Experience
a filmmaking course and produce real wildlife footage in South Africa. Wildlife
Film Academy offers students the chance to learn more about wildlife filmmaking
and help you to develop your career as a wildlife filmmaker.
This placement
operates a globally unique one-month intensive course in South Africa, one of
the most beautiful well-known countries. This exciting and educational course
has been developed by International, experienced and award-winning wildlife filmmakers.
If your dream is to film the wildest of animals in their natural environment and
develop your skills as a wildlife film maker then this course is a must.
This
course has been designed with you in mind and the following key elements make
the course successful: - A practical filming location shoot in a stunning
wildlife game reserve to give you hands on camera experience in Southern Africa.
- Tutorials and lectures developed by renowned wildlife filmmakers
who know how hard it is to make a start in the wildlife filmmaking industry.
- Individual
access to editing suites and tutors to enable you to complete your own film at
the end of the course, which you can use as a promo for a bigger project.
- Specific
focus on Business Skills to provide you with an understanding of budgeting, negotiations
to enable you to survive long-term in the industry.
Pre-Production
and Lectures at the Academy - Introduction, orientation and inspiration
-
What do commissioning editors, broadcasters and distributors want?
-
Conceptualising and pitching
- Camera technology, high definition,
shot composition and lighting
- Soundtracks, sequencing and an introduction
to shooting and editing
- Funding and budgeting
- Exposure
to key industry contacts, networks and wildlife film festivals
|
MORE
INFORMATION ...
To make a successful wildlife or natural history film,
you need to combine creative and technical camera and editing skills with a good
appreciation of animal behaviour, ecological processes, ethics in the natural
world and local communities, and some serious business knowledge. The Wildlife
Film Academy teaches all these areas of expertise and inspires its students to
combine these skills in unique and successful ways.
On the course you will
have the opportunity to film and experience a huge diversity of wildlife including
lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, hippos,
reptiles, smaller creatures such as mongoose, abundant birdlife and raptors and
rare flora. All lecturers at the Wildlife Film Academy are experienced and successful
wildlife filmmakers and make use of vastly different filming styles. They use
a variety of techniques such as hands-on practicals and the use of wildlife films
as case studies. Their combined input helps you to experience the many different
facets of the wildlife filmmaking industry. All lectures are interactive and encourage
lively debates between the students.
The course is divided into 3 parts
and is structured in a logical filmmaking order. The course combines a balance
of theory-based lectures making use of visual materials as well as practical fieldwork
which includes a location shoot in one of southern Africa's premier game reserves
and personalised tutorials in the editing and final audio mix suites.
Production
and Location Shoot
The field trip filming experience takes place at a premier
wildlife reserve in South Africa. All your equipment is provided and you are accompanied
by highly-experienced wildlife filmmakers. A logistics representative from the
Wildlife Film Academy will also accompany you, to help with any general queries
you may have. This is the chance to watch your storyboard come to life. You will
be in close proximity to amazing African wildlife under the expert guidance of
your experienced ranger.
You are taken on a minimum of two game drives
per day with ample opportunity for guided walks and night filming. Game encountered
usually includes lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra,
antelope, hippos, reptiles, smaller creatures such as mongoose, abundant birdlife
and rare flora.
Equipment
You
will be given access to the latest filmmaking equipment, including:
•
Sony HVR-Z1E HDV cameras
• HD technology
• Large filming rigs
– e.g. the Sony D50
• Tripods
• Sound equipment – e.g.
Sennheiser 416 rifle microphones
• Editing suites – e.g. Apple Mac
and Final Cut Pro HD V5 |
The Wildlife Film Academy is based
in the city bowl of Cape Town in South Africa, at the foot of Table Mountain
in a suburb known as Oranjezicht. The Academy is only 5 minutes drive from the
city centre with fantastic shops, restaurants, the Table Mountain cable car station
and the beautiful beaches in Camps Bay and Clifton.
 | Location
The
Wildlife Film Academy Headquarters are based in a large converted house, which
has a warm fireplace for the chilly Cape Town winter months and a large garden
with a swimming pool and barbeque area for those hot summer months.
Lectures
take place within the main lecture room of the house, overlooking the garden.
All lectures make use of visual material and there is a TV/VHS/DVD player for
viewing purposes. The editing suites are also based at the Academy, and include
individual editing points for each student, and a projector and screen for tutorials.
| There is access to
digitizing decks, playback facilities, and the latest editing hardware and software.
Other
facilities for your use at the Academy include pc's, internet and email, a film
library with the latest wildlife films for you to watch at leisure, and a reading
library with the latest journals, magazines and books on wildlife and filmmaking
- all available for your use at no extra cost to your course fees.
Delicious
home-cooked lunches are served at the Wildlife Film Academy every day, and are
included in your course fee.
Click
here to read more about South Africa |
Accommodation
Accommodation
is not included with this course. We can however put you in touch with a local
guest house based a mere 5 minutes from the Film Academy.
Time
Off
The cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that there is a diverse
range of experiences on offer. From pristine coastlines and a breathtaking countryside
offering unique faunal and floral kingdoms, to the many shopping malls, restaurants,
jazz cafes, markets, theatres and glitzy casinos and nightclubs. |
Project Duration and Rates
| 2
weeks | 3
weeks | 4
weeks | 8
weeks | 12
weeks | | | | £1,999 | | |
|
