Science, Computing and Photography

The course will be led by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Nigel Wattis, who has an MA in teaching media from the Institute of Education at University College London. Nigel has produced and directed over fifty one-hour documentaries for ITV, BBC and Channel 4, winning over twenty awards at festivals around the world. He has been a Series Producer for ITV and Channel 4, an Executive Producer and Head of Arts and Features for LWT and Granada Productions. He shoots many of his own broadcast films, is a keen amateur and underwater photographer and an early adopter of iPhone and iPad.

Course Requirements

You will need to provide your own iPhone (iPhone 4 or later) and/or iPad (iPad 2 or later). You should know your Apple username and password and ensure you have plenty of memory clear and available on your device (at least 3 or 4GB, preferably more).

Please make sure you have the application iMovie installed on your iPhone/Pad before arriving at Marlborough. (If it is not already installed, iMovie is available as a free download from Apple's App Store.)

This is a basic course, primarily intended for those with little or no experience of photography and/or filming with smartphones or tablets; however, it will be suitable for all except those wishing to concentrate solely on film making, who should attend the "Film making made simple with iPhone and iPad” course. The course may vary in speed and depth, depending on the requirements of participants, but will go something like this:

1. Monday

Introduction to the course and possibilities of equipment

The advantages and disadvantages of iPhones and iPads

Using the Camera app

Basic camera technique - focus, framing, positioning

Differences between traditional shooting and working with new technology

How to shoot better - different shots and their uses

2. Tuesday

Practical exercises

Coming to grips with the Photos app

Downloading and improving still photos

Sharing your photos with friends and relations.

3. Wednesday

Why use video?

Effective video shooting

Thinking in sequences

Filming rules and shooting tips

Practical filming exercise

4. Thursday

Viewing and selecting rushes.

Instruction in use of basic editing software.

Post production and editing

Using music and effects

5. Friday

Complete edit.

Final addition of music & effects as required.

Adding titles

Watch and discuss completed films.

Nigel Wattis

BAFTA MA

About Nigel

Nigel is a BAFTA-winning filmmaker, and also has an MA in teaching media from the Institute of Education at University College London. Nigel has produced and directed over fifty one-hour documentaries for ITV and Channel 4, winning over twenty other awards at festivals around the world. He has been a Series Producer for ITV and Channel 4, an Executive Producer and Head of Arts and Features for LWT and Granada Productions.