Drama hopefuls urged to sign up for John's new short-film making course

Uppermill-based John L Matthews has launched a new short-film course.

John, who has run local production company Bigger Picture Studios for the last 20 years and founded writing screenwriting school First Ten Pages, said: "There is a gap for people who want to learn how to make films but not wanting to do a full-blown course.

"The idea behind this is to just have fun!"

John, who has lectured film making and writing at the University of Bolton and University of Ripon St John in York, added: "Everyone can be a film maker now.

"If you own a decent smartphone then you have access to a video camera.

"The thing is most people don’t have a clue what the difference is between amateur work and professional.

"So, our first session is about sound recording and not film making, because sound is where its at.

"All we are trying to do is encourage people to learn how to do things properly whilst having fun. Anyone is welcome.

"With no experience or loads of experience, it does not matter.

"It’s about making stuff together, it’s about having fun.

"We will have guest speakers who have written films, directed movies, made documentaries, directed actors, filmed stunts, blown up houses, lit sets and bashed cables."

Many local people will be familiar with John as he traditionally used to premiere his Bigger Picture films at the Railway Inn, Greenfield.

"These events were a lot of fun with a showing of the film and a Q and A afterwards. Good memories," added John.

John, who set up Bigger Picture Studios in 2003, has worked in many different sectors over the years.

Pictured above, John said: "I started out working for BBC Radio and then making films with Roger Corman in Ireland.

"I ended up being a Second Unit Director with cinematographer Larry Manly in the main because I had a car!

"I was catapulted into big-crew production.

"There were over a hundred of us working on these films in the middle of nowhere in a peat bog in Ireland."

John went onto work for Granada Studios, now ITV where he worked on show for BBC2, before setting up his own production company.

He recently went back to film school full time to study for a Masters in Screenwriting.

He has been long-listed for a BAFTA winning the Members Vote and been Grierson Nominated for Best History Film and won awards at Milan FICTS International Film Festival.

John’s work is shown in 65 countries with an audience of over 100 million.

He added: "The thing is about film making is it’s 90% energy, 90% prep.

"So if you have a load of energy and enthusiasm and can sit down and work out exactly what you are going to do and how and when, you are almost there."

John’s first session will be at the Swan Inn, Dobcross at 7pm on Thursday, March 27.

The first course runs for four weeks.

The cost is £5 per session, £3 concessions for students or unemployed.

People who can afford more are invited to pay £10 per session.

For further details please contact john via: john@big-pic.co.uk marked ‘short film course’.

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