Week 1: What is a Showreel?

In many other job markets, a CV is enough to secure an interview, as it can tell a potential employer everything they want to know. But for those who work in the creative industries, actually being able to see and to show examples of work is crucial. For media, this can often take the form of a showreel. But what are the pros and cons of this and what does a good showreel actually look like?
RESOURCES USED IN CLASS THIS WEEK
6 Ways to Make Your Showreel Stand Out
How to Make Your Reel
The Editor’s Guide to Showreels and Finding Work
Kingston University Filmmaking Showreel
BFI Film Academy Specialist Courses

Homework – DUE 12th JANUARY– You should compile a collection of your ‘best work’ to be edited the following week into a showreel. You are encouraged to add to this and to continue to shoot more material for inclusion, where possible.

Week 2: Showreel Practical

Applying theories of audience reception and practical editing skills in Premiere Pro and Davinci Resolve, we can begin to construct a showreel which matches its intended purpose and best showcases your visual work. This will be linked to your own developing creative practice, including your intended career or study destination and your ability to articulate your creative voice.
RESOURCES USED IN CLASS THIS WEEK
Colour Grading Crash Course in Davinci Resolve
Filmmaker Portfolio Examples
Portfolio Pros and Cons
How to get into the film industry
Building a Portfolio
Vimeo

Homework – DUE 19th JANUARY– You need to complete the rough draft of your showreel or portfolio in anticipation for next week and send it to Karl for feedback. You are also advised to create a free account with Screenskills, and to explore the range of opportunities available with them, as this will help you out a lot towards the end of the unit.

Week 3: Portfolio Extended

The portfolio is more than just a tool for photographers. Through it, we can disseminate your working practice, your interests and skillset and how your work has developed over time. Building from your showreel, this will be a visual way to showcase your voice as an artist, either online or in printed form, and will play a key role in any upcoming university applications.
RESOURCES USED IN CLASS THIS WEEK
Portfolio Advice for Film
Interviewing with a Portfolio
University portfolio examples
Building a Filmmaker Website
Team Deakins Podcast

Homework – DUE 26th JANUARY– You must complete any outstanding work required for showreel edit and upload to portfolio in time for next week’s lesson. This is a marked assessment point.

Week 4: Application Prep

A large part of securing success in an interview is to understand the interview process, including what to expect and what the company might be looking for. As you prepare to enter a complex marketplace, this process is to best enable you to succeed, from finding and applying for work, right through to the interview itself.
RESOURCES USED IN CLASS THIS WEEK
Top Interview Tips
How do you get work as a runner?
Freelance Toolkit
Job Profiles
Where can I find an apprenticeship?
How do I work in the film and television industries?
Creative Access – great place for jobs

Homework – DUE 2nd FEBRUARY– Complete the attached Career Plan and submit to Teams before next week’s lesson.

Week 5: Mock Interviews

You will take part in a mock-interview for a job role in the media industry. This will aim to replicate the real-world equivalent, and you will be expected to perform as if this was for a real job. Going through this process is a key part of preparing you for when the call does come, so that you can maximise your chances of success.

Homework – DUE 11th FEBRUARY– Complete the mock job interview for next week. https://app.willotalent.com/invite/davXDk/

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Week 6: Career Plan

Reflecting on your performance and setting goals for development are an integral way of making sure you’re successful next time. The reality is that rejection is a key part of the creative industries, and being open to feedback, as well as searching for opportunities to grow in your own evaluation of your performance, are key to being able to deal with that. An old Chinese proverb says, ‘Get knocked down seven times, get up eight,’ and this attitude towards continuously developing your practice is essential to help you plan your next steps.
RESOURCES USED IN CLASS THIS WEEK
Why Make a Career Plan as a Filmmaker?
Example Career Plans: My First Job in Film
Career Resources
My First Job In Film Facebook Group
London Voluntary Actors and Filmmakers
London Filmmaking Network
Film School and Careers in Film

Homework – DUE 12th FEBRUARY– Any outstanding unit work, including your career plan, must be completed and submitted by 5pm on Friday 12th FEBRUARY 2021. You must write a short, 400-word reflection on how you think the interview went, with three action points for how to use this to improve next time.

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