FAQ
Courses
OFVM run two main introductory production courses: Shooting Video and Introduction to Digital Video. Please note, filmmaking is in its very nature a collaborative business not an individual pursuit and both these courses involve participants working together. Another popular misconception amongst people new to filmmaking is that you must use one or other brand of camera, computer or software. To reflect Industry we use a variety of cameras, computer brands and software on these courses. We aim to teach you the craft of filmmaking, the principals of which you need to know before going on to specialise later. (Some brands use marketing techniques to newcomers saying they are the only professional filmmaking brand, this is simply not True!)
Shooting Video is our main digital video production course (we also run an intensive version called Shooting Break and a course aimed at people on benefits called Shooting Video Intensive), it concentrates on making a narrative based digital video production (i.e. a drama or a documentary). Typical reasons for students taking this course include: * They want a first taste of what professional film and TV production is like. * They aspire to make videos that tell a story. * They are (or will be) students of full-time media courses elsewhere want practical production experience) * They have a digital camera and want to add professional touch to family or holiday films, * They are an artist or have an artistic leaning. * They have photographic experience and want to try moving images. * They are looking to get into film school. * They are interested in narrative productions but what to develop their visual style. * The course will best suit people with reasonably good computer skills.
Introduction to digital video is a taster course, if you want to dip your toe in the water to see if it is for you. You won’t make a proper film together but you will do some practical shooting and editing sessions. It’s fun and much more laid back than Shooting Video. It is also less important to have good computer skills (although none of our courses are suitable for people who have no computer skills). Some people find it very useful to take this course because they want to improve their home videomaking techniques, however we cannot offer specific training on your own brands of camera and software, but instead seek to show the commonality that exists between all cameras and editing software. It is a great complementary course to Shooting Video, many people do Introduction to Digital Video followed by Shooting Video.
OFVM is near the Iffley Road where many of Oxfords Bed and Breakfasts are situated.
Bed and Breakfasts + Hotels
Browns B&B is very near and has cheaper (without en-suite) single rooms http://brownsguesthouse.co.uk/rooms
Oxford Tourist Information 01865 726871
Google – B and Bs + Hotels near OFVM with map
Hostels
Oxford YHA Youth Hostel 01865 727275
Budget Backpackers Hostel 01865 721987
Caravan/Campsites
Nearby campsite Oxford Campsite 01865 244088
Flats (usually by the week but they may do weekend?) jean.whaley@virgin.net 01865 241324
Film Oxford (full name, Oxford Film and Video Makers) is a registered charity which is grant aided by Oxford City Council,.All of its courses are subsidised and are well below similar commercial prices run in London and elsewhere.
People who can prove they are receiving some benefits can obtain an additional 50% discount on courses, however the criteria Shooting Video, Shooting Video Intensive, Reel Women and Shooting Break differs from the other Courses, this is due to differing the subsidy funding these courses receive.
For Shooting Video, Shooting Video Intensive, Reel Women and Shooting Break the only benefits acceptable are JSA and ESA. Proof must be a dated benefit letter in your name not more than 3 months old.
Shooting Video Intensive is a special introductory video production course for those on benefits. ( The course runs over two weeks, complies with JSA rules and is accredited. Students must usually reside in Oxfordshire. Benefit place 30 UKP.
We also aim to regularly run extra Shooting Video Intensive courses with various target groups (e.g. Women on benefits, Pensioners, Disabled groups etc.). These will be advertised on the web site and mailing list as they become available.
For all the other courses we 50% discount for people on benefits, proof required, (income support, JSA, ESA, Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit, pension credit (guarantee), asylum seeker, unwaged dependent of someone on these benefits, (unless the course page has different criteria listed).
See Main Courses page http://www.ofvm.org/training/
If you can see the course dates, on the main courses page of the Film Oxford web site, then there are places available for that course. Once a course becomes full, the course dates are replaced with “fully booked”
Yes; Film Oxford regularly does this please email Richard Duriez office@filmoxford.org for details or call him on 01865 792731
Non-Eu citizens with indefinite leave to remain can pay subsidised rate – proof required.
