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Please do the following next steps now

  • Step 1 
    Check Dates and Times and Course Content. and Achievements Below

  • Step 2
    Check out one or two past Student Films made on the Course below

  • Step 3
    Check out Course Fees  at the bottom of the page

Welcome and Next Steps Video -2 Minutes 

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Step 1 - Check out Dates Times and Course Content

Melbourne 4 Month Film School starts
starts on Thursday 26th February 6.30pm

1.  Opening Night – Week 1 

Thursday 26th February 2026   6.30pm – 9.30pm  

  • Introductions of the People on the Course and Teachers
  • The excitement of producing and making the film and the Plan 
  • Course Overview and Course Objective: Make a 12 – 15 Minute Film and learn filmmaking via making a film
  • The Deadline and how important the deadline is to the filmmaking process
  • How to format a script – this is an essential so as to present a professional script, when you make your own films
  • Which software to use and how to get it for free, saving you $200

At the end of 4 Months, you will have worked on and created a 10 – 12 minute movie

March 2026

2.   Creating the story:  Writing the Screenplay – Week 2

Thursday 12th March 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm  

Story Invention Workshop. In this session we create the Story for the Film Production.
The teacher will show you exactly how to create a story that grabs your audience.

  • Story Ideas Brainstorm
  • Three Dimensional Character Creation
  • Pitching your ideas
  • Narrative arcs for short films
  • Plot the story-the key plot points

RESULT: You will learn how to create and write a screenplay.

Homework (voluntary): Write the first draft  for a 10 Page Screenplay
Over the years we have found the results of the above techniques have produced a strong short film story for emerging or beginner filmmakers.

 

3.  How a Film Director Shoots a Scene – Week 3 

Tuesday 17th March 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm   

  • Director on the Film Set  and Actor Blocking 
  • The Film Shots and what they are called –
    this is essential for the Film Director to understand
  • How does a Scene work
  • The process of planning blocking rehearsing 
  • Working with Actors 
  • Working with the Crew 
  • Camera angles and Coverage of a scene

     

RESULT: You will learn how to shot a scene in a movie. 

Homework Assignment: (Voluntary) Shoot a basic scene at home with your Smart Phone Camera (Mobile) Use at least 3 Camera Angles 

4.  Camera Operations & Cinematography – Week 4 

Tuesday 24th March 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Camera basics (RED 8K Helium & Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro)
  • How to balance a Fluid Head Tripod
  • AFEW (Aperture, Focus, Exposure, White balance) Camera angles
  • When to use Prime Lenses and when to use Zoom Lens
  • Camera movement Pulling focus
  • How to compose/frame your shots
  • Camera department roles and responsibilities
  • Cinematography – 5 C’s (Camera angles, composition, cutting, continuity and close ups)

RESULT:  You will learn how to operate a professional camera. 

Homework assignment: Cinematography assignment using composition techniques (e.g. rule of thirds or leading lines)

 

5.  How to Light a Scene  Week 5 

 Tuesday 31st March 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm    

The Lighting Session: Learning how to use professional lighting equipment to light your scenes
We will experiment with lighting – creating different looks and moods just by changing the lighting setup

  • Cinema lighting overview
  • 3 point lighting – Basics of film lighting (3,2,1 point lighting and effects)
  • Setting up light stands, heads and power
  • Lighting for mood and atmosphere 
  • Lighting for exposure vs lighting for mood & effect – Using light modifiers
  • Using natural light
  • Lighting with set lights: Dedolights, Fresnels, LEDs and Redheads
  •  Using Gels& Diffusion with lights

RESULT: You will learn how to light a scene in a movie. 

