GFA: Introduction to Film and Television Production

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Requirements & Materials
Overview

GFA: Introduction to Film and Television Production

Course Description

Introduction to On-Set Film Production is a course which 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, PowerPoint presentations, videos and hand-outs, the course will include demonstrations of equipment and set operations as well as hands-on learning experiences.

You will learn the film production organizational structure; job descriptions and duties in various film craft areas; and names, uses and protocols related to various pieces of professional on-set film equipment. You will also learn how the various film crafts relate to one another on a working set, as well as how and why they all must operate in sync. In addition, you will gain skills related to networking and self-marketing. This course is the pre-requisite for all Georgia Film Academy courses.

Course Content

INTRODUCTION TO COURSE AND FILM INDUSTRY

  • The structure of the course and the overall program, student and instructor goals, expectations, and responsibilities
  • The Film Industry - an overview of the over-all film production process, organizational structure and job descriptions including the role of film unions and guilds

CRITICAL FILM PRODUCTION CONCEPTS

  • Scene coverage and camera angles
  • Shot composition

LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL CONCEPTS AND EQUIPMENT

  • Three-point lighting technique
  • Lighting theory – color temperature, intensity, angle, shadows, gels, diffusion, additional lighting techniques
  • Fundamentals of electricity, as applied to film production and essential safety procedures

GRIP GEAR AND DOLLIES

  • Introduction to common grip equipment utilized in professional film production GFA 1000 Introduction to On-Set Film Production
  • Introduction to dollies, jibs, sliders, and other common movement devices utilized in professional film production

BASICS OF THE CAMERA, LENSES, AND OPERATION

  • Fundamentals of cameras utilized in professional film production
  • Theoretical concepts of lenses and settings

SOUND AND MIDTERM REVIEW

  • Theoretical concepts of sound recording
  • Fundamentals of sound equipment utilized in professional film production

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

  • Introduction to duties of assistant directors and production assistants, from preproduction to completion of production
  • Process of breaking down a script

PRODUCTION OFFICE AND SCRIPT SUPERVISORS

  • Introduction to duties of the production office and accounting office staff, from pre-production to completion of production
  • Introduction to duties of the Script Supervisor

ART DEPARTMENT

  • Introduction to Production Design process
  • Introduction to hierarchy and responsibilities of the art department on a professional film production

COSTUMES AND HAIR AND MAKEUP

  • Introduction to duties of hair and makeup department
  • Introduction to duties of wardrobe department

LOCATIONS AND CASTING

  • Introduction to the responsibilities of the location department
  • Introduction to the responsibilities of the casting department

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  • Presentations on working in the industry
  • Concepts and techniques for self-marketing
Requirements & Materials
Important Information

Online Platform: Account Setup
Classes will be hosted online via Desire 2 Learn (D2L). USG ITS (University System of Georgia – Internet Technology Services) will create your D2L account. You will receive an email from the USG with the subject line of “GoVIEW-Georgia Virtual Instruction Enterprise Wide: Enrollment Confirmation” which will contain your username, log-on instructions, and D2L Help Desk contact information.

First Day of Class
Your first class meeting will be online via teleconference during your scheduled class meeting day and time. Prior to the first day, your instructor will send you the link to join the class teleconference.

Online Platform: Access
To access your course section(s), you will need to log onto Georgia GoVIEW. We encourage you to make sure you are able to log on BEFORE the first day of class so the USG ITS can troubleshoot any access or technical problems.

Materials

Required

  • Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)
  • Computer (laptop or desktop)

Provided

  • All content presented in class, including the syllabus and requirements for the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) Internship program, in the D2L online learning system. Any students unable to access materials should email GFA’s Manager of Curriculum and Instruction, Dan Kelly at dan.kelly@USG.edu for access, and please include the following information:
    • Instructor
    • Day/Time of Class
    • Location of Class
    • Home Institution

Session Details

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for those who want to learn a basic set of skills and insights sufficient to be integrated onto the sets of working film productions.

Group of film studios record actor sitting a kitchen table

What You Will Learn

  • Film production organizational structure
  • Job descriptions and duties in various film craft areas
  • Names, uses and protocols related to various pieces of professional on-set film equipment
  • How the various film crafts relate to one another on a working set
  • How and why films must operate in sync
  • Skills related to networking and self-marketing
Film producer in headset controlling process of shooting TV in front of computer screen

How You Will Benefit

  • Develop skills to be able to perform at an entry-level on a professional film set.
  • Describe the film production process.
  • Describe on-set, off-set, and production office personnel and organizational structure.
  • Explain a “day on the set” workflow and schedules for all departments.
  • Identify and demonstrate professional film behavior.
  • Explain the duties and demonstrate the entry-level skills for onset, off-set, and production office positions.
  • Describe the duties of the on-set and office production assistant (PA).
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how to operate professional film equipment.
  • Identify safety issues and identify whom and how to report safety concerns.
  • Taught by Experts in the Field icon
    Taught by Experts in the Field
  • Grow Your Professional Network icon
    Grow Your Professional Network

TRAIN AT YOUR LOCATION

We enable employers to provide specialized, on-location training on their own timetables. Our world-renowned experts can create unique content that meets your employees' specific needs. We also have the ability to deliver courses via web conferencing or on-demand online videos. For 15 or more students, it is more cost-effective for us to come to you.

  • Save Money
  • Flexible Schedule
  • Group Training
  • Customize Content
  • On-Site Training
  • Earn a Certificate
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