Filmmaking
Concentration
BA and MFA Programs
Filmmaking Overview
Turn your creative dreams and aspirations into reality.
Turn your dreams into reality as you immerse yourself in all aspects of filmmaking—directing, writing, cinematography, lighting, and editing. The filmmaking concentration gives you the hands-on skills to jump-start your career as you work in a collaborative environment. You’ll rotate through all the crew positions on the set, develop a professional quality demo reel, and develop the conceptual, technical, and creative foundation you need in today’s fast-paced film environment.
Next SFI Start Dates: March 20, 2023 & September 25, 2023
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Career Outlook
In today’s digital world visual communication abilities are more important than ever before. Screens are everywhere; your favorite movie theatre, your television, your computer, your phone, the kiosk built into the pump at your gas station. Wherever the screen, whenever it’s displaying something well-written, well-lit, well-directed, and well edited, you can be sure of one thing; people were paid to create it. Our filmmaking program gives you the skill-set to join this rapidly expanding field. Here are just some of the occupations and careers available to you:
- Film director
- Film/video editor
- Web content producer
- Writer
- Lighting technician, broadcasting/film/video
- Location manager
- Media researcher
- Music producer
- Runner, broadcasting/film/video
- Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
- Television/film/video producer
Overall employment in filmmaking related fields is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The number of Internet-only platforms, such as streaming services, is likely to increase, along with the number of shows produced for these platforms.
Curriculum
The Filmmaking concentration is a fully integrated, immersive experience. Students learn by doing with a hands-on curriculum focused on the following fundamental elements:
Directing
Students explore the full range of directorial responsibilities: working and communicating effectively with actors. Designing your shots. Translating your script to a shot list. Managing and executing your shoot.
Cinematography & Lighting
How to shoot. How to light. How to use the equipment from a technical standpoint. If you have an image in your head, we want to give you the capability of capturing that image on-screen.
Screenwriting
At the heart of every great movie is a great script. Every student is mentored and guided through the completion a feature length script and also writes the scripts for the short films they are shooting throughout the course of the program.
Editing and Post Production
Students develop mastery of the technical skills and an understanding of the conceptual principles of editing. Good cuts. Effective pacing. Compelling visual storytelling.
Film History & Film Analysis
Students enhance their hands-on skills by analyzing how the most successful filmmakers from every era utilize the same skills and abilities they are developing.
Professional Practices
Students put together their demo reel and resume. Clarify their long-term, intermediate-term, and short-term career goals; along with specific plans of action. Prepare to make the transition from film student to working professional.