Ffilm Cymru Wales presents 60 Second Stories: Newport with Charlotte James and Jamie Panton

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

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

Location: The Place, Newport.

The Tutors

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. Down-to-earth but full of vision, Charlotte brings people together through story, humour, and a sharp eye for the beautiful and bizarre in everyday life. 

Jamie Panton worked on the 60 Second Stories: Swansea Project alongside Charlotte, supporting the stories from Idea through to completion on Mobile phones. Jamie has been a video producer for over a decade. He picked up his first camera at 15 and hasn’t  put them down since. From the bustling streets of London to the bright lights of LA and the neon glow of Tokyo he has worked far and wide to capture moments that matter. 

The How

10 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 Stories: Newport, will support participants to: 

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

The Outline

Day 1: Wednesday 14th January, 10.00am - 4.00pm 

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

Day 2: Thursday 15th January, 10.00am- 4.00pm 

• Creating the Visuals Session 
• 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: Wednesday 21st January or Thursday 22nd January  

(Timeslots across these days will be allocated) 

• Shoot the vision Session 
• Record a story using a smartphone. 

Day 4: Wednesday 28th January 

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

Day 5: Thursday 29th January   

(Timeslots will be allocated)

• Post-Production 1-2-1s available if required by participant. 

The finished films will be celebrated at a Screening Event on Thursday 12th February.

This course is for: 

• Anyone 18 plus who lives in Newport wanting to develop skills in filmmaking and produce a creative calling card for their storytelling talent. 
• No prior filmmaking experience is required. 
• You will not have any professional credits as a filmmaker (writer/producer/director). 

The deadline to apply for a place is Tuesday 9th December.

We aim to get back to you on no later than Friday 12th December.

We have 10 spaces available on this programme, and participants will be selected based on your application and how it will support your creative journey.  

You will receive financial freelance support to cover costs of the programme. Please note bursaries are available for transport in and around Newport (receipts will be required to be submitted). Lunch and refreshments will be provided.