Scripts are due to be submitted

Homework: Cinematography assignment using available light and then creating lighting (household sources)

April 2026

6.  Casting Setup & Sound Department Basics 1 – Week 6 

Thursday 14th April 2026  6.30pm – 9.30pm    

6.30pm – 7.30pm: Script selection & Casting setup

  • At the start of class, the successful script will be announced. From here we will discuss the characters in the script and set up a casting call
  • How to set up a casting call
  • We show you how we get the best Actors into the Casting session

7.30pm – 9.30pm: Sound Department

The Sound Session: Learning how to use Professional Sound Equipment on location, including: ⇀ Sound basics⇀ Shotgun Microphone & Boompole

  • Wind Sock
  • Wireless Transmitters and Receivers with Lapel Microphones
  • XLR Inputs on the Camera
  • Setting the right sound levels and monitor in sound on set
  • Sound in film overview – Reference videos

The session ends with shooting a scene focusing on correctly recording sound, including static subject dialogue and moving subjects

RESULT: You will learn how to set up a casting for the film.
              You will learn how to get professional location sound on a film set. 

Homework assignment: place an ad for our film on Star Now for actors to apply and audition

7.  Shooting a scene recap & Location scouting – Week 7 

Tuesday 21st April 2026   6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Shooting a scene with lights, sound and camera departments
  • Capturing coverage
  • Pulling focus & using depth of field
  • Using lighting
  • Location scouting and what makes a good location for short films

 Homework assignment:  Scout for suitable locations for our film

Directing actors:

  • What does a director do
  • How to effectively direct a scene
  • How to build an effective working relationship and trust with actors
  • Practicing effective directing techniques Directing actors workshop

RESULT:You will learn more about shooting a scene in a film
and how to find locations for your film
and you will learn about directing actors in a scene. 

 

8.  Casting – How to Cast your Film – Week 8 

Tuesday 28th April 2026   6.30pm – 9.30pm

Today we have a real live Casting with real actors. You will get to:

  • Learn the process of casting actors professionally
  • Set up the Lights and Camera for casting
  • Camera operator roles will rotate throughout the night
  • Actors should be scheduled for 10 minutes slots
  • 5-15 minute in person audition 
  • You will direct the actors during their audition, assisting them to provide their best performance
  • How to direct actors to give their best performance in auditions
  • How to choose the best actors

RESULT: You will learn how to cast a film effectively by doing it for real for your short film

May 2026

9. Preproduction – How to Prepare your Film Shoot – Week 9

Tuesday 5th May 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Director preparation: Learning your scenes, understanding the motivation of your character sand preparing to direct your actors performance  
  • Working with actors and providing effective direction         

Tonight you will learn all about preproduction for a film shoot and locking in the final logistical and production elements to ensure a successful shoot.   

  • Documentation — schedules, call sheets, talent release forms
  • Production design props and set dressing, props
  • Wardrobe
  • How to prepare a schedule and call sheet
  • Confirm actors are booked for rehearsal sessions

RESULT: You will learn again this week about directing actors on set. You will know what to do when on set directing your actors

You will learn all about the preproduction preparation for your film shoot. 

10.  Practical Saturday – Ready Steady Go:  – Week 10
Film Equipment – Final Training Bootcamp 

Saturday 9th May 2026   10.00am – 3.00pm     

  • This is a Saturday session designed to give you further practice with the camera, lighting and sound equipment – an intensive recap session
  • To ensure you are “set-ready” and the crew works as a well oiled machine
  •  All the elements of being on set without the actors
  • Focus on getting hands on with the technical side of filmmaking in preparation for the shoot
RESULT: You will today get totally read for the film shoot.

11.  Final Preparation of the Film Shoot  – Week 11 

Tuesday 12th May 2026   6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Final Shoot Preparations – Finalising remaining details as follows:
  • Location confirmation 
  • Schedule Confirmation 
  • Call Sheets 
  •  Extras
  • Props
  • Wardrobe
  • Set dressing       
Homework assignment: any remaining production elements to be completed and sourced
 

Rehearsals
In addition to preparing the shoot, we will invite the core cast (actors) to attend a rehearsal session. This session will focus on assisting the actors in their preparation for the shoot and expose you to working with actors.

RESULT: You will learn how to rehearse actors for the film shoot. 

