Program Level Learning Outcomes

Cinematography

1. Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of tools used to create images and the cutting-edge technology science that make those images possible.
2. Previsualization: Developing the ability to pre-plan and predict the nature and reality of images needed for a given story and the ability to communicate the logistical and artistic challenges in doing so.
3. Artistic Maturity: Help evolve visual approaches serving the story in a team environment, understanding and evaluating how well images serve a story, drawing on a knowledge of visual arts to nurture images needed with sound aesthetic footing and artistic taste.
4. Leadership: Able to analyze the amount of physical work required to accomplish the project, to predict how much work a given scene will take, and to break down assignments and management skills to empower those working for him/her/them while requiring the least amount of verbiage or instructions.

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Directing

1. Visual Storytelling: To learn and practice the language of visual storytelling, using action, performance and the camera to convey information, emotion and drama. To stage and shoot with an emphasis on character objectives and on narrative point of view.
2. Collaboration with Actors: To learn how to cast and work effectively with actors in order to elicit the best possible performance.
3. Narrative Structure: To learn the elements of dramatic structure. To understand and articulate the turning points of story. To create and maintain narrative momentum throughout a film, beginning, middle and end.
4. Collaboration with Production Team: To learn how to collaborate effectively with and to lead Producers, Cinematographers, Editors, Production Designers, Screenwriters and other key crew members in an effort to realize the story’s intentions.
5. The Business of Directing: To develop a personal strategy for becoming a professional director. This includes knowing how to develop actionable projects that can be produced after graduation, possessing the honed skills for presenting yourself and for pitching projects to anyone (producers, execs, agents and actors), and knowing how to plan both mentally and practically to enter “the real world” where a directing career is both a marathon and a sprint.

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Editing

At the end of the first year, AFI Editing Fellows will be able to…

1. Demonstrate their ability to apply the creative methods and technical tools used in current professional editing practices to create compelling narrative films.
2. Demonstrate their ability to analyze and appraise the work of collaborating peers in order to make editorial choices that enhance the success of their films.
3. Demonstrate their ability to apply the communication, collaboration and leadership skills needed to successfully manage the editing process with a creative filmmaking team.
4. Demonstrate their ability to practice and perform management and troubleshooting skills in post-production workflows, including metadata and creative resource management, scheduling and budgeting.
5. Demonstrate their ability to operate and troubleshoot industry standard post-production hardware and software, including Apple Computers, Avid Media Composer and other systems.
6. Critically apply their analysis of film history, aesthetics and dramatic narrative storytelling to enhance the editing of their films.

At the end of the second year, AFI Editing Fellows will be able to…

1. Demonstrate creative abilities by practicing advanced skills in the iteration of cuts applying critical review, the submission of work to review outside AFIC and completing assignments and exercises of a high degree of difficulty.
2. Identify and demonstrate the communication skills required to successfully manage the editing process in a creative team setting by taking on the role of Editor and Assistant Editor in practice exercises, group assignments and Thesis Films.
3. Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility and apply principles of leadership and teamwork in film production and post-production by successfully completing practice exercises, group assignments and Thesis Films.
4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of professional practices in post-production by applying workflows, interacting with vendors and managing schedules of Thesis projects in a variety of formats and workplaces.
5. Demonstrate mastery of industry-standard software and hardware systems by operating and troubleshooting technology in editing, sound design, VFX and turnovers to post-production vendors.
6. Demonstrate by communicating an advanced knowledge of applicable film history, aesthetics and principles of dramatic narrative storytelling in assigned editing exercises, projects and assignments.

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Producing

1. Creative Development Skills: Develop knowledge of dramatic structure and practice story critique as it pertains to short Cycle and Thesis projects as well as to feature films and television. Develop the ability to identify IP through story genesis, and the knowledge of how to develop it through delivery to the marketplace.
2. Leadership/Collaboration: Solidify skills in leading a project, while maintaining a collaborative team, providing and mediating creative feedback with each key team member and delegating responsibilities in order to best serve the intentions of story and production.
3. Production Expertise: Develop skills in budgeting and managing both short and feature film production, from pre- through post-production, making the best use of the talent and skills of the team.
4. Business/Legal Expertise/Marketing: Learn the business aspects of filmmaking, including contracts, development- and production-related legal issues, financing, distribution and marketing – and exercising executive management skills to bring about the best outcome for the project.

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Production Design

1. Applied Production Design
   1. An understanding of mill safety, carpentry, set construction and scenic painting.
   2. Search, secure, adapt and restore set locations.
   3. Collaborate with other disciplines in the making of cycle, thesis, MOS and DWW projects.
   4. Build relationships with vendors and studios in the industry.
2. The Art of Production Design
   1. Analyze the story and translate the written word into concrete visual language.
   2. Use research to find inspiration, factual accuracy and emotional authenticity that best supports the story.
   3. Pre-vis the look and feel of the sets/locations using both traditional and digital methods.
   4. Find and express a personal design aesthetic in support of the story using perspective illustrations.
3. The Science of Production Design
   1. Articulate a design into a comprehensive set of plans, elevations, details and white models that can be budgeted, shared with other departments, built and implemented into a full production setting.
   2. Create a digital model of a set and use that model to create plans and renderings.
   3. Awareness of the art department’s pipeline with visual effects and post-production.
4. The Business of Production Design
   1. Market yourself with a compelling website, portfolio and resume.
   2. Write, speak and present design concepts with confidence and clarity.
   3. Familiarity with budgeting and scheduling for short and feature films.
   4. Foster meaningful relationships with AFI Alumni and other working professionals in the industry.
   5. Anticipate and manage the uncertainty and ambiguity which is built into the industry.

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Screenwriting

1. Craft/Aesthetics:
   1. Screenwriting Fellows will hone their storytelling techniques, including an understanding of three-act structure, character development, emotional arc, effective dialogue, dynamic scene construction and the use of plot to support dramatic narrative. They will cultivate their individual “voice” and will learn how to structure their stories successfully as features, TV pilots or episodes, or shorts.
2. Story critique:
   1. Fellows will sharpen analytical skills in order to effectively and constructively critique the scripted work of their peers.
3. Process:
   1. Fellows will regularly give, receive and address notes from faculty and peers during their ongoing writing and revision process.
4. Professionalism/Presentation:
   1. Fellows will build effective work habits in order to deliver polished, compelling screenplays of a professional caliber. They will know how to engage in creative collaboration with a production team and contribute to the film’s realization through screenwriting and other production activities. They will demonstrate skill in pitching — the presentation of story ideas and screenplays to buyers, including producers, feature and television executives, and agents/managers.

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