AFTRS Open

What is great cinematography and how is it achieved? This two day course, led by two time AFI Award winner Ellery Ryan (I Love You Too, Van Diemen’s Land, The Rage In Placid Lake) is designed to investigate the theory and practice of visual storytelling. Pretty pictures and standout shots are not enough; Cinematographers must take a written text and use technical and interpretive skills to help a Director convert that text into an engaging visual story. Topics will include: • What m... [More]

Ideally suited to those who have limited camera and sound recording experience, this course will introduce participants to techniques and practical skills that will enable them to produce high quality images and sound for documentary and drama – with an eye to great storytelling, the goal of all good filmmaking. Led by leading cinematographer Paul Warren (The Cup), the workshop will cover how to ensure optimum picture and sound quality, scene coverage and how to tell a story with a ... [More]

The world of television production is a fast changing environment – new roles and job descriptions are constantly being created. Many Reality/Observational documentary series employ ‘Shooter/Producers’ and this is now a skill set that is in high demand. This course is designed for TV Producers, associate producers and researchers who have some production knowledge and experience but little or no camera expertise. It aims to familiarize course participants with the basic principles o... [More]

“LIGHTING THE WRITING” AN ADVANCED LIGHTING COURSE FOR CINEMATOGRAPHERS WANTING TO EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN LIGHTING FOR FILM AND TELEVISION DRAMA. A three day course where students will light a set to various scripted scenarios under the tuition of a professional Cinematographer. Students will work with a Gaffer, Best Boy, Camera Operator, grip and two actors in AFTRS state of the art studios. Exercises will be designed around lighting techniques used to create different styles, f... [More]

The script is ready – are you? In this five day filmmaking intensive, students will get busy in the AFTRS state-of-the-art studio to take a Winter School Week One winning script to screen. Experienced industry filmmakers will guide students with lectures and fast paced practical exercises to conquer the major areas of Directing, Cinematography, and Post Production. You’ll learn how to analyse, break down, and rehearse a short script, to plan a shoot and work within a budget, work wi... [More]

This five hour course is an introduction on managing data from file-based cameras in an on-set environment. Working in the AFTRS Studio, participants will get an overview of all types of data from file-based cameras including P2, SXS, DSLRs, GoPro etc, and how to prepare for and manage this data confidently and responsibly in a high pressure on-set environment. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of data as a ‘digital negative’ and feel confident about working with digit... [More]

Multiple award winning filmmaker Jason van Genderen has made his mark by creating compelling stories using creativity, technique and, at times, the simplest and most readily available equipment. Always a custodian of content over craft, in 2008 he experimented with filming on his mobile phone (a Nokia N95), making a short with no script, storyboard, actors, narration or budget. Mankind is no Island went on to win Tropfest NY (both Best Film and People’s Choice awards), plus an IF Aw... [More]

Making Science and Natural History programming is one of the most challenging areas of production. To bring complex science to life, and communicate it effectively to a general audience, requires a high level of creativity and innovation. Shooting “Natural History”, with all the challenges of working on location with wild animals and even wilder weather, and ending up with a story that will engage the audience, presents a similar degree of difficulty. Over an intensive weekend, meet... [More]

The aim of the course is to teach basic lighting skills in cinematography and how they apply to the visualization of a story or concept. Topics covered include: -Natural light and artificial light -colour temperature -Direct/bounce light, Soft/hard light -The use of Anti fill, cutters, diffusion gels -Types of film lights and camera filters and basic lighting equipment packages for use on location -Lighting continuity -Lighting the face -Contrast ratios -Dealing with reflections -On... [More]

Utilising our new state-of the-art multicam HD TV studio with Strand Lighting desk (running industry standard Palette software), this two-day course will introduce you to the skills and techniques involved in the studio lighting of a multicam “live band” recording. You will learn skills relevant to any “live” or “as live” TV music event. You will gain hands-on experience planning, organising, setting up, rehearsing and lighting for a musical segment, working with a professional crew... [More]