Beyond the frame – sound as a point of view | primary group  

When we think of a film set, we usually imagine the camera first. Yet it is the sound layer that often determines how we perceive a shot scene – whether we believe in its world, or whether something “scratches” us in the background and takes us out of the story. Our workshop shows why what we “can’t see” can be just as important as the picture.  

During the meeting we will focus on the basics of working with sound – from recording on set to the first steps in post-production. Without scaring you with technicalities, but with real practice and proven ways to embrace the chaos of cables, files and mysterious noises.  

During the first part, we will focus on sound recording: 

• microphone as a counterpart to the camera – the “ear of the film” – Basic types of microphones and microphone techniques,  

• Hundred and white recordings – how to record and describe so as not to get lost in it,  

• How to properly set the parameters of the recording?  

In the second part we will go into post-production:  

• Basic sound problems and how to hear and see them (waveform vs. spectrogram),  

• About the sound stage – is the sound from the set alone enough?   

The workshop is designed for people who are beginning their adventure with sound in film, reportage/audiodocumentary or radio drama.  

To the class, please bring the equipment you use every day for recording – a recorder with built-in microphones or an external microphone, and if you are just starting out, headphones and a phone with a good recording app (for example, TwistedWave TW Recorder for iPhone or Audio Recorder – WAV, M4A (Loop-Sessions) or Audio Recorder – by Dmytro Ponomarenko – for Android) will easily suffice. We work on what you have, so that the effects can be immediately transferred to your own practice 

Beyond the frame – sound as a point of view | advanced group   

A workshop for people who already have experience with audio recording and processing and want to consciously develop their sound language in film. We go beyond the basics and look at sound as an integral part of the drama, rhythm and structure of a picture – from decisions made while the project is still in development, to the final layers of the soundtrack.  

In the first part, we will look at sound recording:

• How to plan sound work already at the development stage of the film, i.e. sound as part of the concept, not an add-on or technological compulsion,  

• bit resolution and sampling rate – what you can actually hear and what matters when recording audio for a movie,  

• unusual microphone techniques – using contact, ambisonic and electromagnetic microphones, among others, to build the film’s unique sound palette.  

The second part will be devoted to post-production:  

• How the layers of the soundtrack are laid out and what that 50% of the film actually consists of,  

• From the OMF/AAF file to the sounded scene – the workflow and communication between the divisions (editing, sound and directing).  

If time permits, we will also touch on the topic of immersive and surround sound versus classical stereophony.  

In this group we work with our own equipment. Please bring a recorder (with built-in or external microphones), headphones and, if possible, a laptop with the software you are working in. The idea is that the solutions developed can be immediately transferred to your current projects.

Leading:   

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Visual storytelling – how to tell a story with images | primary group   

How to make the picture speak more than words? The workshop “Visual Storytelling – how to tell a story with images” is a practical meeting on how to build a narrative through cinematic imagery. Participants will learn the tools of visual storytelling – from frame composition and editing rhythm to the conscious use of color, light, symbol and camera movement. By analyzing film excerpts and completing their own short film-editing exercises, participants will learn how emotion, drama and meaning are born in images and can build a film story.  

The workshop is aimed at beginners – no previous experience is necessary. The workshop will focus on the basics of building a cinematic image and the use of appropriate equipment for specific film works. Participants will perform simple exercises with their phones and cameras during the workshop.

Visual storytelling – how to tell a story with images | advanced group   

How to make the picture speak more than words? The workshop “Visual Storytelling – how to tell a story with images” is a practical meeting on how to build a narrative through cinematic imagery. Participants will learn the tools of visual storytelling – from frame composition and editing rhythm to the conscious use of color, light, symbol and camera movement. By analyzing film excerpts and completing their own short film-editing exercises, participants will learn how emotion, drama and meaning are born in images and can build a film story.  
  
The workshop is aimed at people who already have experience in working with images. The workshop will focus on the conscious search for one’s own visual style and working with other filmmakers on larger productions to achieve the desired effect.  

