Film and Television Production
IFF 101: Introduction to Film and Television
The course covers all aspects of film and television production including best practices, production techniques, lighting, and sound. The role of the director, producer, scriptwriter, and actor are examined along with best practices for working on the set. (3 credit hours)
IFF 201: Fictional and Documentary Film Production Processes
The entire process of producing, filming, and editing a film is examined. Distinctions between long and short form content, and documentary and fictional formats are explored, along with the relationship between filming and editing, review of the script to screen process. (3 credit hours)
IFF 202: Television Production Techniques
Typical television program formats are examined, including scripting multiple episodes, character development and conflict resolution. How to shoot for television is also explored and the impact of budget limitations, and the role of television in relationship to the digital media world. Live streaming is also covered. (3 credit hours)
IFF 203: Production Business Practices
The role of the producer is explored in both film and television. The responsibilities of the executive producer for financing and overseeing the overall production are examined along with the responsibilities of a line producer, including managing the budget, cast and crew, and the business side of filmmaking. (3 credit hours)
IFF 204: Screenwriting
The art of screenwriting is explored. How to tell a story is examined along with how to write compelling dialogue. Topics include story structure, plot lines, character development and conflict resolution. Individual scenes are broken down and analyzed for character and plot development. Students will learn how to write scenes for a film or television project. (3 credit hours)
IFF 205: Intermediate Directing
The director’s role and knowledge of filmmaking is explored including literary design, visual design, cinematography, sound design and editing. The basic skills and best practices required as a director are examined in detail. (3 credit hours)
IFF 206: Advanced Directing
The director’s role on the set is explored in detail including the blocking of shots on the set, working with actors and the crew. Special emphasis is put on the effort required to fulfill the creative vision for the film, communicating the vision for the film to the cast and crew and inspiring everyone on the set and in the edit suite to bring the right attitude to the project. This is a lab course taught in the studio. (3 credit hours)
IFF 207 Acting
Includes ten weeks of acting lessons with a professional coach. Four weeks of classes explore the job of the actor through real life experiences of professional actors. Topics covered include the career of actor; auditioning for television and film; the role of an agent; the best places to live and what to study; stage vs. screen; TV vs. Film; commercial and corporate work; working with an acting coach; and taking direction from a director. (3 credit hours)
IFF 208: The Art of Cinematography
Both the art and science of Cinematography is examined, from basic camera operations to setting the tone for a film and fulfilling the vision set by the director. The history of film is explored with examples of famous films used to illustrate various aspects of cinematography. (3 credit hours)
IFF 209: Lighting for Film and Television
The many different options for lighting a scene are explored and illustrated along with the importance of lighting in establishing the tone for a film. Best practices in lighting for both film and television are demonstrated. (3 credit hours)
IFF 210: Sound Production
The many difficult challenges in sound recording are explored, including common mistakes and how to avoid them. Understanding how sound can bring a film to life is explored in detail. Students will learn recording on scene, voice looping in post-production and the use of sound effects and foley techniques. (3 credit hours)
IFF 211: Basic Editing Techniques
Basic editing techniques in Premier Pro. Learn how to edit from script to screen including timing, transitions, cross-overs; fixing common problems created during filming; using graphics and integrating animation. (3 credit hours)
IFF 213: The Set
The role of the set is examined in both film and television, including set design and construction of temporary and permanent sets, the use of location shooting, and working within budget limitations. The course also explores best practices for working on a set including the rules for managing actors and crew and working with CGI. (3 credit hours)
Advanced Workshops
IFF 301: Television Technology Workshop
The class comes together in the studio for hands on working with the camera, sound, lighting and editing equipment. Required for Film and Television Technology Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 302: Advanced Film Technology Workshop
The class continues hands on working in the studio with the camera, sound, lighting and editing equipment. Includes how to handle common problems and challenges. Required for Film and Television Technology Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 305: Screenwriting Theory and Practice
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop reading and writing scenes for a film. Required for Screenwriting Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 306: Advanced Screenwriting Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop reading and writing scenes for a film with a focus on polishing off key skills and learning how to address common challenges. Required for Screenwriting Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 307: Advanced Television Production Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in television production. Includes common issues and approaches to working out production solutions.
Required for Film and Television Production Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 308: Advanced Film Production Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in television production. Includes common issues and approaches to working out production solutions. Required for Film and Television Production Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 309: Advanced Television Directing Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in television production. Includes common issues and approaches to working out production solutions. Required for Film and Television Directing Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 310: Advanced Film Directing Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in television production. Includes common issues and approaches to working out production solutions. Required for Film and Television Directing Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 311: Advanced Television Editing Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in television editing. Includes common issues and approaches to working out editing solutions. Required for Film and Television Editing Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 312: Advanced Film Editing Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in film editing. Includes common issues and approaches to working out editing solutions. Required for Film and Television Editing Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 313: Advanced Acting Workshop
Students will participate in a 15-week workshop learning and using best practices in film and television acting. Includes common issues and approaches to developing a character; working with a director; and doing casting calls. Required for Film and Television Editing Certification. (3 credit hours)
IFF 314: Working as an Actor
This workshop addresses the challenges of working as an actor. Working actors will share their experience working in the film and television industry; provide insight into managing casting calls; how to find new opportunities; and signing up as a SAG actor. (3 credit hours)
Video Project
IFF 420: Video Project
We will meet in studio to help you plan and shoot your school project. Additional studio and edit suite time will be available for this project which will showcase all the skills you have acquired. The video project must be a short documentary or fictional film (8 - 16 minutes). Both television and film formats are acceptable. Required for all students under any of the offered certifications.
This project should begin at the beginning of students second year and be completed within twelve months. An IFF instructor is assigned to every project, whether it is being done in a group or by individual students. Students who participate in a group project must be assigned specific roles and assume defined responsibilities (i.e. director, producer, scriptwriter, actor, cameraperson, editor, etc.). The assigned instructor will support the project, providing advice and direction to ensure the students have every opportunity to complete their project. The video project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the skills and practices they learn over the two-year program. Certification for completion of the two-year program is only offered to students who have completed a video project. This project also provides them with concrete proof of their competency in film and television production during the hiring process as they begin their careers in the industry. (6 credit hours)
Additional Training
The following Internships are available on a limited basis. Check with school administrators for upcoming projects. In some cases, credit hours can be substituted for certain advanced workshops. All substitutions must be approved by a faculty advisor.
IFF 425: Television Crew Internship
This is a paid internship, lasting 15 weeks, working on an IFF television project. Available only during production times.
(3 credit hours)
IFF 426: Film Crew Internship
This is a paid internship, lasting 15 weeks, working on an IFF film. Available only during production times.
(3 credit hours)