BFI Film Academy Art Department Camp

The BFI Specialist Course will give you an insight into the role of the Art Department, and give you your first steps into a career in film.

This is a week-long residential programme based in Bristol, led by Martha Baines (Beauty and the Beast, People Just Do Nothing and The World’s End). It’s open to all 16 – 19 year olds based in the UK, who are looking to learn about and get hands-on experience of life in an Art Department for film and high-end TV (shows like Sex Education, Euphoria, The Crown.)

The BFI Art Department Camp takes place during February half term, from 10th to 16th February 2024. You’ll spend the week living in Bristol’s creative hub, where you’ll stay in the YHA – a fantastic converted warehouse on the Bristol harbourside, next to the Arnolfini gallery.

During the day, we’ll be based at Boomsatsuma‘s Skyline Park Studios – a film and television studio set up by Boom Satsuma for students to learn about the art department.

Here, you’ll work in teams to create designs for a brief based on a real HETV script. You’ll learn key skills in software like Sketch Up and Photoshop as well as creating designs, props and dressing for your own real set.  We’ll film your group’s creations with actors performing and we’ll share it with an invited audience at a celebration event at the Cube Cinema.

When we’re not in the main studio, there will be workshops and talks from leading industry professionals such as Production Designer Sarah Hauldren (Gosford Park, Elizabeth, The Spanish Princess and The Pirates) and Prop and Modelmaker Laurens Nockels from Mangostone (Star Wars, Assassins Creed, Beauty & The Beast, and The Nutcracker).

Previous participants of our industry camps have gone on to gain work experience with internationally renowned production companies such as Warner Bros and Aardman Animations. Many applicants have also gone on to further study at the Arts University Bournemouth, California Institute of the Arts, and the University of the West of England.