Carpentry and Joinery for Film

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is designed to the bridge gap between existing construction craft qualifications and the needs of the Industry, for students to gain skills to work in the Film Industry.

The course is held at Acton and West London College and the maximum subscription is 12 students.

Aims, Objectives and Learning Outcomes


  • Building on the students’ previous knowledge of C&J techniques, to provide a thorough and practical familiarisation of the skills and techniques they require to work on the 35mm shot.
  • To provide a thorough and practical overview of the roles within a film crew and working practices for a carpenter within the industry.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of plain and solid geometry.
  • Students will be able to read, understand and create drawings for the construction of a film set.
  • Students will be able to practical demonstrate their ability to set out a stage.

 

Course Duration

May – July 13 weeks (includes 35mm shoot). Students have already undertaken visits to raise their awareness of the industry prior to this course. The course runs part-time through May and early June and then full time.

 

Contact Hours

6 hours per week initially (every Wednesday) and then 24 hour per week after week 6.

Independent Learning

3 hours per week – students will be expected to undertake research in preparation for each class. Students will also be provided with teaching materials to read prior to each new subject.

Method of Teaching

Via college tutors, current industry professionals and technical staff. All sessions will be delivered via practical demonstrations, lectures as well as considerable hands-on experience and visits.

 

Assessment

Assessment will be continuous throughout the course and will be through the setting of a series of task relevant to the subject being covered each week.

COURSE STRUCTURE



Week One
(day one only) 		  Introduction to course
  • Introduction to Skillset Screen Academy
  • Aim/Objectives of the course
Staff: Rob Buckler, Nick Cook and Acton Tutors.
     
Weeks One & Two   Plain and solid geometry

Staff: Nick Cook.
     
Week Three   The structure of the construction and art departments
  • Who's who
  • Who does what
  • Who reports to whom
  • Where the buck stops at each level
Staff: Nick Cook.
     
Week Four   Drawings – including CAD
  • Reading drawings
  • Understanding different types of drawings – master plans, elevations, full size drawings and sections
  • Use of existing drawings and preparing new drawings for film shoot
Staff: Nick Cook and Tutor.
     
Week Five   Film Industry
  • Materials - their usage and common names for them
  • Terms and terminology unique to the film industry Power tools, including air tools in common use in the film industry
Staff: Nick Cook and Tutor.
     
Week Six   Setting out

Includes management of stage PLUS start of set build

  • Ability to set-out large stage/production areas
  • Managing and controlling the management of stage setting
  • Correct process for setting out stage/production areas e.g. starting from back to front
Staff: Nick Cook and Tutor.

PLUS Studio placement

Each student will spend one day shadowing a carpenter at a studio in order to increase their awareness of professional working practices.
     
Weeks Seven & Eight   Set Build at Ealing Studios

Staff: Nick Cook and Tutor.
     
Weeks Nine, Ten, Eleven & Twelve   35mm shoot
     
Week Thirteen   Review of course
  • Discuss what has been learnt
  • Review portfolios and discuss progress
  • Course assessment and debrief