Beyond the theory and history of cinema, Digital Eye Media Academy places an emphasis on hands-on experience. Students gain invaluable experience directing and shooting their own films and serving as integral crewmembers on other students’ films.

In their numerous projects, students take on roles such as director, cinematographer, writer and editor and experience first-hand what it’s like to be a part of a film production. This hands-on experience in writing, directing, shooting, and editing is a large part of what makes the Digital Eye Media Academy the best film school for so many students.

Overview of our 1-Year Filmmaking Program

This Filmmaking Program gives students the all-around filmmaking experience necessary to make their own films. The year is divided into three (3) semesters with one to two weeks of vacation, depending on the start date.

Students in the program receive over 800 hours of hands-on instruction and actual production experience. The curriculum integrates intensive study in all the major filmmaking disciplines including cinematography, directing, screenwriting, producing, and editing. They all write, shoot, direct, and edit eight of their own short digital projects (including a thesis sync-sound project).

Students shoot these projects using a DSLR in the first semester and the RED Scarlet HD camera in the second semester. All projects are edited digitally using Adobe software. Students are also trained in the use of 16mm film and 35mm film. Students have the option of shooting their projects in either of these two film formats, although the cost of shooting film is significantly higher than working in HD digital video.

Our program is for people who have the passion to plunge into full-time filmmaking, and to commit themselves to a focused and demanding curriculum. No previous filmmaking experience is required. However, participants must work with self-discipline, energy and mutual respect.

As in all Digital Eye Media Academy programs, the one-year course emphasizes hands-on learning. Film directing classes are not theoretical explorations; they are practical Course designed to put students in the director’s chair as quickly as possible. The Digital Eye Media Academy encourages students to take creative risks and find their own voices as visual artists.

Students complete the year in filmmaking with skills in all the filmmaking crafts, an enormous amount of production experience, eight films of their own, a one-year diploma, and an expanded awareness of themselves and others. Students’ final films are celebrated in a school screening open to cast, crew, friends, family, and invited guests.

The educational objectives of the One-Year Filmmaking Program are to teach students the art and craft of filmmaking and to instruct students through a strict regimen of lectures, seminars, and total immersion Course to help them excel in the creative art of filmmaking

Graduation Requirements

The One-Year Filmmaking Program requires successful completion of creative projects in partial fulfillment of the graduation requirements. These creative projects may include:

• Project 1 – Mise-en-scène Film
• Project 2 – Continuity Film
• Project 3 – Music Film
• Project 4 – Short Film
• Project 5 – Subtext Film
• Project 6 – POV Film
• Project 8 – One Year Final Film
• Project 7 – Mid-Year Film

To graduate and receive a Certificate of Completion, students must also successfully complete every course of study with a passing grade or better and adhere to the Digital Eye Media Academy’s Attendance Policy and Code of Conduct.

The Digital Eye Media Academy One-Year Filmmaking Program is an accelerated full-time study program and does not provide for multiple tracks of study. All classes are mandatory. This is a highly specialized program, and there are no majors or minors.

Classes are lecture, seminar, and/or studio based. Lab and practicum instructional hours are treated as studio hours. The program may not be completed in less than two terms.

The Digital Eye Media Academy’s Registrar’s Office ensures that the student has fulfilled all academic requirements for the entire program, as well as all financial obligations to the school. Student transcripts showing the awarding of the One-Year Certificate of Completion will be withheld until the student meets all academic and financial obligations.

Film Making Course Outline

This Programme will allow members to develop professional skills in film and pre-production, production, and post-production. Fundamentals of video production, including the techniques and the aesthetics of shooting, lighting, and editing will be covered. Emphasizes hands-on production experience, using digital video. While in this Project, members will be using class members as the production unit focusing on filmmaking, including story development, production/post techniques, directing, and interpretation of drama from script to screen. Students will master the following aspects of film making:

Producer’s Craft

Explores every aspect of the Producing process: from identifying ideas through the development of scripts, assembling commercially viable packages, as well as financing, production, marketing, and distribution. Through lecture, discussion of industry developments, handouts and individual research assignments, Producer’s Craft lays the groundwork for students to develop their passion.

Line Producing

Students learn about the physical aspects of production: scheduling and budgeting, crew descriptions, paperwork and reporting mechanisms (permits, call sheets, production reports), pay rates, working with unions, insurance guidelines, and more. Students are instructed in the use of Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software.

Pitching

An essential producing skill, students learn the appropriate pitching techniques for a variety of meetings and settings. Each student will practice and gain critical and fundamental pitching skills, including writing effective loglines, identifying the audience, and perfecting the pitch.

Entertainment Law

Producing students will study legal issues regarding television, films, recordings, live performances and other aspects of the entertainment industry; including copyright, intellectual property, talent representation, and financing/distribution arrangements.

Story and Screenwriting

Producers play a key role in the development of scripts. Students will gain firsthand knowledge of fundamental screenwriting elements such as: structure, conflict, character, premise, plot, and thematic point of view. They will gain insight into working with writers, story analysis, and overall management of the development process.

Film Finance

This course focuses on successful strategies employed in the finance of studio and independent films. Topics include: equity investment, sales agents, foreign territories, pre–sales, gap financing, production incentives, subsidies and government funds, as well as the revenue waterfall, i.e. how investors get their money back.

Film Festival Strategies

With the proliferation of film festivals around the world, this course will offer an opportunity at a “low cost” option for the submission of their films and a means to develop a film community of their own. Film Festivals are expanding as the technology explodes in the digital universe. Topics include festival selection, social media campaigns, case study of a specific film to examine the process of working the festival circuit, and achieving potential distribution deals.

Project Salient Features:

• Medium of Instruction:                   English
• Duration of Course:                          12 Months

Training methodology:

• Theoretical coverage 20 %
• Practical coverage 80 %