Leading: 

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The art of light in film – practical workshop | primary group   

Light is one of the most important elements of cinematic language – it can build mood, support the story and give the picture an emotional tone. During the workshop, participants will learn the secrets of working with light – from theory to practice.  

First we will look at the key issues in theory, and then test them in practice:

• A brief discussion of basic theoretical issues: what is exposure? ISO, aperture, shutter, sector angle,  

• what it is to obtain depth (rendering of three-dimensional space on a flat surface) in a film frame,  

• analysis of selected film frames in terms of lighting.  

We will then move on to practical activities, using the knowledge we have gained:  

• Together we will create film portraits using lamps and ambient light.  

The workshop is an excellent opportunity to develop a sense of light, learn to use it consciously and discover how much it affects the reception of a film image.  

The art of light in film – practical workshop | advanced group   

Light is one of the most important elements of cinematic language – it can build mood, support the story and give the picture an emotional tone. During the workshop, participants will learn the secrets of working with light – from theory to practice.  

First we will look at the key issues in theory, to then test them in practice: 

• brief discussion of theoretical issues: contrast, three-point illumination, key, contrast, fill, diffuse light, directional (sharp) light, light temperature, color, dynamic light, 

• methods of measuring light: eye, light meter, false color,  

• The importance of light in film: creating mood, supporting the narrative, creating symbolism, justifying the source of light,  

• types of light sources: incandescent light, LED light, discharge light, natural light, staged light, modifiers  

• analysis of film frames in terms of lighting,  

• How to shine on a small budget?  

We will then move on to practical activities, using the knowledge we have gained:  

• Together we will create film portraits using lamps and ambient light,  

• We will try to recreate selected film frames using light.  

The workshop is a great opportunity to deepen your sense of light, learn to use it consciously and discover how much it affects the reception of a film image.  

The presenter: 

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Film production – from an idea to the creation of a script | primary group   

How is a film born? From the first spark of an idea, through conversations and notes, to the finished script, which becomes the starting point for the entire film crew. The workshop “Film Production – from an idea to the creation of a script” is an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of this process and see how a film begins to live even before the first clapper falls.  

During the workshop, we will take a look at what this process looks like in practice: from the first concepts and world-building of the film, to character development and the creation of the script structure.  

The class for the elementary group will be led by Marta Szarzynska, a creative producer, who will show how to turn inspiration into a coherent film project, ready for further development within the production.  

The workshop includes a joint screening of the film “Songs of Love” (directed by Tomasz Habowski) and a post-screening discussion, as well as a step-by-step analysis of the filmmaking process: from the idea, to the script, to the realization.  

This is a class for people who want to better understand how a film project develops and how to plan creative work – so that from the first spark you get to a story ready for realization.

Film production – from idea to script creation | advanced group   

How is a film born? From the first spark of an idea, through conversations and notes, to the finished script, which becomes the starting point for the entire film crew. The workshop “Film Production – from an idea to the creation of a script” is an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of this process and see how a film begins to live even before the first clapper falls.  

During the workshop, we will take a look at what this process looks like in practice: from the first concepts and world-building of the film, to character development and the creation of the script structure.  

The advanced group will focus on the practical side of film production – from the moment the story takes shape to planning the next stages of the work. Under the guidance of Marta Szarzynska, participants will look at the role of the producer in the creative process, learn about the stages of developing a film project and how to plan production from the organizational and financial side.  

During the class we will talk about how to start working on your own film, what the development and script development phase looks like, what sources can be used to obtain financing, and what happens to the film after it is completed.  

This is a workshop for people who are thinking about filmmaking in a conscious way – from idea to production – and want to deepen their knowledge of how to successfully guide their project through all stages of filmmaking.

Leading:  

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Partners of the National Greenhouse Film Festival are
Local Government of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Region, Eko Goods and NRD Klub.