40 Week Filmmaking Program Curriculum

The 40 Week Filmmaking Program is a four quarter cohort program.

QUARTER I

CPPR—121 Production 1 (5)
Production 1 provides an introduction to the basic elements of camera operation and lighting with specific attention to the fundamentals of exposure and control of the image and provides an overview of the entire production process. Students complete two short individual projects and one small group project on Super 8 film.

CPPR—141 Fundamentals of Editing (5)
Fundamentals of Editing provides an introduction to the art, theory, and craft of editing with detailed attention to the entire conceptual process from storyboarding to the final version. Students also gain practical experience and hands-on instruction in editing programs and edit all projects produced in Production 1.

CPCS—111 History of Cinema 1: 1894-1929 (5)
History of Cinema 1: 1894-1929 provides an introduction to the early history of cinema: its precedents, its origins, and the technological, commercial, artistic, and political factors in its development from “silents” to “talkies”.

CPSW—121 Screenwriting 1 (5)
Students learn story concept development and how to create realistic and empathetic characters, screenplay conventions and format, and characteristics of established genres. The course emphasizes telling a story cinematically in terms of action and character portrayal.

QUARTER II

CPPR—221 Production 2 (5)
Production 2 builds on the principles taught in Production 1 and provides an introduction to collaborative production and the crew experience and introduces skills in the areas of pre-production, blocking, directing, and production planning. Students are introduced to lighting and camera operation at the intermediate level with film and HD cameras. Students assume a specific crew position and complete a 16mm MOS group project that melds the creative use of sound and image.

CPPR—241 Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 1 (5)
Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 1 builds on the principles taught in Fundamentals of Editing with specific attention to the relation between visual imagery and sound design and provides the foundation to the techniques and aesthetic principles for editing dialog, music, and sound effects. Students complete documentary projects, and sharpen analytical skills with critiques of all projects completed in Production 2.

CPCS—211 History of Cinema 2: 1930-1959 (5)
History of Cinema 2: 1930-1959 focuses primarily upon the “Golden Age” of American cinema — the maturation of narrative and genre, refinements in cinematography, and the solidified dominance of Hollywood worldwide. A portion of the course will be dedicated to key individuals working outside of the U.S. and/or outside the Hollywood studio system during the period.

CPSW—221 Screenwriting 2 (5)
In Structure and Process, students develop the basic storyline for their screenplay. The class focuses on the specific elements of the screenwriting craft including creating story, structuring the plot and subplots, plot points, ingredients to construct effective opening pages, and the structure of dramatic scenes.

QUARTER III

CPPR—321 Production 3 (5)
Production 3 builds on the principles taught in Production 2 in the areas of pre-production, directing and production management. The class provides continued instruction in lighting technique and camera operation as well as an introduction to location audio recording. Students complete a collaborative crew project in HD that highlights the creative and effective use of dialog and visual storytelling. Students assume a specific assigned crew position that is different than the crew position held in Production 1.

CPPR—341 Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 2 (5)
Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 2 builds on the principles taught in Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 1 with advanced instruction in the theory and practice of editing dialog in narrative work and offers both a theoretical and structural overview of the editorial process of both narrative and non-fiction work as material progresses through each successive editorial version. Students complete a promotional video project, an edit and critique all material produced in Production 3.

CPCS—311 History of Cinema 3: 1960-1989 (5)
History of Cinema 3: 1960-1989 covers cinema in the wake of the decline in the Hollywood “studio system”. The period spans the emergence of New Wave film, “New Hollywood”, and the return of the blockbuster.

CPSW—321 Screenwriting 3 (5)
In Creating the First Draft, students begin their screenplays and have individual readings of their pages in class with discussion and analysis. This course deals with the overall structure of screenplays from the individual scene to the rhythms of the complete piece. In addition, the class focuses on effective dialogue, adding “twists” to the story, and the basic techniques of comedy and humor.

