In 2008 Malcolm Gladwell published an influential book Outliers in which he unveiled his ten thousand hours rule for the first time.
What is an outlier? According to one dictionary definition, an outlier is ‘something that is situated away from or classed differently from a main or related body’. Kind of the definition of an independent filmmaker, isn’t it?
And Gladwell’s book examines what it takes to be a genius. At the same time, he deconstructs the commonality between genius’ of different fields. For example, Mozart started composing a the age of eleven but wrote nothing masterful until he was twenty-three – more than ten years late.
By examining the lives of a multitude of genius Gladwell discovered that what they shared in common was each had diligently concentrated on their particular skill for about ten thousand hours before they got really really good.
In the clip below, Gladwell discusses how the Beatles played live together more than 1200 times before they broke into America in 1964. And the reason? Because they were determined to undertake meaningful work.They were willing to throw their heart and mind into something they believed in – and then they were able to get something back.
Malcolm Gladwell explains it much better here:
How much time are you prepared to devote to what you love? Are you prepared to undertake ten thousand hours of meaningful work to make your dream come true?
Here are some Raindance ideas for your ten thousand hours:
Your first 100 days as a filmmaker
[500+ hours]
A step by step guide, almost a daily diet of activities you can undertake to start honing your craft.
Some Raindance film course ideas
Here are some of our mouth-watering film classes. Remember – we don’t teach filmmaking. We make filmmakers. and that’s going to take ten thousand hours.
Postgraduate Film Degree
[1800 – 3,000 hours]
You’ve heard about our revolutionary Postgraduate Film Degree? Drop in for an evening chat on how this revolutionary programme could enhance your filmmaking career.
MA Info Session 10 January 6pm-7pm [1 hour] Register for a free place here
BTEC Level 5 HND in Moving Image
[1800- 3,000 hours]
Do you want to get practical? And get writing scripts and producing and directing shorts and documentaries? Then this is the course for you. Two days a week, thirty weeks a year for two years. In person at Raindance Film Centre, London. Find out more
Taster Day Saturday 5 April 11am-3pm + Networking drinks
[6 hours]
OK, so you’ve heard that Raindance doesn’t teach filmmakers, we make filmmaking. This is your chance to meet the filmmakers who will teach you how to become a filmmaker. Eight taster tutorials PLUS a drink on us. All for a fiver (Or free for Raindance Members) Bag a ticket here
99 Minute Film School 21 May 6:30pm-8:30pm
[2 hours]
You can’t learn filmmaking in an evening, can you? Let us try to teach you with Raindance founder Elliot Grove taking you behind the black curtain. Just £25 or free for members.
Find out more here
Directing Essentials 23 May 6:30pm-8:30pm
[2 hours]
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a film director this is it! Take this short, sharp class on film directing basics. Just £25 or free for members.
Find out more here
Saturday Film School 5 April 10am-5pm
[8 hours]
This is the one-day introductory film class everyone is talking about. Taken by over 15,000 wannabee’s since it’s launch a few years ago. If you’ve wanted to write, produce or direct a film, this is a must. With Elliot Grove and Patrick Tucker
Just £150 or £59 for Raindance members.
Register online here
[16 hours]
Raindance Foundation Certificates – London
Six different evening classes – five nights each. Pick your poison and specialise!
Filmmaker’s Foundation Certificate
[30 hours including assignments]
Writing, directing, no-budget producing all explained in this information-packed evening session.
Want more?
Writer’s Foundation Certificate begins January 23rd
[30 hours including assignments]
Learn how to take that idea for a movie out of your head and onto paper in five Wednesday nights.
Don’t procrastinate!
Directors Foundation Certificate
[30 hours including assignments]
The basics of film directing. Learn how film directors look at a screenplay, cast and work with actors, direct the shoot and oversee the editing process.
Learn how to join this class here
Producers’ Foundation Certificate
[30 hours including assignments]
In filmmaking it’s about getting the script, then getting the money. Getting the money means getting the paperwork together. Learn how to create the business plan, plan the legal contracts, prepare the budget and schedule and finally how to get the money. Find out how.
Documentary Foundation Certificate
[30 hours including assignments]
If you’re interested in causes or issues of social justice then learning how to create and monetise a documentary might be the route for you. Documentary filmmaking is hotter than hot right now. Don’t be left sitting on the sidelines. Get some.
Technical Foundation Certificate
[30 hours including assignments]
Learn the basics of editing, sound, lighting, shooting with DSLR, and low budget special effects in five single evening classes. Take them all, or take the one(s) that interest you. Let Raindance’s professional tutors help you demystify the technical side of filmmaking. Get some.
Raindance Special Events
Boozin’ n’ Schmoozin’ – Second Monday of every month
[Many hours – networking is such an important part of your career]
This is our monthly networking event, free to members. It’s a chance to pick up cast and crew or commit yourself to someone else’s project. Or just get drunk and exchange business cards. Suit yourself.
Of course, this is not all that’s going on between now and the end of 2019. We’ve got countless more courses, events, talks, workshops and networking parties to get through. You can really build up your ten thousand hours. To see them all, check out the tab on the right-hand side of the page here or take a look at our super-packed London Calendar.
We hope to see you at a Raindance event soon! And remember: make 2019 yours. Kick yourself into filmmaker!
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world?
- In London Raindance Film School offers HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting?
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of benefits
- Let Raindance guide you on your filmmaking pathway. call +44 (0) 207 930 3412 or email filmschool@raindance.ac.uk
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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