Smartphone Filmmaking Course with Póca Productions & FilmOffaly

Smartphone Filmmaking Course with Póca Productions & FilmOffaly  

Following the success of recent courses in Co. Donegal, NTA Film & TV, Póca Productions and FilmOffaly are delighted to present our smartphone filmmaking course, this time taking place in Co. Offaly in June.  

This online and in person course is designed for new and emerging filmmakers who are interested in producing content on their phone and on low budget equipment. Filmmakers must have an interest in writing, directing and producing (live action drama) short films/short form content.  

Throughout the course, participants will put theory into practice and work on producing at least one short film over four days in the beautiful and atmospheric surroundings with the Midland. This course is broken down into three Modules: Screenwriting, Production and Post-Production.  

Course Content: 

Module One: Screenwriting (online 1.5hrs. Week of 16th June). 

In this online session, participants will learn the basics of screenwriting:  

• Introduction to scripting a short film (1- 3 min) 
• Thinking like a producer when writing for a low budget production 
• The 3-act structure 
• Formatting a script to industry standard 

Each participant will prepare a 1–3-minute screenplay which they will present to the group when we first come together in person.  

Module Two: Production (in person, 23rd- 26th June) 

Over the course of four in-person days, participants will work together to film as many of these screenplays as possible. Participants will learn: 

• Teamwork & sticking to your role. 
• Introduction to smartphone filming equipment (including Audio Recording & various microphone options) 
• Shot composition  
• Working to a deadline 
• Scheduling 
• Lighting   

Module Three: Post-Production (online 2 x 1.5 hours) 

Training on smartphone editing will take place over two online sessions in the following two weeks. 

• Introduction to editing on a smartphone. 
• Filing and logging footage 
• Sequencing your shots  
• Adding a score and sound effects 

Additionally, this course will focus on teamwork and team building skills across departments, fostering industry relationships that will benefit and support all the filmmakers moving forward.  

Tutor Profile: 

Camilla Meegan and Kieran Kelly are Póca Productions, a training organisation dedicated to training individuals and groups in the art of filmmaking using the hardware and software available on a smartphone. Camilla and Kieran also run a successful video production business (DNK Media Productions) from their base in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. 

DNK Media Productions have produced several short films for Trinity College; The Arts Council; Donegal County Council and Rathmullan Film Festival as well as many promotional videos for a range of public and private organisations. Kieran Kelly has also worked on Macha Media’s Ealú as Eirinn for TG4. 

Póca Productions have been delivering smartphone filmmaking and video production training since 2017 to a wide variety of participants across all ages for Rathmullan Film Festival; Disappear Here Film Festival; First Cut Youth Film Festival; Screen NI; Public Records Office of Northern Ireland; The Nerve Centre. 

Dates/Duration:  

• Module One will take place online on week of 16th June (date TBC) 
• Module Two will take place in-person from June 23rd to June 26th 
• Module Three will take place online, approximately two/three weeks after the in-person course (date TBC) 

Who Can Apply: 

This course is designed for new and emerging filmmakers who are interested in writing, directing and producing (live action drama) short films/short form content on a smartphone. 

All participants will be involved in producing a short film, while not all participants will be expected to write a script or to direct but willingness and keen engagement in the writing and directing process will be expected of all participants. 

Applicants must be out of full time education, but recent (and soon to be) graduates are also welcome to apply. 

We invite applicants of all ages and career backgrounds, formally educated or not, who are over 18 years of age to apply.  

Please note that applications from more experienced talent from other fields (e.g., Documentary) and who are looking to move into drama may also be apply. Additionally, crew and talent in other departments with a clear interest in developing a career as a writer, directing and producing as welcome to apply. 

Film Offaly and the National Talent Academy are particularly keen to hear from creatives living and working in the Midlands and Offaly. If you're based in either area and are interested in applying but don’t meet all of the criteria, please get in touch with filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie to discuss your eligibility in more detail. 

 

 

How To Apply:  

Applicants must apply by completing the application form link HERE 

This application form will ask you to supply a download link (This will be a link to a folder shared on a service such as Google Drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox etc.) to the following materials.  

• Media CV or professional biography or detailed summary of work to date. (1- 2 pages) 
• A Personal Statement detailing how this initiative will progress your career (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes) 

Please address any questions to filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie 

 

Deadline to Apply:  

Deadline to apply is May 9th at 12 Noon.  

Please make sure you are available on the above dates before applying.  

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.   

 

Selection Process: 

Applications will be assessed by a selection panel.  Selected applicants will be notified approximately three weeks after the application deadline.   

 

Further Information 

Contrary to the previous courses in Co. Donegal, this course will be run as a day course, rather than a residential weekend course, and as such, accommodation support will not be provided. This should be considered when applying. 

About FilmOffaly:

Situated in the heart of Ireland, Offaly boasts a unique landscape, good road and rail infrastructure and plenty of experience and enthusiasm in hosting film productions. We are delighted to welcome your crews here. Offaly boasts some amazing and atmospheric locations, including 22 monastic sites and approximately 90 castles, as well as typical Irish towns with plenty of character. The north eastern part of the county is situated within the commuter belt of Dublin with the southern and western parts bordering the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the Shannon River. FilmOffaly is Offaly's Film Commission and a project of Offaly County Council. Up and running since 2008, we are one of the first local film offices in Ireland, and our annual Film Award is now in its fifteenth year. We are cofunded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund programme 2021-2027.

The National Talent Academy for Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán.