WW: Storytelling in the Edit Suite

FILMCO is pleased to present another multi-session workshop as part of our Weeknight Workshop series. Join us online for an intensive 3-part workshop which will teach you how to perfect the craft of storytelling in the editing suite, to be facilitated by British/Trinidadian director and filmmaker Robert Macfarlane.

Editors are the controllers of information and the keepers of secrets. Their job is to find the right time for that information to enter the story to create the biggest possible impact on the audience. This course is tailored to figuring out the question of when and where the information should be shared. It’s all about learning to let go of the script and letting the material you’ve actually filmed determine how your story will unfold – a collage that will be arranged and rearranged by the editor in the edit suite. The editor is required to be a highly-versed storyteller, to understand structure, pacing and drama. 

Our aim with this series of workshops is to allow each participant the opportunity to upskill and/ or have a better grasp of the editing process. We will challenge filmmakers who are actively creating content to become more confident in the approach to editing their own films. This would apply especially to those with some editing experience but not a lot of narrative editing experience.

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LOGISTICS

Dates: 1st, 8th & 15th August
Duration/Time: 3hrs/session, 9:30am– 12:30pm AST/ 2:30pm- 5:30pm GMT
Book Online Now: Tickets are $475TTD and will cover the cost of the three sessions. FILMCO members/ students will receive a 20% discount on the ticket price. To receive a discount code, please email admin@filmco.org. Get your tickets online here: https://filmco.org/product/weeknight-workshop-storytelling-in-the-edit-suite

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PRE-REQUISITES

1. Participants must have access to, and a basic understanding of, an editing programme such as Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro.
2. Participants must have an understanding or sense of the films they enjoy and why.
3. All participants will be provided with an excerpt of a script, director’s treatment and downloadable footage. Participants are required to familiarize themselves with their material, in advance of the first session, as it will be used as the basis for learning throughout the workshop.
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COURSE BREAKDOWN

SESSION ONE: 3 hours
The overall focus of our first session will be to undergo a thorough scene study in order to highlight the different processes of editing a script, based on the particular story you would like to tell. This will be done in two parts:

Part A: Story Through Editing, 1 hour
We will view, discuss and dissect several examples of scenes as they relate to the story that is unfolding. We’ll place special emphasis on the perspective of the scene, paying attention to what aspects resonate with the participant viewer. 

Part B: Process of Editing a Scene, 2 hours
In this segment, we will be reviewing the script and director’s treatment, previously assigned to each participant, through the lens of various prompts given by the facilitator. These prompts directly relate to the key elements an editor should look out for in a story, even before commencing the editing process.

At this point, participants will be asked to watch and review the footage associated with their excerpts and treatments. Each individual will be given the opportunity to dissect and restructure the timelines of the clips, based on what they like. As this training is “hands-on” participants will be given home tasks to complete.
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SESSION TWO: 3 hours

Editing is Re-editing
In our second session, we will focus on reviewing the re-edited scenes and discussing how they’ve impacted the story of all the preceding scenes.This will be a very interactive segment where feedback will be a key element. 
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SESSION THREE:  3 hours

Your Editing Toolbox
With an understanding of how to draw out the dramatic reasoning to your scenes, participants will be given the opportunity to add some extra tools to their toolbox, to increase the possibility of more creative expression in their films.

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ABOUT ROBERT MACFARLANE
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Robert Macfarlane is a narrative film director with over 15 years experience in the film, TV and commercial sectors in the UK and Caribbean. After completing his BA at London South Bank University, he started a production company, focusing his attention on directing narrative music videos, producing over 30 in three years for various artists across genres. He then moved to Trinidad and Tobago and expanded his style of directing. He worked in a variety of roles on feature films, commercials and corporate films. After returning to the UK, he worked as a creative director at a boutique production house directing over 40 high end corporate and educational films before choosing to focus solely on narrative directing. His credits range from directing award-winning shorts to editing the multi-award-winning feature film, Sally’s Way, which was released in North America and the Caribbean. Broadcast credits include editor on TV shows for CTV in Trinidad and Tobago and the BBC as well as director of music videos which have aired on MTV Base, VH1 and the Box.

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BOOKINGS

Book your space today! Tickets are $475TTD and will cover the cost of the three sessions. Available at https://filmco.org/product/weeknight-workshop-storytelling-in-the-edit-suite

FILMCO members/ students will receive a 20% discount on the ticket price. To receive a discount code, please email admin@filmco.org.

This workshop will be conducted online via Zoom. Once booked, you will receive your login information for access to the online sessions. 

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