FILM STUDIES
Documentary film workshop with Guillaume Brac
Studio project with Guillaume Brac
The 2022 documentary workshop was lead by Guillaume Brac. In partnership with the Lausanne Sport!
Learning Objectives
First year
1/5
- Acquire basic artistic and technical notions related to writing (script) and directing personal and collective fiction and documentary films.
- Deepen the technical tools related to image (light, camera, editing, etc.) and sound (set, sound editing, Pro-Tools software, etc.) as well as to the direction of actors/actresses.
- Learn about film theory (writing logbooks, sequence analysis, courses in Film History & Aesthetics, History of Art, Photography, Digital Culture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Contemporary Photography, exhibitions and publications).
- Benefit from numerous masterclasses with personalities from the world of cinema and other disciplines.
- Actively participate in the Clermont-Ferrand Festival and in a workshop organised on site with students from theatre conservatories.
1/2
From the second year onwards, students specialise in one of six possible options: Direction – Screenplay – Photography – Edition – Script Supervison – Sound
For all options
- Complete internships on feature films via filming and/or editing and/or observation courses in collaboration with RTS/RRS (script and editing).
- Enhance your knowledge through theory courses (internship diaries, writing portraits during masterclasses and interviews according to the chosen disciplines, writing a research paper on a free subject [2nd year]; in the 3rd year writing a major dissertation dealing with a particular aspect of the major).
- Participate in festivals (one-week stay at Visions du Réel/Nyon, as well as at Cinéma du Réel/Paris, Angers and Belfort [for scriptwriters]).
- Direct two short films (fiction and documentary) during the academic year, assisted by screenwriters/directors and editors.
- Get familiar with scriptwriting, directing actors and actresses, composing film crews, safety onset, creating budgets, shooting authorisations, music rights, editing (Avid, Premiere, Pro-tools), and creating film credits.
- Develop your writing through theoretical workshops (writing portraits during masterclasses, writing a research paper on a free subject).
- Participate in festivals (one-week stay at Visions du Réel/Nyon, as well as at Cinéma du Réel/Paris, screening of the semester’s documentary films at the Centre Culturel Suisse/Paris.
- Participate as chief operator, camera assistant, electrician, stagehand for fiction films, documentaries and graduation films (BA and MA).
- Use specific cameras, locations, cutting techniques, films, etc.
- Learn about the various image-related trades (camera assistant, point workshop, lights & electricity, machinery, security, etc.).
- Write and direct short fiction and documentary films.
- Write a feature-length fiction film over two years and get accustomed to writing exercises (short synopses, notes of intent, sequencing, treatments, characterisation of characters, non-dialogued continuity, dialogued scenes, etc.).
- Shoot a sequence of the planned feature film.
- Work as a sound engineer on fiction and graduation films (BA and MA).
- Make a documentary film (from writing to sound editing).
- Learn specific techniques (perched sound recording, HF, ambience, mix range exercises, etc.).
- Develop a freesound creation.
- Learn how to use ECAL’s sound studio and how to prepare projects before mixing in the Auditorium.
- Work as a script supervisor on feature films, documentaries and graduation films (BA and MA).
- Immerse yourself in workshops on reading cards, timing, chronology, continuity and counting, technical cutting and floor plan, match cuts, learn to work with other trades (HMC, decor, accessories, etc.).
- Collaborate on graduation films with students from La Fémis’ Script Supervison Department.
- Edit short fiction films (BA and MA).
- Direct and edit short documentaries.
- Learn about the job of assistant editor on feature films (project preparation, derushing, synchronisation, workflow, etc.).
- Use advanced software (Avid, Premiere, Pro tools and Da Vinci).
- Take part in a one-month exchange at La Fémis in Paris (editing section).
1/3
The whole year is devoted to the making of the graduation film (free work, fiction, documentary film, experimental film, etc.).
- Write the script for the graduation film – a short film (over 6 months).
- Pitch the project to producers.
- Draw up a professional production file (including budget) to be submitted to film authorities (Cinéforom, OFC, RTS, etc.).
- Set up a film crew with professionals from each profession.
- Monitor the production process with a director’s assistant.
- Participate in an actor-director workshop and do castings
- Shoot the film.
- Edit the film in collaboration with students from la Fémis’ Editing Department.
- Mix the film at La Fémis with students from the Mixing Department
- Learn about film distribution (television, festivals, etc.).
- Travel abroad to meet a filmmaker and make films on location (for example Tokyo/Kore-Eda).
