Creating Film Projects from Scratch

Want to launch your own film project but not sure where to start? In this online course, filmmaker Sergio Castro San Martín teaches you how to prepare a director’s folder for a fiction film, documentary, short film, or TV series based on an original idea. Sergio has directed films like La Mujer de Barro, screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and Berlinale, and TV series such as La Jauría, on Amazon Prime.

Using a full-length film as a reference, learn to identify and develop the fundamental concepts required to meet audiovisual industry standards and compile them into a director's folder, which you can use to present future projects in international markets, at film festivals, and even to investors.

Sergio Castro starts the course by telling you a bit about himself and how he became a fiction and documentary film director. He also shares his biggest influences and sources of inspiration.

Next, explore your own influences and interests, and discover techniques to help you find ideas for your project. Learn the fundamentals of storytelling to piece together a narrative based on your vision as a director, composing the tagline and storyline.

Follow up by writing a letter of motivation that explains what sets your film apart from the rest. Then draft a script and start building the universe for your project, complete with characters and locations.

To tie everything together, Sergio teaches you how to create a convincing audiovisual proposal with the most representative images from your mood board and design a professional-looking director's folder. Wrap up the course by learning about the film industry's standards and how to successfully pitch your ideas to get backing for your project.

Prepare a director's folder with all the essential elements for your film or audiovisual project, which you can present in international markets, at festivals, and even to investors.

Anyone with an inclination towards art, literature, or film who is interested in and motivated by the idea of telling stories through an audiovisual lens.

No previous experience in film projects is necessary for this course. All you need are a few tools like a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, and any program that allows you to work with text and images, like PowerPoint.