Hands On Filmmaking
The Best Way to Learn
Filmmaking is to Make Films
Testing the Film and Digital cameras: Students operate Digital Video and Arri S 16mm cameras in the Tools of Production course.There’s no better way to become a filmmaker than to make films. In our production classes, students have the opportunity to work in film, digital video and HD. Students work both on individual projects and on crews. And best of all, every production class results in finished work ranging from narrative work to documentaries.
Fundamentals of Filmmaking is the start-off class for the rest of the narrative production program followed by Tools of Production and The Production Project (either film or digital video) and culminating with Editing with Final Cut Pro. For documentary filmmakers, Fundamentals of Filmmaking is followed by Documentary Production.
All production classes are included in the core requirements for the Filmmaking Certificate Program.
Courses have been carefully designed so that you can take courses in a specific area of interest, complete a certificate program in filmmaking or choose a shorter certificate program in a specific area of interest such as film production, documentary, or screenwriting. Class times are arranged so students can take multiple classes in different areas of interest at the same time.
The Filmmaking Certificate Program with 540 contact hours gives students the opportunity to earn a certificate at their own pace and allows all those who complete the program access to the Seattle Film Institute internship program. The Master Certificate is similar in scope to the certificate earned by those enrolled in the full-time 40 week immersion program.
This Certificate Program also allows for a student to choose more specialization than the 40 Week Total Immersion program, while still retaining its breadth of approach.
For more details on the individual Hands on Film, Digital Video, and Documentary classes, check out the descriptions below:
Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Introduction to Film, HD, & Documentary Production
FOF-A: Thursdays, April 19 - June 7, 2012
FOF-B: Thursdays, Oct. 18 - Dec. 13, 2012 (no class 11/22)
Instructor: Tyler Brazil
8 Sessions: 7:00-10:00 PM
Tuition: $545 24 Clock Hrs.
The Fundamentals of Filmmaking is the gateway for all production classes at the Seattle Film Institute.
This class provides students with a practical and comprehensive grounding in film and HD production including lighting, camera, composition and editing. Students have the remarkable opportunity to work in both film and digital video, which provides the crucial foundation for an understanding of the entire production process. Students also receive a hands-on overview of editing with Final Cut Pro. Students complete projects in both digital video and Super-8 Film.
These projects give students experience in the complete production process including scripts and storyboards, shooting, and editing. Class time is devoted to technical knowledge, film analysis, and screening and critiques of student work. This class provides the foundation for the entire spectrum of filmmaking including narrative, documentaries, music videos, business videos, personal and experimental work, and projects for the web. Thus, Fundamentals of Filmmaking can serve as a stand-alone introduction to the basics of film production, or as a required prerequisite for all other production classes at the Seattle Film Institute. Tuition includes the text and use of cameras and editing equipment. Additional film costs and refundable equipment deposit are the responsibility of the student.
OR: Download the Register for classes form
OR: Register by phone: (206) 568-4387
The Tools of Production
Lighting, Camera & Pre-Production for Film, HD, & Documentary
TOP-B: Thursdays, Jan. 5 - Feb. 23, 2012
TOP-A: Thursdays, June 21 - Aug. 9, 2012
TOP-B: Thursdays, Jan. 3 - Feb. 21, 2013
Instructor: Tyler Brazil 8 Sessions - 8 Thursdays – 7:00pm-10:00pm and (plus one optional weekend day session for sunlight shooting demo depending on time of year and weather) Tuition: $545; Lab Fee: $50.00 - 24 Clock Hrs.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Filmmaking
The Tools of Production provides the fundamental groundwork for both the practical and creative sides of 16mm film and digital video production. During class, students will set up and shoot scenes paying particular attention to the expressive aspects of lighting and camera technique as well as the proper use of equipment and the standardized protocol of crew filmmaking. Students become familiar with both camera operation and professional lighting and audio equipment.
Weekly class sessions cover camera operation for film and digital video cameras, the use of light meters, detailed lighting instruction, and an overview of location audio recording. During the class, students also begin pre-production planning on their projects.
