the
Forge
by levelup learning
24 FILMMAKERS | 12 DAYS | 1 LOCATION | ∞ LEARNING
World’s
first residency program for filmmakers, screenwriters, actors
and storytellers that teaches you how to create your very own shortfilm
Craft
your
Welcome to an extraordinary filmmaking experience, presented by LevelUp Learning. the Forge is a creative boot camp for aspiring filmmakers, creators, and storytellers where in 10 days we teach you filmmaking hands-on and mentor you to create your very own short film.
cinema
cinema
cinema
the essence of
Forge
collaborate
your
creative
Playground
the
location
setting
&
The second edition is set to take place in North Goa. Goa is known as the paradise of India and is no stranger to beautiful feature film shoots.
Our Villa in Goa offers scenic indoor and outdoor shooting locations perfect for us to co-create your very own shortfilm.
Indulge in the paradise vibe along with delicious meals and a luxurious stay by a private river that will not disappoint.
Online
before the
Learn the foundations of storytelling and filmmaking over 5 immersive days of online learning at the Forge.
Here's what you'll learn and do:
• The Science & Psychology Behind Storytelling
• Essentials of Short Film Writing
• Exploring themes, location constraints, and
creative possibilities
• Exclusive access to LevelUp’s curated recordings
• Everything Cinematography and Post-production.
During these online sessions, you will also finish writing your short film script. You’ll receive one-on-one feedback on your work, helping you make it right, with creative direction inputs and extra tips from our lead mentor to ensure that each participant's script is ready for production.
F
o
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e
Day 1
Orientation and New Beginnings
Your offline experience at the Forge begins with an orientation, followed by a Meet & Greet and Ice-breaking session with your fellow filmmakers. Connect with new faces, engage in discussions, and take the first step into a collective creative journey. Do a Recce of the secret villa, where you’ll be filming your short films.
Day 2 & 3
Masterclass and Pre-Production
Experience a live masterclass where your mentors direct and edit a scene, transforming all the theory into cinematic art. Get a firsthand experience on a functioning film set. This day is dedicated to scripting, storyboarding, and meticulous planning—from costumes to camera angles—preparing you for the shooting phase.
Days 4 & 5
Production & Shoot
The next two days are all about filming your movie. This is when you’ll see your written script come to life. You’ll be doing a bit of everything — acting in others’' movies, helping shoot their scenes as a cinematographer, and directing your own film. Don’t worry, we have a great curation team that organizes the schedule so that everyone can do their part without any mix-ups or overlapping.
Days 6 & 7
Post Production
Now, take all the footage you’ve shot and start putting it together. These two days are for post-production—choosing the best takes, arranging them to tell your story, editing, dubbing and adding music and special effects to make everything look and sound great.
Day 8
Showing off your work
The last day is a celebration of all your hard work. We’ll have a screening of the films everyone has made, give out awards, and celebrate everyone’s achievements. It’s the end of the retreat, but it’s just the beginning of your journey in filmmaking.
Days
at the
F
o
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g
e
Each day at 'The Forge' is not just about learning filmmaking; it's about experiencing it, living it. From the first clapboard snap to the final cut, you're not just making films; you're making memories.
Everything
you
Get
Access Top-Tier
Equipment
and Resources
Deep Dive into
Every Aspect of
Film Production
Get your Short Film
Recieve your
Produced and
Certificate of
Completion
Screened
Access to
Exclusive Access to our
The LevelUp
Masterclass
Community
Shoots
Direct involvement in the
Complete
Exclusive, Intimate and
Collaborative
Filmmaking
Filmmaking
Process
LevelUp Learning is transforming online education by enabling anyone in India to learn from the very best.
Over the last 2 years, we have cultivated a community of
42,000+ learners through our courses. Additionally, our online presence has grown impressively, with about 150k+ members.
Your Mentors
Rahul Srinivas
ENTREPRENEUR | DIRECTOR | CREATOR | STORYTELLER
- Runs India's largest and fastest-growing filmmaking community.
- Founder of LevelUp Learning, an online educational platform.
- Directed and produced the masterclasses of Karthik Subbaraj, G Venket Ram, Anthony Gonsalvez, DRK Kiran and Ravi Basrur.
- Maestro of Modern Storytelling and Entrepreneurship
Bavithravanan
DP | Creative Director | Writer | Film/Digital creator
- 14+ years of experience in creative and visual storytelling.
- Creative Director and DP of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s filmmaking masterclass and DP of all LevelUp Learning masterclasses and productions.
- Shot for several advertisements and broadcast media, including TEDx India.
- Worked on multiple Tamil and Pan-Indian feature films as the cinematographer.
Indirakumar
EDITOR | CINEMATOGRAPHER | PHOTOGRAPHER
- Has 3+ years of experience in Post Production & Videography.
- Senior Video Editor at LevelUp Learning.
- Former Post Production Lead at Fully Filmy.
- Has worked in several curated projects for FujiFilms.
- Post-production, Motion Graphics and Animation mentor.
Edwin Paul
EDITOR | CINEMATOGRAPHER | CREATOR
- Has 4+ years of experience as an Editor and Cinematographer
- Senior Video Editor at LevelUp Learning and Millennial Labs
- Camera crew in all the LevelUp’s masterclass production.
- Head of Editing crew at Lokesh Kanagaraj’s filmmaking masterclass.
- Freelanced at Aston Martin, Harley Davidson, Cars & Coffee, etc
r
Curators
note from the
Kavya Priya
Head of Content
“As a fellow aspiring filmmaker myself, I understand the fears, challenges and doubts that come along with this journey. The moment before a shoot can feel overwhelming – the uncertainty about framing a shot, the anxiety of whether it's good enough, and the constant urge to be unique. This is exactly why the Forge was created. Together, let's turn those fears into our greatest strengths.”
Hiresh Nichani
VP - the Forge
“It's not just about the art of filmmaking; it's also about effectively managing the details that go into making one. I work behind the scenes to make sure your creativity is not hindered by operational constraints. Whether it’s securing the perfect location, assembling a reliable crew, or managing a busy set, my team and I are dedicated to making sure that all you need to focus on is your craft.”
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