Want to create your own short film but don’t know where to start?

Stop Waiting For Opportunities -
MAKE YOUR OWN!

In this three month course, you will learn how to go from idea to execution, equipping you with the skills to develop, fund, and direct your own short film with guidance from three top industry professionals.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your screenwriting, understand the production process, or step into the director’s chair with confidence, this program provides the roadmap to bring your vision to life.

WRITING WITH YOLANDA RAMKE

Yolanda Ramke is an award-winning screenwriter and director. She first gained recognition with the 2013 short film Cargo, which she co-directed with Ben Howling. A viral success with over 20 million views, it led to an international festival run. In 2015, her feature adaptation of Cargo won the inaugural Gateway LA Script Prize, and she received her first AWG and ADG nominations for Cold Hearts.

In 2016, she made her feature directing debut with Cargo, starring Martin Freeman. The film premiered at Tribeca, became Australia’s first Netflix Original, and was nominated for five AACTA awards, including Best Film. Yolanda won an AWGIE award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

She later co-directed two episodes of The Haunting of Bly Manor for Netflix, which topped Nielsen’s global streaming charts. Back in Australia, she won another AWGIE for New Gold Mountain and served as creator, executive producer, writer, and co-director on Troppo. The series, starring Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun, became a top-rated show on Prime Video in the US.

Yolanda is currently developing several projects, including Swept, an original feature with Screen Australia funding.

WRITING

WHAT WE’LL COVER:

• The Three-Act Structure, including variations on and deviations from structure

• Genre, scene construction, and visual storytelling

• Learning how to find the character's spine and the importance of conflict in storytelling

• How to approach a premise for a short form story and uniqueness of concept

• How to structure a short form story and deliver a satisfying climax

• The importance of economy in short form storytelling

• How to think both creatively and practically about your project and your strengths 

• View short film case studies that set out to tell a satisfying story in under 10 minutes

• Discuss how these shorts reflect the principles of short form storytelling and why they work

• Soft pitch your short film premise and receive initial feedback

• Discuss your concepts in relation to the principles learned on Day 1 and how you might adapt your ideas for optimal effect

• Discuss how to write a beat sheet before starting a first draft, and how this step can be beneficial

PRODUCING

WHAT WE’LL COVER:

• Introduction & what makes a good short film

• Different types and purposes of short films

• Proof-of-concept shorts and case studies

• Elements of effective short-form storytelling

• Proof-of-concept vs. standalone shorts

• Adapting feature ideas into short format

• Making impact in limited runtime

• Funding and Production planning essentials

• Budget considerations and allocation

• Decisions that impact budget and schedule

• Key departments & timeline planning

• Potential funding sources & crowdfunding

• Production Management and communication

• Problem-solving during production

• Resource management & workflow planning

• Post-Production Strategy

• Working with post-production professionals

• Music and sound considerations

• Distribution, Marketing, & resource sharing

• Using shorts to build industry relationships

• Building a filmmaker profile

• Common paths from shorts to features

• Building sustainable careers

WITH ENZO TEDESCHI

Award-winning Australian filmmaker Enzo Tedeschi has directed and produced across multiple genres, from horror to documentary. His breakthrough feature THE TUNNEL (2011) pioneered crowdfunding in Australian cinema and reached over 25 million viewers globally, earning him the Screen Producers Association Award for Breakthrough Independent Producer.

Notable work includes the Shudder Original Series DEADHOUSE DARK, conspiracy thriller feature EVENT ZERO, and Sydney Film Festival Audience Award winner THE CROSSING. His online series contributions earned him Melbourne WebFest's Michael Ajakwe Jr Lifetime Achievement Award.

Recent projects include short film IT WILL FIND YOU (premiered at Sydney Film Festival 2024) for which the feature is currently in post-production, and the upcoming sci-fi feature RESONANCE, starring Barbara Bingham. He is developing a feature with Bingham based on their short OVER THE EDGE, with Screen Australia support.

DIRECTING WITH ERIN WHITE

Erin is a multi-award-winning writer and director. She created Under the Vines for AcornTV and TVNZ, starring Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards, serving as both writer and director.

Recently, Erin directed episodes of Under the Vines S3, Paper Dolls for Paramount+/Helium Pictures, The PM’s Daughter for ABC/Fremantle Australia, and was the set-up director for Netflix’s Wellmania. She has also directed on Doctor Doctor S4 & S5 for Easy Tiger/Nine Network.

Her work has earned multiple Australian Directors’ Guild nominations for Sando, The PM’s Daughter, Other People’s Problems, & her acclaimed short Dugong. Other credits include Squinters, It’s a Date, At Home with Julia, Timothy, Rush, & Stories I Want to Tell You in Person

Erin’s shorts have received international recognition. Dugong screened at Sundance and won best screenplay awards at Flickerfest and St Kilda Film Festival, while 62 Sleeps won the Dendy Award at Sydney Film Festival. Four was nominated for AFI Awards and won an IF Award and Flickerfest Audience Award.

DIRECTING

WHAT WE’LL COVER:

• The director’s role and understanding their creative & leadership responsibilities

• Finding your vision and developing a unique directing style and storytelling approach

• Scene breakdown and how to analyse scripts, identify key beats, and plan for effective visual storytelling

• Blocking and mud maps to map out movement and performance to create compelling visuals

• Mastering “the line” and understanding screen direction and continuity

• Shot listing and storyboarding to plan and communicate your visual approach

• Script preparation with practical tools to ensure smooth transition from page - screen

• Directing actors and working with performers to shape authentic and engaging performances

• On-set leadership, managing crew, making decisions under pressure, and maintaining creative control

• Post-production for directors, understanding the editing process, shaping performance in the edit, and collaborating with post-production teams.

• Bringing it all together and applying what you’ve learned to direct with confidence

WRITING:

2-Day Intensive:
26-27 April

1-on-1 Feedback Session:
18 May

1-Day Workshop:
June 14

PRODUCING:

2-Day Intensive:
5-6 July

1-on-1 Feedback Session:
12 July

DIRECTING:

2-Day Intensive:
19-20 July