The lab fee covers all film, equipment use and processing costs.
OR: Download the Register for classes form
OR: Register by phone: (206) 568-4387
16mm Film Production & Documentary
Making the 16mm Film Production & Documentary
FMP-B: Thursdays, March 8 - April 26, 2012
FMP-A: Thursdays, Aug. 23 - Oct. 11, 2012
FMP-B: Thursdays, March 7 - April 25, 2013
Instructor: Steven Bradford
Sessions - 7:00-10:00pm
Tuition: $545.00 Lab Fee: $215.00 - 24 Clock Hrs.
Prerequisite: Tools of Production
Dramatic Film: SFI students on the set of "Big Bogey" a 16mm Film Students in The Film Production Process shoot their own non-sync 16mm film, HD, or Documentary project. The class is divided into groups of 5-7 people. Each group takes full responsibility for their project, and some students may choose to work on more than one. In narrative film, students write scripts, prepare shot lists and storyboards, cast actors, scout and secure locations, and finally shoot their project.
Class sessions also cover budgeting, permit procedures, casting, art direction, and advanced production skills. Students involved in shooting a documentary will deal with each step of the process, from choosing a topic to distribution. The class deals with fundamental techniques involving research, planning, story development, and interview techniques. All footage is carefully analyzed and critiqued in class.
Access to the camera and lighting package, and film and processing costs are included in the lab fee. Other costs associated with production and the refundable equipment deposit are the student’s responsibility.
This course is meant to be taken after the Tools of Production course. Though that course leads directly into The Film Production Process course, students do not have to have taken the Tools of Production course immediately prior to this one in the schedule. It is fine to have taken Tools of Production, or its predecessor course, Hands on Film I, in a past year.
*"Non-sync" means that though there is no dialogue synced with the picture, the film still has full music, sound effects and narration.
OR: Download the Register for classes form
OR: Register by phone: (206) 568-4387
The Digital Video Production Process
The Digital Video Project
Instructor: Chris Julian
8 Sessions: 7:00-10:00pm
Tuition: $545.00
Lab Fee: $215.00
Prerequisite: Tools of Production (TOP)
Students in Digital Video Production shoot their own digital video film. The class is divided into groups of 5-7 people. Each group takes full responsibility for their projects as they write the scripts, prepare storyboards, cast actors, scout and secure locations, and finally shoot their project. Weekly class sessions cover scripting, shot lists and storyboards, budgeting, location scouting, permit procedures, casting, art direction, and advanced production skills. All footage is carefully analyzed and critiqued in class. Access to the camera and lighting package is included in the lab fee. Other costs associated with production and the refundable equipment deposit are the student's responsibility.
OR: Download the Register for classes form
OR: Register by phone: (206) 568-4387
Editing with Final Cut Pro
The Art and Technique of Editing
EFC-A: Saturday, Oct. 20 and Wednesdays, Oct. 24 - Dec. 12, 2012
EFC-B: Saturday, May 4 and Wednesdays, May 8 - June 19, 2013
Instructor: TBA 8 Sessions –One Saturday, 8:00am-5:00pm & 7 Wednesdays,7:00-10:00pm
Tuition: $625.00 Lab Fee: $95.00 - 24 Clock Hrs.
Editing with Final Cut Pro provides an intensive grounding in operating Final Cut Pro as well as providing a comprehensive framework in editing theory. This class can be taken as a stand-alone introduction to editing and will take a project from raw footage through to the final edit.
Students either edit projects completed in “The Production Process” or other SFI classes, or they may use material provided by the Seattle Film Institute. In addition to picture editing, students work with the basics of audio editing and sound design.
By the end of the class, projects will be completely edited with a full sound track. Students will be provided with a DVD of all work completed during the class. Lab fee covers film/video transfers and access to equipment outside of class hours.
OR: Download the Register for classes form
OR: Register by phone: (206) 568-4387