QUARTER IV

CPPR—421 Production 4 (5)
Production 4 builds on the principles taught in Production 3 and provides advanced instruction in audio, lighting, cinematography, and camera operation. Students complete a capstone collaborative project in Super 16mm or HD crewing in their area of specialization. Field trips and guest lectures highlight the role of the entire structure of film/video production ranging from production houses and soundstages to digital and audio post-production and the film lab.

CPPR—441 Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 3 (5)
Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 3 builds on the principles taught in Principles of Editing and Non-Fiction Filmmaking 2. The class provides advanced instruction in editing workflow, the relation between film, video, and digital formats and conversion issues, technical and creative aspects of electronic imaging, and offers specific attention to advanced editing problems, visual effects, audio, and color correction. Students complete either a personal essay, experimental project, or project of their choice, and edit and critique all material produced in Production 4.

CPCS—411 History of Cinema 4: 1990-present (5)
History of Cinema 4: 1990-present surveys recent trends in cinema, from new technologies and methods of distribution to the rise of third world cinema.

CPSW—421 Screenwriting 4 (5)
In this course students will finish writing the first draft of their screenplay, reading and analyzing pages in class. The class will focus on the tools and elements for creating suspense, finding creative titles, entering festivals and contests, registering scripts, pitching, finding an agent, and rewriting for the next draft.

40 Week Immersion Program Dates

 

Fall 2012 Session:

September 17 2012 - July 20 2013

Spring 2013 Session:

March 4, 2013 - Dec 20, 2013

Monday - Friday Mornings: Classroom instruction and labs -- 4 hour sessions

CURRENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Thanksgiving (Nov. 24 & 25, 2011)

Holiday Break (Dec. 19 - 30, 2011) MLK Day (Jan. 16, 2012)

Winter Break (Feb. 20-24, 2012)

Spring Break (May 28 - June 1, 2012)

Independence Day (July 4, 2012)

40 Week Immersion Program Tuition

At SFI, students learn filmmaking by making films.

Here’s how it happens:

Tuition includes:

The Shoot

• All the cameras, lights, grip equipment, dollies, and audio gear for film, HD, and digital Projects.
• Shooting film is a real world professional experience. At SFI, students shoot 5 film projects, culminating with the capstone Super 16mm project. Digital video tape is also provided for the DV drama, documentary and business promo productions.
• The film stock is on us…and so is the processing.

Post-Production

• Processing, Work prints and video transfers are covered by SFI.
• State-of-the-art color correction transfer of the 16 mm film negative to video for the final project (students supervise and direct the transfer session at a professional facility for the Final Super 16mm project … a career milestone while still in school).
• Use of the Editing Lab equipped with Macintosh computers and Final Cut Pro Studio.

Deliverables

• Your own Personal Demo Reel and Class Reel of all projects
• Resume detailing every crew position for each of 10 projects
• Professional Internship set up by the school for every single student (add your first job to your resume)
• Locked-in Tuition Policy: Once you start the program, there are no quarterly tuition increases whether you complete the program over 10 months or 2 years.

Questions about Tuition?
One-on-one Financial Planning Available!

Total Immersion Filmmaking Program with Flexible Schedule—take the program over 10 months or up to 2 years Mix & Match Day or Evening Class Schedule

Quarters of Full Time Schedule:	4
“Locked-In” Domestic Tuition - Entire Program, Full Time or Flexible Schedule	$24,900
International Tuition-Entire Program	$26,000
Application Fee:	Free for online
Application Fee by Mail	$100
Books and Instructional Supplies (approximate)	$450
Discretionary Production Costs (remember to feed your actors or rent that special costume!)	$400

Financial Aid is Available

Key Features of the Sallie Mae Career Training Program

• Educational loans for students of the Seattle Film Institute are provided through the Sallie Mae Career Loan Program.
• Repayment can be up to 15 years.
• No penalty for early repayment.
• Quick notification (often within 24-48 hours of receipt of application).

Ready to Apply?

To begin the process of applying for a Sallie Mae Career Training Loan, e-mail us at: info@seattlefilminstitute.com or call us at (800) 882-4734 (or 206-568-4387), for the information you will need to navigate the online application procedure. Remember to mention Financial Aid in your message.

