First Cut! is thrilled to welcome back Póca Productions, who will present a free 2-day workshop online where you will learn industry-standard skills and techniques necessary to plan, film and edit your short film (Max 60 secs) using the technology and software available on your smartphone.

Course Content

The course includes two workshops: Smartphone Filmmaking and Smartphone Editing

In the Smartphone Filmmaking you will learn:

– to optimise the camera settings on your smartphone
– to prepare a short script to tell your One Change story
– to create a storyboard
– to use your smartphone to record both video and audio effectively

In the Smartphone Editing you will learn:

– to cut and splice video clips to create a story according to your planned storyboard
– to add voiceover
– to add copyright free music
– to add text and end credits

Workshop Dates: Saturday 5th & Sunday 13th March 2022
Times: 11am – 1pm
Suitable for ages: 14-18yrs

How to Apply

Email firstcutfestinfo@gmail.com with the following info to apply, spaces limited to 12 participants. Closing date to apply: Friday 25th February.

• Name
• Address
• Age/Date of Birth
• Contact number
• A couple of lines about why you want to join this workshop

The short films participants make will be shared on the FCYFF website on our soical media platforms.

About Póca Productions 

Póca Productions is a training organisation dedicated to teaching video production skills using the technology and software available on a smartphone. With 25+ years in the education sector and experience of running their own successful video production business Camilla and Kieran have combined their two passions to illustrate how video/film production can be accessible to all. Using industry standard techniques applied to our everyday mobile devices they have been delivering Smartphone Video Training to public and private sector organisations since 2017.

Through their Future Filmmakers programmes Póca Productions have delivered smartphone filmmaking courses to groups of budding young filmmakers for Cruinniú na nÓg, Rathmullan Film Festival, Disappear Here Film Festival and WainFest, Making Film History and First Cut! Youth Film Festival 2020.

In 2020 they collaborated with the Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny in training children from Derry, Tyrone and Donegal in smartphone documentary-making skills in preparation for the children’s involvement in documentary Border Stories, by Keith O’Grady.