Current + upcoming programmes
💥️ HAPPENING NOW 💥️
Past programmes
Past programmes (click the images above to download)
Sessions archive + resources
Scroll down for a selection of Free Film School sessions with resources, lesson notes and more :-)
And check out the brilliant presentations and podcasts on our FFS YouTube channel
And check out the brilliant presentations and podcasts on our FFS YouTube channel
STORYTELLING
Jenna Bass
Qondiswa James
Qondiswa James
What makes screenwriting different from other kinds of writing? How do you write for the screen and why is the script itself so important? This lesson pairs an exploration of storytelling in film with an exercise centered on observation, inspiring and improving our writing by connecting with the world around us.
CAMERA
Kristen Van Schie
Journalist and multimedia producer, Kristen van Schie, takes us through the essential concepts of using a camera - whether you have professional equipment or just your phone. Later, we'll put this into practice creatively and technically with a photo series assignment.
VISUAL LITERACY
Archie Birch
Film is a visual medium. Archie Birch takes us through the language of images and how we can use design principles to communicate our stories more powerfully. We'll get to put this into practice with a hands-on design practical.
PRODUCING
Antoinette Engel & David Max Brown
No matter what budget level we're working with - money is a big part of almost any production. Producer Antoinette Engel shows us how to draft and manage a budget, while producer and lecturer David Max Brown uses a case study to show us how film's can be financed.
︎ Antoinette Engel presentation ‘budget basics’
︎ David Max Brown presentation ‘what do creative producers do and how to become one’
︎ Production assignment brief
︎ Documentary budget template
︎ Budget and schedules ︎ FFS student example assignment (budget)
︎ FFS student example assignment (treatment)
︎ David Max Brown presentation ‘what do creative producers do and how to become one’
︎ Production assignment brief
︎ Documentary budget template
︎ Budget and schedules ︎ FFS student example assignment (budget)
︎ FFS student example assignment (treatment)
CAREER
Francis Chouler, Sean Drummond, Buhle Ngaba, Nwabisa Plaatjie, Nasfa Ncanywa, Michael Klein
Knowing how to manage your finances is vital for maintaining a career, especially when you're starting out. Francis Chouler gives us a crash course, followed by a Round Table conversation where you can discuss career strategy and advice with some incredible industry professionals in various fields.
ANATOMY OF THE SCENE - PART 1 (SCREENWRITING)
Gabe Gabriel
Part 1 of our collaboration with Queer Writers Incubator, focusing on the Anatomy of a Scene. Writer-Director, Gabe Gabriel, takes us through screenwriting fundamentals within the boundaries of a single scene. Scenes developed in this workshop will be used in the following classes.
COMMERCIALS
Jabu Newman
We'll be introduced to the work of director Jabu Newman, whose projects span commercials, music videos, shorts and web-series. Jabu will then take us through the process of writing treatments specifically for advertising which will require you to define your unique creative vision.
ANATOMY OF THE SCENE - PART 2 (DIRECTING)
Jenna Bass, Pascale Neuschafer, Peggy Tunyiswa, Chumisa Cosa
Part 2 of our collaboration with Queer Writers Incubator. This class focuses on learning through observation. Using the scene studies from the previous week, filmmaker Jenna Bass will take you through the process of analysing a scene to rehearsing, blocking and shooting it with professional actors.
SILENT FILM SCREENWRITING ASSIGNMENT
Khanya Viljoen, Julie Nxadi, Imran Hamdulay, Kristina Graour
Silent film project introduction, make a silent film of 1-2min. Start by gathering inspiration and free-writing, before writing scripts. By the end of the session you'll have written a script that you can take forward to production.
FILM ANALYSIS
Kristina Graour
Watching films critically, understanding how they work, and appreciating how
story, theme and character are communicated is an essential step before making your own work. Kristina Graour shows us how to look beyond the surface and
engage with films in a new way.
story, theme and character are communicated is an essential step before making your own work. Kristina Graour shows us how to look beyond the surface and
engage with films in a new way.
FILM HISTORY
Tina-Louise Smith
It's time to explore and appreciate the rich heritage of cinema from the African
continent! Tina-Louise Smith from the University of Cape Town leads us
through a brief introduction to this tradition.
continent! Tina-Louise Smith from the University of Cape Town leads us
through a brief introduction to this tradition.
SCREENWRITING
Gabe Gabriel
Screenwriter and filmmaker, Gabe Gabriel (No Hiding Here, Runs In The Family) takes us through structure and character for short film, using Queer Writers Incubator screen-play, Surprise! by Céline Tshika as our case study.
DIRECTING
Gabe Gabriel
How does a director prepare and collaborate? Gabe Gabriel returns to discuss their process and speak with the QWI directing mentee, Yonnic Carelse about his experience on Surprise!
ASSISTANT DIRECTING
Loren Loubser
What is the role of an Assistant Director? Loren Loubser introduces us to this important department, how to run a set efficiently, and the process of drafting a shooting schedule.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ebrahim Hajee
Director of Photography, Ebrahim Hajee, introduces us to camera basics and the role of the cinematographer - both technically and creatively.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Carin Bester
The hard, exciting work of brining the visual world of the story to life - it’s all part of the job of being a production designer. Carin Bester introduces us to what the art department does and how it takes both artistry and organisation.
Free Film School is a film and arts education programme, that provides alternative, accessible and Africa-centric skills-sharing between established and aspiring filmmakers, writers, artists and activists in South Africa.
︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ Free Film School (NPO 270-210) Bertha House, 67-69 Main Rd, Mowbray, Cape Town.
︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ Free Film School (NPO 270-210) Bertha House, 67-69 Main Rd, Mowbray, Cape Town.
