One-Year Filmmaking Diploma Course

Overview of Directing and Film Production

• Overview of films and filmmaking.
• Various Department Heads and Roles.
• The director's vision and responsibilities.
• Field and functions of a director.
• Film Production Stages

Basics of Script Writing (Fiction Writing)

• Life as a source of fiction: ideas from memory, experience, and imagination.
• Storytelling Practice and Traditions, Mythology.
• Idea incubation, Story development
• Characterization, Character development and arc.
• Structure of a screenplay: Three-act structure.
• Writing scenes and sequences.
• Script writing in final draft software

Screen Grammar

• Elements of shot composition and camera movements.
• Narrative continuity.
• Concepts of mise-en-scène and montage.
• Master shot, insert, cut-in, cut-away, match cut, jump cut.
• Master shot, insert, cut-in, cut-away, match cut, jump cut.

Practical Exercises

• Creative Writing
• Film Screenings and discussions

Deliverables

• Photo Story OR Photo Essay
• Observation Film.
• Dramatic Action Short Film (Silent/Sound)
• Multi-camera Production

Non-Fiction (Documentary Film):

• Introduction to documentary filmmaking
• Observation Film and Early documentary
• Introduction to documentary filmmaking.
• Introduction to documentary filmmaking.
• Research in documentary and its importance.
• Important documentary films and filmmakers
• Interviews Exercise
• Writing for documentary films.

Practical Exercises

• Interview Ex.
• Idea Pitching for documentary film.

Deliverables:

• Documentary (10-15 mins)

Ad Film and Playback

• Fundamental of Advertising
• Brands Identity
• Concept, Story and Ideation.
• Writing a creative brief and pitching the documentary idea.
• Importance of Song sequence in Indian Cinema.
• Different genres of song sequence.
• Analyses of songs sequences of filmmakers.
• Pitching for song sequence.

Deliverables

• Ad Film
• Song Sequence

• Script writing inputs and mentoring for the final project.
• Idea Pitching and script writing for the final project.

1. Control of Visual Composition

• Understanding the nature of light, color quality, and color temperature concepts.
• Exposure control and light measurement using light meters.
• Lighting aesthetics: Use of highlights and shadows.
• Lenses and optical characteristics.
• Introduction to single-camera filmmaking techniques for narrative and documentary projects.

Workshops

• Use of light and lenses for dramatic storytelling in studio and on-location settings.
• Use of available light combined with artificial lights for a fiction scene on location.

Camera Practical’s / Demonstrations

• Hands-on practice with filmmaking cameras (e.g., Panasonic P2 camcorder, DSLR Canon 5D Mark III, or similar).
• Camera operation practical’s for developing a sense of composition and movement (Artist & Camera).
• Practical demonstrations of photographic light types and purposes.
• Lighting day and night scenes on a set: Low-key lighting techniques.
• Understanding lighting ratios and practical use of exposure meters.
• Shooting with available daylight and artificial light on location, with live sound recording – Demonstration.
• Practical use of selective lenses, depth of field, and ND filters for various scenes – Demonstration and practice.
• Lighting and shooting for dramatic scenes: Focus on creating mood and emotion in fiction projects.

• Color perception and its role in storytelling through cinematography.
• Filters for lenses and lights: Types and purposes for cinematic effect.
• Technical aspects of modern filmmaking cameras (e.g., CCD/CMOS sensors).
• Understanding digital formats: Concepts of SD, HD, UHD, and beyond for film production.
• Basics of image grading and post-production techniques for film

Camera Practical’s / Demonstrations

• Concept of selective focus and its role in storytelling: Camera practicals for follow focus during dramatic compositions.
• Practical demonstrations of tracking, crane, and handheld camera movements for dynamic shots.
• Location shooting with portable lights for cinematic storytelling in daylight.
• Location shooting with available light for evening or night scenes, emphasizing mood and tone.
• Location shooting with available light for evening or night scenes, emphasizing mood and tone.

Workshops

• Use of available light and portable lights for shooting a documentary or narrative project on location.
• Advanced camera movements and composition techniques for visual storytelling.
• Advanced set lighting and camera movements for fiction scenes.
• Use of mixed lighting setups (daylight, tungsten, HMI, Kino) for interior and exterior scenes, including night-for-night shoots.

Demonstrations

• Crane movements outdoors with artist choreography – Demonstration.
• Advanced crane and dolly movements with set lighting – Demonstration.
• Trolley shots for dynamic storytelling on location – Demonstration.
• Introduction to software for color grading and image correction – Half-day session.
• High-key and low-key lighting for cinematic scenes – Demonstration

Module 1

Lectures

• History of Editing: Evolution of editing techniques in filmmaking
• Principles of Continuity: Understanding spatial and temporal continuity.
• Rhythm and Pace: Crafting the flow of scenes and sequences.
• Dialogue Editing: Techniques for clarity and emotional impact.
• Action Sequence Editing: Building tension and maintaining spatial clarity.
• Dramatic Impact: Enhancing storytelling through creative editing choices.
• Introduction to Multicam Editing: Overview of editing multicamera shoots.

Practical’s

• Classroom exercises focused on cutting footage for rhythm, pace, and continuity.
• Scene assembly exercises emphasizing dramatic and action sequences.

Module 2

Lectures

• Introduction to Documentary Editing: Techniques and challenges.
• History of Documentary Films: Evolution of the genre and editing styles.
• History of Documentary Films: Evolution of the genre and editing styles.

Practical’s

• Editing classroom documentary projects.
• Scene assembly for non-fiction storytelling.

Module 3

Lectures

• Advanced Editing Techniques.
• Ad and Promo Editing: Crafting high-impact, concise edits.
• Aesthetics of Sound in Editing: Integrating sound design with visual storytelling.

Practical’s

• Classroom exercises focusing on ad, promo, and sound-integrated edits.

Module 1

Lectures

• Sound Wave Theory: Fundamentals of sound.
• Psychoacoustics: How humans perceive sound.
• Microphones: Design, applications, and stereo miking techniques.
• Sound Design for Fiction: Crafting immersive auditory experiences.
• Art of Location Sound Recording: Challenges and solutions.
• Pro-Tools: The modern tool for audio production.
• Principles of Analogue Mixing Consoles and Monitoring.

Practicals& Assignments

• Voice-over recording and dubbing.
• Dialogue and effects syncing with visuals.
• Audio processing, track-laying, mixing, and mastering.
• Assignments on location sound recording techniques.

Workshops

• Techniques of Audio Post-Production on Pro-Tools.
• Techniques of Location Sound Recording.

Module 2

Lectures

• Digital Audio Theory: Understanding the digital workflow
• Digital Mixing Consoles: Techniques and applications.
• Sound Design for Non-Fiction: Challenges and creative solutions.
• Advanced Application-Specific Processors: Theory and use cases.
• Audio Monitors and Amplifiers: Practical usage.
• MIDI and Timecode Theory: Synchronization and integration in production.

Practical’s& Assignments

• Assignments on advanced audio processors and mixing techniques.
• Track-laying, mixing, and mastering for non-fiction projects.
• Track-laying, mixing, and mastering for non-fiction projects.

Module 3

Lectures

• o Art of Monitoring for Sound Professionals.
• o Advanced Sound Mixing Techniques.
• o Mastering Techniques for Sound Design.

Workshops

• Techniques of 5.1 Surround Mastering for Films.
• Outdoor Sound Recording and Mixing.
• Aesthetics of Sound Design for Films.