Other Financial Aid Options

Monthly Tuition

A monthly tuition payment plan is available to all students. Please contact the Seattle Film Institute for further details.

Veteran's Benefits

Veteran's benefits are available. Please call for more information: (800) 882-4734 or 206-568-4387

International Film Students

SFI happily welcomes Film Students from all over the world.

During previous programs international students have come from Australia, Canada, Finland, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Turkey.

The Seattle Film Institute is authorized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enroll foreign students. To facilitate this process, international students should complete the International Student Information Form and submit it with their application for certificate program admission. or with their graduate program application. This form can also be submitted after acceptance to the Seattle Film Institute.

Once admitted into the program, international applicants will need to acquire a student visa to study in the U.S. at the Seattle Film Institute. The appropriate student visa for the Seattle Film Institute is an M1 visa. Information about how to acquire the M1 student visa is provided to international students upon admission to the program.

Internships & Career Opportunities

Students in our professional certificate and graduate degree programs are eligible to participate in SFI’s nationally renowned internship program, designed to bridge the gap between film student and working professional. Through the internship program SFI students have gained valuable professional experience and contacts, working at some of the finest production companies, post production facilities, and media-related firms in the country. In turn, the companies benefit from our students superb training, knowledge, wide-ranging skill sets, and professional attitudes.

Student Testimonials

“Through the internship program, I was able to work on an independent feature film three days after moving to LA. I not only learned what it is like to work on a real production, but the connections I made from that one internship has now given me eight other job opportunities; and led to my being hired to direct an independent feature film (title). The internship program has made a world of difference in my life."
- Alex Meader

"I received my SFI internship at a Seattle-based advertising agency shooting and editing weekly videos for their blog. After the internship ended, I received a full time job from the agency and am still working there, and loving it, three years later!"
- James Whittington

"I absolutely loved my internship at Maguire Entertainment. I loved working at a production company and learned so much working so closely with the producers. I was lucky enough to be able to split my time between the office (where they had me reading scripts, running errands, etc.), the editing room, and also being a personal assistant to the director of the movie that they are currently working on. Everyone was very welcoming and it felt great to be part of a team. They are all enthusiastic about helping me find future work and I know that they are all keeping their eyes open for a job opening for me."
- Erin Levine

"Thank you so much for my internship at Screaming Flea Productions, it’s been amazing! Working on projects in every phase of production I’ve learned so much. And being hired to work here full-time is a dream come true!"
- Jerusha Thom

“As a huge fan of horror-films, I was very excited and more than a little intimidated when the first internship interview SFI set up for me was with Roger Corman himself! The interview went great, and I got the internship. They kept me very busy doing everything from editing trailers to writing treatments to (sometimes) getting coffee. I learned a ton and had a great time. Best of all, when my internship was complete, they hired me on full time, and I couldn’t be happier! The strong skill-set I gained at SFI has served me very well."
- Justin Fox

Company Testimonials

“Erin's fantastic, thank you so much for sending her our way! She proved to be a huge asset to our office. Everyone absolutely loved her and was fighting over her time by the end of her internship! Please send us future SFI candidates!”
- Ivana Schechter-Garcia
Maguire Entertainment
Los Angeles, CA

“I’d love to have more interns from the Seattle Film Institute.... The ones we’ve had have been great!”
- Lisa Hirotani White
Screaming Flea Productions
Seattle, WA

“We loved having Emily here... if you have more students seeking internships, please let me know.”
- Juan Rodriguez
Exclusive Media
Los Angeles, CA

“We've been very impressed with the SFI students that have worked for us as interns. I value their already established skill sets, and willingness to get the job done. I look forward to working with more SFI students in the future."
- Dax Estorninos
Wong Doody Advertising
Seattle, WA

“Thanks for sending us another great intern – keep them coming our way!”
-Carter Swan
Trigger Street Productions
Los Angeles, CA

“We were very impressed with the interns SFI sent us for a documentary project we were shooting, particularly with their professional conduct on set and their level of expertise with the equipment. We will definitely work with SFI interns in the future.”
- Fiona Giles
Avenue Films
Seattle WA


If you’d like more information about the Seattle Film Institute internship program, or if you represent a company interested in having SFI students intern with you, contact Chris Blanchett: chris@seattlefilminstitute.com.

