It's a wrap for virtual film academy students

Parents of students aged 9 to 18 enrolled at The Film Academy Edinburgh were invited to pay what they could during Covid-19 lockdown.

This innovative touch from owner, Graham Kitchener from Portobello, meant that he and three of the freelance staff could launch a live nine week Virtual Film Academy.

The two hour sessions were held twice a week on Zoom. They had 100% attendance, and the young students shot more than 300 film clips on different themes each week.

These were then edited into several lockdown montages which you can see on the Film Academy's Vimeo account.

As well as actual filming they wrote four short film scripts and everything then culminated in a virtual showcase which was live streamed to all the students.

During the summer months they would normally have run two five-day schools, but with no access to premises they had a problem. Running virtual lessons over whole days is a bit different to classes of two hours. After advertising the 60 places for just 36 hours, all places were filled.

During the full-time school the students made four live action/ animation films. The students only met on Zoom and not face to face. They used hired tablets and shot footage from all over Scotland, not just Edinburgh.

One of the highlights was inviting Tim Allen, the animator behind Fantastic Mr Fox, to speak to and inspire the students - and not just once, but twice.

Graham was delighted by the many testimonials they received:

If you had told me a few weeks ago that Film Academy would be as good virtually as it is face to face I would have laughed, and how wrong would I have been. The whole process from start to finish is so professional, motivational and most important fun for the students. I am blown away with your student’s imagination and hard work they put into the virtual academy filming, scripting etc.

Karen

Just a quick note to say well done and a sincere thank you for all your efforts in pulling together the Virtual Film Academy. The positive impact of giving our young people a purpose and something to look forward to each week cannot be underestimated.

James

Film Academy Edinburgh is looking for new premises. Contact via

filmacademyedinburgh.com