Introduction

The Filmmaking & Storytelling Course is designed to help learners understand the art and craft of telling powerful stories through film. The course provides a balance of creative exploration and technical learning, guiding trainees from idea development to visual execution. Participants will learn how to craft compelling narratives, translate them into scripts, and bring them to life through camera, sound, and editing techniques.

Through hands-on projects, film screenings, and collaborative exercises, learners will gain a deep understanding of how storytelling drives every element of filmmaking—from concept to final cut. The course emphasizes Ethiopian and African perspectives, encouraging participants to connect global filmmaking techniques with local stories, cultures, and traditions. By the end of the course, trainees will have produced a short film that showcases their storytelling voice and technical foundation.

Trainee Requirements & Prerequisites

●     No prior filmmaking experience is required — a strong passion for storytelling and visual creativity is the main requirement.

●     Basic digital literacy, including familiarity with computers, smartphones, and online tools.

●     Ability to work collaboratively in small creative teams.

●     Commitment to attend all sessions, participate in discussions, and complete hands-on projects.

●     An openness to explore diverse storytelling perspectives, especially within Ethiopian and African contexts.

Overall Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Course, learners will be able to:

●     Understand and explain the core principles of visual and narrative storytelling.

●     Develop original story concepts and translate them into structured scripts.

●     Apply fundamental cinematography, lighting, and sound techniques to support storytelling.

●     Direct short scenes that communicate emotion, character, and theme effectively.

●     Edit short films using beginner-friendly software to create coherent and engaging stories.

●     Analyze Ethiopian, African, and global films to draw inspiration and storytelling techniques.

●     Collaborate effectively in production teams from concept to final output.

Training Delivery

●     Interactive workshops combining theory with hands-on practice in storytelling, directing, and filmmaking techniques.

●     Film screenings and group discussions to analyze narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling.

●     Practical exercises in camera work, lighting, sound recording, and editing to build technical confidence.

●     Collaborative short film projects that allow trainees to apply what they’ve learned in real production scenarios.

●     Peer review sessions and instructor feedback to enhance creative and technical growth.

●     Mentorship support from experienced filmmakers to guide idea development and project execution.

Tools & Equipment

●     Cameras: DSLR or smartphone cameras suitable for video recording.

●     Support Gear: Tripods, gimbals, LED lights, and reflectors.

●     Audio Equipment: Portable recorders, lavalier or shotgun microphones, and headphones for monitoring.

●     Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or CapCut (beginner-friendly options).

●     Scriptwriting Tools: Celtx, WriterDuet, or Google Docs for script development and formatting.

●     Production Accessories: Memory cards, hard drives, and USB storage for file management.

●     Optional Tools: AI-based creative tools (Runway, Pika, ChatGPT) for ideation, pre-visualization, and editing support.

Training Subject Areas

FM - 101 Introduction to Storytelling, Story Development

FM - 102 Scriptwriting Basics

FM - 103 Visual Storytelling

FM - 104 Pre-Production, Directing & Performance

FM - 105 Cinematography

FM - 106 Editing I

FM - 107 Editing II

FM - 108 Sound & Music

FM - 109 Capstone Film Completion

FM - 110 Screening & Showcase

Assessment Methods:

Assessments will include a combination of methods, where trainees submit exercises for evaluation to receive feedback or qualification.

●     Reading and implementation exercises.

●     Quizzes: formal and informal pop-up quizzes to gauge knowledge acquisition.

●     Case studies: real-world marketing scenarios with proposed solutions and strategies presented by students.

●     Assignments: individual take-home or in-class practical assignments to solidify understanding and develop campaign strategies.

●     Group projects: challenging students to develop digital marketing campaigns for a specific brand or product, enabling application and collaboration.

●     Periodic assessments: through the Zeleman Academy assessment module to measure trainee comprehension and qualify them for certification.

●     Follow-ups and feedback will be the main aspects to help trainees improve their understanding.

●     Final short film project with group presentation.

Certification Requirements:

●      At least 90% attendance.

●      Completion of all assignments.

●      Final project submission and screening.

Reference Resources

Books & Texts:

●     Cinematography: Theory and Practice – Blain Brown

●     Film Directing Fundamentals: See Your Film Before Shooting – Nicholas T. Proferes

●     Cut to the Chase: Forty-Five Years of Editing America’s Movies – Sam O’Steen

●     Designing Video and Multimedia for Open and Flexible Learning – Jack Koumi

Film & Video Examples:

●     Selected Ethiopian and African films for analysis

●     Global film case studies illustrating storytelling, cinematography, and editing techniques

Online Tutorials & Courses:

●     YouTube tutorials covering camera operation, lighting, sound, and editing software

●     Editing and post-production guides for beginner-friendly software (Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, DaVinci Resolve)

Software Guides & Tools:

●     Scriptwriting software (Celtx, WriterDuet, MS Word, Google Docs)

●     Editing software tutorials and workflow guides

Additional Materials:

●     Trainer-provided PDFs, templates, and production guides

●     Case studies, sample scripts, and exercises for practical application