In line with our policy of continuous improvement and in response to our Associates and our Industry we offer an extended range of professional training courses, tailored to participants needs, income and competence levels and supported by the best and most comprehensive range of professional facilities in the region.

With a 250K recent investment we offer the latest equipment and industry software, from DVCam, HDV Z1 and BetaSX camcorders to non-linear edit suites / Quad intel Xeon with Final Cut Pro HD or Media 100 broadcast & all digital formats up to BetaSX, DigiBeta and D3 as well as access to comprehensive duplication and exhibition facilities.

Our trainee to tutor and equipment ratios are kept low, all courses are production-based providing genuine practice. Our qualified technician/tutors are Industry practitioners, so we keep at the cutting edge of digital technology. WFA is a well established BECTU branch and an approved City & Guilds centre of 18 years standing, we offer national diplomas and unit credits at level 3 and 4.

We also offer tailor-made courses and further advanced tuition to suit individual or group requirements and Training the Trainers packages as well as a consultancy service in all aspects of New Media Production, distribution and exhibition.

The courses with a BSL logo have some free places and a British Sign Language Interpreter for Deaf participants, subject to a minimum of 4 trainees.

A working knowledge of computers is essential to attend all WFA software courses.

Click on the boxes below for course information

2 day introduction to digital video production skills

2 Day Introduction to Digital Video (DV) Production Skills

Aimed at new users or to update your practice this intensive course covers essential tools & techniques to plan, shoot and edit a short film, using professional 3 CCD camcorders and Mac Final Cut Pro edit software, from concept to finished programme. Familiarity with operating a computer is essential and is desirable with Apple Mac.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B : £190, Rate C : £280

2 day introduction to final cut pro

2 Day Introduction to Final Cut Pro

Aimed at new or recent users of digital editing, the course gives participants hands on practice and will cover: setting up a film project, file management, log & capture, using the canvas, timeline and tools, editing clips, transitions and effects, mastering. Familiarity with operating a computer is essential & is desirable with Apple Mac.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £190, Rate C: £280

2 day lighting skills for video and chromakey

2 Day Lighting Skills and Chromakey

Using professional DV camcorders, participants learn the tools and techniques of 3 / 4 point lighting and of Chromakey in a fully equipped blue screen studio as well as using Macs for compositing their work with Final Cut Pro. Previous practice with non linear edit systems is essential.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £240, Rate C: £320

1 day tapeless work flow (new course)

1 Day Tapeless Work Flow

New skills are required throughout the production process in dealing with file based acquisition. With practical hands on, providing an overview of tapeless technologies from camera to distribution for practitioners upgrading to the latest high speed tapeless devices.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £120, Rate C: £160

1 day dvd studio pro

1 Day DVD Studio Pro

Designed to give practitioners an overview of the functionality, processing and compressions available on this professional software so as to enable construction, formatting and burning of quality DVDs.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £120, Rate C: £160

2 day location sound recording and mixing for video

2 Day Location Sound Recording for Video

Quality sound is essential to our film craft and avoids major & costly problems at post production. Designed for intermediate/advanced practitioners to develop their skills in field sound recording. Covers microphone types/placement & monitoring, basic sound theory, ENG audio mixers & recording techniques.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £240, Rate C: £320

10 day digital short film production + C&G Certificate

Short Film Production
10 Days, City & Guilds Unit Credit 326, Level 3

A hands on, production based course designed to develop skills and competences to make short digital video films from concept to final DVD. Suitable as a refresher or for new / recent users of DV camcorders & Mac Final Cut Pro editing software. A full description is available upon request.

On successful completion a C&G National Certificate for Unit 326 is awarded. WFA is an approved Centre

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £760, Rate C: £1,120

advanced and tailor made courses

Advanced and Tailor made Courses

Courses can be designed & delivered to meet your requirements following a training needs analysis.

Cost ex VAT: 1 day, Rate B: £190, Rate C: £280,

Cost ex VAT: 2 day, Rate B: £380, Rate C: £760

1 day introduction to photoshop

You will work with the tools and features to edit images in Photoshop CS and learn to make the most of this powerful package. This intensive course covers: basic concepts, overview of tools, viewing documents, colour modes, working with text, making selections, paint tools & basic image manipulation.

Cost ex VAT: RateB: £90 Rate C: £160

1 day introduction to flash

Flash is a powerful programme for creating interactive websites and animations.
The course gives the basics to design your own project and covers: working with graphics, adding animations, interactivity, movie clips, adding audio and video, publishing Flash documents.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B: £90 Rate C: £160

introduction to model animation

This 1 day introduction gives you an overview of the processes used in model animation. Covers the principles of creating and lighting a set, using stop motion capture, creating models. Software used: Adobe premiere.

Cost ex VAT: Rate B £90, Rate C £160