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Improvised Filmmaking Workshop Berlin

 

For Actors and Directors

 

This immersive weekend workshop in Berlin gives you the tools to develop compelling narratives, create spontaneous performances, strengthen the collaboration actor-director, and capture genuine moments on camera, all through the power of structured improvisation.

Move beyond over-planning and discover a more dynamic, collaborative, and often more joyful way to create films.

 

UPCOMING DATES

 

 2025
2026
  • January 16th-17th
  • February 14th-15th. Timed during the Berlinale's first weekend (not affiliated). Join us for a deep workshop experience where you'll meet other actors and directors. Perfect timing to immerse yourself in both the Workshop and the festival atmosphere.
  • March 14th-15th

Sold out frequently!

Reserve your spot before it's sold out again!

Watch here a full scene created in the Workshop.

Fully improvised by three actors, one director, and one camera operator. No rehearsals. All in one take. And a lot of heart!

 

Who is this filmmaking workshop for?

 

🎭 Actors and Performers looking to sharpen improvisation skills for the camera and learn how to collaborate on story creation from scratch.

🎬 Film Directors who want to break free from rigid planning and explore more spontaneous, creative processes.

✨ Beginners and pros alike who crave a fresh, playful, and human-centered approach to filmmaking.

If you're curious, collaborative, and eager to experiment, join us!

LIMITED TIME BONUS

GET A FREE ADDITIONAL 1:1 SESSION

VALID FOR ANY UPCOMING WORKSHOP DATE IF YOU REGISTER BEFORE NOVEMBER 24th  

Use this private session whenever you want, before or after the workshop. It's a fantastic chance to go deeper into your craft:

🎭 For Actors: Let's work on a scene, get a personal introduction to Film Improvisation, or even record something simple for your portfolio.

🎬 For Directors: Get my direct feedback on your current projects. We can talk about story consulting, film-language, editing analysis, your personal process, or how to work more effectively with actors.

Reserve your spot now to claim your bonus.

 

Essential workshop details

  • Format: Full Weekend Workshop: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 to 19:00
  • Choose one these two dates
    • December 6th-7th. Sold out! Write me at [email protected] to join the waiting list.
    • January 17th-18th (2026)
    • February 14th-15th
    • March 14th-15th
  • Workshop Language: English, but you are welcome to direct and act in your own language.
  • Registration Fee: 225 €
  • Flexible Payment: Pay later and pay in installments options available via Klarna at checkout.
  • Intimate Setting: Maximum of 8 Participants for personalized guidance and collaboration.

Workshop location

Reflektor Neukölln | Weisestraße 27, 12049 Berlin

This is a dynamic Art Project Space located in the heart of the vibrant Schillerkiez neighborhood and right next to Tempelhof.

Its layout, featuring a spacious main art room, a large kitchen, other adaptable spaces, and direct access to the street, presents fantastic potential for our location-based improvisations.

Why embrace improvisation in filmmaking?

Traditional filmmaking can feel rigid, leaving little room for the magic of spontaneity. While meticulous planning has its place and it's sometimes necessary, many powerful stories, especially in independent cinema, thrive on discovery, adaptation, and in-the-moment collaboration.

This workshop isn't about chaos; it's about structured improvisation. It provides a framework to move beyond preconceived ideas, capture genuine emotion, work dynamically with your team, and develop the essential skill of thinking on your feet, which is crucial on any film set.

Rediscover the excitement where unexpected moments become cinematic gold.

What will you learn?

 

  • Develop compelling narratives using structured improvisation techniques.
  • Direct actors to achieve authentic, spontaneous, and engaging performances.
  • Shape the story and create compelling characters through active collaboration with your director and crew, and in-the-moment choices.
  • Master practical methods for capturing improvised scenes effectively on camera.
  • Seamlessly blend scripted elements with improvisation when needed.
  • Utilize locations and environments effectively as part of the storytelling.
  • Gain confidence in adapting creatively to unexpected challenges during production.
  • Understand effective strategies for editing and structuring improvised footage.
  • Find fresh, unconventional ways to tell stories that feel alive.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM AND METHOD

INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISED FILMMAKING - BERLIN

MY TEACHING METHOD

I design all my Workshops as creative experiences to be shared and enjoyed collectively by you as a participant and by me as an instructor.

To me, this is not a mere transfer of knowledge: we are equals and creative partners, and my job is to coordinate and guide a collective process.

What I offer you is my very personal view on creation, with a great focus on DIY, independent, and unique storytelling.

SATURDAY

UNDERSTANDING IMPROVISED FILMMAKING

  • Why improvise? What it means for directors, actors, and the audience.

  • Improvised, not random. The essential preparation behind improvisation.

  • Avoiding clichés. Keeping improvised stories fresh and authentic.

IMPROVISATION AND STORYTELLING

  • Finding a setting and narrative structure within improvisation.

  • Mixing scripted and improvised elements.

  • Writing on the day, writing with actors.

IMPROVISATION AND THE CAMERA

  • How to capture improvisation visually.

  • Handheld vs. steady shots. Choosing a shooting style that fits improvisation.

  • Coverage strategies. Shooting with intention.

