By Kavishna Wijesinghe
Filmmaking is undoubtedly a highly technical, visual, and emotionally demanding profession. While films are primarily about entertaining people, there is much to be learned about making them. Film education is taught mostly in film schools and universities to their students through various projects and hands-on experience; it is much of a practical subject and requires doing it in actual life to understand its intricacies and nuances.
While the curriculum usually varies based on the programme, students frequently receive the opportunity to learn from professionals in the film and television industries, as well as the ability to work on their own film projects and gain practical experience. Some topics (such as Directing I, Directing II, and so on) may be divided into many in-depth courses, which varies per school. Some argue that the best way to learn how to make films is to make films, as opposed to going to a film school. While it has its own truth, a film school provides students with the ability to network with fellow filmmakers, and learn about collaboration and the process of filmmaking through a structured approach.
Film schools
Attending a film school should provide you with a solid foundation in key courses that span all areas of filmmaking. Associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as master’s degrees and conservatory programmes, are commonly offered by film schools. However, in Sri Lanka, the span of film education, much like its industry, is still somewhat at an infant stage that is growing.
Some film schools operate independently, while others are part of a bigger university. Students get the chance to study about the fundamentals of filmmaking in film school. Producing, directing, art direction, cinematography, scripting, post-production work, and sound are some areas of study.
Film education in Sri Lanka
Whether it is about discussing social, historical, political, or environmental issues, film is one of the most exciting methods to engage with society and people. With such a diverse collection of concepts in films, it will elicit feelings, thoughts, and a general sense of wonder – which is why time and time again audiences flock to the movies. And if films are crafted by people with ample knowledge of the artform, there is no argument that the resulting motion picture is of standards.
While Sri Lankan iconic cinema began with Kadawunu Poronduwa (1947) directed by S.M. Nayagam, the industry has somewhat struggled in the times since then to find its place, and while film schools exist, hardly any of them offer insight and education beyond what prevails in the local scope. Neighbouring India produces north of 300 movies per year and now has productions that boast quality on par with international productions; a portion of that credit can be attributed to the prominence given to the diverse film education within the country.
There are a few film schools and universities that offer filmmaking degrees within the country, but with the art itself not receiving much coverage, a majority of the population are unaware of such institutions, and also the professional and technical aspects that go into the filmmaking process. Therefore, the recognition and awareness of film education is nearly non-existent.
However, with the advent of the internet, the younger generations are exposed to content produced outside the country and are aware of what level or standard of quality is expected from a film nowadays. And with more youngsters showing an interest in the art of filmmaking, their expectations of film education are also sky high. And this is where Junkyard Theory comes in.
Film education with Junkyard Theory
Junkyard Theory takes a unique approach to filmmaking by not only educating participants through film courses, but also by providing aspiring local filmmakers a platform to interact with international filmmakers and make connections. Junkyard Theory’s origin as a webinar series that hosted guests from Hollywood served as the bedrock for the subsequent online education platform that emerged earlier this year. Currently, while the courses are conducted online and are short term, there are plans to hold longer physical in-person sessions. And for every Junkyard Theory course, there is a guest masterclass.
We have had prominent industry professionals such as William Simpson, storyboard artist of the hit TV series Game of Thrones, teach a masterclass on storyboarding for the Film Production Development course. Writer/director Ashley Avis who recreated a modern retelling of the Black Beauty story for Disney+ was present at the Advanced Screenwriting course, provided first hand experience of what it is like to work with film studios, the various demands that come with creating a film for an audience, and also how a script evolves.
Junkyard Theory’s goal is not merely to instill the technicalities of film education, but to rather marry creativity with storytelling and impart that through hands-on activities and discussions with filmmakers. Our students are also encouraged to join hands with fellow students and find collaborators within the courses to create a community that thrives and supports itself from within.
Currently, Junkyard Theory has three running courses: Basic Screenwriting, Advanced Screenwriting, and Film Production Development. We are due to launch a few more later this year, so do keep an eye out on our social channels.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Junkyard Theory on 076 552 5380 or visit junkyardtheory.com.
Junkyard Theory is Sri Lanka’s first and only film education platform that brings on veteran filmmakers from Hollywood as guest speakers. Their webinars, hosted by Akash Sunethkumara, have been recognised on industry sites such as ‘No Film School’, and the team now runs film courses for upcoming filmmakers in the country.