OFVM only runs part-time short courses; see each courses further info for dates and times. We run no full-time courses. We do not recommend someone travelling to Oxford just for one of our evening classes only, and suggest a full-time course may be more appropriate. (See BFI or National Film and TV School on our links page for other places offering courses.)
None of our courses will make you eligible for a UK student visa, to get a visa you must take a full-time class.
If however you are coming to Oxford (or nearby) anyway, perhaps to study at the university or other establishment or for a holiday, then you will be more than welcome. Prices are usually quoted for EU and non-EU citizens on the course page but contact OFVM via contact page if you have any questions
Due to a number of attempted fraudulent transactions we do not accept bookings from the following countries: Ukraine, Indonesia, Yugoslavia, Lithuania, Egypt, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, Russia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Israel, Iran, Cameroon, Gambia and Ghana
General
Film Oxford (OFVM) MISSION STATEMENT
Film Oxford aims to develop and maintain a community of skilled film makers in Oxfordshire through offering training, production support, networking opportunities and screening events. Underpinning our work is a commitment to equal opportunities and positively encouraging individuals from socially or economically marginalised groups.
OBJECTIVES
OFVM achieves the above through offering:
- a programme of training from entry level to advanced
- production and training advice
- a production bursary scheme
- regular networking opportunities with people from the industry
- an information service on film activities in the region
- a web based data base of skilled practitioners in the area.
- equipment hire at accessible rates
- project work with socially marginalised groups
- a production service for educational, charitable and local government bodies
- screening events
- support for local film festivals
- subsidised access for those on low income
sunset and vine APP – sports TV http://www.sunsetvine.co.uk/sunsetvineweb/
landmark films – TV Documentary - http://www.landmarkfilms.com/
Quicksilver – TV Documentary – http://www.quicksilvermedia.tv/
Mentorn – TV Documentary- http://www.mentorn.tv/get-in-touch/where-to-find-us.aspx
Silverlight – feature consultants – http://www.silverlightmedia.com/
basilisk – motion graphics – http://basilisk.co.uk/
moving target – documentary – http://www.movingtargetfilms.com/
Novel entertainment – childrens tv – http://www.novelentertainment.co.uk/
further afield
Pinewood studios group – http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/
bbc work placements https://jobs.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc03.asp?newms=info06
Film Oxford does not do this
A good cheap local duplication and transfer company we use is The Duplication Centre, they offer 10% off to Film Oxford users. http://www.theduplicationcentre.co.uk/
Also Computer assistance also acts as an agent for a company that does all sorts of transfers from current and long forgotten formats including super 8, Hi-8 or VHS to DVD. http://www.computerassistance.uk.com/ (I notice that Boswell’s in Oxford also do a similar thing).
For copying DVDs most home computers will do this – if yours doesn’t you can upgrade to a DVD burner for about £20 (again ask advice at Computer assistance). For copying the analogue formats like VHS, buy a usb analogue capture device, try Amazon I have seen several including one called easyCAP for 5.99 pounds including software.
The main company for all thing super 8 in the UK is the Widescreen Centre http://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/Catalogue/Motion_picture_division.html
Catch bus heading to Rosehill. Get off at Howard Street. Walk up Howard Street (outside a small co-op shop), Film Oxford is on Corner first on Left, on corner of Howard Street and Catherine Street (next to Community Garden).
Oxford Bus Company buses leave from Railways Station (Frideswide Square opposite Station entrance)
Oxford Bus Company – Route is no 3 , but make sure it is in RoseHill Direction (eastwards)
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=55
PDF Map
You can also get the number 5, Blackbird Leys bus which stops at the other end of Howard Street. However it is a slightly longer walk.
Stagecoach also have buses go from City Centre to Rosehill via Iffley Road (also route 3)
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/StagecoachBusMan/GetUpload.ashx?Id=28923
Although there are 2 main bus companies in Oxford (Oxford Bus Company & Stagecoach), a return ticket bought on one can be used on the other).
Oxford Rail Station – http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/OXF.html
24 hour london Bus The Oxford Tube leaves every 20 mins from central and west London including Marble Arch and Victoria.
