“I was impressed by the ‘hands on’ filming experience. I loved the friendly atmosphere and being part of a platform unafraid to critique mainstream thoughts..”

Theatre, Talks & TV 2026 – Free Film Training SORRY THIS IS NOW FULL

If developing filmmaking skills or testing your existing skills while making an impact interests you, this is definitely for you. Our next free “Train & Shoot” programme for a new Theatre, Talks & TV crew is outlined below. This opportunity is open to everyone aged 16 and over.

Culture and History on Camera

Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or have never held a camera, this is a unique volunteer programme with hands-on, face-to-face camera training and professional shoots.

Once your skills are honed, participants will form crews to film interviews and play readings covering Haiti’s rich culture and history in April, and inspiring talks at the Hackney History Festival in May.

This project will result in the production of over 30 videos for online distribution. Every volunteer will be credited for their work—and in the media world, credits are currency.  We’ll also provide lunches and cover local travel expenses.

Don’t miss this exciting chance to:

  • develop your skills,
  • enhance your CV,
  • contribute to a major project,
  • understand the slave revolts in Haiti and Hackney’s local stories
  • join a passionate volunteer team creating videos for public benefit.

Scroll down for session dates and the short application form at the bottom. We don’t select you—you select us—but spaces are limited. Once we’re full, we’re full!

Schedule of Sessions

Wednesday 18 March – 7:30pm (Zoom) Introductory Event – “Theatre, Talks & TV” 

Meet the team and connect with new crew members. We’ll outline the volunteer programme, explore what it takes to be part of this creative force, and give you an insider’s view of the role you could play in bringing history, culture, and heritage to life on screen.

Wednesday 25 March – 7:30pm (Zoom) Understanding What We Want to Shoot 

This essential crew meeting will introduce the content of our April shoots with partners. We’ll discuss the Haitian Revolution, TALAWA Theatre Company, and C.L.R. James’ play The Black Jacobins, which tells the story of the only successful slave revolt in history.

Saturday 28 March OR Sunday 29 March –10:00am–6:00pm at the WORLDwrite Centre 

Face-to-Face Camera Training 

All participants will take part in one of two intensive film training days at the WORLDwrite Centre, Hackney E5. This immersive hands-on day will cover professional camera use, sound gear, lighting, and live event shooting—preparing you to capture play readings and talks with confidence.

Wednesday 1 April – 7:30pm (Zoom) Fundraising Basics 

At WORLDwrite, we’re all volunteers, and we need to help keep our centre running, insure equipment, and cover costs from external drives to memory cards. In this session, we’ll brainstorm creative fundraising ideas to support the programme.

Wednesday 8 April – 7:30pm (Zoom) Pre-production essentials 

At this meeting we will discuss CLR James’s play The Black Jacobins (1967) a PDF will be circulated for everyone to read and we’ll compose questions for interviews with actors and the Haitian diaspora.

Saturday 11 April OR Sunday 12 April 10:00am–5:00pm at the WORLDwrite Centre

Practice Makes Perfect

All volunteers should attend one practice day to refine camera skills and prepare for the professional shoots ahead. This focused session builds confidence and expertise before the big weekend.

Wednesday 15th April – 7.30 (Zoom) Getting the word out

With no marketing department or budget we still need to get the word out about our project. At this meeting we’ll brain storm marketing via social media and sign up everyone to do their bit.

Wednesday 22nd April – 7.30 (Zoom) Discussion & final prep meeting 

At this meeting we’ll discuss final arrangements and roles for our TALAWA shoots and interviews at the weekend.

Friday 24th April 10:00am – 1.00pm or 2:00pm – 5:00pm (OPTIONAL) at WORLDwrite.

Create the set for shoots with TALAWA & guests 

We’ll need to perfect our sets, lighting, sound and camera positions for play readings and interviews. We’ll also need to prepare lunches and the centre gardens for our guests and interview subjects!

