Dilstories has held numerous film trainings around Uganda since 2017. Our trainees have won awards, and gained employment in the film and media sector, for we focus on practical lessons and our mentors are experienced professionals. We are a busy production company, and so we always have opportunities for our trainees to work as paid interns. If they perform well, then they get employed whenever a gig comes up.
We have got a small grant to run this traning in Kampala, and so we can only take a small number of participants, for a period of two months. Unfortunately, this training is not tailored for absolute beginners, and so you must have taken steps toward a career in film. Before you apply, please read the requirements carefully, and familiarise yourself with our film traning course outline. Watch our short film: What Happened in Room 13
Directing
We believe film directing is at heart storytelling, and so we require applicants to be strong script writers. We will not consider applications for directing that are not accompanied by screenplay samples.
Cinematography
Applicants are expected to already be familiar with operations of a DSLR Camera, and/or are good photographers. We will not be taking you through the basic operations of a camera. We will use a Blackmagic Pocket 4K Camera with prime lenses.
Film editing
Applicants are expected to have advanced computing skills, and ability to learn software very fast. Familiarity with any video editing software will be an added advantage. Our primary software will be Davinci Resolve.
Sound recordists
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in recording and producing audio. We will use Zoom F8n for the lessons.
Course outline
The training will happen in three main phases, spread out over a two month period from October 20th until December 31st 2022.
Phase 1: Quick Starting Guide
This is the foundation training, and will take a total of twelve (12) days.
Days 1 – 3: Anylysing and Preparing Screenplays for Shooting
This will involve script analysis techniques for all the trainees. It is especially suited for directors who will learn how to prepare actors for the roles. This stage is also where we learn about film production, budgets, schedules, locations, casting, and also marketing films.
Participants are expected to be familiar with the screenplay structure, format, and basic screenwriting.
Resources: laptops, KIT Scenarist software
Days 4 – 6: Sound recording and audio production
In this stage, each participant will produce a short radio play. Participants will learn how to record sound using professional equipment (and your phone!), and to edit this sound using open-source audio editors. It is important for even those interested in other categories to participate in each category, for filmmaking is an eco-system and you perform best if you are knowledgeable in what happens outside your area of interest.
Resources: Tascam DR-60D MKII, Zoom F8n, Zoom F6, Rode NTG-2, Seinhheiser, Laptops
Days 7 – 9: Cinematography
Here participants learn film language, and how to use the camera to tell a story. Directors will learn how to use shots effectively, how to stage dialogues, blocking scenes, and other techniques necessary to make a great film. Emphasis will be on visual storytelling and participants will be required to make a short film with as little dialogue as possible.
Resources: DSLRs Canon T3i, BlackMagic Pocket 4K with Prime Lenses, smart phones
Days 10 – 12: Film editing
How exactly do you put together a series of clips to make a great film? Aah, did you know that films are ultimately made (or destroyed!) in the editing room? We shall learn both the creative side of editing (how to edit actor’s performances, how to re-write the story in editing to fix broken stuff, how to put two clips together to make a good film) and the technical stuff, editing audio, coloring the film, rendering….
Resources: Laptops, Kdenlive (open-source), Davinci Resolve 17
Phase 2: Diving into the Deep End
Days 13 – 15: Boot camp
Each category will split into its own little camp, and focus on mastering their tools and refining their techniques. While directors will start working with actors, learning rehearsing techniques and blocking scenes, cinematographers will be chilling with their babys while sound recordists will be figuring out sound, and editors will be buried in pixels.
Days 16 – 18: Short Film Shoot
Okay. You’ve learned a thing or two, and now it’s time to put all that into practice. This isn’t a drill anymore. You shoot a short film. Each participant will get to direct a short film, and each will have to play a role other than what they applied for; shoot, record audio, edit. At the end of it all, everyone will be fairly knowledgeable in film production.
We will have sessions on marketing and content production in this section.
Phase 3: Production of a Web Series
Days 19 – 27: Boot camp
Participants will be part of the crew of a six-episode web series. At the end of it, each participant will have an episode to their name: directed by, cinematographer, editor, sound recordist, every participant will have a chance to work on a professional product and have their name on it.
A few things to note about this film training
For Phase 1 and Phase 2, trainees will cater for their own transport. In Phase 3, Dilstories will cater for transport costs.
Dilstories will cater for meals during the training.
Trainees are expected to contribute 100,000 UGX toward the course.
Trainees are expected to be available full time to attend all the days of the film training.
Trainees will own all copyright(s) of any original works that they produce during the training, and works they write or produce must not be in violation of any existing copyright(s) of any individual or organization.
Participants will grant Dilstories, and all her partners, permission to use photographs, video recordings, and audio recordings bearing the images of the participants, and the biographies of the participants, for publicity and for fundraising purposes.
Why you should train with us
After the training, depending on how you perform, you will be eligible for mentorship for up to one year. This will include access to our equipment and studio for further learning purposes.
We are a very busy production company, and as we put together Uganda’s first film studio, we are always looking for crew. There will be lots of opportunities for paid internships, or even employment, in the near future. We always look at those we have trained when an opening arises.
