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AFTRS: Factual Masterclass

Sponsored: UK producer director Robert Thirkell looks at what makes a factual programme work, in Sydney & Melbourne events.

What makes a Factual programme work?

BAFTA-winning UK producer director Robert Thirkell (Troubleshooting, Jamie’s School Dinners, Back to the Floor) will be holding his Robert Thirkel Factual Masterclass, presented by AFTRS in Sydney & Melbourne later this month.

Robert Thirkell will take you through his toolkit (C.O.N.F.L.I.C.T.) that can help in understanding just what makes a factual programme work (or fail) from their creation, to formatting, filming and editing.

In Sydney you have the option to attend a 1 or 2 day workshop (Sat 18 and/or Sun 19 Feb) . There is also a 1-day workshop in Melbourne at ACMI (Sat 25 Feb).

DAY TWO of Robert’s C.O.N.F.L.I.C.T seminar is based on his 100 rules of factual program storytelling which discusses how to find the fairy tale, find the reason for your hero to embark on an adventure, follow your hero through gripping struggle and adventure, and see your hero transform under the pressure.

The archetypal old tales often work best, this is abut how to find one and stick to it, using this template:
C, find the Characters
O, think Out of the box to write the script
N, find a Narrative drive, the big question of the film leading to a big answer, and small questions and small answers that contribute to this
F, make a Front of your film that highlights are characters, why they are setting off, what they are up against, and the reason
L, Love your characters and turn them into people
I, Interview for feeling, write short terse commentary for fact
C, Make your audience Care, at every moment, and promote your film so people watch
T, get a Timeline going from the start, find a good Title, and how the Truth is best

In DAY TWO we will put the CONFLICT toolbox into action in a practical way. You will look at cuts that weren’t working, have to work out how to change them, and view the results. We will also go through some of your ideas and how they could work better (do not worry if you don’t have one as it is fascinating to see how ideas transform into films on the hoof)

Robert Thirkell created and produced the first makeover show Troubleshooter in which Sir John Harvey-Jones transformed a dozen businesses with dramatic results, and won the seldom awarded special BAFTA for originality. He went on to found the BBC business unit and made the first formatted series Back To The Floor which won him the first BAFTA Features award (since updated and remade as Undercover Boss).

Details & bookings for Sydney & Melbourne workshops can be found here.

Sponsored post.

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