Training
Current Training
Feature Film Script Writing Course
This long-awaited 22 week intensive evening class will be run at GMAC in Glasgow in Autumn 2010.Devised by UK screenwriting guru Phil Parker and intended for committed screenwriters, the course is heavily workshop based and includes new thinking on the craft, particularly relating to the central importance of genre and theme. The aim being to move from idea to completed rough draft feature film screenplay within a supportive developmental environment. The course is tutored by industry professional Eleanor Yule. during June 2011 GMAC will host a series of readings of a selection of the screenplays developed through the workshop.
Second Light Apprentice Scheme
Second Light is a production based training scheme for young people from diverse backgrounds, targeted at redressing their under-representation in the UK film and television industries. It has been devised as a pilot which aims to widen the diversity of the talent pool available to the screen industries in Scotland.Second Light is managed by First Light and is funded through the UK Film Council and Skillset, as part of A Bigger Future, the training and education strategy for the UK film industry. Through GMAC we have provided 10 young filmmakers with supported opportunities to move into the film industry. With the backing of industry partners including The Pinewood Studios Group and BAFTA, Second Light delivers bespoke training, work placements and mentor support over a sustained period of 18 months, culminating in the production of Graduation Films in early 2011.
Devised in conjunction with First Light, Beth Armstrong, Project Manager, is responsible for how the course has been set up. As a pilot scheme she has steered the apprentices from initial training to producing their own work and getting work placements on productions shooting in the Glasgow area. Through her guidance apprentices have been discovering hidden talents and un-considered paths.
Masterclasses & Workshops
Throughout the 18 month period we have been providing Masterclasses by industry professionals, including:
Claire Mundell (Shoebox Zoo, Crying with Laughter) Short Film Executive Producer / Film Production
Julia Valentine (This Is England, Moon) Movie Magic
James Lapsley (Skeletons, Outpost) Production Design
Kay Sheridan (Scottish Screen, NETS) Career Development, CV Surgeries
Basharat Khan (Three Houses, Oil & Lacquer) Cinematography / Short Film Mentor
Eleanor Yule (Blinded, Michael Palin and the Mystery of Hammershoi) - Screenwriting
Mark Walsh (Toy Story, Finding Nemo) - Animation
Kian McClure (Taggart, Ae Fond Kiss) - Location Sound Recording
Andy Green & Peter Gerard of Accidental Media (Fistful of Roses, Just to get A Rep) - Pitching
Ewan Angus (BBC Scotland Commissioning Editor). Pitching & Commissioning
Ray Tallan (Laid Off, West End Story) - Lighting for Film
Dale Corlett (Running In Traffic, The Man at the Side of the Road) & Atta Yaqub (Running In Traffic, Ae Fond Kiss) - Directing Actors
Nigel Honey (Ghost Hunters Scotland, Devils Gate) - Editing on Final Cut Pro
Linda Fraser - Production Coordinator - Set Etiquette
Jon Love (The Grey Gold, First Its Dark) - Film Language
Leigh Thomas (BBC Scotland) - Building Media CVs
Networking
We have also been providing networking events which allow the apprentices to experience and meet industry professionals who are currently in the field. Opportunities to network and see how the industry works from all angles from getting scripts commissioned to producing their own documentaries/films/animations, including:- Two day event at Pinewood Studios with guests including Barbara Broccoli, Producer, EON Productions (James Bond films)
- Placements at Glasgow Film Festival, BAFTA Scotland new talent awards & Scottish Students On Screen
- Delegate passes to Edinburgh International Film Festival with bespoke networking events
- Oliver Stone's Honorary Doctorate ceremony and interview at RSAMD
- GMAC themed networking evenings including an audience with Billy Boyd, an illustrated talk on 'Scots Misrebalism' with Eleanor Yule & Café Flicker.
