film, video & TV training | professional development

Open Channel offers specialised training in all key creative areas of screen practice. Courses are led by current industry professionals working in the screen industry and on independent productions. Small class sizes ensure that you will develop skills to enter the screen industry and develop your creative voice as a screen practitioner.

Courses will run when minimum enrolment numbers are reached. If you are interested in a course but the dates don't suit you, we encourage that you register your interest by email to shortcourses@openchannel.org.au and specify the course name. Once we have enough students, courses can run at a time that suits you.

During the year, additional courses are often announced, so check this website or sign up to receive our fortnightly news bulletin OpenLine

PRODUCING & PRODUCTION

SCREENWRITING

DIRECTING

DOCUMENTARY

CINEMATOGRAPHY

DESIGN

SOUND

ON-SET & STUDIO

POST-PRODUCTION

UNDER 18

PRODUCING & PRODUCTION - join our special interest group on Production, Production Management and Assistant Directing / Join our special interest group on Transmedia and cross platform

INTRODUCTORY COURSES:

Production & Production Management (PPM1202)
Starts July 10, 2012
This course is designed for those seeking to production manage or produce independent productions.

Law, Camera, Action with Shaun Miller (LAW1201)
Starts July 24, 2012
Leading film lawyer Shaun Miller takes you through the legal issues relating to film/TV development, production and distribution.

Pitching Workshop with Kim Farrant (PI311)
Register your interest shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
A project lives and dies in the pitch. In this intensive one day workshop, Filmmaker Kim Farrant (Naked on the Inside, Alias, Sammy Blue, Beloved) will take you through how to present your idea and yourself - to funders, investors, and producers in a succinct and engaging way.

ADVANCED COURSES

2012 Ideas Incubators
Register your interest shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
The 2012 Ideas Incubator series develops strong concepts for film, television and transmedia with clear market direction. Workshop your ideas, in a collaborative hot-house together with leading industry practitioners & other participating filmmakers.

Understanding the Marketplace (CUF60107FS/M4)
Register your interest training@openchannel.org.au
Examine the screen marketplace looking at contemporary and traditional methods of development and financing. More Information  here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Packaging and Pitching (CUF60107FS/M6)
Starts June 29, 2012
Develop the creative package and your creative pitch. More Information  here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Establishing a Screen Business (CUF60107FS/M7)
Starts August 10, 2012
Give your production company and your production the best possible start with this intensive business course. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Take your Project to the Marketplace (CUF60107FS/M8)
Starts October 5, 2012
Understand the audience for your film or series, how to connect your project with them, and how to take your project to
the marketplace. More Information  here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

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SCREENWRITING - join our special interest group on Screenwriting

INTRODUCTORY COURSES:

Screenwriting Introduction with Chris Corbett (SI1201)
Starts September 4, 2012
Learn to craft your ideas into a strong narrative with this practical writing workshop led by award-winning TV and short film Screenwriter and Script Editor Chris Corbett (Stingers, Blue Heelers, The Secret Life of Us)

Documentary Scriptwriting with Steve Thomas (WYD1201)
Starts September 4, 2012
Develop your ideas for a compelling documentary project through a thorough explanation of the craft of documentary scriptwriting with award-winning documentary filmmaker and ex-VCA Head of Documentary Steve Thomas (Black Man's Houses)

Script Supervision with Sabi Paisa (SCSUP1201)
Starts September 8, 2012
Working closely with the Director and Editor, the Script Supervisor is responsible for the coherence of the finished film. This is a critical role and good Script Supervisors are always in high demand.

ADVANCED COURSES:

2012 Ideas Incubators
Register your interest shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
Clarify your project strengths and define development goals. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Planning your Project and Script Development (CUF60107FS/M1)
Register your interest training@openchannel.org.au
Clarify your project strengths and define development goals. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Script editing  (CUF60107FS/M2)
Starts June 14, 2012
Learn how to edit scripts, and how to use feedback from editors, in this extended case study of a project in development
across a number of drafts. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Advanced screenwriting and cinematic storytelling (CUF60107FS/M3)
Starts September 6, 2012
A series of advanced workshops designed to help you polish your script. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Concept to Script with Robert Greenberg (C2S211)
Register your interest training@openchannel.org.au
Develop your idea for a feature or TV series with AWGIE/AFI winning screenwriter Robert Greenberg (Round the Twist).

