Monday, 28 September 2015

BFI Film Academy 2015 at Film Oxford


We are looking for committed, talented young people between the age of 16 and 19 to be a part of the BFI Film Academy 2015/16 Network Programme delivered by Film Oxford.

Are you 16-19? Passionate about film? Want a career in the film industry? If so, the BFI Film Academy is for you. This course offers you the chance to be part of our future film industry.
As a student of the Film Academy:

  • You will get hands-on filmmaking experience with industry standard equipment which will help you to develop practical knowledge and skills.
  • You can explore your own creativity and passions in a supportive and dynamic environment.
  • You will gain invaluable experience working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field.
  • You will watch a range of cinema from British Independent to specialised films and develop critiquing skills.
  • You will visit a leading film studio and school to see the industry in action.
You will also have the opportunity to complete a Silver Arts Award qualification on the course.

What is Arts Award? - Arts Award
Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents

The Arts Award is a recognised qualification amongst employers, colleges and universities.


Once you have completed the Network course, you will become part the growing BFI Film Academy alumni network with access to events such as BAFTA career talks.

The cost to participate in the BFI Film Academy is £25. If you will struggle to pay the course fee, don’t be put off as you will be able to indicate this once you are accepted on the course and this fee can be waived. Bursaries will also be made available if you require assistance with travel, child care or other costs. For more information about who can apply for bursaries follow the link at the bottom of the page.

The course will run over 10 days throughout October and November 2015, spread over weekends and the half term. It is important that you are able to attend each session, download the course dates HERE

Take a look at some of the great short films made by previous participants at the BFI Film Academy on YouTube by clicking HERE


Location: Film Oxford, 54 Catherine Street, Oxford, OX4 3AH
Eligibility: You need to be between the ages of 16 and 19 on the first day of the Academy programme (17th October 2015). You must be a UK resident and able to commit to the programme for its duration.

Any Questions?
Call Gary Shenton on 01865 792731 or email: production@filmoxford.org

Interested?
Click on the link below to download an application form, fill it in and post it back to:
BFI Film Academy,
Film Oxford,
54 Catherine Street,
Oxford,
OX4 3AH

or email it to

We will then contact you to talk about your application.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 8th October 2015

Successful applicants will be notified by Saturday 10th October.
We are looking for enthusiasm, determination, a genuine interest in film and a willingness to learn.

Click on the links below and scroll down to download the forms.

Thursday, 17 September 2015

Rule of Thirds

The majority of shots when framed follow the convention 'The Rule of Thirds'. This refers to where the action or the subject is placed in the frame.

Using the clip below I can demonstrate this convention.



Monday, 18 May 2015

AS Foundation Portfolio Candidates 2015


Dear Moderator,




Please find below a full list of AS Foundation Portfolio candidates.
  1. Jordan Bunning 0250 - http://jordanjbunningmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  2. Emma De La Querra 0272 - http://emmadlqmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  3. Megan East 0276 - http://megeastmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  4. Seska Ford 0680 - http://seskamedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  5. Danielle Garden 4172 - http://daniellegardenmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  6. Charlie Hawkins 4173 - http://charliemediaas.blogspot.co.uk/
  7. Brooke Keen 0308 - http://brookekeenmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
  8. Royann Lapham 4175 - http://royannmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  9. Jake Marshall 0322 - http://jakemarshallmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  10. Amber Mobbs 0331 - http://ambermobbsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  11. George Moore 4177 - http://georgemooremedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  12. Joel Pickard 0346 - http://joelpickardmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  13. Alistair Rice 0355 - http://alistairmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  14.  Jessica Richards 0356 - http://jessrichardsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  15. Leah Rolfe 0360 - http://leahrolfe.blogspot.co.uk/
  16. Joe Sandford 0363 - http://joesandfordmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  17. Amy Simpson 0370 - http://amysimpsonmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
  18. Beth Simpson 0371 - http://bethsimpsonmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
  19. Xav Sinden 3190 - http://xavsindenmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  20. George Young 0403 - http://georgekdyoungmedia.blogspot.co.uk/

