Introducing a brand new creative theme to explore visual storytelling
Every term at Sparks Film School’s filmmaking classes, our young film students explore a different creative theme.
Every theme helps us to introduce a wide variety of different filmmaking techniques and styles, so that over time, filmmakers develop well-rounded knowledge, understanding and awareness of different filmmaking practices.
We’re excited to share that the new theme for the upcoming spring term is: Picture Perfect!
Picture Perfect: An Exploration of Visual Storytelling
For the upcoming spring term, which starts in January 2025, Sparks Film School film students will explore a range of techniques that will help them to become impressive visual storytellers.
Students taking part in the spring term of filmmaking classes are set to explore:
Framing, Composition & Mise-en-Scène
To explore all the storytelling potential of film, young filmmakers taking part in the spring term will look at all the directing stapes of framing, shot composition, and mise-en-scéne. This is all about the art of composing each shot so that the visual elements are contributing towards the storytelling.
Just like how a painter lays out a portrait, or a photographer arranges their image through the lens, a filmmaker composes each of their shots to add meaning and depth.
Screen Acting Techniques
How an actor performs to camera is a key piece of the storytelling puzzle and has a huge impact on how we understand a character, their emotions, their actions, their relationships and what this means for the story.
In the spring term, we’ll be looking in detail at screen acting techniques that actors can use to help with characterisation and visual storytelling.
Montage
Another tool a filmmaker can use to help with visual storytelling is montage technique, where the shots are used in a quick-paced sequence to show time passing or character development. This means that the filmmaker can be creative with how they allocate time to the different elements of the story, we don’t need to see everything play out in real time.
It can also be a great way to highlight contrast, or changes in the the environment, as well as to draw attention to thematic links.
Visual Symbolism
As part of the term, filmmakers will also be looking at how they can include visual symbols to help tell the story. We’ll look at how to include symbols for different characters and for their emotions.
Film Language & Conventions
Filmmakers will also look at some established conventions in film language that they can apply to help with their own visual storytelling.
We’ll explore how to use a film’s x axis, y axis and z axis to achieve visual storytelling effects. We will also explore “Hitchcock’s Rule” of scale and explore how established shot composition techniques can create meaning.
Sequencing
The filmmakers will also take a look at how sequencing choices in their editing can influence the storytelling and influence how an audience feels.
Picture Perfect: Film Production
As will all our filmmaking classes, the upcoming term will be practical and focused around making a real film production.
We love to use project-based-learning methods in all our classes, as we know it helps to develop robust skills, as well as creativity and independent thinkers.
Filmmaking students will work on their own film projects throughout the term, with practical workshop activities and technical masterclasses built into the programme. They will each have the chance to apply the different skills learnt this term to their own work and will finish the term with a new production to add to their portfolio.
Sparks Filmmaking Classes – Find Out More
Filmmaking Classes are available at most Sparks Film Schools.
Classes take place on a weekly basis. Young filmmakers aged between 5 and 18 are welcome to take part*.
The spring term will run from January – March 2025.
For more information, please see the Filmmaking Classes page or find your nearest film school.
Book a Free Trial Class here >>>
*Please be aware that each location runs different age groups and not all age ranges may be available at every film school.
