Six of Britain’s best writers, directors and producers visited the NFTS in the space of just one week to give outstanding Masterclasses to students including with insights into the making of their award-winning films.
Actor/ Director Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, The First Grader ) who was nominated by BAFTA for a Best Direction Award for the TV series Bleak House, talked about his latest biopic feature film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), which chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela from leader of the ANC resistance group to President of South Africa.
Speaking in conversation with NFTS head of documentary Dick Fontaine, Justin Chadwick explained the great lengths he went to make the film as ‘authentic’ as possible: “Mandela’s life spanned almost 100 years of South African history and the impact of apartheid on South Africans is still being felt. I wanted the film to be real. This is present history.” You can read morehere
NFTS students were also given a preview screening of the gripping new British thriller Locke (released in the UK in Spring 2014) followed by a triple Masterclass with three of the film makers: Writer Director Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises, Redemption) and Producers Paul Webster (Atonement, Eastern Promises, Anna Karenina) and Guy Heeley (1st AD on The Kings Speech, Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones’ Diary).
Starring actor Tom Hardy (Inception, Band of Brothers, Black Hawk Down) the film breaks convention by featuring only one character, Ivan Locke, stuck behind the wheel of a constantly moving car driving down a motorway during a 90 minute race against time during which his life unravels.
Producer Paul Webster told students that the low budget film had an extraordinary turnaround: “The film was most exciting in its genesis. We simply had a one page idea…People bought the film on the basis of what was on that piece of paper before Steven had even written the script, despite the fact that it was about one man in a car. The financier knew he couldn’t lose money Tom Hardy on board added value.” Read more here.
Writer Simon Beaufoy, NFTS Visiting Fellow in Screenwriting, whose credits include the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, 127 Hours, BAFTA winning The Full Monty, talked to students about the craft of writing for film. Read more here.
Oscar nominated Director Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, Internal Affairs, One Night Stand, Timecode) gave a key note speech about the peaks and troughs of film making in Hollywood and the UK.
Having started his career in experimental theatre and music (playing in Bryan Ferry’s band), Figgis was asked by sfudents why he had chosen to work in film?
“Film is a form of theatre. It is the drama that interests me. But why do we bother with drama? Because collectively as people we need a forum to discuss our fears of death, of loss, of losing someone we love through death; sex and desire and why this causes us to do such stupid things. Why is it so interesting to watch stories about people losing control? Why does this make a great film? Because it helps us to understand.” Read more here
Apply NOW for one of our NFTS MA, Diploma, Certificates or Short courses and in addition to training from top film, TV and games professionals you’ll get access to brilliant Masterclasses from world class film and television industry professionals – plus preview screenings of their latest films…and much more!
