Review: Sparks Film School

An interview with young filmmaker Molly, a Studio 3 film student with Sparks Film School Derbyshire North

Can you tell me about when you first joined Sparks Film School? What was it like?

I had just left one of my old drama clubs because sadly it had to stop. So one of my friends recommended Sparks to me. When I joined, I had loads of fun and everybody was really kind and welcoming on the first day and I loved it.

What first interested you about filmmaking?

I was really interested in drama, but I started to get more interested in how films are actually made behind the scenes. I wanted to learn how to make films and look at the process behind them. I really enjoy all aspects of filmmaking with Sparks, from the camera to the acting on screen in a scene, I love it all.

How would you say your filmmaking has developed over your time with Sparks Film School? What kind of things have you learned about?

Firstly, I’ve learned how to properly use a camera! I have also learnt a lot about where the camera goes with different shot types and framing techniques, and where to put it to make sure the scene looks as great as it can.

We have also recently been looking at breaking the fourth wall in our weekly filmmaking workshops. This is where someone is talking to the camera and the audience like they are actually breaking through the camera and like they know they are in a film. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the fourth wall this term.

What has been your favourite Sparks production you have worked on?

Definitely The Hungry Games!

The film was about a group of friends who are all really hungry, so they find a magical portal which takes them to a place where they have to compete to win loads of food!

I enjoyed how we came up with The Hungry Games as we went along. We came up with the idea of someone being hungry and finding the portal, then as the production process continued we agreed on who was doing what role on set. For example, who was in the cast and who was head screenwriter etc. It was a really fun process.

Watch Molly’s favourite film production, The Hungry Games.

Tell me about some other films you have made with Sparks?

I think the first ever film I made was called Astroturf. It’s about astronauts that go into space, and there are good aliens and evil aliens. The good aliens try to help them escape the moon, but the evil aliens try to start a fight because the astronauts littered on the moon. The astronauts manage to escape the moon in time though. I’ve worked on some really great films with Sparks and love it.

Tell me about some of the filmmaking techniques you have been focusing on this term?

Well, we have been looking at how to make worlds and characters that aren’t real and are imaginary, sound and feel like they could be real.

We have been looking a lot at world-building this term so, for example, we recently came up with a space-themed world where the fast food restaurants were called McSpaceys. This helped the world we made sound more real.

What advice would you have for younger filmmakers or other children interested in joining Sparks Film School or learning more about filmmaking?

I’d say you don’t need to worry! If you want to go and act, then go and act because you don’t need to worry about how it looks on camera or what everyone else is doing. Just do your best and remember there is nothing to worry about because you can always try again if you mess up or make a mistake!

Molly attends the Sparks Film School weekly classes in Derbyshire. 

Contact Deb at DerbyshireNorth@sparksarts.co.uk