Film

Applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now open.

The Junior Conservatoire aims to train and develop the next generation of filmmakers in a city that is bursting with screen professionals, industry opportunities and career possibilities.

As a student here, you will be taught by award-winning industry practitioners, with years of experience in the sector, with opportunities for working within Children’s TV and Glasgow Film Theatre.

You will learn a mixture of film study, screenwriting and filmmaking, encompassing every stage of the creative screen journey.

This is a two-year programme where we hope all students will progress to Level 2 successfully, You can, of course, choose to study only Level 1.

Our aim for you as a student is to gain the skills, abilities and confidence to take your studies on to higher education and, ultimately, to work in this competitive industry.

Contact us

Please contact us by email juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk if you have any questions and we would be happy to help.

As a Junior Conservatoire student you will attend weekly classes and work with your lecturers in developing your filmmaking abilities. You will lead the way in developing and realising content for screen and improve your practical skills which you can use in your future training.

Level 1 

In your first year, can expect to:

• learn the basics of filmmaking, from writing a script, to directing and producing, to filming and editing
• work with our Junior Conservatoire Acting students to create your own short films
• develop critical and analytical skills through a series of film lectures
• develop a script and experience pitching your ideas to a commissioning panel with the possibility of it being taken into production for the end of year project

Level 2 

During this course, you’ll refine the skills learned in Level 1 though a series of masterclasses and lectures. Level 2 can be tailored to the individual student’s own career aspirations for their preferred role in the film industry.

You can also expect to:

• attend classes dedicated to more in-depth film analysis of classical and foreign cinema and film history
• analyse classic films and study their use of lighting, storytelling, editing and directing
• further develop your technical and creative skills to become a more complete filmmaker
• work with more advanced equipment, developing your understanding of a range of advanced technologies

• Learn from masterclasses with industry professionals
• Work with industry-standard equipment, including the Canon XA30, HD cameras and the Canon XF200 professional camera
• Work to professional standards throughout the programme and cover all aspects of the filmmaking process, from creating an original idea, filming, editing and premiering at a final screening
• Edit footage in our state-of-the-art Digital Training Unit
• Work with the Junior Conservatoire of Drama students on their end of year showcase (Level 1)
• Learn more about the professional casting process (Level 2)
• Get involved in Bridge Week and produce an interactive project with students from across the whole Junior Conservatoire
• Receive regular feedback reports to ensure you are meeting the learning outcomes of the programme

Learn  from staff including industry professionals currently working as freelancers, directors, scriptwriters, editors and producers.

Some of the teaching staff include:

• Duncan Sanders (Lecturer – Level 2)
• Chris Nelms (Lecturer – Level 1)
• Raisah Ahmed (Guest lecturer — Writing)
• Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Guest lecturer — Writing)
• Daniel Serridge (Storyteller)

We want to make the performing arts as accessible as possible.

Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply at any time, whether at acceptance to a course or during the course, for a bursary or scholarship.

Please take the time to refer to this bursary and scholarship criteria.

For anyone who requires a bursary or scholarship please email JuniorsDDPF@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent an application form.

We will try to support as many students as possible to attend the Junior Conservatoire training and therefore may not be able to cover full student fees.

These funds are currently supported by the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts including:

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Bill and Margaret Nicol

Entry to the Junior Conservatoire of Film is by interview only, and progression through the levels is not automatic — students will be assessed each year if they would like to continue with their studies.

Whilst we do not ask for formal entry requirement to this programme, we encourage applications from those who show great potential for filmmaking and a passion and love of storytelling for screen.

Levels

There are two levels of study available and we expect the majority of students to begin on level one, unless they have extensive experience. We can discuss this with you at your interview.

Our aim is that after you have completed the two years of study with us, you will be well prepared to apply for further or higher education in film courses.

The audition process

We want your interview to be an enjoyable experience and encourage you to take this opportunity to find out more about the Junior Conservatoire.

Your interview will be with a panel of teachers from the Junior Conservatoire and we want to hear your motivations for applying to this programme.

You will be expected to informally discuss a film you have recently seen and your thoughts and feelings about it. This can be a film you loved, or disliked. We want to hear:

• Why you chose to watch the film,
• What you thought of the story and how it was told,
• What you thought of the style
• Would you recommend it to a friend and why/why not?

Please feel free to bring any notes and refer to them throughout the interview.

Above all, remember the panel wants to see you do well and we look forward to meeting you.

We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply for the Junior Conservatoire Film programme and everyone who applies on time will receive an interview.

When to apply

Application for entry to the Junior Conservatoire Film programme in August 2023 are currently open.

All applications should be completed online and there is an interview fee of £45. If you need financial support to pay for the interview fee please contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk 

Interview dates

All interviews for the Junior Conservatoire Film programme will be scheduled  for 14th June 2023. 

Question?

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk.

Term Dates (2022-23)

Student induction- 20th August 2022

Term 1 – 27 Aug- 16th December 2022 (no sessions from 8-21st October)

Term 2 – 7th January- 31st March 2023 (no session 11-17th Feb)

Term 3 – 15th April- 16th June 2023

Christmas Spectacular- 6th, 7th and 8th January 2023

Other potential performances- Bridge Week, Youth Arts Fest, Leavers ceremony

Term Dates (2023/2024)

Term 1

Student induction- Sunday 20th August 2023

Term 1 starts – Saturday 26^th August 2023

Mid term break- 14-27^th October 2023

Term 1 finishes- Friday 15^th December 2023

Term 2 starts- Saturday 6^th January 2024

Mid term break- 10^th-16^th February 2024

Term 2 finishes- Friday 29^th March 2024

Term 3 starts- Saturday 13^th April 2024

Term 3 finishes- Friday 14^th June 2024