Short Film Project (Summer Term)

This practical filmmaking course introduces students to the full process of creating a short film, from developing an idea to filming and editing. Over six weeks, students will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, screenwriting, camera work, sound recording, and film editing while working together to produce a short film.

The course is designed for beginners and focuses on hands-on learning, creativity, and teamwork. Students will explore how stories are structured, how scenes are written, and how filmmakers plan and capture visual storytelling using cameras and sound equipment.

What Students Will Learn

Students will gain experience in:

• Story and idea development

• Screenwriting basics and screenplay formatting

• Shot composition and visual storytelling

• Camera operation and framing techniques

• Sound recording fundamentals

• Directing actors and blocking scenes

• Editing and assembling a film

• Collaborative filmmaking

Course Overview

Week 1 – Introduction & Idea Development
Students learn the stages of filmmaking, key production roles, and develop ideas for a short film using a simple three-act structure.

Week 2 – Writing the Script
Students turn their idea into a short screenplay, learning scene headings, action lines, and dialogue.

Week 3 – Pre-Production
Planning the film shoot, creating a shot list, and understanding shot types and visual storytelling.

Week 4 – Rehearsal & Technical Skills
Students practice camera framing, sound recording, and rehearse scenes among themselves.

Week 5 – Shoot Day
The class films their short film while learning about teamwork and proper footage backup. Two actors will be provided by Collective Acting Studio.

Week 6 – Post-Production
Students learn editing basics including continuity, pacing, and sound, and complete a rough cut with titles.

Final Project

By the end of the course, the class will have collaboratively created a 2-3 minute short film, applying all the skills learned during the program.

The course is led by Ryan Lacchoee. 

Ryan is a classically trained actor, director, screenwriter, and voiceover artist with over two decades of professional experience across stage, screen, and audio. Since graduating from Arts Educational in 1998, he has worked on a wide range of theatre, television, and film projects, including Polite Society, Maisie Raine, Coronation Street, A&E, and Silent Witness. His voice can also be heard in numerous commercials, documentaries, and video games.

Alongside his performance career, Ryan is a passionate and experienced acting coach. He has taught extensively in disciplines such as Acting for Stage and Screen, Voice Acting, Improvisation, Audition Technique, Showreel Development, Meisner, Method Acting, and Film/Media Production. He has held teaching positions at respected institutions including Identity School of Acting, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, ArtsEd, City Academy London, MN Academy, ICAT, and Stageworks.

Ryan also brings strong technical expertise to his work. With hands-on experience in camera, sound, and lighting, he has produced and directed a variety of digital content—from music videos and short films to commercials and branded media.

He holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Music and Media Production, an MA in Screenwriting, and has trained in audio post-production at the School of Sound Recording in Manchester.

Actors trained at Collective have gone on to work in Hollywood films, on Broadway, for the National Theatre, in the West End and in series for Netflix, HBO, BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

We are passionate about working with actors from underrepresented groups and we will always seek to break down barriers to access in professional actor-training. If you want to learn more about how to apply, email reception@collectiveactingstudio.co.uk

Course Location