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Sydney 4 Month Filmmaking Course
starts on Tuesday 18th August 6pm - 9pm

Days
Hours
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Limited to 15 Places - We are close to Full  
Still Time to Enrol

✅ Learn to Direct, Produce, and Edit a film in just 4 months

✅ Course sessions on Tuesday nights and some Saturdays

✅  You can keep your day job while going to film school

✅ Work on a real film production shot on location

✅ You will both make and crew on an actual shoot.

✅ Discover how to build a career in the film industry including ways to earn money from filmmaking

✅ Train with professional film equipment — fully supplied

✅ Master casting and directing actors on set

✅ Learn how to write a professional screenplay

✅ Learn to produce and properly prepare your shoot

Learn to Edit and colour grade your film using DaVinci Resolve

Source the best music and sound design for your film

✅ Receive high-standard, quality filmmaking training
Delivered through our 4 Month Film School

✅ Learn from a filmmaking course  with 28 years of filmmaking teaching experience

Make new friends and future creative collaborators

Graduate with your Film Director’s Certificate on the final night

Tuesday Nights 
Some Saturdays

Please Watch this Short Video
How you transform into a Filmmaker/ Film Director

Book a 15 Minute Phone Conversation Now
Learn about Course Fees & Payment Plan Options

Learn Filmmaking without
going to Expensive Film School

Dates, Times & Course Content

August 2026

Two People on the 4 Month Filmmaking Course
learning how to use the Camera 

Session  1 -Tuesday Night  18th August  2026  6.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Camera Training: How to use professional Cameras 

You will learn how to operate a Professional Camera and shoot a scene.

  • All Professional Film Equipment will be on site, and you will work with it
  • How to use Camera Equipment – Blackmagic Camera, Lenses and Tripod
  • Prime lenses – 13mm, 28mm, 36mm, 70 mm
  • AFEW (Aperture, Focus, Exposure, White balance) Camera angles
  • How to balance a Fluid Head Tripod
  • How to focus effectively using a Focus Chart
  • How to get the best F-stop
  • How to frame a shot beautifully
  • How to pan and tilt
  • How to compose/frame your shots
  • Cinematography – 5 C’s (Camera angles, composition, cutting, continuity and close-ups)

The Session will end with shooting a scene with 3 different Camera Shots: Camera Exercise One

RESULT:   You will know how to use a professional camera and the lenses.

We welcome your inquiry
Phone 1800 131 166

2.  Week 2 – Tuesday Night  25th August 2026  6.00 pm – 9.00pm  – Scott Jacobs 

Location Sound:  Learning how to use Professional Sound

  • Using the Professional Sound Recorder
  • The Shotgun Microphone – The Windsock – The Foam Sock
  • The Pistol Grip – The Boom Pole
  • Wireless Transmitters and Receivers with Lapel Microphones
  • When to use the Wind Sock
  • XLR Inputs on the Camera
  • Setting the right sound levels and monitoring the sound on set
  • Recording Sound Exercises – Using Headphones:
  • How to use the Boom 

The Lighting Session: Learning how to use professional lighting equipment to light your scenes

  • 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 on a Film Set. 

 

September 2026

3. Tuesday Night  1st September 2026 – 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Screenplay – Story Invention Workshop – Instructor  : Colm O’Murchu

In this session, we create the Story for the Film Production. We show you exactly how to create a story that grabs the audience.

 Learn How to write a great story & screenplay

  • Learn to format your screenplay
  • Using screenwriting software to professionally format a script (Free)
  • How to get ideas for a story
  • Story-generating exercises. You work with one other person in the group to generate a story using our system
  • Learn how to build dimensional Characters with our amazing system. 
  • Building conflict via our Story Shaping exercises
  • End the night with Pitch of Ideas.

RESULT:  Tonight, you will know how to format a screenplay and have created a fleshed-out storyline for your screenplay

4  Week 4 – Tuesday Night 8th September  2026 – 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Story Invention Workshop – Instructor Colm O’Murchu

  • Screenplay Structure for Feature Film Screenplays
  • The 4 Acts of a Screenplay: Examples from Famous Movies 
  • Three Cs of Screenwriting 
  • Workshop further the story with Objectives, Obstacles and Story Structure
  • Work on scene-by-scene outlines for your screenplay
  • Plot the Story Finalisation 
  • How to discipline Writing Sessions with the 25 Minute Rule 
  • Invitation to write a 10-minute screenplay over the next week. 
  • Voluntary Homework: Write the First Draft of the Screenplay and Submit.   
RESULT:  You will have a scene-by-scene breakdown of your 10-minute screenplay and be ready to write the 10-minute screenplay.

Directing on Set – 4 Month Filmmaking Course 

5.  Week 5 : Tuesday 22nd September   6 pm – 9 pm   

How a Film Director Shoots a Scene 

  • How to become a Film Director 
  • Film Director Agents and how to get one in Australia 
  • 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
  • Review of Chosen Screenplay – Screenplay is chosen by a panel 
  • This will be the screenplay that we shoot and make into a 10 Minute Movie

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

6.  Week 6 – Tuesday Night  29th September  2026  6.00pm – 9.00 pm –
Production Management One – Instructor Colm O’Murchu 

Prepare the Movie Shoot 

As we are getting close to the shoot, the focus is now on how to produce the 10-minute film by producing it.

