Film Production Program

As an exercise in framing and composition, you will be tasked with creating a photo essay, a series of images linked by a common theme or story.

As a visual medium, a film must primarily tell its story through imagery. As your first film project, you are asked to create a silent film. A film with no dialogue, but a clear story.

Pointing a camera at others requires insight and understanding. That’s why you must learn to point a camera at yourself first. This project provides the opportunity to tell a pivotal moment or story in your life.

Working with an existing script from a famous film, you will re-create the scene with an original vision and a focus on drawing a believable performance from the actors.

This will be your first chance to sit in the director’s chair. You will be assigned an existing script to add your own directorial style to.

Term 2 kicks off with the production of short 2-4 minute dramatic films, written by the students over the previous weeks. A week of one-day shoots rotates students through multiple roles on set.

After pitching your story idea, students will direct and edit a documentary portrait, a short profile highlighting an inspiring or interesting person, organization, or cause in the community. Students can later elect to expand the documentary, evolving their portrait concept as a full Term 4 Grad Film. 

Students are challenged to shoot a oner–or one shot sequence–a scene that takes place all in one shot. Lasting 45-60 seconds, this sequence must incorporate movement and several different shot sizes, such as close-up, medium, and wide shots.

Student are assigned a genre and simple scene to light and shoot. You’ll work with your fellow students to create the atmosphere and mood using only lighting and camera techniques.

The capstone of the Film Production Program. Every student will write a screenplay for a short, 7-10 minute film and pitch the film to a panel of judges. The top projects will be produced with full crews, utilizing all skills built over the program.

In the music video you will learn how to work with an artist or band to produce a music video that combines everything taught in cinematography, directing, production design, sound design, and editing.

In the final week, students create a demo reel in preparation for entering the industry.