Filmmaking is undoubtedly a highly technical, visual, and emotionally demanding profession. While films are primarily about entertaining people, there is much to be learned about making them. Film education is taught mostly in film schools and universities to their students through various projects and hands-on experience; it is much of a practical subject and requires doing it in actual life to understand its intricacies and nuances.
While the curriculum usually varies based on the programme, students frequently receive the opportunity to learn from professionals in the film and television industries, as well as the ability to work on their own film projects and gain practical experience. Some topics (such as Directing I, Directing II, and so on) may be divided into many in-depth courses, which varies per school. Some argue that the best way to learn how to make films is to make films, as opposed to going to a film school. While it has its own truth, a film school provides students with the ability to network with fellow filmmakers, and learn about collaboration and the process of filmmaking through a structured approach.
Film schools
Attending a film school should provide you with a solid foundation in key courses that span all areas of filmmaking. Associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as master’s degrees and conservatory programmes, are commonly offered by film schools. However, in Sri Lanka, the span of film education, much like its industry, is still somewhat at an infant stage that is growing.
Some film schools operate independently, while others are part of a bigger university. Students get the chance to study about the fundamentals of filmmaking in film school. Producing, directing, art direction, cinematography, scripting, post-production work, and sound are some areas of study.
Film education in Sri Lanka
Whether it is about discussing social, historical, political, or environmental issues, film is one of the most exciting methods to engage with society and people. With such a diverse collection of concepts in films, it will elicit feelings, thoughts, and a general sense of wonder – which is why time and time again audiences flock to the movies. And if films are crafted by people with ample knowledge of the artform, there is no argument that the resulting motion picture is of standards.
While Sri Lankan iconic cinema began with Kadawunu Poronduwa (1947) directed by S.M. Nayagam, the industry has somewhat struggled in the times since then to find its place, and while film schools exist, hardly any of them offer insight and education beyond what prevails in the local scope. Neighbouring India produces north of 300 movies per year and now has productions that boast quality on par with international productions; a portion of that credit can be attributed to the prominence given to the diverse film education within the country.
There are a few film schools and universities that offer filmmaking degrees within the country, but with the art itself not receiving much coverage, a majority of the population are unaware of such institutions, and also the professional and technical aspects that go into the filmmaking process. Therefore, the recognition and awareness of film education is nearly non-existent.
However, with the advent of the internet, the younger generations are exposed to content produced outside the country and are aware of what level or standard of quality is expected from a film nowadays. And with more youngsters showing an interest in the art of filmmaking, their expectations of film education are also sky high. And this is where Junkyard Theory comes in.
Film education with Junkyard Theory
Junkyard Theory takes a unique approach to filmmaking by not only educating participants through film courses, but also by providing aspiring local filmmakers a platform to interact with international filmmakers and make connections. Junkyard Theory’s origin as a webinar series that hosted guests from Hollywood served as the bedrock for the subsequent online education platform that emerged earlier this year. Currently, while the courses are conducted online and are short term, there are plans to hold longer physical in-person sessions. And for every Junkyard Theory course, there is a guest masterclass.
We have had prominent industry professionals such as William Simpson, storyboard artist of the hit TV series Game of Thrones, teach a masterclass on storyboarding for the Film Production Development course. Writer/director Ashley Avis who recreated a modern retelling of the Black Beauty story for Disney+ was present at the Advanced Screenwriting course, provided first hand experience of what it is like to work with film studios, the various demands that come with creating a film for an audience, and also how a script evolves.
Junkyard Theory’s goal is not merely to instill the technicalities of film education, but to rather marry creativity with storytelling and impart that through hands-on activities and discussions with filmmakers. Our students are also encouraged to join hands with fellow students and find collaborators within the courses to create a community that thrives and supports itself from within.
Currently, Junkyard Theory has three running courses: Basic Screenwriting, Advanced Screenwriting, and Film Production Development. We are due to launch a few more later this year, so do keep an eye out on our social channels.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Junkyard Theory on 076 552 5380 or visit junkyardtheory.com.
Junkyard Theory is Sri Lanka’s first and only film education platform that brings on veteran filmmakers from Hollywood as guest speakers. Their webinars, hosted by Akash Sunethkumara, have been recognised on industry sites such as ‘No Film School’, and the team now runs film courses for upcoming filmmakers in the country.