Producer Preparation:

  • Casting: Book the Actors for Casting Night 
  • The Shoot Schedule – The Script shall be broken down and set into 3 Shooting Days
  • Location Scouting & Negotiation
  • Locations – How to lock down locations

The Trial Shoot 8 pm – 9 pm: To go through the shoot organisation, we will shoot a one-page scene from a Hollywood Movie with two actors on site. This will be a fun exercise that will prepare you for the 3 days of shooting.

RESULT:   You will know how to pre-produce the film and have a shoot on set.

 

October 2026

Actual Casting on the 4 Month Filmmaking Course 

7.  Week 7 – Tuesday Night  13th October 2026   6.00pm – 9.00pm

Casting Night  – Real Live Auditions with Real Actors – Fun. 

Tonight, you will learn how to cast a Film Effectively, and you will be able to cast your future films after this session. 

Full live Casting tonight with real actors 

  • Work on the Casting of Actors
  • Set up the Lights and Camera and operate them
  • Use the Lapel Microphone on the actors auditioning
  • Every 10 minutes, an actor is scheduled for the casting
  • Course participants get to direct the actors in the casting
  • Approximately 25 actors will attend

You will learn an invaluable skill.  You will know how to cast a film effectively by doing it for real. This is a favourite session, as one learns how to pick the best actors from the audition.

RESULT:  You will direct actors in the casting and know how to cast a film. 

4 Month Filmmaking Course –  Learning to Direct Actors 

8.  Week 8 – Tuesday Night 20th October  2026  6.00pm – 9.00pm

Directing Actors – The Full Breakdown – Instructor Colm O’Murchu

Tonight’s focus is firmly placed on working with actors. Actor Blocking and how it will determine the shot-list.

  • Top 10 Tips for working with actors on set
  • How to direct Actors effectively when you are starting out

Part Two: Rehearsals with the actual actors cast for the film
Actors for the Short film will arrive at 7.30pm

  • Costumes for the actors finalised
  • Rehearsals with the actors – How to rehearse
  • Learn by rehearsing with the Actors

RESULT:You will know how to rehearse actors before a film shoot and how to direct actors on set. 

9.  Week 9 – Tuesday Night  27th  October   2026  6.00pm – 9.00pm

Shoot Preparations:  
All Final Preparations for the Shoot

Tonight you will complete all the final preparations and the preproduction for the movie that you will shoot.

  • Final Schedule organised
  • Final checklist for the following – Locations – Crew – Production Design
  • Equipment Set Up
  • The Essential Crew – Itemised Director, DOP, Focus Puller, Clapper, Sound Recordist, Boom Swinger, Gaffer x 2, Grips, Continuity, Production Co-ordinator
  • Rotations for the Shoot organised

RESULT:   You will finalise preparations for the film shoot.

Novemeber 2026

Testimonial Lewis  – Graduate 4 Month Filmmaking Course 

10.  Week 10 – Thursday Night  3rd November 2026  6.00 pm – 9.00 pm   Scott Jacobs   

READY STEADY GO: Film Equipment Final Training Bootcamp –

Final Bootcamp
Practice with the camera, lighting, and sound equipment to ensure you are “set-ready” and the crew works as a well-oiled machine before the shoot.  

RESULT:   This is another training session with film equipment before the shoot starts. 

The Film Shoot - on Location

Shoot Day 1

On Location in Sydney Unverersity Grounds – Shoot Day 1 

The Three-Day Film Shoot – On Real Location 

Saturday 7th November  2026  8.00 am6.00 pm 

Shoot Day 1: On Location: Learn how to shoot a Movie by doing it for real – Instructor Scott Jacobs

You will direct a scene and you will work as a crew member on a real film with real actors on real locations. Every person revolves through the 10 Person Crew roles over the three shooting days. A designated time is allotted for each crew role. This will be from the film script you developed and the actors you cast. 

Director & Crew Roles for the Film Shoot that you will do:

  1. Director
  2. DOP
  3. Focus Puller
  4. Clapper
  5. Sound Recordist
  6. Boom Swinger
  7. Gaffer
  8. Grips
  9. Continuity
  10. Make Up

RESULT: You will have 9 hours of shooting on the Film Set for real and will shoot the 10-minute film over three shoot days.

