Film Production Program
Student Films
Week 2
Photo Essay
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.
Week 3
Silent Film
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.
Week 5
Biography
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.
Week 8
Scene Study
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.
Week 10
Director’s Vision
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.
Week 13
Documentary
After pitching your story idea to a panel of judges, the top projects will move forward to be produced as 5-10 minute documentaries.
Week 19
Web Short
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.
Week 20
Documentary Demo
When pitching docs to a broadcaster, they require a sample–known as a demo–of what the doc will look like. Students will be engaged in a competitive pitch process to greenlight the production of their docs, and will need a demo as part of their pitch package.
Week 25
Commercial with Green Screen
The commercial will see you provided with a real-world brand or cause. You will work with them to create a short commercial or promotional video that conveys a specific message, adheres to the brand’s identity, and keeps the audience engaged. You will also be tasked with incorporating a green screen element to your filming.
Week 30
Painting with Light
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.
Week 31
One Shot Sequence
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.
Weeks 35 to 40
Grad Film
The capstone of the Film Production Program. Every student will write a screenplay for a short, 8-15 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.
Week 41
Music Video
Similar to the client films, the music video will have you work with an artist or band to produce a music video that combines everything taught in cinematography, directing, production design, sound design, and editing.
Week 48
Demo Reel
In the final week, students create a demo reel in preparation for entering the industry.
