Learn Filmmaking from Anywhere
In NYFA’s 15-Week Evening Online Part-Time Filmmaking workshop, budding filmmakers learn the process of creating short films. Through interactive and immersive sessions, students produce their own original content under the guidance of our seasoned faculty of accomplished filmmakers and directors. As this 15-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop is held in the evening, students can balance the course with daily obligations throughout the workweek.
Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 15-Week Evening Online Filmmaking
Over the course of fifteen weeks, students will learn that film directing is all about making informed creative decisions that best serve the needs of the story. In addition to learning how a director communicates with the cast, crew, and, ultimately, the audience, participants will also get a thorough introduction to all roles found on a film set, including Producing, Production Design, Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting, and Sound Design.
All classes are geared toward providing the building blocks needed to create a compelling short film.
Prerequisites – This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required, nor is any prior experience expected.
To learn more, request more information.
Class Details
Director’s Craft:
At the core of this Filmmaking Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.
Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. They will also be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot and creating and directing the dramatic beats in a script.
Cinematography:
This course is designed to introduce students to the art of cinematography, enabling film directors to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image, it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. Students learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes the use of practical lighting sources such as lamps, flashlights, and china balls in a safe and creative manner.
Editing:
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing moving images. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical, this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects that editing choices can have on the story.
Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.
Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.
Screenwriting:
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.
Students will write a treatment and logline for their script and explore plot line development, screenplay format, the creation of believable characters with narrative arcs, and how to write effective dialogue.
Sound Design:
This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design and sound recording, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and equipment demonstration on a mobile device.
Times and Breakdown by Week
All classes for this workshop are scheduled for 7 pm-9:30 pm EST. For the first thirteen weeks, the course meets two evenings a week for 2.5-hour classes. In the last two weeks, the course will meet three nights a week.
Throughout the fifteen-week commitment, in addition to the class hours, students will have scheduled edit sessions to complete their projects and will participate in directing their own projects – three in total.
*Exact weekdays are subject to change due to holidays.
Total Course Hours = 80
Weekly Breakdown:
Weeks 1-4: Visual Literacy/Understanding the Language of Cinema and shot design for continuity.
- Practicum: Continuity Exercise
Weeks 5-9: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm.
- Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise
Weeks 10-14: Building Character, Creating POV, Working with Dialogue, and the Importance of Sound.
- Practicum: Final Film Exercise Physical Production
Weeks 15: Putting it All Together
- Practicum: Post Production on Final Film
Program and Software Requirements
This course requires the following software and equipment:
- DaVinci Resolve (free download)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing with DaVinci Resolve 16
- Smartphone with a camera
- FiLMiC Pro App for mobile cinematography (approximately $14.99)
Suggested Resources
As students in the filmmaking classes work with large files and software that may require minimum technical specifications, we ask that all incoming students review our recommended resources:
- External hard drive (optional, costs $30-$200)
Students will join this class remotely. To get the best experience from our online workshops, we recommend that students have a reliable computer, external hard drive, strong internet connection, and a quiet place to work.
In the 15-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop, students complete dynamic projects, such as a Continuity Exercise, a music and montage film, as well as a final piece. Projects are subject to change.
Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.