Industry Placements
Apprentices have been on placements throughout the summer organised by Project Coordinator Marissa Carrara.Sue Lau (Art Dpt Trainee), Vilte Vaitkute (Assistant Director Trainee), Gurjas Makkar (Location Sound Trainee) have been busy shooting period drama, 'Garrows Law', for BBC One. Vitle did so well she has been asked back for paid daily work on the production.
Vilte -"When I think of each day on set, there were so many first time tasks and different happenings as it went on. Naturally my list of new skill seems endless. This experience was absolutely fantastic. Working on set and learning things as they went on - theory can't really describe how intense work sometimes may get. Small mistakes only shape the learning curve and that is why I was so determined to keep going and do the best I can even when bad circumstances occur. The crew was incredibly supportive and that made it much easier to adjust to the environment"
Daniel Montesionos-Donaghy (Assistant Director Trainee) and Ifty Gafar (Camera Assistant Trainee) are on Sketch show - 'Frankie Boyle Tramadol Nights' - The Comedy Unit.
Yusuf Javed has been writing film critics for 'Eye for Film' online film review site.
Azy Ali (Assistant Director Trainee) having been on placement with the on-line drama 'Being Victor' Shed Media Scotland, he made some great industry contacts who then asked him onto their next production as a paid Assistant Director Runner on 'How not to live your life' - Brown Eyed Boy.
Plus with more placements in the pipeline the apprentices are getting hands on experience from a broad spectrum whilst on the course. Media-Coop who specialise in creating quality film for TV, for the voluntary sector and run media training and facilitating participatory video projects. Also 'Savalas' Scotland's largest sound-post facility with the UK's first Dolby Premier mix theatre. They have both agreed to take part in the 'Second Light' placement scheme.
Mentors
As part of the course 'Second Light' have arranged each of the apprentices to have a mentor. This allows time with people experienced in the industry but independent of the course. Mentors commit to meet with their apprentice 2 hours per month.Some of the mentors with 'Second Light' are Linda Fraser - Production Coordinator, Eric Coulter - Executive Producer, Anna Mehta - Editor, Emer O'Sullivan - Art Director.
Mentoring in a Thinking Environment (www.timetothink.com) differs from other forms of mentoring in that it is specifically designed to foster independent thinking. The process includes open reflection for the mentee, the identification of a key question from the mentee to the mentor, forming the basis for interview and discussion, followed by a shorter open reflection for the mentor. The equality of this process fosters strong mentoring relationships and a high level of professional development and learning for mentors.Production
Throughout the 18 months the apprentices have been developing their skills and building their experience through a series of training productions including:- Be GMAC - 90 second promo
- Shoot It, Cut It, Screen It - 90 second promo
- Process ñ 5 minute experimental documentary
- Connection please... - short investigative documentary
- Across The Gap - animated installation
Graduation Films
The final 6 months of the course are geared towards the writing / commissioning / production / editing of the graduation films. Apprentices can submit scripts that will be supervised by a writer and developed.Then they will have to pitch their idea to an independent commissioning panel and on the basis of their decision we will select which films are to be made.
After a series of masterclasses geared towards the production of the films, for example:
Art Department / Cinematorgraphy / Scheduling using 'movie magic', the films will move into production organised by the apprentices but under the supervisory role of a Creative Executive Producer, independent of GMAC. Using equipment supplied by GMAC they will run and shoot their scripts.
Then finally moving into post-production using in-house GMAC editing facilities, Final Cut Pro and utlising the online editing and sound mixing skills gained over the apprenticeship.
Red Carpet
Each of the films will be premiered in early 2011 at a festival in Glasgow. The last months will be a time to reflect back over the past 18 months and distribute the final films to film festivals and screening events. Each apprentice should have the knowledge, contacts and experience to get them a foothold in the TV / Film Industry.Previous Training
Skills Development
The Trongate 103 Skills development Programme is a unique series of short training courses aimed specifically at practising artists.The skills development program has been made possible Ýwith the support of creative scotland and glasgow life. GMAC hosted three courses Introduction to Final Cut Pro, Introduction to HDV Camera and Introduction to "No budget" Film Making.