Here’s a partial listing of companies we’ve placed interns with:

New Horizons Pictures
Hollywood, CA
http://www.newhorizonspictures.com/

Exclusive Media
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.exclusivemedia.com/

Trigger Street Productions
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.imdb.com/company/co0148949/

Screaming Flea Productions
Seattle, WA
http://www.sfpseattle.com/

Victory Studios
Seattle, WA
www.victorystudios.com

Filmateria
Seattle, WA
www.filmateria.com

KCTS Public Television
Seattle, WA
www.kcts.org

Cole & Weber Advertising
Seattle, WA
www.coleweber.com

Wong Doody Advertising
Seattle, WA
www.wongdoody.com

Alpha Cine Labs
Seattle, WA
www.alphacine.com

Americam
Seattle, WA
www.americam.com

Avenue Films
Seattle, WA
http://avenue-films.com/

Clatter & Din/Flicker & Blur
Seattle, WA
www.clatterdin.com

Culp Productions
Seattle, WA
www.briandina.com/culp

Flying Spot Entertainment Group
Seattle, WA
www.flyingspot.com

FoxSports.Net
Seattle, WA
www.msn.foxcareers.com

Hip Films
Los Angeles, CA
www.hipfilms.com

Kostov and Associates
Seattle, WA
www.kostov.com

MODE Studios
Seattle, WA
www.modestudios.com

Oppenheimer Cine Rental
Seattle, WA
www.oppenheimercamera.com

Production Foundry
Seattle, WA
www.theproductionfoundry.com

Sierra Media
Everett, WA
www.sierra-media.com

The Application Process

The Seattle Film Institute is truly committed to our students, and the 40 Week Full Immersion Filmmaking Program is designed toward preparing them for professional careers. Applications can be completed online or by mail.

Ready to Apply?

You can apply in any of the following ways:

Online Application Form -- (There is no application fee for applying online.).

OR:

Download the Application Form in PDF Form You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the above file. You can get it for free by clicking this button:

OR:

Have a Form Sent to You by Mail

Or call us: (800) 882-4734 or (206) 568-4387

 

Submitting Applications by Mail:

After you have filled out the form, enclose the application fee of $100.00 (either check or credit card information), and submit to:

 

Seattle Film Institute
1709 23rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Attachment	Size
Application 2012-04-30.pdf	244.02 KB

Transfer SFI Credits to Shoreline Community College

Students Can Now Earn Credits Towards Their Associate of Arts Degree (AA) or Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) through studying at the Seattle Film Institute:

The Seattle Film Institute is pleased to announce we've signed an articulation agreement with Shoreline Community College. This agreement grants our Forty Week Total Immersion Filmmaking Program graduates the ability to earn a fully transferable Associate of Arts Degree in Digital Filmmaking at Shoreline Community College.

This exciting development gives SFI students an incredible range of options:

EARN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN FILMMAKING:

Take the Total Immersion Filmmaking Program and earn your professional certificate.

EARN YOUR A.A. DEGREE:
Take the Total Immersion Filmmaking Program (earn your professional certificate) and complete your degree credits for the Applied Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Digital Filmmaking at Shoreline Community College.

EARN YOUR B.A. (BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE):
Take the Total Immersion Filmmaking Program (earn your professional certificate); then complete your A.A. Degree at Shoreline Community College, and transfer to any public college or university in the State of Washington for which you qualify and complete your B.A. (Bachelor of Arts). Or, students who complete this A.A. degree path at Shoreline with a 2.4 or better GPA may also apply to transfer into Central Washington University's Film & Video Studies program as a Junior through an established articulation agreement between Shoreline CC and CWU.

Whichever path you choose, upon completion of your studies, you'll be able to embark on your career by taking advantage of SFI's nationally recognized internship program.