SUNDAY

IMPROVISATION AND ACTING

  • Being in the moment. Finding authenticity in performances.

  • Watching, listening, reacting. How actors develop natural interactions.

  • Space and movement. How physicality, spatial awareness, and movement shape performances.

SHOOTING, EDITING AND SCREENING

  • Final filming sessions. Applying improvisational techniques in fully realized scenes.

  • Editing in improvised films. Structuring and pacing without a fixed script.

  • Screening and Feedback. Watching final scenes, analyzing the creative process.

Meet your instructor: Flavio García

I'm Flavio, a Berlin-based award-winning film director and dedicated film teacher. Since 2005, I've been passionate about sharing practical filmmaking knowledge through workshops, online courses, and coaching. I specialize in independent cinema and love helping filmmakers find and develop their unique voice and projects. I also produce and direct my own independent movies.

A bit more about my approach

I started making "movies" when I was eight years old, drawing scenes on rolled paper and charging neighbors 25 cents so I could buy materials for the next one. I remember those days a lot, because they defined so much of who I am today as a film director: the love and need for storytelling and working independently to find my own ways to produce films, which, honestly, is the only way I know how to create.

Teaching filmmaking has been part of my professional life since the very beginning, back in 2005. Filmmaking and teaching are deeply connected for me and just feel natural: they both involve sharing ideas, inspiring others, and working together to create something beautiful. While teaching is now also my main source of income, I promise you: my motivation is not just economical. I teach because I genuinely love to do it: the shared experience, the connection, and the joy.

More about me

See film improvisation in action

Watch two short films I directed using these techniques (No budget, minimal crew, locations as characters). 

Please, do me a favor, and watch them on full screen. Click on the Quality button and select 1080p minimum.

  • Best Actress (Esther Rivas), 9th Ibero-American Short Film Competition - Versión Espanola, 2009
  • Best Actress, Movil Film Fest, 2009
  • Best Movie, Movil Film Fest, 2009
  • Best Mobile Movie, Inter-face, Barcelona Visual Sound, 2009
 
 

Beyond the workshop: added benefits

Your learning doesn't stop when the weekend ends. I offer these exclusive benefits to all participants:

Exclusive Members Community

Connect and collaborate in our dedicated, distraction-free online space (not a Facebook group!). Share your work, seek feedback, or offer your insights.

Workshop Assignments

Engage with optional creative exercises before and after the workshop to prepare and solidify your learning. I provide personal feedback on your submissions.

Read what past participants say:

It felt like slowly walking out of Plato’s cave.

Flavio has a unique ability to see people. He’s both a magician and a myth-buster ! The kind of teacher who doesn’t build illusions, but dismantles them gently until you meet yourself without masks, realizing that silence can also speak.

I carried a paralyzing fear when I first came to Flavio. The fear of trying, failing, losing, messing up. The fear of expression itself. I came armed only with a few storytelling books and a freshly finished online course. I thought that was filmmaking. But in his world, there’s no space for pretense, no need to “perform” cinema.

Through his honesty and the way he guided us, workshop by workshop, I began to peel off layers - from restraint to full exposure, from self-protection to naked honesty.

What matters is the moment, feeling the scene, sensing the actor, improvising with reality itself. It’s about embracing imperfections, it’s about releasing control!

____ Juliana

"I’ve been struggling with a block around filmmaking for quite a while, unable to finish scripts and projects and when I read Flavio’s workshop description I knew straight away that this would be a massive piece of the puzzle.

Though I’m on a super tight budget, I just had a feeling this was exactly what I need and what no other workshop has addressed for me. Not only did the workshop go way past my expectations in terms of content, I was just really so moved by how genuine and authentic Flavio’s purpose and presence is in running these.

In 2 days he turned total strangers into a collaborative community with the deepest trust and respect. Better yet, I’ve come away with great content for my showreel and an inspiration to embrace the present moment, the world around me, to embrace imperfection, let go and to get out there and shooting. Can’t recommend highly enough"

____ Emma

"It was such a pleasure to spend two full days in the workshop with Flavio.

We had eight hours of intensive learning each day, combining theory and practice.

I had the chance to personally experience the work of a screenwriter, director, and actor.

It was truly fascinating! I learned a lot of useful knowledge and practical skills, and together with my teammates, we created our own short pieces.

It was a very meaningful and inspiring experience."

____ Haily

Improvised Filmmaking Workshop Registration

Payment Options

Pay securely via debit/credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Pay in Installments

Choose Klarna at checkout for: pay later, or pay in 3/6 installments.

DECEMBER 6th/7th

SOLD OUT

New dates available. To join the wailing list for this date, write me an email: [email protected]

JANUARY 17th/18th

225 €

Secure your spot now before it's sold out again!

REGISTER NOW

FEBRUARY 14th/15th

225 €

Berlinale weekend. Join us and visit the festival too!

REGISTER NOW

MARCH 14th/15th

225 €

Plan ahead and secure your spot soon.

REGISTER NOW

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 14 days before the start of the workshop for a full refund. Please understand that refunds won't be possible for later cancellations.

Frequently asked questions

Have more questions?

Please reach out here or with WhatsApp: +49 1525 946 76 20