Courses & Pathways
certification
Film & Television Production
Certification Description
Since 2016, the GFA has been offering certification in Film & Television Production, helping institutions to develop curriculum and training directly aligned to the high-demand careers that exist in the state (see below for course information). In partnership with IATSE 479, professionally-qualified instructors, equipment, and training facilities prepare learners to be assets to the industry following completion of GFA’s certification. Furthermore, with GFA’s unique-in-the-nation internship/apprenticeship program, students have the opportunity to go straight to work in covered craft departments, which offers a paid, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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Step One
This course is the first of an 18-credit hour certification in “Film & Television Production.” The course will provide an introduction to the skills used in on-set film production, including all forms of narrative media which utilize film industry-standard organizational structure, professional equipment and on-set procedures. In addition to the use of topical lectures, presentations, videos and hand-outs, the course will include demonstrations of equipment and set operations as well as hands-on learning experiences. Students will learn: film production organizational structure, job descriptions and duties in various film craft areas, industry terminology, safety protocols, planning and procedures for professional production, and the proper usage of industry-standard film equipment. Students will also learn how the various film crafts relate to one another on a working set, and the requisite skills and work habits expected of an entry-level crew member. In addition, students will develop techniques for networking and self-marketing. This course is the prerequisite for ALL other GFA courses in the “Film & Television Production” Certification Pathway.
Step Two
This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of set construction and scenic painting for the film and television industry. Students will participate in goal-oriented projects, including research, moodboards, drafting, reading blueprints, architectural models, safety procedures, budgeting and scheduling. In-person activities include power tool usage, carpentry and scenic paint techniques as students work on a collaborative final project to gain practical experience.
This course is designed to examine the process of Production Design as it relates to the film and television industry. Students will work on an assigned project from concept to completion, solving real-world challenges with the skills they have learned in class. Assigned projects are a hands-on experience that will allow students to demonstrate practical design and construction skills. In-person activities include power tool usage, carpentry, scenic paint techniques, and design work utilizing Vectorworks Student Software. Other topics include research, moodboards, drafting, reading blueprints, architectural models, safety procedures, budgeting and scheduling. Students will be given assigned readings and/or video lessons from available web resources and periodicals.
Students will participate in goal-oriented class projects as practical application of topics covered in lectures and assignments. Topics include power distribution, set protocol and etiquette, properly setting lamps, and essential lighting techniques for feature film standards. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a fundamental knowledge that includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, techniques, procedures, terminology, communications, specifications and hierarchical structure in the professional set lighting department. An emphasis will be placed on set etiquette, including but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the behavior of light and how to manipulate and control it to feature film standards.
Students will participate in goal-oriented class projects as a practical demonstration of the topics covered in lectures and assignments. Topics include power distribution, set protocol and etiquette, properly setting lamps, and essential lighting techniques for feature film standards. Additional topics include theoretical and critical concepts of lighting design. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a fundamental knowledge that includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, techniques, procedures, terminology, communications, specifications and hierarchical structure in the professional set lighting department. An emphasis will be placed on set etiquette, including but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the behavior of light and how to manipulate and control it to feature film standards. Additionally, students will create lighting designs and plots at a professional standard.
With a focus on practical application for a professional film career as a Grip, students will develop skills in the physical engineering, logistical planning and safe execution of rigging and operation of equipment used in film and television production. An understanding of hierarchical communication and the essential expectations of a professional entry-level grip will be emphasized. In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of the equipment used in grip and rigging, students will engage in on-set exercises in inventory, maintenance, set-up, trouble-shooting, teamwork, set protocol and safety. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to work on a motion picture production set. As such, student responsibilities are matched to responsibilities of a team member on a production set.
Motion Picture Gripping is an introduction to the practice of rigging and supporting grip equipment for lighting, cameras, dollies, vehicles, and other physical/mechanical devices. This course also explores the mindset required to be a safe and effective grip on a film set and will illuminate the thought processes needed to interpret artistic ideals into actionable tasks.
