Two local companies have teamed up to provide training in what’s set to be one of the biggest growth areas in TV and film production over the next few years.  The Digital Film Company (DFC) and the Bristol Film Academy (BFA) are running short courses in stereo 3D filming and post-production at the BFA’s training centre in central Bristol.

The training has been developed by Neil Richards of the DFC with funding from Creative Skillset, the Creative Industries Sector Skills Council. Creative Skillset took an interest in Neil’s pioneering work in affordable stereo 3D filming last year, an area which has been identified as a priority for UK skills development. The funding means a subsidised price can be offered to working film and documentary TV professionals who meet Creative Skillset’s qualifying credit requirements.

According to Neil, “Up to now, stereo 3D has been the realm of big-budget feature films and blue-chip TV productions but all that is changing with the move to internet delivery and widespread use of mobile platforms for viewing. The demand for 3D content looks set to explode now that 3D TVs cost no more than conventional sets and “glasses-free” tablets, laptops and computers are becoming widespread.”

“The technology is changing at the production and post-production end too, with the arrival of inexpensive 3D cameras and rigs and stereoscopic software editing now possible on Mac and PC computers. Production costs have fallen as equipment becomes cheaper and experience has been gained within the industry”

The training is delivered as a series of four one-day workshops:

An Introduction to Stereo 3D – Tuesday 31 July
Stereo 3D Filming – Wednesday 1 August
Advanced Stereo 3D – Thursday 2 August
Introduction to Stereo 3D Post Production – Friday 3 August

The workshops will appeal to camera operators, DOP’s, independent filmmakers and documentary TV makers who will have the option attend to the full four days consecutively or to pick and choose the training to suit them.  The course will also be repeated later in the year so trainees can choose to complete the course over a longer period.

“Apart from the technological aspects, there are some different approaches needed for stereo 3D production,” said Neil.  “Some styles and techniques common in 2D don’t work well, or at all, in stereo 3D. It’s important to think in 3D from the start and the best way to learn is to go do some filming”

“By offering a modular course, we can give people the option to experience the production process end-to-end, which I believe is the best way to get to grips with the creative opportunities and challenges offered by 3D.”

“The Digital Film Company is delighted to have become a CreativeSkillset training partner, which has enabled us to expand the range of stereo 3D training we offer across the whole of the South West region, and we are particularly pleased to team up with the Bristol Film Academy for the delivery of our 3D workshops here in Bristol.”

The course is being run as part of a series of training events at the Bristol Film Academy this summer. 

Matt Thurling, BFA founder, said, “When Neil approached me about running the course at the BFA it was a really easy decision to make.  I think there is an explosion in 3D content just around the corner and Neil is way ahead of the curve in his exploration of low and mid-budget production techniques.  I’m sure this will be an exciting and popular course.”

The workshops are offered at a discount of £99+VAT per day to film and documentary TV professionals who meet Creative Skillset’s qualification requirements.

This scheme has been funded by the Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund as part of ‘A Bigger Future 2’, the UK film skills strategy. The Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund.

www.bristolfilmacademy.com/tv-and-film-skills.html