Prepare to Edit - DaVinci Resolve
Prepare Shoot Day 2 & 3

Tuesday Night  10th November 2026  6.00pm – 9.00pm 

Shoot Review and Preparation for Weekend Two & Edit Session One – Instructor Scott Jacobs

First Hour 

  • Review of shooting Day One
  • Prepare Shoot Day 2 & 3

Hour Two and Three 

  • DaVinci Resolve Set up Preparation for Start of Postproduction 
  • How to Data Manage your Footage 
  • How to sync your audio and video 
  • Prepare to edit
  • Watch Rushes
 

Shoot Day 2

Day 2 Shoot  Sydney 4-Month Filmmaking Course 

 Saturday 14th November   8.00 am – 6.00pm 

Shoot Day Two on Location – Instructor Scott Jacobs

Today you will work as a crew member, as a Director and as a DOP on a real film. Every person revolves through the 10 Person Crew roles over the three shooting days. A designated time is allotted for each crew role. This is 100% hands-on practical.

Director & Crew Roles for the Film Shoot that you will do:

  1. Director
  2. DOP
  3. Focus Puller
  4. Clapper
  5. Sound Recordist
  6. Boom Swinger
  7. Gaffer
  8. Grips
  9. Continuity
  10. Make up.

RESULT: You will have 10 hours of shooting on the Film Set for real and will shoot the 10-minute film over three shoot days. Day 2 

Shoot Day 3

Day 3 Shoot  Sydney 4-Month Filmmaking Course 

 Sunday 15th November 2026  8.00am – 6.00pm 

Shoot Day Three – Instructor Scott Jacobs

The Film Shoot on location Day 3 

Today the Crew shoot on their own. You will work as a crew member on a real film. Every person revolves through the 10 Person Crew roles over the three shooting days. A designated time is allotted for each crew role. This is 100% hands-on practical.

RESULT: You will have 10 hours of shooting on the Film Set for real and will shoot the 10-minute film over three shoot days.  Total Shooting Hours 30 Hours over three shoot days

We welcome your inquiry
Phone 1800 131 166

 Tuesday Night  17th November 2026  7.00pm – 9.00pm 

Business of Filmmaking  – Instructor Colm O’Murchu

After your short Film is complete, how do you find the audience and how do you find work in the film business?

  • Film Festivals and your strategy for entering
  • What is the best site for Film Festivals
  • Earning money on Stock Video Sites
  • 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. 

Postproduction - Finishing the Film

 Thursday 26th November   2026  6 pm – 9pm        Sean Smith

Introduction to Film Editing — DaVinci Resolve

This session is an introduction to the film editing process and how a short film is put together using DaVinci Resolve.

Film editing is a specialised skill that professional editors develop over considerable time. The aim of this session is not to make you a professional editor, but to give you a practical understanding of how editing works and how your footage becomes a finished film.

You will be introduced to:

  • Setting up a project in DaVinci Resolve
  • Organising and managing your footage
  • Synchronising picture and sound
  • Building scenes on the timeline
  • Making basic cuts and editing decisions
  • Understanding the workflow from raw footage to finished film

OPTIONAL EDITING CHALLENGE:
If you enjoy editing and would like to develop your skills further, you can take part in editing the complete short film outside class time. Allow approximately 20–30 hours of voluntary practice.

RESULT: You will gain an understanding of the film editing process and the fundamentals of using DaVinci Resolve Resolve.  

DaVinci Resolve Software is free. 

December 2026

24.  Tuesday  Night 8th December  2026  6.30pm – 9.30pm  Sean Smith

Postproduction Night Three: 

  • Colouring the film to make the film look great
  • Music and how to use Stock Sites to source your music
  • Adding music to your film
  • Credits and Titles
  • Preparing for Sound Mix
  • Exporting your final Film
  • Sound Post and Music

RESULT: You will learn how Films are colour corrected and add sound and music to your film. 

Final Night Screening / Certificates

Final Night Screening and Certificate Presentation 

25. Tuesday  Night  15th December  2026  7.00pm – 9.00pm Wellington Street, Chippendale

The Final Night Celebration, Certificates and Screening of the Film – Instructor Colm O’Murchu

Screening of the complete finished film and Certificates.

  • Future Opportunities
  • Screening of the Finished Completed Film
  • “4 Month Film Making Certificate” Presentation
  • Photos of group
  • Social Mixer and Celebration

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

What you Achieve

What you Achieve on the 4 Month Film Course 

Your first short film is completed
Created together as a group — ready to show friends, family, and film festivals.

You have earned your first Film Director credit
A real, tangible achievement you can carry forward into your career.

You now have a clear Future Film Career Plan
With practical next steps to activate your path and begin finding work in the film industry.

You have met 15 like-minded filmmakers
Many becoming close friends, collaborators, and part of your creative community.

New student film productions continue after the course
Because filmmaking doesn’t stop at graduation — it accelerates.

You graduate with your Film Director Certificate
A powerful symbol of what you have achieved in just four months.

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. 

Next Step - Book a 15-minute phone conversation

Discover how you can become a  Filmmaker.           Learn About Course Fees 
and see if You Qualify for a Place

We welcome your inquiry
Phone 1800 131 166

Tabernacle 101 – one of our films 

Sydney 4 Month Filmmaking Course
starts on Tuesday 18th August 6pm - 9pm

Days
Hours
Minutes
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Australian Film Central   ABN 13257 135 442