Diploma Program In Filmmaking

• Basics of professional screenplay formatting and 3-act structure.
• Brainstorm ideas for stories and scripts.
• Create story conflict, as well as memorable characters, relationships, and dialogue.
• Learn successful storytelling by examining character, structure and genre.
• Develop, write and workshop one short script.

• Learn the roles in the camera department.
• Learn basics of lighting, camera placement, coverage and continuity in hands-on sessions.

• Fundamentals of studio and location sound recording.
• Teaching the vital importance sound plays in creating an engaging and convincing scene.

• The role of the director / what makes a good director.
• Story development and script breakdown / shaping a story.
• Basic directing skills / shooting for editing / visual story-telling.
• Working with actors and writers.

• Role of the producer, from studio to independent filmmaking to television.
• Creating a production book, including script breakdowns, budgets and schedules.
• Producing the short film.

• In Screenwriting 101, class members will each write one short script (about 3-5 pages) with no dialogue. • Each student will shoot his/her script as a project during the first term.

• Learn basic principles and rules of both technical and creative film editing.
• Learn Final Cut Pro for basic editing.
• Learn how to edit for emotion, pace, timing, smoothness and continuity.
• Edit a short film with no dialogue, music and effects.

• Learn story structure in-depth, including the relation to genre.
• Learn to write inciting incidents, progressive complications, crisis, climax and resolution.
• Study principles from Robert McKee’s Story.
• Develop, write and workshop one short script.

• Learn to tell a story visually using camera movement, shot/lens selection and lighting
• Learn advanced lighting packages to ensure quality and continuity of light

• Digital nonlinear audio layout utilizing Pro Tools.
• Basics of ADR, foley and mixing.
• Importing, layering, and timeline editing.

• Managing cast and crew, and interacting with other departments.
• Directing actors and other directing skills / casting, rehearsals, and working one-on-one with actors.
• Using dialogue and sound to tell an audio-visual story.
• Overall theme and story resonance.

• Breakdown, produce a budget, and prepare a production schedule for a feature film..
• Casting, locations, staying on schedule and budget.
• Film financing, contracts, copyrights and other legal issues.
• Looking for funds to make films / the business of international film production.

• In Screenwriting 201, class members will each write one short script (about 5-7 pages).
• One script will be selected for production by the class as a team during the second term.

• Edit a short film with synchronized audio and video using Final Cut Pro.
• Learn basic Photoshop skills.
• Learn basic motion and color correction skills.
• Export projects to DVD using DVD Studio Pro, and compression for internet streaming.

• Advanced shooting situations and lighting set-ups.
• Color correction and filtration, shooting with multiple cameras, professional set etiquette.

• The editor’s power to enhance the story through creative cutting and professional know-how.

• Pitching projects to producers and studios.
• Writing adaptations and TV shows / Rewrite jobs.
• Learn how scripts are covered by studio executives and how to write coverage.
• Develop and write the first draft of the student’s thesis film.

• Creative sound design, pre-mix, final mix.
• Delivery of the soundtrack to the producer and the viewer.

• Directorial styles and techniques of international film directors.
• How to secure the best cast for your movie / working with a Casting Director.
• How the screenplay evolves into the finished feature film.
• What works with actors and how to get the most out of a performance.

• Introduction to Production Design, including how the director and producer interact with the designer

• Scouting and Securing Film Locations

• The class will conceive, prepare, and shoot at least one Public Service Announcement in the third term

• How to conceive, prepare, produce and shoot a Short Documentary Film
• The class will shoot at least one documentary in the third term

• Reality TV / concept, organization and execution

• Finalize concepts and pre-production for each student’s thesis film.
• Students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to plan the thesis project from script breakdown, casting and rehearsals to location scouting.

• Each student will complete all production on a ten-minute project.
• Under supervision of faculty mentors, students use this time to shoot, edit, and finalize their project to fulfill requirements for the program.

• Each student will complete all post-production on a ten-minute project.
• Under supervision of faculty mentors, students use this time to shoot, edit, and finalize their project to fulfill requirements for the program.

• Before you make your movie, how do you get a deal?  And after you finish it, what do you do with it?
• How to finance, market and distribute your product

• Portfolio and Reel Marketing