12 The Three-Day Film Shoot – On Real Location Learn how to shoot a Movie by doing it for real

Sessions 12 – 14

Shoot Day One on Location on the film Set 

Saturday 16th May 2026    8.00am – 5.00pm 

 The Shoot:  9 Hour Shooting Day: 

Film Shoots are on Location: Locations can be a shop or hotel or park or any variable of a film location. This is a very exciting day where one is on a real shoot and real film.

Today you will work as a crew member. Every person revolves through the crew roles over the 3 shooting days.

Revolving Crew roles you will take on:

  1. Director
  2. DOP
  3. Focus Puller
  4. Clapper
  5. Sound Recordist
  6. Boom
  7. Gaffer
  8. Grip
  9. Continuity
  10. Production Runner

RESULT: You will have 9 hours shooting on the Film Set for real and will shoot 3 minutes of the movie 

15.  Watching Rushes – Prepare to Edit  – Week 12 

Tuesday 19th May 2026  6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Review of shooting Day One – Preview Shoot Days 2 & 3 
  • Watch the rushes from day one shooting – How to watch your footage
  • Preparing for post-production
  • Which software to use – Revealed on the course
  • The amazing free software that will edit and colour your film and do the sound post (Revealed on the course)
  • How to sync sound and get your footage ready to edit

Sessions 16 – 18  

Shoot Day Two: On Location: Shooting with Actors

Saturday 23rd May 2026  8.00am – 5.00pm  

  • This is the real experience of working on a professional film set.

  • Your second day working as a crew member on a real film

  • Crew roles rotate across all three shooting days.

RESULT: You will have 9 hours shooting on the Film Set for real and will shoot 3 more minutes of the movie (6 minutes total )

Session 19 – 21  

Shoot Day 3 on Location – Working as Film Director and a crew member on the film set

Sunday 24th May 2026   8.00am – 5.00pm   

Crew roles continue to rotate for the final shoot day, but the crew will be running this shoot almost completely solo. This is 100% hands-on practical.  This is the real deal where you are on set shooting a movie

  • Your third day working as a crew member on a real film
  • Crew roles continue to rotate over the 3 shooting days
RESULT
You will spend 9 hours shooting on a real film set and will shoot 4 more minutes of the movie (10 minutes total  shot for the film)

June 2026

Sessions 22 – 24  

Post Production Saturday – Editing the Film – Week 14 

Saturday 6th June 2026    9.00am – 6.00pm Post-Production Day 

You will learn to edit your footage into a complete film by following the master edit in class. You learn to edit the movie on Da Vinci Resolve

Please note that editing is a great skill to learn and there is so much work in the film and video business for talented editors. It also pays well.

Course content for the night:

  • How to edit a scene
  • Learn today how to cut scenes for your film
  • Learn how to effectively tell your story

RESULT: You will learn how to edit your film  on Da Vinci Resolve and will be invited to do an edit of the film.

26.  Business of Filmmaking – Colm O’Murchu  – Week 15

Tuesday 16th June  2026  7.00pm – 9.00pm

After your short Film is complete, how do you find the audience?

  • Film Festivals and your strategy for entering
  • What is the best site for Film Festivals
  • Where is the work in the film industry
  • Your plan for getting work in the film industry
  • Film Markets and how feature films are sold and make money

RESULT: You will learn how to enter your film into a Film Festival and how films are sold in the film market. 

27.  Colour Grading and Grading the Film – Week 16

Tuesday 23rd June 2026    6.30pm – 9.30pm    

  • Colouring your film and making it look great
  • Grading your film to have colour consistency
  • Titles and Credits

Sound Post:

  • Sound Post and Music mix Session – this is what makes the difference between a good film and a great film and will make the difference between success and not succeeding
  • On this session you learn about the importance of Sound
  • Music for your film and how to get the best music easily and cheaply

RESULT: You will learn how to colour correct your film and add sound and music to your film. 

