Deadline: 14 June 2024
BFI NETWORK south west, in partnership with Bournemouth Film School (BFS), is pleased to announce a new Director Lab that will provide an in-person day of tutor-led masterclasses, followed by workshopping with professional actors and the chance to be offered £2,000 from BFS to make a micro-short based on your script.
The workshop day will take place in Bournemouth on Fri 14 June from 10:30-18:30, led by writer-director Dee Meaden, who has over 15 years’ experience as a filmmaker. The morning will focus on directing skills, guidance on working with actors and insightful discussion, and the afternoon will comprise of workshopping your script, plus 1:1s with the BFI NETWORK Talent Executives. The workshop is designed to give you advanced skills in directing actors, a heightened appreciation of character-focused storytelling, and a creative challenge under tight parameters. Lunch will be provided, and they are able to offer travel bursaries to those who need it.
The micro-short commission, produced by BFS, will be for a film of up to four minutes, based on the script that you’ll supply as part of your application – the same script that you’ll have workshopped with actors. After the one-day Director Lab, participants will be asked to submit their final script to BFS (and may be asked to meet with the panel to pitch their idea), who will then select two filmmakers to make their film in early July – on the bespoke film set created especially for this Lab. BFS will supply all crew and equipment, and the two writer-directors will each be given £2000 towards post-production and promotional costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must have previous experience in directing live-action fiction, or have drama-doc experience and the ambition to develop your scripted showreel
- You must be able to write, direct and deliver a micro-short within a strict schedule
- You must be a resident in the south west of England.
- You must be over 18 and not in full-time education.
- You must be able to attend one in-person day in Bournemouth on Fri 14 June, and be able to keep Tue 2 July & Thu 4 July free if selected for the commission
- Please note that this is not an entry-level scheme as you must be able to write, direct and deliver a micro-short within a strict schedule. They will be looking to select eight participants for this Lab.
For more information, visit Film Hub South West.
