UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute
The UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute gives students from across the country and around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. UCLA’s Film & Television Summer Institute shapes the filmmakers of tomorrow – right in the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
This six-week intensive program offers:
- Location in the heart of the entertainment industry
- UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media credit-bearing curriculum
- Choose from two tracks: Creative Producing, Film Production
- Shooting films on UCLA’s state-of-the-art equipment and sound stages
- Opportunity to intern with major entertainment companies
- High-profile guest speakers from Hollywood
- Field trips to Hollywood studios
- Access to UCLA Film & Television Internship Program’s alumni network
1. The Tracks
a) Creative ProducingThe Creative Producing track provides college students the chance to study the role of the creative producer and studio or network executive while engaging in internships in Hollywood companies. In class, students study the history of the Hollywood studio system and gain a critical perspective on the contemporary industry while learning practical tools for developing and producing motion picture and television projects. In their internships, students apply those skills “on the ground” and make important contacts with other industry professionals. In this way the Creative Producing track is the perfect combination of theory and practice and contributes to a well-rounded liberal arts education that will benefit a wide range of majors from the humanities and social sciences.
- Internships
Students in the Creative Producing track have access to the UCLA Film & Television Internship Office’s database, which lists available internships in the Los Angeles region. Our office assists students in advisement and outreach; however, students are responsible for applying to companies and obtaining their own internships. Early registration is highly encouraged to ensure sufficient lead time for the application process. Visit the UCLA Film & Television Internship site for more information.
b) Film Production
This intensive immersion filmmaking workshop allows college students and aspiring filmmakers of all ages (20 years and above) to collaborate on short film projects as they learn the aesthetics, techniques and practice of filmmaking from beginning to end. Students work closely with each other under the direction of UCLA faculty to study cinematography, directing, editing, production, and creative collaboration while shooting on state-of-the-art Nikon D7000 full 1080p HD digital cameras. Students collaborate in small production groups of ten and rotate as director, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor and crew in short film exercises before they collaborate on a short film project in their last two weeks.
2. Colloquium
In the exclusive Summer Institute Colloquium, students from both tracks meet and listen to some of Hollywood’s most accomplished professionals. Taught by movie producer Navid McIlhargey, the series has featured such luminaries as Simon Kinberg (Writer/Producer, X-Men: First Class, Mr. & Mrs. Smith); Zak Penn (Writer, The Incredible Hulk); Chris Gorak (Director, The Darkest Hour); John Hegeman (Chief Marketing Officer, New Regency Productions); and many others.
3. Hollywood
If you are in Los Angeles, you have to see Hollywood! As part of the Summer Institute students tour a major Hollywood movie studio and attend the taping of a television show. Graduates of the program will also be invited to join the exclusive alumni group of the UCLA Film & Television Internship Program to stay in touch with fellow alumni and make new connections with UCLA alumni.
4. Admission
Admission to the program is by instructor consent only. At registration applicants will be prompted brief essay questions that will determine their suitability for each track. As space is limited in both tracks, early registration is highly recommended.
a) Creative Producing
This track is open to current undergraduate students only (rising junior and above). Due to visa restrictions, international students who are not enrolled in a four-year U.S. academic institution are not eligible. For students holding completed bachelor's degrees, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television offers a 10-week Professional Program in Producing.
b) Film ProductionThis track is open to college students (rising junior and above) and aspiring filmmakers of all ages (20 years and over), including international students. Applicants are required to submit creative writing samples that demonstrate creativity and a strong original voice. High school students may apply to our UCLA Arts Camp.
5. Curriculum
This program carries up to 11 quarter units of UC credit.a) Creative Producing
Students in this track are enrolled in these classes:
- FTV 100 Colloquium (1)
In this weekly seminar prominent guests from the industry share their experiences and answer student questions about their career and working in Hollywood today. - FTV 184A Overview of Contemporary Movie Industry (4)
This course is an examination of evolving economic structure and business practices in contemporary Hollywood movie industry, with an emphasis on operations of studios, their marketing and distribution systems, and their relationship to independent producers, talent, and agencies. - FTV 188A Introduction to Producing (4)
This foundation course offers the basics in film and TV development, production and financing, and discusses current trends and issues in the contemporary entertainment industry. - FTV 195 Professional Internship (2)
Fieldwork, 140 hours. Students pursue a corporate internship in supervised setting in a business related to film and television industries.
Students in this track are enrolled in these classes:
- FTV 100 Colloquium (1)
In this weekly seminar prominent guests from the industry share their experiences and answer student questions about their career and working in Hollywood today. - FTV 122D Film Editing: Overview of History, Technique, and Practice (4)
This course discusses the practical application of film editing techniques, how they have evolved, and continue to evolve. It examines the history of editing, as well as current editing trends, terminology, and workflow. - FTV 122E Digital Cinematography (4)
With lectures, screenings, and demonstrations, this course is a study of the principles of digital cinematography and discusses how tools and techniques affect visual storytelling process. Topics include formats, aspect ratios, cameras, lenses, special effects, internal menu picture manipulation, lighting, composition, coverage, high definition, digital exhibition, filtration, multiple-camera shooting. - FTV 178 Film and Television Production Laboratory (2)
For the first half of the course students work in groups of 10 on short film exercises on rotating crew positions in a controlled studio environment. In the second half students shoot in assigned crew positions one final short film project on a sound stage or at select locations. School provides Nikon D7000 full 1080p HD digital cameras and lighting equipment, access to facilities, production and equipment insurance, and location permits for campus locations. Students provide their own external hard drives.
Program participants will earn units of credit on a letter grading basis and will be recorded on an official University of California transcript. Please note that official transcripts are not automatically sent to students.
6. Program Cost
This program carries quarter units of 11 UC credit
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*Fees are subject to change by action of the UC Regents.
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7. Registration
Register Online Here: https://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/register/institutes_register.cfmIn order to secure your spot, a $150 nonrefundable deposit is due upon completion of your application for the program. You may pay by credit or debit card using our secure online credit card form. Your $150 deposit is nonrefundable.