Art of Action Filmmaking with PAC
Creators Take on One-Day Film Challenge with Plymouth Arts Cinema and Fotonow
9 December, 2024
Ten aspiring filmmakers gathered at Ocean Studios for an intensive day of creative collaboration, turning imaginative concepts into completed short films in just seven hours. The Art of Action: One-Day Film workshop, delivered in partnership with Plymouth Arts Cinema, saw participants dive deep into the world of DIY punk-style filmmaking.
The day kicked off with an exploration of the four pillars of film production – cinematography, sound, editing, and production design. Led by Ross and Louie from Fotonow’s filmmaking team Ross and with support from our volunteer Millie, participants quickly formed two creative crews, each bringing different levels of experience and interests to the table.
What stood out was how quickly everyone engaged with the process. Some came with screenwriting experience, others with photography backgrounds – but everyone was keen to learn new aspects of filmmaking. Louie Warren, Fotonow.
The morning saw both groups developing their ideas through collaborative storyboarding, before heading out into Ocean Studios with professional camera and sound equipment. One group crafted a cleverly subversive chase sequence, playing with audience expectations through a story about a misplaced building pass that transforms from suspense to comedy. The other team took inspiration from spaghetti Westerns, creating an intense standoff over an incorrect coffee order and using extreme close-ups that would win Sergio Leone’s approval.
Working against the clock, participants rotated through different production roles, getting hands-on experience with everything from camera operation to sound recording. The fast-paced nature of the day created an energy that sparked rather than limited creativity, with teams making the most of the props provided and the Ocean Studios building as their backdrop.
The afternoon was a hive of post-production activity, with both crews working alongside Fotonow’s team to shape their footage into polished short films. Despite the time pressure, there was a palpable sense of excitement as the stories came together in the edit.
No Pass - Short film crated on the Art of Action One-Day Film Workshop with PAC and Fotonow.
The team were great, I had a fantastic time and will certainly be interested in future courses. James, Filmmaker.
There was a real mood of achievement and both completed films were successfully screened at Plymouth Arts Cinema the following week, with some of the filmmakers in attendance.
With thanks to Plymouth Arts Cinema, who made the workshop possible through support from the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network as part of the Art of Action season. It demonstrated how concentrated creative collaboration can produce impressive results, even within the constraints of a single day.
Coffee Rage - Short film crated on the Art of Action One-Day Film Workshop with PAC and Fotonow.
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