Oxford Bus Company also has a similar bus called the X90
Yes we do!
Click here to join our emailing list (run by Mail Chimp)
If you have production, writing or acting skills why not enter them into our Talent and Crew database?
Filmmakers and production companies can search for those skills and offer you paid work, collaboration or work experience.
We want you to receive the best possible service from Film Oxford. If something happens that you’re not happy about, please let us know so we can try to deal with the problem.
We hope that most problems can be sorted out by talking to the member of staff concerned. But if that’s not possible, you can contact the Centre Director.
Your complaint should be in writing, so that we’ve got a record of it. Please write to the Centre Director at:
FILM OXFORD, 55 Catherine Street, Oxford OX4 3AH.
The Centre Director will look into your complaint and reply within seven working days.
If you need help to write your letter, please contact FILM OXFORD on 01865 792731 and we will put you in touch with someone who can help e.g. a local advice or information centre.
If you are unhappy with the Centre Director’s reply, you can contact the board of trustees of FILM OXFORD. Write to them at CHAIR OF TRUSTEES, FILM OXFORD (address above) and a trustee will look into your complaint.
If this does not resolve the problem then a panel of trustees will be set up to meet with you. The panel will normally be made up of two or three trustees. They will take appropriate professional advice and the decision of the panel will be final.
All complaints will be treated as confidential. However, if you make a complaint against a member of staff or a volunteer they will have the right to see all the documentation, including your letters.
We have a small car park at the back of Film Oxford (OFVM); the entrance is in Catherine St, if it becomes full there are no street parking restrictions in Catherine St and nearby streets. We also have bicycle rings along our wall.
There are quite a few places you can eat 5 minutes from Film Oxford.
Film Oxford is on the corner of Catherine Street and Howard Street.
If you walk down Howard Street (in same direction as one way traffic), you will come to a Local Co-op supermarket that sells snacks and sandwiches and has a free cash-point. There is also a nice Chip Shop (not open Sundays) and a small post office that sells snacks and sandwiches. If you walk up Howard Street the other way there is “The Everest” Nepalese restaurant.
If you travel down to the other end of Catherine Street (where it meets Magdalen Road), directly opposite is “The Rusty Bike Pub” which does meals and bar snacks. Just to the right of Catherine Street is Magic Cafe, which does home cooked vegetarian food (not open Sundays), and to the left is Oxfork (coffee shop and Cafe) and Cafe Couscous (Mediterranean cafe and freshly made sandwich takeaway).
Production
For details contact Production Development Manager Gary Shenton.
Film Oxford specialises in making productions for charities, NGOs, community organisations, local government and other non-commercial organisations. To discuss your needs email Gary Shenton production@filmoxford.org
or call him on 01865 792731
Join Film Oxford emailing list we regularly post out call from filmmakers seeking crew, cast, writers and collaborators. Also sign up Talent and Crew database.
You can also email our production development manager Gary Shenton.
Yes – send the a short advert to us (using the contact page) and we will send it around to our emailing list of over 900 local people interested in filmmaking.
Also check out our local Talent and Crew database.
Screenings
Film Oxford screen films in Oxford at Venues like the UPP, The Pegasus Theatre, The Phoenix Picturehouse and at Film Oxford its self. We also screen work at outdoors in local Parks and Summer Music Festivals in Leeds and Reading. We also screen work with other organisations around the County. Film Oxford also runs networking nights where a guest speaker comes and shows his work and answers questions. We are also looking to have more screenings at other venues and are always looking for new ideas. To be informed of all these events and more, make certain you join Film Oxford emailing list and regularly check the news section of the web site.
Film Oxford runs several screening opportunities for independent filmmakers. Priority is given to: work made by or supported by Film Oxford, filmmakers from Oxfordshire and neighbouring Counties and to films with a local connection.
Contact Gary Shenton
OFVM also screen work at Reading & Leeds Music festivals and we are interested in screening films that will that will play well to a music festival crowd. (e.g. Films that are short, snappy, fun and cool).
Contact Geron Swann