Science Filmmaking Intensive Workshop
Description
Presented by SFC Film Festival | Two-Day Hands-On Workshop
Turn complex science into compelling cinema. This practical two day workshop gives emerging creators, students, and curious storytellers the essential tools to develop, script, and plan a high quality 3 to 5 minute science short film using accessible gear like smartphones.
Facilitated directly by award winning filmmaker and festival director Masoud Varjavandi, alongside guest industry insights, this workshop demystifies both scientific storytelling and independent film craft. Rather than getting lost in technical jargon, you will focus on narrative structure, accessible production workflows, and practical planning so you are fully prepared to shoot your film independently.
Every attendee walks away with a production ready shooting script, a comprehensive technical roadmap, and an exclusive pathway to submit their finished project into the SFC Academy Short Film competition category at our upcoming SFC science film festival.
Workshop Prerequisite
Watch: Complete our free, self paced online documentary foundations course prior to Day 1: Online Documentary Course
Prepare: Arrive with an idea for a 3 to 5 minute science story, an interesting scientific question, or a research topic you want to explore on screen.
Who Should Attend
Open to secondary and tertiary students, adult learners, science enthusiasts, and emerging creators. No previous filmmaking experience is required.
What to Bring
A smartphone with sufficient free storage and a charging cable. Latest model smartphones are recommended with plenty of storage and modern cameras.
Blackmagic Camera App pre-installed.
Wired or wireless headphones.
A laptop, tablet, or notebook for scriptwriting.
Your initial 3 to 5 minute science story idea.
Attendance options: You may register for Day 1, Day 2, or both. We recommend attending both days for comprehensive feedback across the entire process. However, single day registration is welcome if you only need story and script development (Day 1) or already have a completed script and purely need technical production guidance (Day 2).
Lineup
Day 1: Creative Development and Scriptwriting
- Communicating Science Through Story: Guest presentation exploring non fiction story structures, hook strategies, and translating complex research into relatable visual concepts. - Pitch and Peer Feedback Circles: Pitch your concept to small peer working groups to stress test your narrative angle and visual approach, guided by Masoud. - Guided Script Lab: Write and format your 3 to 5 minute script in a practical audio visual template. - Table Reads and Script Refinement: Share key scenes with the class for live feedback, dialogue polishing, and overnight revisions.
Day 2: Technical Mastery and Production Planning
- Smartphone Cinema Craft: Essential technical controls for mobile devices, including frame rates, exposure lock, colour temperature, and framing principles. - Clean Sound and Practical Lighting: Capturing broadcast clean audio using simple lapel mics, managing ambient noise, and using natural or household lighting setups. - Pre Production Planning: Building practical shot lists, storyboards, interview preparation sheets, and realistic shoot schedules. - Post Production and Cinema Delivery: Editing workflows on free mobile and desktop apps, audio mastering targets, captioning fundamentals, and technical export specifications for festival cinema projection. - The Competition Runway: Submission timelines, judging criteria, and ongoing support milestones leading up to festival screening submissions.
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