28.  Tuesday 30th June 2026    7pm – 9pm  –  Week 17 

The Final Night Certificates and Screening of the Film   Screening of the complete finished film and Certificates and Indie Film Club

  • Future Opportunities
  • Screening of the Finished Completed Film
  • The Film Director Certificate Presentation
  • Photos of group
  • Social Mixer and Celebration

RESULT: You will get your Film Director Certificate tonight and your first Film Director Credit on the finished film. 

Achievements and Benefits after
completion of the Course

The 4 Month Future Filmmakers Course is a transformative course that fast-tracks you to becoming a filmmaker and gives you a clear plan on how to execute a filmmaking career.

Imagine that on the last night of the 4 Month Future Filmmakers Course, the following has happened. 

  1. Your first film completed as a group and ready to show to audiences and film festivals

  2. Earned your first Film Director Credit

  3. Created a clear plan to move forward in the film industry

  4. You will have met 15 other people, many of whom will become friends and creative collaborators.

  5. Student film productions will happen after the 4 Month Future Film Course concludes.

  6. Received your Film Director Certificate at graduation

Step 2 - Please check out Films Made on the Course

Tabernacle 101 - Feature Film made by Australian Film Central

Quality Short Films made by Students on the 4 Month Future Filmmakers Course

Our Student Films win awards. 

Reason: The Students are properly trained on the 4 Month Future Filmmakers Course 

and supported by industry professionals on set. This will happen for you 

Step 3 - Check Course Fees and Pay

Option 1 - Pay x 2

$ 3395
  • $ 1195 Deposit
  • $2200 Paid First night of the Course
  • AfterPay Available for $1195 Payment
  • Go to Checkout Page with Click Here Button
  • Total Investment $3395
STANDARD

Click Here - Go to Payment Page
and Enrol Now with $1195 Deposit

Option 2 - Payment plans

$ 739 x 5
  • $739 Deposit on Place Offer
  • $ 739 One Month later
  • $ 739 x 3 More Monthly Payments
  • Total 5 Monthly Payments of $739
  • $ 300 More than Option One
Payment Plan

Click Here - Go to Payment Page
and Enrol Now with $739 Deposit

OPTION 3 (Popular) - Pay Full Fee $3395 with Afterpay
4 Interest Free Payments $848 - Click Here

Step 4 - Optional:
Book a Phone Conversation

 PHONE CONVERSATION BOOKING FORM  

✅Fill in Form with Preferred Time for Call 
✅ Phone Conversations last 10 – 15 Minutes
✅ This is an Optional Call where you Learn More 

Alternatively: Call 1800 131166  
For Phone Conversation

Photo From our 4 Month Future Filmmakers Course

Testimonials and Reviews

Hear directly from recent students about their experience on the course, the films they created, and the confidence they gained.

The Film Instructors: Taught by Filmmakers for Future Filmmakers

Sean Smith is a passionate filmmaker and highly respected teacher whose communication and mentoring skills are of the highest calibre.

He is currently in production on his own feature film and brings real, up-to-date industry experience directly into the classroom.

Sean teaches most of the Melbourne course and is known for creating a supportive, encouraging learning environment where students quickly gain confidence with professional film equipment, directing actors, and working as part of a real film crew.

Students consistently praise Sean’s clear guidance, patience, and genuine commitment to helping every filmmaker succeed — from complete beginners through to those ready to take the next step into the film industry.

Colm O’Murchu is a successful Indie Filmmaker and Director of four worldwide successfully released feature films The Elixir, The Makeover, Dealing with Destiny, and Tabernacle 101.

He created and has run Australian Film Central since 1997 and helped filmmakers produce hundreds of short films. At this point 157 Short Films have been made on the Filmmaking Courses.

 His mission is to help up and coming and emerging Filmmakers make their films successful and loves to help up-and-coming filmmakers make it in the film business.

If you feel excited reading this, that’s a strong sign this course is right for you.
Your filmmaking journey can begin now. Call 1800131166

Australian Film Central  ABN 13 257 135 442
Email    enquiry@australianfilmcentral.com
Phone 1800 131166