Maria Calado

My lessons are practical, structured, and adapted to each student’s goals and experience level. I teach film, screenwriting, and audiovisual storytelling with a strong focus on clarity and application, helping students understand not just what to do, but why it works.

Sessions are usually divided into three parts: understanding the concept, applying it through examples or exercises, and then working directly on the student’s own ideas or projects. Depending on your needs, lessons can focus on screenwriting fundamentals such as structure, character, dialogue, and scene construction, or on film production topics including planning a short film, understanding roles on set, visual storytelling, and developing a project from idea to execution.

I have hands-on experience writing, directing, and producing independent film projects and working with international teams, which allows me to teach from real-world practice rather than theory alone. My approach is supportive and encouraging, especially for beginners who may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. I prioritise making lessons feel accessible, organised, and productive, so students leave each session with clear next steps.

Lessons are suitable for complete beginners, students studying film or media, or anyone interested in developing their storytelling skills. I’m happy to adapt sessions for coursework support, portfolio development, or personal creative projects. Online lessons are available, and pacing is always adjusted to suit the student’s confidence and learning style.

My goal is to help students build both skills and confidence, making filmmaking and screenwriting feel achievable rather than intimidating.

I’ve worked with students at different stages of their creative journey, from first-time writers to those developing more advanced projects. Each lesson is designed to be focused, practical, and genuinely useful.