UPDATED: FULL THREE DAY PACKAGE
One film crew. One terrifying challenge.
26-28 October | Burntwood School, Wandsworth | Ages 8-16
This October Half Term, Ciné Studio is transforming Burntwood School in Wandsworth into a working horror film set. For three days, young filmmakers will join forces to create an original short horror film; from the first spark of an idea through to the final shot.
This is not just a film workshop. Our filmmakers will be challenged to develop and produce their own original horror short. It is three days of writing, designing, performing, experimenting and filmmaking, with every member of the crew taking on a genuine production role.
Your mission: Make a horror movie
What makes a scene frightening without showing the audience everything? How can lighting completely change the atmosphere of a room? What happens when sound disappears at exactly the wrong moment? How do filmmakers use editing, camera angles, makeup and performance to make an audience nervous before anything has even happened?
Our young filmmakers will explore the techniques used by horror directors and then put them into practice. Expect strange characters, unsettling locations, mysterious noises, dramatic lighting and plenty of imagination as well as a little make up to clean off before bed.
DAY ONE - DEVELOPMENT
Monday 26 October
Every film starts with an idea.
Day One is all about creating the world of our Halloween film. Our filmmakers will explore what makes horror work and how suspense, character, sound and visual storytelling can be used to make an audience feel something.
Students will:
Develop the concept and story
Create characters
Explore the conventions of horror filmmaking
Write and develop scenes
Learn about screenplay structure
Storyboard key sequences
Explore shot choices and camera movement
Decide production roles
Begin planning props, costume, hair and make-up
Create a production plan for the shoot
By the end of the day, our crew will know exactly what film they are setting out to make.
DAY TWO - REHEARSALS & DESIGN
Tuesday 27 October
Now we bring the film to life.
Day Two moves from ideas into pre-production. Performers begin rehearsing scenes while the wider crew works on how the film will actually look and sound.
Students will work across:
Acting and rehearsals
Developing characters, blocking scenes and practising performances for camera.
Production design
Creating the props, set dressing and visual details that help establish our world.
Hair, make-up and wardrobe
Exploring how costume, make-up and practical effects can transform a character.
Camera
Testing compositions, lighting, movement and shot choices.
Sound and Foley
Discovering why sound is one of the most powerful tools in horror and creating effects to build tension.
Directing
Working with performers and crew to turn the storyboard into a sequence of shots.
By the end of Day Two, everything should be ready for production.
DAY THREE - PRODUCTION
Wednesday 28 October
Action.
The Drama Studio becomes our film set as the crew spends the final day shooting their Halloween short. Students will rotate through professional filmmaking roles including:
Director
Assistant Director
Camera Operator
Sound Recordist
Actor
Production Designer
Hair, Make-Up and Wardrobe
Continuity
Behind-the-Scenes Filmmaker
They'll learn how a real set operates, how to work efficiently as a crew and how directors, performers, camera and sound departments collaborate to capture a scene.
We'll look at lighting for horror, unusual camera angles, point-of-view shots, practical effects, atmosphere, performance and the all-important art of building suspense. The aim is not simply to make a film. We want every student to finish the three days understanding much more about how films are actually made.
PART OF THEIR FILMMAKING ACCREDITATION JOURNEY
For students completing the full three-day camp, the experience will count towards one term's worth of the Ciné Schools filmmaking certification pathway, supporting their wider filmmaking accreditation journey with the National Film and Television School.
That means the skills developed across development, pre-production and production are not just part of a holiday activity. They contribute towards a structured progression in filmmaking, helping young people build experience, confidence and recognised evidence of their practical learning.
TIMINGS
The standard day runs from 9am to 3pm. We are also able to offer an extra hour each day, starting 30 mins earlier and finishing 30 mins later (8:30am to 3:30pm) should that help. Please choose the option that works for you.