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DIRECTING - join our special interest group on Directing

INTRODUCTORY COURSES:

Digital Filmmaking Introduction with Nick Moore (DFI1202)
Starts June 15, 2012
This practical, weekend course introduces beginner filmmakers to the complete process of digital filmmaking.

Cross-Platform Digital Filmmaking (CPD1201)
Starts September 29, 2012
A great idea for TV is no longer enough. This course will give you the tools to take your documentary online.

Assistant Directing (AD111)
Starts September 1, 2012
Assistant Directors are rarely out of work. Led by Kath Hayden (Mission Impossible, Janus, Mercury, Corelli, Simone de Bouvoir's Babies), this course is designed to provide you with the skills to forge a career as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th Assistant Director.

Music Video Production on a Shoestring (MVSS1201)
Starts June 8, 2012
Learn the tricks of the trade to make a stand-out music video on a budget.

Introduction to Directing (ID211)
Starts June 16, 2012
Designed for beginners, this course provides you with essential skills for directing for the screen. Apply your skills by directing a cast of actors under the guidance of an industry professional.

Script Supervision/Continuity (SCSUP1201)
Starts September 8, 2012
Working closely with the Director and Editor, the Script Supervisor is responsible for the coherence of the finished film, and needs patience and a keen eye for detail.

Directing Actors with Alkinos Tsilimidos (DA211)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn to cast, rehearse and direct performance with the "actors director" Alkinos Tsilimidos (Em4Jay, Tom White, Blind Company) in this 8-day intensive course.

ADVANCED COURSES:

Casting and Actor Based Development (CUF60107FS/M5)
Starts May 4, 2012
Develop a casting approach, and bring script alive through actor based development. More Information here.
This program can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development Program)

Motion Design (MOTION111)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
In this introductory course, you will work with a professional motion designer to create your own stunning title sequence using Apple Motion. You'll also look at a range of title sequences from existing films and analyse them from a design perspective.

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DOCUMENTARY - join our associate special interest group on Documentary 

INTRODUCTORY COURSES:

Documentary Filmmaking Introduction (DOCFI1202)
Starts June 21, 2012
Get the skills to make your own short documentary with this intensive practical course. Designed for beginners, this course gives you a solid technical and creative foundation.

Cross-Platform Digital Filmmaking (CPD1201)
Starts September 27, 2012
A great idea for TV is no longer enough. This course will give you the tools to take your documentary online.

Video Journalism (VJ1201)
Starts October 18, 2012
This unique course equips journalists and filmmakers with the necessary skills to tell compelling, timely stories as a single person crew.

Documentary Scriptwriting with Steve Thomas (WYD1201)
Starts May 8, 2012
Develop your ideas for a compelling documentary project through a thorough explanation of the craft of documentary scriptwriting with award-winning documentary filmmaker and ex-VCA Head of Documentary Steve Thomas (Black Man's Houses)

ADVANCED COURSES:

Documentary Filmmaking: The Next Step (DOCNS1202)
Starts June 28, 2012
Take your next documentary to next level. Learn about advanced concept development, shooting on location and in the studio, interview techniques, ethics, and getting your documentary festival-ready.

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CINEMATOGRAPHY - join our special interest group on Camera, Lighting and Grips

Cinematography Foundation (CIN1201)
Starts July 21, 2012
Led by multi award winning Australian filmmaker Julian Filer, this practical and popular introductory workshop provides a solid foundation for new Cinematographers.

Cinematography Lighting Workshop (CINLW1201)
Starts July 29, 2012
Learn how to plan, light and shoot a dinner party scene using low-budget lighting and a digital camera under the guidance of leading DOP Alan Cole (Lost & Found, Under a Red Moon).

