Workshops
2-Week Workshop
The AFW is a 2-week action film based program that trains participants in directing, fight arranging, action staging, stunt-doubling and fight performance for the camera. Editing students receive post production training in Final Cut and After Effects with additional Foley sound, dubbing and scoring instruction.
The workshop offers instruction and exercises in fight arranging, staging and choreography for a variety of weapons and film styles using multi-camera, single camera, handheld, and jib cameras.
Next workshop: August 2 – 16, 2008
North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC
Tuition (includes housing):
Directors: $2,200.00
Fight Arrangers: $2,400.00
Actors: $1,900.00
Editors: $1,700.00
Sample of Production Exercises
- Chase scene exercise (intro to storyboarding & location prep work)
- Promotional trailers (intro to post-production effects & film styles)
- 3-camera live edit (adaptation from stage to camera)
- Single camera continuous shot (POV camera & Night Time TV)
The exercises prepare students for the five full production action film shorts. These shorts cover a variety of action film styles and are shot on location throughout the Winston-Salem area. Each action short gets full pre- and post-production treatment from storyboarding to after effects. Productions are shot in broadcast-quality DV and edited in Final Cut Pro.
The workshop culminates in an Action Film Festival screened in a theater and open to the public.
The AFW faculty consists of working professionals: Stunt Coordinators, Fight Masters, DGA directors, editors, cinematographers, and licensed stunt specialists, all dedicated to professional production value and the quality of the student experience.
Some of the things we cover in only 2 weeks!
Basic Camera Work
Framing, POV, coverage, THE LINE, basic lighting, camera dancing (hand-held), shot notation, and more. Scenes are shot in an order that allows the directors and actors a chance to crew for each other. Directors learn film, TV, and soap script shot notation and shot sheet format.
Editing
Final Cut Pro and After Effects & Green Screen work. A hands-on experience; “cutting on the action” style film editing that covers scoring, sound editing, Foley, and dubbing techniques.
Camera Performance
Moment to moment performance, subtext, camera energy, character work, Film Styles, pacing, emotional stakes, camera blocking blocking, marks, knowledge of lenses and survival techniques, etc.
Fighting for Film
Understanding Lenses and depth of field, contact line, breaking down sequences, short take choreography, camera POV, gun safety, special effects, off-camera support, stunt coordinator communication, stunt doubling, and more.
Action Film Styles
Directors develop a story and fight sequence in a chosen style. Collaborating with the cast to create characters, playable beats, and style icons, directors communicate ideas and production needs to producers, cast and crew.
Film Music
The power of music to establish mood, style, tempo, tension, drive shots, cut to and make it all better.
The Script
What makes a good film? How to create and adapt scripts from real life, novels, articles, etc. Creating a one page, beat sheet, shooting script, and storyboards.
Production Chain of Command
How to of Production work, showing a breakdown of motion picture personnel into what they do, and whom they answer to. How to combine or eliminate jobs when you do low-budget work.
Basic Legal
How to “get it in writing!” Protecting your work and your artistic relationships with collaborators. Location work, insurance, percentages, future markets, etc.
Location Scouting
How to find, secure and prep locations to elevate the look of your films. Students learn the practical use of scouting notation, photo logs, and legal forms.
Free Production Day
Students get to direct, choreograph, star in a one-minute production of their choosing. A student company collaboration supported by faculty as production crew.
This is a brief overview of the 2-week curriculum offered at NCSA-AFW each summer. For further details, see the separate workshop tracks for directors, fight arrangers, actors, and editors.
How to Apply
Choose your area of training experience and send in an application. All our workshops have enrollment limits. To secure your spot in this year's production workshop in North Carolina, send in your application as soon as possible.
