through the lens

POETIC FILMMAKING
create filmed stories using your mobile phone
led by filmmaker ROBERT AITKEN
no previous experience needed
POETIC FILM SCHOOL
SCREEN ARTS PROVISION
for everyone
supporting communities to deliver accessible screen arts training, diverse screenings and cultural film festivals
POETIC FILM SCHOOL
New Masterclasses Training Days 2025
single days • grouped days • 3 x day courses
SMARTPHONE FILMMAKING: Introduction
Covered - Tutorials on how to get the best out of your mobile phone camera as a filmmaking tool
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced a Reveal Shot on their mobile phone
SMARTPHONE FILMMAKING: Intermediate
Covered - Learn to write, storyboard and film a story from scratch musing your mobile phone
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced a Micro-Film using their mobile phone
WRITING FOR SCREEN
Covered - Learn to devise a film concept, logline and flesh out a synopsis for screen
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have written a film synopsis
SCULPTING WITH LIGHT
Covered - Learn how natural light and shadows can be used creatively in creating images and film
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced their own Lighting Manual
BREAKING THE RULES
Covered - Understand the rules of film & image composition and how to break them creatively
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced their own Rules Manual
EDITING FOR SCREEN
Covered - Learn how to use a variety of Screen Arts editing techniques
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced their own Editing Manual
AUDIO & MUSIC FOR SCREEN
Covered - Learn the art of adding audio, narration and music to images
Achieved- By the end of the day participants will have produced their own Audio & Music Manual
Film-training for all ages and abilities:

Young People - Smartphone filmmaking can be a great way to develop young people’s creativity
Adults - Learn new techniques to get the most from your phone as a filmmaking tool

Creatives - Mastering essential filmmaking techniques is pivotal for aspiring filmmakers
ABOUT POETIC FILM SCHOOL
Poetic Film School was born over five years ago with a vision to seed a new wave of Screen Art creators from the far north Highlands of Scotland. Poetic Film School is rooted in the people-place relationship and cultural legacy of Sutherland & Caithness - ’this place has shaped people’.
We have developed a truly one-of-a-kind training programme openly bringing Screen Arts training to people of all ages and abilities; from first-time enthusiasts to experienced creators. We work with a range of venues & specialists, all who help people develop new stories and narratives about their own locality. If we had a motto it might well be - ’to tell modern stories in an ancient landscape’.
Poetic Film School is about creating an environment and energy that makes visual story through Screen Arts feel alive and relevant to how we live. We offer an exciting range of training days, courses and topical films to screen from our own easy access licensing library for your perusal.
WHAT THEY SAID:
“I wanted to learn make films for my work as a writer, artist and educator....” CM
"I've had a story in my head for years needing to get out..." CF
"Entertaining, emotive, at times funny and relaxing as well as enlightening..." SB
"I found the course very enjoyable, very informative... it was inspiring..." IM
"I have attended a lot of courses on a lot of subjects in a lot of countries and I found this course to be one of the best..." JA
POETIC
FILM
SCHOOL
Selection of still images from recent film-training workshops delivered across the far North. These are examples of ‘Advanced Day’ workshop ‘Micro-Films’ -

A one minute film written, filmed and edited with audio, all created using only the participant’s smartphone.
WHAT WE HAVE DELIVERED TO DATE

SUTHERLAND & CAITHNESS SCREEN ARTS TRAINING PROGRAMME
supporting communities to deliver accessible
screen arts training, diverse screenings and cultural film festivals
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Creative Scotland (Screen Scotland) funded training days in delivering accessible screen education, diverse screenings and cultural film festivals across the far North Highlands as Sutherland and Caithness Screen Arts.
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Delivery of the ‘In-Between Place Film Festival’ and the highly acclaimed ecopoetic film ‘The Dreaming Bog’ across the Highlands, Scotland and Finland.
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Q&A sessions and audience engagement events with our multidisciplinary film team of artists, writers, historians, climatologists, and anthropologists, etc.
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Smartphone filmmaking workshops and courses with Lyth Arts Centre, Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, Lairg Learning Centre, Skerray Community and Timespan Museum, etc.
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Micro-Film Festival for Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland 2023, at Lairg and District Learning Centre and Highland & Islands Climate Hub.
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Over fifty screenings, film training events, and conferences across Scotland and International.
To arrange training or a screening event in your area please contact myself directly.
Robert Aitken

Poetic Film School
© Robert Aitken & Robert Aitken Filmproduction