This course will train students to identify the key players in Accounting and Production Office departments, define their responsibilities, and perform the essential functions. The Production Office component of this course focuses on the relationship between the Production Office and the overall production and the importance of the communication hub that exists between the Office, Set and Post-Production teams. The Accounting component of this course will focus on the guidelines and reporting practices that are used to track and manage the finances of a production. Practical elements will be created through the use of actual production software and scenario simulations.
The course is intended for students who wish to understand the larger importance of how the Production Office and Production Accounting departments affect production with effective communication, organization and problem-solving skills.
Production Management & Film Accounting provides students with a broad base of knowledge of the processes, protocols, paperwork and computer programs utilized within the Production Accounting and Production Office departments in the film and television industry, focusing on the knowledge, practical skills and work routines required for entry-level jobs. Students will also gain a fundamental understanding of budget and scheduling procedures and an introduction to software platforms utilized for production.
Step Three
GFA 2000: Film, Television & Digital Entertainment Internship provides students with experiential learning in professional working film/television or esports/game development environments, such as shooting sets, production offices, sceneshops, post-production, esports and/or game development facilities and ancillary businesses, under the personal advisement of industry experts. The course is offered in cooperation with IATSE 479 and major film and television production and digital entertainment companies like Disney, Netflix, HBO, Skillshot Media, Axis Replay and others.
GFA 4000: Film, Television & Digital Entertainment Apprenticeship provides students with career development through experiential learning in film/television or esports/game development environments, such as shooting sets, production offices, post-production, esports and/or game development facilities and ancillary businesses, under the advisement of industry experts. The course is offered in cooperation with IATSE 479 and companies like Disney, Netflix, HBO, Skillshot Media, Axis Replay and others. Apprentices will research career paths and develop a portfolio of work.
Students will assume key roles as crew members in completing the pre-production and production workflows within the art department. Working from assigned scripts, students complete and present concept art, moodboards, architectural drawings, and then manage logistics of building all sets, props and effects for that production. In-person activities include carpentry, scenic painting, budgeting, scheduling and design work utilizing Vectorworks Student Software. Students will implement their roles as crew members of the art department and develop working relationships with other crew members throughout the phases of production. Upon completion of the course, students will have a camera-ready and fully dressed set suitable for filming.
Students will participate in goal-oriented class projects including lighting plots, location scouting, various stage and location sets, managing a crew, achieving proper exposure for camera settings, and aesthetic stylization. Specific focus is given to design and execution of lighting in common production scenarios. An emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including, but not limited to, participation in exercises, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set.
Students will develop a thorough understanding of the behavior of light and how to manipulate and control it to feature film standards. Students will benefit from the experience of having prepared different types of locations. The course will provide the opportunity to rig and light the most common situations a set lighting crew faces – day exteriors, day interiors, night exteriors, night interiors, on stage and on location.
Students will develop the practical skills and fundamental knowledge for entry-level job positions in professional film and television through hands-on experience when placed in a dedicated craft-specific Practicum under the direction of a graduate thesis candidate.
Students document their acquired knowledge through journals and reports. The course emphasizes career development through student-specific, on-the-job training and in required weekly lessons that include instructor-led resume and interview training sessions.
Because of the compressed and sometimes unusual scheduling nature of film productions, students must have flexibility in their own schedules to be able to work on these projects. A student must commit to working, as scheduled, the full term of the project and must follow all professional standards. Note: the thesis films are most likely shot on multiple weekends (Friday-Sunday) over the course of the semester. Production will either occur at Trilith Studios or within a 30-mile radius of Trilith (studio zone) on location; transportation to and from location shoots within this zone are the responsibility of the student. Students who cannot meet those standards will not be permitted to continue on the project. It is expected and required that all 4100 students are present on set and willing to provide hands-on labor.