Ffilm Cymru presents: 60 Second Stories - Swansea, with Charlotte James

The 60 Second Stories- Swansea, programme focuses on the creative and practical process of crafting 60-second shorts. 

This four-day programme will be invaluable to anyone who wants to develop their storytelling skills, as well as developing their visual and practical filmmaking skills.

Tutor

Charlotte James is a writer and director from the South Wales Valleys. Her work is rooted in the community where she grew up in—full of grit, humour, and heart—and she’s passionate about telling stories that reflect the truth of working-class life. Blending dark comedy with surreal, nostalgic visuals, Charlottes work challenges-tired stereotypes and offer a fresh, unapologetic look at the world she knows best. She’s the co-founder of Bleak Fabulous. Her work has been shown at the Martin Parr Foundation and received international critical acclaim. Her debut short film, Doss House, was produced by Maisie Williams under her production company RAPT, and was selected for the London Short Film Festival as part of They Call Us Working Class.

Charlotte’s now developing her second short film and writing her first feature—projects that, like all her work, are driven by character, community, and a deep love for the place she calls home. She’s a proud member of SCYMRU, a collective of Welsh filmmakers. Charlotte brings people together through story, humour, and a sharp eye for the beautiful and bizarre in everyday life.

The How

15 participants will respond with their own creative voice and learn how to bring their writing to life with film and photo visuals, sound and editing (using a smartphone device). The films can be inspired by writing (flash fiction, poems, interviews or spoken word pieces) developed on the programme. 

60-Second Swansea, Stories will support participants to:

• Create a calling card for their creative voice
• Make their short form content more engaging and cinematic.

During the workshop participants will:

Day 1, Thursday 4th Sep 10am-3pm: Story and Narrative

• Look at different short form narrative possibilities
• Establish story and narrative.
• Produce a piece of creative writing inspired by their idea.

Day 2, Friday 5th Sep 10am-3pm: Creating the Visuals

• Get technical with a smartphone camera and explore their capacities in producing high quality recorded images. 
• Look at composition, and styles and techniques.
• Plan short film shots. 

Day 3, Thursday 11th Sep 10am-3pm: Shoot the Vision

• Record a story using a smartphone.

Day 4, Thursday 18th Sep 10am-3pm: Post-Production

• Learn to edit it all together.
• Add foley, soundtrack, suitable narration or music.

This course is for:

• Due to funding guidelines, this programme is only open to people living OR working in Swansea, you must be 18 PLUS and not in full-time education.
• No prior filmmaking experience is required.
• You will not have any professional credits as a filmmaker (writer/producer/director).

*(you must provide an address for your place of work in Swansea if you do not have a home address in Swansea)

We have 15 spaces available on this programme, and participants will be selected based on your application and how it will support your creative journey.  

The programme will be held in central Swansea, venue TBC.

Please note bursaries are available for transport in and around Swansea (receipts will be required to be submitted) 

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  

The deadline to apply for a place is Wednesday 6th August.

We aim to get back to you on no later than Tuesday 12th August.