FANCY yourself as the next JK Rowling or Steven Spielberg?
With lockdown dragging on, it’s a great time to pick up new hobbies – and possibly plan a new career. And thanks to a range of free online courses you can get going within minutes from the comfort of your own armchair.
A good place to start is Futurelearn, with vocational courses such as film production, coding and writing.
Susannah Belcher, from Futurelearn – partly owned by the Open University – said: “We’ve seen a huge growth in people learning for fun during lockdown.
“There have been more than one million enrolments from the UK since the start of March.”
“Most are learning a new subject or upskilling for a side hustle, but many are channelling their inner Amal Clooney by doing an international law course and some their inner Steven Spielberg by going for a directing qualification.”
Here’s we look at what you can learn and explain how to get started.
FILM LIKE STEVEN SPIELBERG
A starting point for film-makers who want to learn about writing, directing, editing and cinematography.
All you need is your computer.
COURSE NAME: Explore Filmmaking: from Script to Screen.
DURATION: Six weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Three hours.
LEARN TO PODCAST
Podcasts are an increasingly popular way to tell stories, according to Apple.
This course shows how to plan, write and publish your own.
COURSE NAME: The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling
DURATION: Two weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Three hours.
BECOME DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
Find out how the environment works, including natural systems and tiny organisms and how it fits together.
COURSE NAME: Invisible Worlds: Understanding the Natural Environment.
DURATION: Four weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Three hours.
BECOME MARK ZUCKERBERG
Fancy launching the next Facebook?
You will need to learn about coding, a computer language programmers use to set up websites.
COURSE NAME: Computer Programming for Everyone.
DURATION: Two weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Two hours.
LEARN TO MAKE CALL OF DUTY
One for aspiring video game-makers looking to design the next Super Mario.
You will learn about graphics, narrative and gameplay.
COURSE NAME: Video Game Character Design.
DURATION: Two weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Two hours.
PLAY LIKE STEVIE WONDER
The first of four online courses on Jazz piano.
Ideally for those who can already play the piano, play scales and read music.
COURSE NAME: Learn Jazz Piano: Begin with the Blues.
DURATION: Six weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Two hours.
DESIGN LIKE VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Learn how the fashion industry works with designers including Paul Smith and chief executives at Chanel, YSL and Hermès.
COURSE NAME: Understanding Fashion: From Business to Culture.
DURATION: Four weeks.
WEEKLY STUDY: Three hours.
COMPOSE LIKE ED SHEERAN
Learn the techniques you need to write your first song, including how to set words to music, time and pitch, melody, chords and progressions.
COURSE NAME: How to Write Your First Song
DURATION: 6 weeks
WEEKLY STUDY: 3 hours
BE THE NEXT SHAKESPEARE
Learn how to write your own poetry by exploring different poetic techniques and styles.
Open to writers of all levels and abilities.
COURSE NAME: How To Make A Poem
DURATION: 3 weeks
WEEKLY STUDY: 3 hours
BECOME A DIPLOMAT
Learn how the UK diplomatic system works at home and abroad.
COURSE NAME: Introduction to British Diplomacy
DURATION: 2 weeks
WEEKLY STUDY: 2 hours
WRITE LIKE JK ROWLING
Itching to write a novel?
Here you’ll learn how to get started and how to create characters.
You’ll get the opportunity to review the work of fellow writers and receive feedback.
COURSE NAME: Start Writing Fiction
DURATION: 8 weeks
WEEKLY STUDY: 3 hours
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/money/are-mcdonalds-drive-thrus-open-today/
