Film

The Junior Conservatoire of Film is a three-year programme which offers bespoke training for talented young filmmakers at Scotland’s national Conservatoire. The Junior Conservatoire of Film aims to train and develop the next generation of young filmmakers in a city that is bursting with screen professionals, industry opportunities and career possibilities.

Junior Conservatoire of film students are taught by lecturers with years of industry experience in the sector and award-winning industry practitioners. Students will gain a comprehensive insight into the world of Film with ‘Industry Facing’ classes designed to maximise the students learning and develop industry techniques.

You will be given opportunities to be emersed in a comprehensive study of film and the film industry. The Junior Conservatoire of Film is unique as it has highly practical learning opportunities for students with plenty of opportunity to get ‘hands on’ with camera, lighting, and sound equipment. The opportunity to work as part of a film crew in various roles and complete multiple films across the year.  While we offer high levels of practical training, we also offer the students masterclasses in film theory, film language and critical analysis. Including scriptwriting, film analysis, editing practices and production paperwork. We aim to encompassing every stage of the creative screen journey. For students looking for accreditation each year of film study offers 3 module equating to 30 credit points possible to be attained across the year.

This is a three-year programme where we hope all students will begin their journey with Film Level 1 and move onto Film Level 2 and finish their training with us on our bespoke 3^rd year of film – Junior Conservatoire Film PLUS. You could, of course, choose to study only Film Level 1 or if you have the requirements study Film PLUS.

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.

The programme runs across the Scottish academic year from August to June, and there are three comprehensive levels of study available depending on your ability and experience. Many students who graduate frrom our programme go on to study as an undergraduate student at the RCS BA Filmmaking.

Contact us

Applications for 2024/25 will open mid November 2023, the closing date is 15 May 2024.

Join us for our Open Days  click here to note your interest and we will be in touch with further information.

One of the only courses that offers a practical journey from script to screen as a Junior Conservatoire Film student you will expected to attend weekly Sunday classes across the academic year and work with your lecturers in developing your filmmaking abilities. You will lead the way in developing and ultimately realising content created for the screen. On your journey you will develop your theoretical knowledge and hone your practical skills which you can use in your own practice and future training.

Level 1

In your first year, you can expect to:

• Learn the basics of filmmaking, from the anatomy of a frame to in-depth technical camera settings though to learning how to track a shot and steady cam work. to technical.
• Work in an industry facing crew setup with all major roles included in a film shoot. Including Director, 1^st AD, Camera operator, 1^st AC, Sound Operator, Boom Operator, Props and Costume.
• Work with our 2^nd year acting department and take a lead role in casting actors for all the film shoots across the year.
• Learn the technical and creative aspects of script writing and formatting and will write a treatment, synopsis and minimum one draft of a short film script.
• Learn how to create a pitch and present your pitch deck ideas to a commissioning panel with the possibility of it being taken into production for the end of year project.
•  Spend time learning the editing process and work in a post-production environment editing the films you have created for our end of year screening at the GFT.
• Develop deeper critical and analytical skills through a series of film lectures and your own critical essay portfolio.

Level 2

Level 2 film is designed to be a continuation from level 1 and will advance your practical and theoretical understanding of film and the film process. During this course, you’ll refine the skills learned in Level 1 using advanced film cameras, practical classes in lighting techniques and advanced sound techniques. There is a series of masterclasses and lectures designed to deepen your theoretical understanding and improve your film language. Level 2 can be tailored to allow an individual student to focus on their preferred role helping to enhance their own career aspirations for their preferred role in the film industry.

In your second year, you can expect to:

• attend classes dedicated to the exploration of in-depth film analysis, focusing on recognised classic cinema and explore foreign cinema.
• Explore the history of film and filmmakers, how these pioneers have shaped the modern film landscape and its resonance in modern filmmaking.
• Undertake an in-depth analysis of classic films and study their use of storytelling, directing, lighting a scene and editing practices.
• further develop your practical filmmaking techniques with advanced camera use, separate audio recording techniques and lighting a scene.
• further development of your creative filmmaking skills employed on set to become a more complete filmmaker.
• Work with our 2^nd year acting department and take a lead role in casting actors for all the film shoots across the year.
• Development of a longer more in-depth short film script, treatment and synopsis. Which you will pitch to a commissioning panel to be considered for production for the final films made in the year

Film PLUS

Film PLUS is designed to be a continuation from level 2 though if you have the right experience and requirements you could study at Film PLUS as a standalone course. This bespoke course is designed to deepen your film knowledge and will advance your practical and theoretical understanding of film and the film process. During this course, you’ll be involved in three distinct modules that are designed to be a foundation year. The modules include advanced cinematography techniques, professional lighting techniques. Production management and essential producing skills, advanced sound design skills, script writing and content creation. There is also a series of masterclasses and lectures designed to deepen your theoretical understanding and improve your film language and prepare you for the industry.

In your third year, you can expect to:

• Implementation and use of Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sound.
• Explore and create short form documentary abstract, non-narrative, poetry short film and create a 20-minute TV pilot.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of key elements of Producing and Production Management.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of professional practice within the film industry.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of cinematic theories and practice and advanced knowledge and understanding of lighting techniques for film.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the role of sound, including ADR and Foley sound, within filmmaking.

• Meet and learn with like-minded people from across Scotland.
• Learn ‘Industry Facing’ filmmaking techniques with industry professionals.
• Delve into masterclasses delivered by award winning professionals.
• Work with our high-quality digital film cameras, lighting, and sound equipment.
• Work to professional standards throughout the programme as part of a film crew on every shoot.
• Learn all aspects of the filmmaking process, from writing the first draft of a script to pitching and filming selected productions.
• Engage in editing techniques on a variety of projects in our Digital Training Unit.
• Collaborate with the Junior Conservatoire of Drama students and cast them in your films.
• Work with the Junior Conservatoire Production students on set.
• Learn more about the professional casting process.
• Get involved in our Winter Show and produce visuals for the theatre performances.
• 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 / Directing)
• Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Guest lecturer — Writing)
• Daniel Serridge (Guest Lecturer – Storyteller)
• Alexander Waddell (Guest Lecturer – Filmmaker / Camera Operator)
• Michael Lee Richardson (Guest Lecturer – Writer / Director)
• Caroline Bridges (Guest  Lecturer – Cinematographer)
• Lisa Hart (Guest Lecturer – Producer)

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 three 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 three 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

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 2024. 

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 (2023/2024)

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

Tuition Fee (2023/2024)

Juniors Film Fees for the year are £3,100

Tuition Fee  (2024/25)

TBC