Learn how to make and market short films, music clips, documentaries and game development from some of the industry’s best practitioners.
Friday 27th October | 9am - 4pm
Saturday 28th October | 11am - 3:30pm
Film and Media School, 590 – 608 Hunter Street, Newcastle

10 advances in iPhones that will change filmmaking
Presenter: Jason van Genderen view bio
(Worlds 1st Filmbreaker)
Budding filmmaker? Vlogger? YouTuber? We all know that the tool in our pockets can turn out some pretty remarkable videos. 2017 has been a ground-breaking year for iPhone Cinematography at this year’s RFF, the World's 1st Filmbreaker, Jason van Genderen, returns to walk us through 10 jaw-dropping developments that could turn your iPhone into your new career path.
Friday 27 October, 9:00am – 11:00am

SPFX Makeup for Film
Presenter: Paige Badenoch view bio
(X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Truth)
Learn how to make realistic film quality spfx using silicone moulds and encapsulating silicone prosthetic appliances. Paige will also show you how to use a bloodline as well as other quick spfx tricks of the trade.
Friday 27 October, 9:00am – 11:00am

Comedy and Screen Writing
Presenter: Adam Khamis view bio
(Mission Impossible 2, The Matrix Sequels and Superman Returns)
In this workshop, we will explore writing comedy in the form of short sketches and scripts for the screen, including the different forms and structures that can be used.
If you already have ideas for sketches, short films, web series or a feature film, bring them along for the opportunity to discuss them with the group and receive practical feedback.
Attendees will also look at some classic comedy scenes and sketches and will be given the chance to discuss what works and what doesn’t.
Please bring a pen, a writing pad and your sense of humour! This workshop is a whole lot of fun.
Friday 27 October, 9:00am – 11:00am

Shooting with a Drone
Presenter: Chris Woolley and Brent Leggett view bio
This workshop will give you ideas and skills to really make flying easier using apps and techniques as well as improve your videos and stills to make them ‘pop’.
If you have a drone or are thinking of buying one then don’t miss this workshop.
This is a chance to spend two hours with a real working RPAS company and benefit from our learnings and mistakes.
We also cover areas like making sure you can actually fly where you want to and talk about drone legislation to keep you safe.
The Hunter Valley is full of spectacular flying sites so come along and enjoy the ‘rush’.
Friday 27 October, 9:00am – 11:00am

YouTube Hits
Presenter: Sarah Stone view bio
(The Voice, YouTuber)
This workshop will provide students with an intimate opportunity to understand how you can use YouTube to your advantage. With so much content available, and our attention spans becoming shorter, how can we keep an audience focused, create exciting content and grow your brand at the same time? Join Sarah Stone to understand how to establish a YouTube presence and get more likes and monetise your project.
Friday 27 October, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Storytelling Science
Presenter: Jason van Genderen view bio
(Worlds 1st Filmbreaker)
What's that 'thing' that makes storytelling stick? How can make your film more memorable for both audiences and film festival goers alike? Join the World's 1st Filmbreaker, Jason Van Genderen, as he shares his signature 'StoryArk' system, lifting the lid on the secrets he uses every day to make award winning content.
Friday 27 October, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Editing Documentaries
Presenter: Harriet Clutterbuck view bio
(Silma's school, The Burning Season, The Bentley Effect, Shake Sister Shake)
These days the shooting/editing ratio for a documentary can be huge. For example, the award-winning The Bentley Effect had 48 terabytes of footage which was calculated at being around 1000:1. With no original concept other than shooting everything that happened over a five-year period and no script (as was the case here), where do you start?
How do you manage to find a coherent story and how long does it take to edit a feature documentary? This editing workshop will explore these issues using examples from documentaries like The Bentley Effect, The Burning Season, Sleeping Beauty Behind the Curtain and Silma’s School.
Friday 27 October, 11:30am – 1:30pm

The Roles of a Game Designer
Presenter: Samuel McCully view bio
(Gunscape, Siegecraft Commander, Morphite)
This purpose of this workshop is to educate newcomers on the role of a game designer. What it means to be a game designer; the different types of designers; and the many hats a game designer must wear through the life of a project. Come along to this workshop for an inside look into how to be an effective designer and get yourself started in the Australian game development industry.
Friday 27 October, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Directing - Truth in Performance and Storytelling
Presenter: Glenn Fraser view bio
(The Veiled, Moriarty: Endgame VR, Beautiful Voice)
Glenn Fraser has travelled the world making films. He is also a keen educator and thrilled to be sharing some of his hard-worn knowledge and some crazy behind-the-scenes adventures of his time behind the camera.
Come along and be prepared for an invigorating and challenging session and walk out understanding a new kind of integrity in storytelling and performance for the camera.
Friday 27 October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Acting For Screen 101
Presenter: Julia O’Conner view bio
(The Sleepover Club, Crime and Punishment, Hard, Who’s Seen Jessica Bloom)
Develop your confidence, screen acting techniques and learn what is required of a screen actor during an audition and then on set, including rehearsal techniques, while working with a director and acting for camera. Don’t be shy!
Friday 27 October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

The art of the interview
Presenter: Jason van Genderen view bio
(Worlds 1st Filmbreaker)
Budding journalist or documentary filmmaker? This unmissable workshop from the World's 1st Filmbreaker, explores remarkable techniques and secrets to mastering an on-camera interview and ensuring you find the gold you seek when you press record.
Friday 27 October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Camera Basics
Presenter: Christopher Sferrazza view bio
(Beast, Tom Willis)
Join us and learn how your story should pick your camera; what camera you should use and why; how to shoot in camera (slow motion, time lapse, stop action); different lenses and how they are described together with their pros and cons; how lighting conditions affect your films overall appearance and tone; how a lens can help tell your story and lots more.
Friday 27 October, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Saturday 28th October | 11:00am - 3:30pm

Masterclass: Camera Obscura
Presenter: Jason van Genderen view bio
(Worlds 1st Filmbreaker)
What's it like to step inside a living, breathing camera? In a Real Film Festival first, this workshop is strictly limited to 12 participants, and will take us on a journey of transforming a room into a live camera without the use of electronics, lenses or recording mediums. We guarantee you will be talking about this for a long time to come. Don’t miss out!
Saturday 28 October,
11:00am – 1:00pm


Masterclass: Commercialising Your Film in an Online World
Presenters: Louise van Rooyen & Rebecca Boyle view bios
This workshop will explore the burgeoning world of online film distribution, and how filmmakers can work within it to ensure their film reaches a receptive audience.
The often-overlooked area of library and educational sales online will be examined in addition to more traditional routes.
The workshop will also discuss the importance of maintaining your online presence both as an individual filmmaker and on behalf of your film to attract both distributors and audiences.
Topics will include:
- Models of Video on Demand Distribution – SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, EST
- The importance of the library/educational model for VOD
- Creating and maintaining your online presence as a filmmaker
- How Beamafilm works with independent filmmakers
Saturday 28 October,
1:30pm – 3:30pm