Final Project Showcase: Advanced Storytelling Live Run Feb-April 2025
This was our very first live run of Advanced Storytelling for Family Films, and honestly — we were blown away.
Over the course of eight weeks, members of FilmingLife® Academy went deep into the craft of storytelling. This wasn’t just about filming beautiful footage. It was about uncovering the emotional core of a story, choosing structure with intention, and crafting edits that move people.
Here’s what we explored together:
In Module 1, we unpacked what storytelling really means in family films — diving into emotional arcs, different story structures, pacing, and story beats. Students learned how to apply those tools to real family footage and started seeing their edits in a whole new light.
In Module 2, we went behind the edit. Members studied BTS footage from a real client session, learned how to identify emotional through-lines, and organized footage to create momentum and meaning.
In Module 3, we focused on music and audio — how to choose the right song, how to use music for structure and emotional tone, and how to align visuals and sound to create dynamic, layered storytelling.
In Module 4, we refined the films with subtle visual and audio polish — from color grading and sound design to transitions, final tweaks, and storytelling through soundscapes.
Throughout the course, students completed creative challenges, studied real film examples, and worked toward a single goal: to create a final project that told a deeper story.
What they delivered was powerful.
⬇️ Scroll down to watch their films.
You’ll see:
Films rooted in truth, memory, and emotion
Thoughtful use of pacing, structure, and sound
Storytelling choices that make you feel something
To everyone who joined this first live run — thank you for showing up, doing the work, and telling your stories with so much heart.
You’ve set the bar high.
Watch the Showcase
This is a story about the importance of filming your family. It took me years to be able to watch the footage without crying. This archival footage captured years ago by my father, before my existence, proves just how crucial it is to record your history. I have been able to not just tell my children about the beautiful souls that guide and guard us but able to show them. Our faith and family is everything to us. The traditions that we continue year after year is the generational wealth I pray to pass down to future generations. I am grateful to this course and to all who participated for sharing wisdom and support every step of the way. This has been a project within me that although it is not what I expected it to be in the end - I am just so happy to share it with my family. Especially my parents.
Julia Xanthos-Liddy | Website | Instagram
For the Advanced Storytelling final project I felt like I had my spark back! After completing the Filmmaking Foundations Live Run, and then add in ALL THE LEARNING from Advanced StoryTelling, I finally could feel my north star guiding me again - everything felt so much clearer - from my ideal family, to getting back to golden hour (I used to LOVE golden hour, why I stopped shooting then just astounds me!).
Anyway, I feel like I am back to capturing and editing films in a more naturalistic, instinct driven way.
I still have to get out of my head and not overthink things too much. I feel much more content being able to cull from the timeline and more selective about what goes onto the timeline now!
I did have to go back and reshoot the UNO section of this film as I had taken their guidance of "these games last forever" and snuck off to shoot some b-roll.. then suddenly the game was finished. Wouldn't you know, when I returned for the reshoot... the game lasted a good 10 minutes! They also had new chickens at my second visit, and the middle child had acquired a good scrape on his face... This really helped me dive into a non linear edit and look at the story of their family without it being a "first we, and then, and last".
The film is a homage to a childhood spent in the golden sun, soaking in the love and life their parents are sharing with them. Truly finding joy in life simple pleasures; a tree to climb, trucks in the dirt and feeding the chooks!
This film was shot a year ago during a backyard mini shoot with a returning family, but for a long time, I struggled to bring it to life in a way that felt true to the emotional connection I witnessed. It sat unfinished until I took the Advanced Storytelling Live Run course. The course gave me the push, tools, and clarity I needed to finally complete this film in a way I’m proud of.
What changed most for me was learning how to better shape the emotional arc and structure of the story. I focused on creating intentional emotional beats and using pacing to draw out the warmth, and connection. Rather than just compiling moments, I worked to craft a visual narrative that reflects the love, movement, and small joys of this family's time together in my backyard.
Michelle Hughes | Website | Instagram
A scorching afternoon spent with a lively family of three young girls, diving into the heart of their favourite Sunday rituals. There were cockatoos overhead and s’mores by the firepit, because what six-year-old can resist that?—and the joyful chaos of a gangly pup who insisted on being everyone’s shadow. Despite the heat and a camera that nearly gave up, the magic was there: in the laughter, the movement, the beautiful mess of it all.
Thanks to the guidance from Advanced Storytelling, I was able to find and frame the real story—connection, joy, and love—captured and preserved forever.
Belinda Dorman | Website | Instagram
A maternity and Fresh 48 film.
The first time I assembled this film, it felt like there were two separate stories- maternity and newborn. But after taking Advanced Storytelling, I changed the music and the clips I used, keeping the story arc in mind. Now, it finally feels like one complete story.
In this film, conflict appears through the playful moments of the family preparing for the new baby, the daughter's curiosity, and the quiet excitement before heading to the hospital. These moments give way to calm, tender scenes after the baby's arrival, like the parents speaking softly to the newborn and the big sister meeting the baby for the first time.
