ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

3 years, 2 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

Hi Andrew,
I know a guy who did the Raindance degree (I guess that means all the courses). He is homeless right now. I don't think that is because of the course, that is just who I know.
I didn't really like the Raindance books, or some of the advice they gave on the blogs. So, although Elliot Groove seems like a nice guy, I never took the course.
Networking is really up to you. Some people can network in a supermarket, others need to be introduced to their own cousins.
I see you have what looks like an impressive page. So, I am not sure a filmmakers foundation course would really be much use. I mean, you probably have a network, if you reconnect to your old classmates on LinkedIn or Facebook.
You also have more of a portfolio than most of the people who have sent me business plans in the past. (Open a production company, promote it a bit, and you'll attract all sorts.). And it is better than some of the people who teach film. (No joke.). Yes, there is some shaky cam, but I am assuming all that would be fixed with a bigger budget.
Like a lot of people on Shooting People, what you probably need is a confidence boost. Maybe apply to a job in advertising or marketing, or just get in touch with positive people who like your work.
Sorry it isn't a direct answer, but I seriously don't think you need a foundations course. You are much further along than that.
Regards,
Vasco

3 years, 2 months ago - Matt Mahmood-Ogston

Hi Andrew,
I highly recommend Raindance. If you really want to get somewhere in filmmaking, Raindance will accelerate that journey.
I became a Raindance member to receive discounts on their courses and attend their events, such as the filmmakers networking event or film pitching event. I've taken a few courses with them now and i'm more than satisfied. If you're willing to commit yourself to achieving a goal - I can't recommend Raindance high enough. I don't work for them or have any connections... but I have a huge amount of gratitude for what they helped me achieve.

The main reason I joined Raindance is because I wanted to make a documentary. I had a very rough idea of what I wanted to do, but had no process or clarity on how I would ever achieve it. So I joined the Documentary Foundation course (5 evenings over a five week period). I felt like an imposter sitting in the room as I had very little experience compared to others.

Over the course of the five weeks we covered a lot areas in filmmaking, but our main output was to produce a one-pager - a concise overview of a film each of us wanted to make. In the final session we would be invited to stand up and pitch our film idea to the rest of the group. But in order to get to that end point we had to do a lot of highly practical soul searching, plus a lot of analysis around of how and why we would make this film. We would also need to learn how to articulate our idea and convert it into a format that the 'industry' expects.

But for me, one of the most important things we did was visualisation. Visualising what the Radio Times listing for our film would actually say.... if our film were ever to get made and achieve some success.

I'm writing this as someone who did just that.

I left the course with a greater sense of clarity, purpose and focus. Using my Panasonic GH5 I went out and shot my documentary. I also now had the confidence to go and find a Producer to help me reach my now very clear visual goal.

I discovered the amazing FilmFreeway and submitted the film to a few festivals hoping some of them might accept it. This was during the lockdowns so It was hard.

I was so thankful that a few festivals in the UK, USA and India agreed to screen my film.

Along that journey I was so happy the film was shortlisted as one of the best films of Iris Prize. What I didn't fully realise at the time was that Iris Prize have an agreement with Channel 4, and all of their shortlisted films were going to be broadcast on Channel 4... and streamed on Film4 and All4!

All programmes that go out on terrestrial tv appear in the Radio Times.... so the visualisation exercise we did at Raindance film school became true! My film appeared in Radio Times with its own listing... almost exactly as I had visualised it.

Our film went on to win the best TV Programme of 2021 at the Asian Media Awards.

I apologise for my long response. Your question really connected with me and I wanted to try and give back some of the energy I have received.

If you really want to make a film and need some guidance and support to get you there... Raindance will help you.

For anyone interested in watching my film, It's called "My God, I'm Queer" and is now available via Naz and Matt Foundation's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvVcyUJZYhE

Wishing you every success.

Matt