Program Level Learning Outcomes

Cinematography

• Technical Proficiency:
  • Knowledge of tools used to create images, the ability to pre-visualize, and to imagine and communicate images well Leadership.
• Artistic Maturity:
  • Help evolve visual approaches serving the story in a team environment, understanding and evaluating how well images serve a story, and drawing on a deep knowledge of visual arts to nurture images needed to tell a story show sound aesthetic footing and artistic taste.
• Leadership:
  • Able to analyze the amount of physical work required to accomplish the project’s work, predict how much work a given scene will take, break down assignments and management skills to empower those working for him/her while requiring the least amount of verbiage/instructions.

Directing

• 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.
• 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.
• Collaboration with Actors
  • To learn how to cast and work effectively with actors in order to elicit the best possible performance.
• Collaboration with Production Team
  • To learn how to collaborate effectively and lead with Producers, Cinematographers, Editors, Production Designer, and Screenwriters and other key crew members in an effort to realize the story’s intentions.

Editing

• At the end of the first year, AFI Editing Fellows will be able to…
  • Demonstrate their ability to apply the creative methods and technical tools used in current professional editing practices to create compelling narrative films.
  • 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.
  • Demonstrate their ability to apply the communication, collaboration, and leadership skills needed to successfully manage the editing process with a creative filmmaking team.
  • Demonstrate their ability to practice/perform management and troubleshooting skills in post-production workflows including metadata and creative resource management, scheduling, and budgeting.
  • Demonstrate their ability to operate and troubleshoot industry standard post-production hardware and software, including Apple Computers, Avid Media Composer, and other systems.
  • 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…
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Demonstrate by communicating an advanced knowledge of applicable film history, aesthetics, and principles of dramatic narrative storytelling in assigned editing exercises, projects and assignments.

Producing

• Creative Development Skills:
  • Develop knowledge of dramatic structure and practice story critique as it pertains to short Cycle and Thesis projects as well as feature films, from story genesis to marketing.
•  Leadership/Collaboration:
  • Solidify skills in leading and organizing production, while maintaining a collaborative team, mediating creative feedback from each key team member, while delegating responsibilities in an effort to best serve the intentions of story and production.
• Production Expertise:
  • Develop skills in budgeting and managing both short and feature film production, from pre- through post-production.
• Business/Legal Expertise/Marketing
  • Learn the business aspects of filmmaking, including contracts, development- and production-related legal issues, financing, distribution, and marketing.

Production Design

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

Screenwriting

• Craft/Aesthetics:
  • Hone one’s visual storytelling techniques, including three-act structure, character development, effective dialogue, scene construction, in order to build plot and emotional arc. To cultivate one’s “voice” in communicating effectively in the screenplay medium with impact and power.
• Story critique:
  • Sharpen analytical skills in order to effectively and objectively critique the scripted work of one’s own and one’s peers.
• Process:
  • Give, receive, and address notes from faculty and peers during the ongoing revision process – crucial to the effective writing of short films, series episodes, and feature films.
• Professionalism/Presentation:
  • Effective work habits in order to deliver polished, compelling screenplays of a professional caliber. To engage in creative collaboration with a production team and contribute to the film’s realization through screenwriting and other production activities. To demonstrate skill in the presentation of story ideas and screenplays to buyers, including producers, feature and television executives, and agents/managers.