Are you interested in filmmaking but don’t know where to start? To save you searching online through pages and pages of guidance we’ve boiled it all down into five key pieces of advice for filmmaking novices…

Get out and shoot something

This is a fundamental part of our film courses, and crucial for anyone who wants to learn the art of filmmaking. Shooting as much as you can means you’ll learn about your equipment, but it doesn’t matter what you record with - you’ll still be learning what works and does not work when capturing a scene. We encourage our students to go out and film as much as possible, they make an average of 12 films over two years.

Learn to edit... it’s more accessible than ever before

Most computers and laptops these days come with basic video editing software as standard, and even on phones there are apps which can be utilised to edit recordings. At Weston College, our students have access to Adobe Premiere CC, Final Cut Pro and a huge range of supporting software. We have expert in-house tutor support on hand to guide our students through the editing process.

Upload your footage and test audience reaction

This means you’ll get valuable feedback on your work which you could use to improve your filmmaking. Our students regularly present their films to peers and tutors for feedback. You could upload your films to YouTube, Facebook or your own website, and when you’re confident enough submit them to film or art festivals. Our students’ films have screened at local cinemas including the Odeon, Watershed, Arnolfini and the Cube in recent years.

Watch everything you can

We encourage our students to watch a lot of films. The more you watch, the more you will be inspired to create. You can also pick up on other filmmakers’ techniques by watching their films, and recreate them to enhance your creations. At Weston College most of the tutors are working filmmakers themselves, and are able to give our students further insight into the filmmaking process.

Don’t give up. Keep creating, learning and refining

Every filmmaker has things that go wrong or wishes they could reshoot certain films, and even the best directors have flops. The more attempts you make, the more you will learn about filmmaking and the greater your chance at success.

We offer our students every opportunity to hone their skills; working on their own, with their peers and on industry based projects throughout their time with us. This intensive exposure to filmmaking is the best way of preparing you for your footsteps in the industry, in whichever direction they may go.

Want to find out more? Our film and media courses cover the basics of filmmaking and more!

Weston College has set an ambitious target of achieving 200 apprenticeship pledges in just 100 days.

Following the success of the previous 100 in 100 campaign, the College has decided to raise the bar, by matching 200 passionate apprentices with great local employers in just 100 days.

The campaign itself will be starting on January 22nd, and will run through until June 8th. Throughout the campaign the College will be updating their progress via social media, using the hashtag #200in100 on Twitter.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “One of the most effective ways of bringing a new generation of employees to your company is through apprenticeships. Apprenticeships have expanded over the years, and we have seen the growth in popularity of our Degree Apprenticeships, giving organisations a hands on approach in the development of the student, to meet their business needs.

“Weston College is excited to be launching this campaign to create 200 apprenticeships in 100 days. With the support of existing and new employer partners from across the region, we look forward to supplying more opportunities to our students in the year ahead.

“We’re appealing to organisations across the region to pledge and support this exciting mission to create 200 local jobs.”

The businesses that pledge will have their logos featured in the dedicated ‘200 in 100’ section of the website, be featured predominantly in the social media campaign and have other publicity through press releases and video. 

Academy learners Chloe Carchrie, Quinten Querl and Ethan Thomas finished 2017 by being selected and representing Weston College in higher honours within their chosen sports.

Netball player Chloe Carchrie was selected in super league franchise Severn Stars u19 squad for fixtures in the New Year. Chloe, who studies sports and exercise science, has been involved in the Stars' training programme since September and has now been rewarded by being selected to represent the stars in competitive fixtures. We are extremely proud of Chloe and would like to reinforce how much of an achievement this is especially with her still only being 16. We wish Chloe the best of luck and know that this is just the start of Chloe’s journey in to elite sport.

Rugby academy learners Quinten Querl and Ethan Thomas also received some good news at the back end of 2017. Academy flyer Quinten was selected into Bristol Rugby’s u18 squad for this year’s u18 premiership season. This is a great achievement for Quinten who has just returned from a season out with a broken leg, also a year young he was selected on the bench for the competitions opener against Bath and scored an outrageous 50 metre try with one of his first touches in a Bristol shirt.

Quinten said about his recent success: “Being at Weston College has really helped me improve and progress as a rugby player. This is through the fantastic coaching staff helping on and off the pitch.

"The programme has taught me many values that have not only helped me become a better athlete but a better person as well. It has also reopened doors for me that I thought had been closed after I was released from bath academy. However, with the help of the coaching staff here and buying into the programme provided has allowed me to be selected for Bristol academy and even play in the U18's academy league, something I thought could not happen.”

Last but not least, Academy fly half Ethan Thomas has been selected in the Irish exiles u18 squad to play against the Independent Schools Lambs’ team on the 14th of January. Ethan has worked extremely hard at all aspects of his game since arriving at college and we are extremely proud and excited for him to have this opportunity. This is the first step on the ladder for potential selection and opportunities to represent Ireland on a higher stage and we are extremely confident that Ethan can impress and take his chance.

Ethan added: “My decision to come to Weston College has been a major influence in the opportunities I am now getting. I feel I have improved a lot as a player since joining the programme and would like to thank the staff and players for giving me the confidence and the chances to try and progress up the elite pathway.”

We wish all our students good luck over the next few weeks and would also like to congratulate our learners on their achievements to date.