Hands-On Learning, Real-World Experience

At Ryan's Film School, I believe that the best way to learn filmmaking is by doing it. My workshops are designed to immerse students in the entire filmmaking process, from concept to completion.

Whether you're interested in acting, directing, cinematography, or editing, my workshops offer a hands-on, project-based learning experience that mirrors real-world film production.

A range of workshops, a range of skills

I provide a wide range of workshops covering different skills and topics with each one being project-based and hands-on!

Some workshops can be tailored to stand-alone lessons, while others can be completed over a series of days or weeks.

  • 2 - 6 hours
    Ages 12+
    Project: Short Scene

    Students take part in filming a small scene exploring each of the many roles in film, tv and video production. Starting with the writer, director and producer, the team grows into a full crew complete with cinematographers, make up artists, and even accountants! 

    Once each student is given a role in the production, we put our newly acquired skills to the test and film a short improvised scene. 

    This workshop both gets students excited about the many roles within the film and TV industry as well as getting them thinking about how their passions can guide their careers across other industries and professions.

  • 3 - 6 hours single session/ 12 hours delivered over multiple sessions
    Ages 6+ 
    Project: TV show

    The News, Pointless, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, and so many more are all created in multi-camera studio settings. In this workshop students get to plan and produce their own multi-camera TV show, whether that be a quiz show, the morning news, or magazine show! 

    Sparking their creativity and introducing them to a range of roles this is a really fun workshop which can be tailored down to early years (I’ve made Disney themed quiz shows) or up to college and university students starting their Film and TV courses.

  • 2 - 6 hours
    Ages 12+
    Project: TikTok or YouTube Video

    Video is everywhere! It is a means to communicate, promote goods and services, share jokes, and build a following. We all watch videos and we all carry a camera in our pockets. This workshop bridges the gap between the content and the creators giving students a quick guide to creating videos with our phones.

    Students think about the content they watch, and where they may need to create content in their careers. We then look at how to film, edit, and upload videos using any smart phone and the process of writing and planning content and presenting for camera.

  • 2 - 3 hours per session, can be extended over multiple sessions.
    Ages 14+ 
    Project: Monologues or Duologues

    Aimed at both filmmakers and actors, this workshop aims to bridge the gap between the two skillsets looking at the importance of blocking, giving and taking direction, and acting for screen. By creating monologues or duologues, students get the chance to create small scenes and work with each other to bring out their best performances. 

    This workshop can be arranged for filmmakers or actors to concentrate on their respective skillsets, or to swap roles to further understand the processes of the person on the other side of the camera.

  • 2 - 4 hours
    Ages 6+
    Project: Story outline

    Story structure is one of the greatest tools in a writers toolkit, and Pixar use a tried and tested method to writing great stories every time by keeping their core story simple. By following the Pixar story structure students write their own story outline to further develop into a script or narrative text later on. 

    With older students this workshop can extend to look other topics such as:

    • 3 act, 5 point, 8 point story structures (and how they’re all work together)

    • Story versus plot

    • The importance of themes in a text

    • Overcoming writers block

  • 3 - 12 hours, over a single workshop or multiple sessions.
    Ages 14+
    Project: Short Film or Video

    With a focus on cinematography, camera work and framing, this workshop looks more at how we can combine images to create a story and evoke emotion. By looking at different shot type examples and the basics of camera movement, students are tasked with planning 5-10 shots that tell a simple story, this could be as simple as making a cup of tea. 

    Then, by editing in camera, students capture their stories in groups to present to the rest of the class at the end of the workshop! 

  • Sometimes students just need a fresh face to inspire them and get them back on the right path. For college and university degree courses, I can also offer tailor made workshops or project consultations for your students on a range of topics and areas. 

    Here are some areas I’ve covered before:

    • Interview and presentation skills

    • Project feedback

    • Lighting and camera workshops

    • Creating a pitch pack

    • Funding short films

    • A guide to genre films

    • Project management

    • Finding work, managing money, and paying rent.

    If there is a particular area of filmmaking your students are struggling with, reach out and I’ll see if I can find an engaging way for us to tackle the problem!

How they work

I provide all the essential equipment for each workshop, including Blackmagic cameras—an affordable entry point to cinematic video—and Hollyland transmitters, which allow up to 8 students to wirelessly monitor footage on their phones.

Lights, cameras, and sound gear are all included, and if the school has its own equipment, we can easily integrate it.

At the end of every session, students receive the Blackmagic camera app to turn their phones into professionally controlled cameras, along with valuable resources to continue learning beyond the classroom.

Who they’re aimed at

My workshops are tailored for students at all levels from Primary School to University. They are designed to engage both those with an interest in film, TV, and video, as well as those who may not have considered it before, helping to inspire and guide students toward finding their passion.

Remember, the film and TV industry needs accountants, carpenters, and drivers just as much as they need camera operators! And, all the skills developed for film and TV are transferrable, my aim is to set students up with the skills and confidence to succeed in any industry.

One off or Weekly

Some workshops work perfectly as one-off sessions introducing students to film, or deep diving into a particular subject, while others are best delivered as a series of workshops to allow for larger, more in-depth projects. 

I offer flexible scheduling to suit each school's extracurricular programs and needs. If a certain workshop or topic area looks as if would be of interest to you or your students, get in touch and we can discuss the best way to deliver them!

Get in touch, and let’s book a workshop!