Saturday 25 April OR Sunday 26 April 10:00am–6:00pm (At WORLDwrite & Venues TBC) 

The Big Shoots 

All participants will form the crew on ONE of these days to film TALAWA play readings, interviews with actors and members of the Haitian diaspora, and maybe even a taste of Haitian cuisine.

Wednesday 29th April – 7.30pm (Zoom) Hackney History Festival Briefing 

Learn more about the Hackney History Festival and what we’ll be shooting in May. The festival brings the borough’s rich and diverse past to life through talks, walks, tours, and presentations by inspiring speakers.

Sunday 3 May – 10:00am–6:00pm at the WORLDwrite Centre Logistics Day 

All WORLDwrite volunteers come together to finalise details for the Hackney History Festival. We’ll discuss room setups, site logistics, crew rotas, and kit checks. You’ll also receive your official T-shirt and, time permitting, get in one last practice.

Wednesday 6 May at the WORLDwrite Centre OPTIONAL Film Gear Preparation  

10:00am–12:30pm, 2:00pm–4:30pm, or 7:00pm–9:30pm 

Help with final gear prep—sound checks, battery and cable checks, packing and labelling. These final touches matter!

Sunday 10th May at Sutton House OR Saturday 16th May at The Round Chapel 9am-7pm Filming at the Hackney Film festival plus optional shoot Sunday 17th May at Chats Palace 11-6pm 

Volunteers choose one full day to be part of the core crew capturing this important festival on film. In your free time, you can attend sessions and fully immerse yourself in Hackney’s vibrant history. The additional shoot for volunteers who’d like extra credit will require a smaller crew.

Wednesday 20th May at the WORLDwrite Centre Pick a time slot.

Our big open day preparation

10:00am–12:30pm, 2:00pm–4:30pm, or 7:00pm–9:30pm 

All volunteers will need to pick a time to help out. From setting up a big screen & sound system to tidying the garden, cleaning gazebos & barbecue preparations to organising stalls. We’ll need all hands on deck to make Saturday a special day.

Saturday 23rd May 10am till late WORLDwrite’s Hackney history and Film screenings at a WORLDwrite Open Day plus celebration barbecue & party

A day in the WORLDwrite gardens if it’s sunny or in the studio if it rains to celebrate the Hackney History Festival and the charity’s 25 years in the borough. Today we’ll show off our achievements with a presentation on our history and screenings of  two of our documentaries: Every Cook Can Govern: the life, impact & works of C.L.R. James and Silvia Pankhurst: Everything is possible. With stalls a barbecue and more, we’ll invite the public to attend and party with us until late.

Wednesday  27th May – 7:30pm (Zoom) “After the Shoots—What’s Next?” 

Join this follow-up session to share your experiences, give feedback, and discuss key takeaways. Your insights will help shape future projects—and we hope you’ll be part of the next chapter!

Read on to apply

We don’t need you to send us CVs, we do want you to understand this is voluntary work where content and ideas take precedence. At WORLDwrite, we tackle a wide array of issues, guided by the principles we advocate for as an education charity. These principles are championed on our channel, WORLDbytes, as well as through the documentaries and programmes we create.

We believe in:

  • Democracy for all and the more direct the better
  • Economic growth & serious development for all globally
  • Challenging all forms of prejudice, anti-democratic and anti-human trends
  • Freedom of speech and advancing civil liberties
  • Challenging distrust, fear and intervention in everyday life
  • Advancing new knowledge, ideas and critical thinking
  • Global equality and equal rights for all

To take part in this special  ‘train & shoot’ package, complete the simple application form below. We will then confirm your place and ensure you get our monthly newsletter which may have additional opportunities.

No one is turned away but places may fill up very fast, so don’t delay! THIS TRAIN & SHOOT PACKAGE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED & HAS NO FURTHER SPACES AVAILABLE

Apply for free film training

Please watch the short WORLDbytes film clips below to give you an idea of the type of programmes and films we make and then complete the simple application form in full. Application forms with no comments on the videos indicated, will not be accepted. Once you have submitted your form we will be in touch to confirm your place and provide you with the Zoom link for the introductory evening.