Much like everything that comes out of FLA, this course has honestly been such an inspiring experience. It’s so thoughtfully and skilfully put together and I haven’t learnt and been this enthralled by something in such a long time. It lit a creative fire and reminded me just how powerful storytelling through film can be.
One of the biggest things I took away is how much of the real storytelling happens in the edit. It's something I knew already but didn't fully trust in myself. This course has given me so much more confidence to trust that process, and I know it’s something I’ll keep getting better at with every film I make. I've also noticed that the more I edit, the sharper my eye becomes when I'm filming. I’m realising more and more what’s missing, what’s needed, and how to capture the pieces that make the story whole. It helped bust habits I didn’t even realise I had and has completely reshaped how I approach building a narrative.
Like every session I walk into, I wanted this film to feel like a memory you can step back into.The easy comfort of being with your people, completely at ease. It’s always the little things like the small rituals, the easy laughter, the way they move around each other that quietly say, this is us. That’s what I wanted this film to hold onto for them.
Paige Gotts | Website | Instagram
I learnt so much during this live run of Advanced Storytelling. I didn't realise the depth to storytelling before and my eyes have been opened after being a part of this course. Also I don't think I would have grasped the course content as much if I didn't complete this final assignment. There's something about starting from scratch and actually having to put into practice what you have learnt.
My assignment is a film of a family who are going on a journey of renovating their home after many years living there with their growing family. It celebrates the building as it is today before they demolish part of it and also the Mum is an architect and has been working hard on the design for the renovation. I love to layer different scenes to help tell the story and I have done that in a few different ways in this film. I have learnt SO MUCH going through this process of putting together the pieces like a jigsaw. It feels good to complete it as I haven't done many family films with clients yet so this will help me on my way to hopefully offering it to clients soon.
I'm so grateful for everyone's contribution and support through the live run and Courtney and Kylie are incredible teachers- THANK YOU!
Vanessa Condon | Website | Instagram
In a perfect world I would have been able to create a film with a mom dad and child, but unfortunately the Childs father didn't want to participate. With having one of the characters in the film being a very fast 2 year old, it made capturing footage that would flow seamlessly pretty difficult. I think I was able to manage with what I had pretty well for the final outcome of this film. I hope you watch this and feel the same.
This is the same film I had my critique call with Courtney. I rewatched all the footage I had and really worked hard to be able to take all her feedback and put it into action. I finally feel like things are clicking after this film. I was able to produce another film just recently and I have another film in the books to record next month. I hope to continue to grow with each one! Courtney has really been so helpful for my journey. I even feel like my photography has grown from the feedback given from this film.
Emily Hallifax | Website | Instagram
🏆 And the Winners Are...
We’re excited to announce the winners of our Advanced Storytelling Awards!
Best Supporter
Belinda Dorman
Belinda’s behind-the-scenes posts, reflections on the process, and celebration of others helped build the kind of community we value so much. Thank you, Belinda, for spreading the love and creativity! 🌟
Most Improved Film Award
Emily Hallifax
Emily came into this course with a clear goal: to push herself. And she absolutely did.
Her final film showed massive growth — in both technical execution and storytelling strength. Her pacing, her use of transitions, her ability to hold emotional tension from start to finish — it was all there.
Watching her confidence grow over the course of the live run was one of the highlights for us. Emily, we see the work you put in, and we’re so proud of where it’s led you.
Best Film Award
Julia Xanthos-Liddy
Julia’s film was deeply moving — a piece about family, legacy, and the power of archival footage to bridge generations. What stood out most was her intention behind every decision: her use of voiceover, her pacing, her integration of old and new footage. All of it came together to tell a story that wasn’t just personal — it was universally resonant.
“Editing this project has been a healing experience for me. It took me years to be able to watch the footage without crying… This archival footage captured years ago by my father, before my existence, proves just how crucial it is to record your history.” – Julia
The way she brought her personal history into this film — and connected it to the future she’s building for her own family — was breathtaking. The techniques she used weren’t just learned. They were lived. A truly powerful film.
Learn filmmaking with us!
If these films sparked something in you — a pull to go deeper, to tell stories that matter — we’d love to have you join us inside FilmingLife® Academy.
The Advanced Storytelling for Family Films course is available as a self-study option year-round, and we run it live once each year.
Whether you’re coming in with years of client work or just starting to find your voice, this course will help you refine your storytelling, sharpen your edits, and create films that feel more like you.
⬇️ Join the Academy or join the waitlist for the next live run
Join the Waitlist for the Next Live Run:
Let’s Celebrate Together!
We hope you enjoy watching these films as much as we did. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or tag us on social media @filminglifeacademy if you’re inspired to start your own filmmaking journey.
Congratulations again to our award winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated. Your films are a true testament to the power of storytelling. 🎥💛