Multi Cam Studio Operation (MULTICAM111)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn all aspects of operating multi camera set up within a television studio.

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DESIGN - join our special interest group on Art Department, Costume, Makeup & Hair & Production Design

Production Design & Art Department with Julie Belle (ART1201)
Starts October 6, 2012
Production Design encompasses the entire look of a production. Led by former ABC Head of Design Julie Belle, this course takes you through the fundamentals of Production Design.

Wardrobe Department/Costume Design (WARDROBE1201)
Starts: May 26, 2012
The Wardrobe department encompasses the entire fashion look of a production. Led by former Neighbors Head of Wardrobe, this course takes you through the fundamentals of the Wardrobe department/Costume Design.

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SOUND - join our special interest group on Location Sound, Music and Post Sound

Location Sound Recording with Gary Wilkins (LOCS1202)
Starts May 22, 2012
Sound is a major part of the impact of your film. In this course you will learn the basics of screen location recording for film and television with the legendary Gary Wilkins (Mad Max, Breaker Morant, Ghost Rider, Where the Wild Things Are).

Sound Post Production Basics (PSOUND311)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn the basics of sound editing and mixing for film and television, within the Soundtrack Pro environment (part of the Final Cut Pro Production suite).

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ON-SET & STUDIO - join our special interest group on Television & Studio

Set Protocols & Screen Industry Induction (SAFETY 1201)
Starts August 10, 2012
Aimed at new practitioners, this course will provide you with a thorough understanding of working in a production environment.

Television Studio Operations (TSO111)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn all aspects of operating a television studio at Melbourne's Community Broadcaster, Channel 31.

Multi Cam Studio Operation (MULTICAM111)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn all aspects of operating multi camera set up within a television studio.

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POST-PRODUCTION - join our special interest group on Editing

Colour Grading in Final Cut Pro (COLOUR1201)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn how to Colour Grade in Apple's final cut pro editing software. Peter Cave has been editing for 26 years and has used both linear and non-linear editing systems. Originally trained by the ABC in Melbourne, major organisations Peter has worked for include ABC Melbourne, Network TEN Sydney and MTV Asia Singapore. He presently runs his own business called EditCave. Peter has been editing with Final Cut Pro since version one and has extensive offline, online, grading and compositing skills.

Final Cut Pro Introduction (FCP1205)
Starts June 1, 2012
This comprehensive weekend workshop covers editing procedures using Final Cut Pro - the industry standard.

Final Cut Pro Advanced (FCPA1203)
Starts June 29, 2012
Do you want to work faster, more efficiently and more professionally with Final Cut Pro? This intensive workshop builds on your existing skills.

Craft of Editing (COE1202)
Starts July 13, 2012
You've got the basics, now learn the history, theory and conventions of editing, and develop your own style.

DVD Studio Pro (DVDSP111)
Register your interest by email to training@openchannel.org.au
Learn the basics of creating DVDs and interactive menus utilising DVD Studio Pro.

Avid Media Composer (AVID1201)
Register your interest by email to shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
This comprehensive weekend workshop covers editing procedures using Avid Media Composer 6.

Premier Pro (PMR1201)
Register your interest by email to shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
This comprehensive weekend workshop covers editing procedures using Adobe Premier Pro CS5 (Part of the Adobe Creative Suite 5)

After Effects (VFXI1201)
Register your interest by email to shortcourses@openchannel.org.au
This comprehensive weekend workshop covers editing procedures using Adobe After Effects CS5 (Part of the Adobe Creative Suite 5)

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UNDER 18

Young Filmmakers Holiday Workshop (YFHW1203)
Starts July 10, 2012
Don't just watch films these school holidays...learn how to make them in this fun filled 3-day course for 13 to 17-year olds.

* Students are encouraged to supply their own digital video camera (with microphone and headphone input and ability to attach a tripod base plate). Otherwise students will have shared access to Open Channel cameras.