A2 Advanced Portfolio Candidates 2015

Dear Moderator,




Please find below a full list of A2 candidates for the Advanced Portfolio module.
  1. Katie Bannock 0507 - http://katiebannocka2.blogspot.co.uk/
  2. Aine Buller 9206 - http://ainemedia.blogspot.co.uk/
  3. Abek Clarke 9219 - http://abelsmediastudiesa2.blogspot.co.uk/
  4. Elliot Dias-Gunawardena 9238 - http://elliotdga2media.blogspot.co.uk/
  5. Thomas Ewart 9246 - http://thomasewartsa2media.blogspot.co.uk/
  6. Skarlet Hillier 9272 - http://skarlethilliera2mediablog.blogspot.co.uk/
  7. Ben Millard-Green 9294 - http://bmga2media.blogspot.co.uk/
  8. Victor Nonyane 0230 - http://victornonyanea2.blogspot.co.uk/
  9. Zoe Ridgway 3014 - http://zoeridgwaya2media.blogspot.co.uk/
  10. Tyana Rodney 9328 - http://tyanaalexmediabloga2.blogspot.co.uk/
  11. Megan Sulley 9344 - http://megansulleya2.blogspot.co.uk/
  12. Joel Urner 0648 - http://joelurnera2.blogspot.co.uk/

Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Tops Tips to Prepare for an Exam

This is just a short post with a few top tips as exams approach!

1. Don't spend ages revising. This may be what you want to hear because you're lazy, but that's not what I mean. My view is that if you don't take things in as you go along, you won't do well in exams (at least not in Media or Film) just because you do a load of work at the end. You need to understand your subject and be able to talk about it anyway. preparing for exam questions about it should be a matter of technique and refreshing your mind about it, rather than cramming loads of information for weeks.

2. Focus your preparation completely. Know PRECISELY what you are going to be expected to do in the exam- how long the paper is, what form the questions take, how many marks are attached to them and how long you are expected to spend on each one. Know what the rules are about the questions- do you have to refer to a minimum number of texts, a variety of media, to examples from a particular period of time- whatever! all this knowledge helps you to be absolutely clear about what you need to prepare and what you can set aside. Look at past papers and past questions- if your teacher can't provide them, go on-line and find them- all exam boards have old papers you can download.

3. Decide what you feel most confident about using and systematically prepare that material so that you can summarise it, refer to the key arguments, mobilise specific examples to back your points and adapt it to the needs of different questions. You don't need to know EVERYTHING about a topic, but you do need to be able to be FLEXIBLE with what you do know!

4. PRACTICE writing to time. Start with some old questions and set out what your paragraphs will contain as a set of bullet points. Then just write and time yourself. How much can you cover in the time and how well does your argument work? get someone to read it, especially someone who doesn't know about the subject, and ask them if they can follow your argument and if your examples back your points up. If not, go back to what you have written and work out how to fill the gaps. If you do a few timed essays, you will get faster and if you seek advice from readers, you will get better.

5. Have some of your own examples. Don't rely on everything having been spoon fed by the teachers. Applying ideas or concepts to examples YOU have found always helps your answer to stand out from the same old stuff that everyone has half-remembered or half-understood the teacher saying.

6. Don't panic. If you prepare effectively in the short term and have taken things on board in the long term, then you have nothing to worry about. You can only do your best.

7. And finally, get the obvious things right. Know WHEN the exam is- DAY and TIME! I have known students to miss a morning exam because they assumed it was in the afternoon. Aim to be there EARLY- transport isn't always reliable. And have your PENS! When I used to invigilate, it always shocked me that there were many people in the room who had forgotten to bring pens. And during the exam, keep an eye on the clock. There is no value in spending an hour on a 25 mark question and then only half an hour on a 50 mark question. You might get full marks for the 25, but you will probably lose 25 on the 50!