Sorry, but this course has now closed:
We have left this information here, so you can see what type of course we may be running during 2024.
Please Note: We may not run all our film courses on the Isle of Mull.
Course Location:
Just what can we tell you about the Isle of Mull… this is the island where it all started. Our very first course was run here 15 years ago, way back in 2007 and to date we have now run 36 courses on the island and its surrounding smaller Isles, and we can honestly say, long will it remain to be one of the jewels in the wildlife filming calendar of the United Kingdom.
The whole island is such an amazing place that we think you could run a wildlife film school here and never leave the island. From the coral beaches, to the vast shingle mud flats in the sea lochs, from the sea lochs themselves to the range of mountains in the centre of the island, and from the major diversities between the north of the island and the Ross of Mull in the south, anyone visiting here will never be short of locations in which to film.
The Natural History of the Isle of Mull:
The Isle of Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, after Skye, lying off the west coast of Scotland. Mull is also the fourth largest Scottish island and the fourth largest island surrounding Great Britain. Mull has a coastline of approximately 300 miles that is made up on many coves and inlets but mainly 4 large peninsulas which are predominantly moorland, radiate from the centre and sea lochs. Mull has a mountainous core, the highest peak being Ben More, which reaches over 900 meters. The waters around Mull are affected by the Gulf Stream, which in turn brings coral sands with it making some of Mulls many beaches, some of the best in the world.
The island is home to hundreds of types of birds including the White-tailed Eagle, which when re-introduced in the nearby Island of Rum migrated to Mull, where it now has a stronghold; as well as several other birds of prey such as Hen Harriers, Golden Eagles and Short Eared Owl, which are all difficult to see elsewhere in the UK. …and the best of all, we have now been filming here for so long, we know where they all live.
The island is one of the primary locations in the UK for seeing some of Britain´s more elusive wildlife species. I have personally seen Basking sharks and dolphins from the coast. The island is also home to a large and thriving population of Otters that live in many coastal habitats, and can often be seen hunting during the day, we have been filming on Mull for so long now that we can guarantee that you will film these delightful little guys during your time on Mull.
Course Dates:
This 2-week wildlife film course will be running from: (TBA)
This will be a practical course and you will need to be on the Isle of Mull for the full duration of the course.
Course Closing Date:
You need to have booked and paid for this course before (TBA), to be able to attend this course.
This course is booked on a ´First-come, First-served´ basis, so it is highly recommended that you book early to secure your place. You will not be able to book on this course after this date.
Course Timetable:
Day 1: Introduction to film production equipment / filming on location
Day 2: Introduction to film production equipment / filming on location
Day 3: Filming on location
Day 4: Filming on location
Day 5: Filming on location
Day 6: Filming on location
Day 7: Filming on location
Day 8: Filming on location
Day 9: Filming on location
Day 10: Editing in the field
Day 11: Editing in the field
Day 12: Editing in the field
(All above dates are approximate)
Course Outline:
You do not need to have any previous film experience to attend the course. (However a basic understanding about how the principles of how a lens works, as well as shutter speeds and exposure will help you)
We can guarantee that even this short period of filming / working on location will give you an unprecedented amount of time for you to improve your camera skills in a remote location. Mull truly is the best location in the UK to both see and film wildlife.
This 2-week long practical film course will be operating out of basecamp situated on the island. Each day will consist of filming out on location and looking through rushes to critique your work during the evening.
We will spend the first two days instructing you in the use of the cameras, production/grip equipment, audio recording equipment and editing equipment; by undertaking various filming tasks throughout the day. The last three days of your course will be spent editing your final film.
We will take you through the whole process of film production from start to finish including; script ideas, production ethics, script writing, presenter and voiceover-led productions, filming on location, recording audio on location and editing on location, as well as all necessary logistics and camp-craft requirements to allow you to be able to successfully work in such a remote environment. You will be tasked to complete a complete short wildlife film during this course. This course is designed to give you a practical experience into using a camera and long lens systems, recording audio in the field and editing on location.
This course will have a maximum of 4 students working from a Land Rover. The Land Rover will have a wildlife guide/driver, with the students occupying the rest of the vehicle. The Land Rover will carry everything logistical we need for our time on the Isle of Mull; as well as 4K cameras and a selection of lenses, a DJI Ronin MX hand-held camera stabilisation system, Tilta G2X DSLR one-handed camera gimbal, DJI Osmo, Konova K7 Slider for time-lapse photography/film, plus a selection of various grip, tripod and support equipment.
During the whole of your course we will working out of a tented basecamp; which will have electrical power via a petrol generator. For your comfort each student will have your own 2-man mountain tent.
Number of Students:
To minimise our impact on the ground in reference to the size of our base-camps, there is a maximum of 4 students permitted on this course.
How to Book:
To pay the booking deposit or fully book on this course please see our Booking Page
The course will take you through all the stages of –
Production:
• Initial program / script ideas & brainstorming
• Script writing
• Production ethics
• Presenter lead programming
• Presenters’ scripting
• Animal observation & tracking
• Filming on location
• Filming a Presenter on location
• Sound recording on location
• Video editing on location
• Audio editing on location
• Production of final film / documentary
• All necessary logistics & camp-craft
Field-Craft:
(We will also cover the elements below at various points during the course (Time Permitting))
• Locating / tracking Animals
• Map & compass work
• Navigation overland without a map
• Route planning
• Camp placement & orientation
• Base camp management
• Water management & sanitation
• Emergency procedures & actions
Course Fees & Equipment:
The course fees for our 2-week ‘Wildlife Film Production’ on The Isle of Mull will be (TBA) per student
Plus an Equipment Damage Waiver of (TBA) per student
As part of your course fees we will supply you with:
• All 4K camera equipment
• All ‘on location’ production equipment
• All ‘on location’ 4K editing equipment
• All basecamp tents and equipment
• All staff and instruction
• All vehicles and transportation overland required during your course
To apply for the paperwork to book on this course please – Click here
For more information on the Equipment Damage Waiver – Click here
Please Note:
• All of the Wildlife Film School courses are booked on a ‘First-come, First-served’ basis, so it is highly recommended that you book early to secure your place.
• You are not able to book after the ‘closing date’ of that course.
• Flights to and from the UK are not included in your course fees as our students fly in from many different destinations around the world.
