A 10-week hands-on film, media and production club exploring storytelling, filmmaking, theatre, performance and creative collaboration.

From Ideas to the Big Screen (and Beyond!)10-week Film & Media Production Lab

Start Date: Tuesday 8th September

Time: Tuesday mornings, 10am–1pm

Duration: 10 weeks

Location: House of Toad

Course Leader: Joanna Susskind

About the Course

Over 10 weeks, we’ll come together as a creative team to imagine, write, build and produce our own original show.

This is a hands-on filmmaking and theatre project where anything can happen. We’ll explore storytelling through casting, character development, scriptwriting, improvisation, music, voiceovers, filming, editing, green screen, special effects and lots of creative experimentation.

We’ll watch and recreate scenes from films we love, share ideas, jam together, try things out and follow the creative process wherever it takes us.

Everyone will have the chance to contribute — whether that’s performing, writing, directing, creating sound and music, designing visuals, working behind the camera or simply bringing ideas to life.

The project will be collaborative, playful and full of surprises, with the aim of creating our very own (small) production — in the form of a short film, a live performance, or a mixture of both — to share with an audience at House of Toad at the end of the programme.

Who Is This For?

House of Toad's Film & Media Lab is for adults aged 18+ who are passionate about creativity, film, theatre and storytelling, and who may benefit from extra encouragement, confidence-building and a supportive creative environment.

The group is particularly suited to people with learning difficulties, neurodivergence, autism, additional support needs, or anyone who has found traditional education, college, employment or mainstream creative spaces difficult to access.

We’re looking for people who are excited to collaborate, share ideas and become part of a creative team — people who may just need the right environment, encouragement and community to help their creativity flourish.

What Will We Explore?

Across the 10 weeks, participants will have the opportunity to explore:

Storytelling and developing original ideas

Scriptwriting

Character development and creation

Casting and performance

Improvisation

Rehearsing and directing

Filming and working behind the camera

Sound, music and voiceovers

Green screen

Editing

Visual design

Special effects

Recreating and experimenting with film scenes

Collaborative creative production

There’s no single way to be involved. You might want to be in front of the camera, behind it, writing, directing, creating sound or visuals — or helping shape the project through ideas and experimentation, or helping us build a set and props. It's your session!

The Final Production

Throughout the programme, the group will work together towards creating an original production to share with an audience at a final showcase at House of Toad.

The format will develop naturally through the ideas and interests of the group.

A Supportive Creative Space

The Lab is designed to be collaborative, playful and welcoming. It’s a space to experiment, build confidence, develop creative skills, meet people and be part of a creative community.

Participants should be able to take part independently within a group setting. We do not provide dedicated support workers or one-to-one care.

All facilitators hold PVG certificates and are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

Cost

Places are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis with a small booking fee of £5 here on Eventbrite to secure your space - the project is supported through House of Toad membership fees, volunteers and our commitment to making creative opportunities accessible.

Come along, bring your ideas, and help us make something amazing together!

Description supplied by the event organiser.