29)
Call Raindance to register: +44 (0)20 7287 3833

Director's Foundation Certificate

Many new directors chase the dream of directing, however they lack the technical and creative skills needed to succeed.

In this five week course you will learn the fundamentals of working with the screenplay, directing actors using the camera, lighting and sound equipment. This introductory course, will give you an overview of each area of the director's responsibilities and how to effectively create a brilliant film.

What? Directors Foundation Certificate
When? 5 Thursdays. Sept 17/ Oct 29
Where? Craven Street Rehearsal Rooms,
10 Craven St, London WC2N 5PE
How much? £189.75 (Premium Members £161.29)
Call Raindance to register: +44 (0)20 7287 3833

Let me just say that Raindance Film Festival is heralded by Tapas Bars and Fast-food restaurants alike; leading many to state that it is yet to receive proper recognition for laying the foundations of fundamental film-making to take away or eat here. Inevitably, feelings run river-deep and mountain-high amongst those most reliant on food-tokens; those of whom are likely to form a major stronghold in the inevitable battle for chicken and chips. Raindance Film Festival may not be the best thing since sliced Mother-in-law, but it's still important. It fills a hole (as does my late mother-in-law), influences the influencers, and is always right on the mutton.

Are these courses in any way responsible for the generally abysmal standard of screenwriting in British film? Time was when dramatic writers would learn their trade on TV or by writing for the stage before venturing into the world of writing for the big screen. Now you have a hundreds of media and film students who believe they can go straight into screenwriting without any experience of learning the basics - such as characterisation, or how to write effective and convincing dialogue.

Quote: Griff @ July 29 2009, 3:20 PM BST

I've done courses with both Raindance and Euroscript and both were excellent. Neither of them underestimated the importance of characterisation or dialogue, and pretty much sent everyone away thoroughly chastened as to the magnitude of the task before them. This chastening also magnified by the absolute kicking the teacher gave my first attempt at a screenplay. No false encouragement there.

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Good-o! I'm all for pissing on people's dreams! It's the only way any of us learn. Sounds like they're not just on-the-take then?

(Though obviously it sounds as though they need to better regulate their email system.)

Quote: Griff @ July 29 2009, 12:44 PM BST

The great thing about Raindance is how once you've been on a course of theirs, they send you an email every other day for the rest of your life. (See also Euroscript.)

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Ha ha, ditto. As you say, they are good though.