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Pre-College Digital Filmmaking

Session A (June 23, 2024 – July 13, 2024)

Applications closed for Summer 2024. We encourage you to check out our other tracks including Pre-College Writing for TV and Pre-College Cinematography.

Program Overview

The UCLA Film and Television Summer Institute shapes the filmmakers of tomorrow from the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.

The Film and Television Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute gives high school 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. The program is a three-week, intensive production workshop designed for highly motivated rising high school juniors, seniors, and 2024 High School graduates. Students are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling and challenged to create entertaining narrative projects.

 

  • Students use the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media’s latest editing software and digital cinema cameras
  • Student work collaboratively on projects that are filmed as daylight exteriors on location across the UCLA campus
  • The program curriculum consists of a combination of lectures, practical camera exercises, guest speakers, and post production labs
  • This workshop carries 3 units of UCLA college credit
  • Program activities include film screenings, guest speakers, and a visit to a Hollywood Studio
  • All films will be screened in a state-of-the-art theater during the certificate ceremony at the end of the workshop. Friends and family are welcome!

 

This is an intensive immersion experience for beginning filmmakers designed to form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in making a film. While previous experience in digital filmmaking is not required, this is a disciplined and rigorous program and requires a significant time commitment. Please refer to the program schedule for details.

 

Curriculum

Participants of the UCLA Film and Television Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute will be enrolled in the following course:

  • FTV 72: Production Practice in Film, Television, and Digital Media (3 Units)

Due to the intensive nature of the program, a maximum of one program absence is permitted.

Eligibility

This track is open to high-school students enrolled in 10th-12th grade in Spring 2024.

Online Registration

Registration opens February 15, 2024.

Please visit the Summer Sessions website for more information.

Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within two weeks. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Attending the UCLA Film and Television Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute was one of the best decisions I could have made. Working in the film industry has always been my biggest dream, and this program made me even more excited to have a career in this industry one day! The instructors were absolutely amazing, and I made friends that I still text with every day. Living at UCLA for three weeks was also super cool. It’s a once in a life time opportunity that no one should pass up!”

– Digital Filmmaking Student
Digital Filmmaking 2018

Supply List

External Hard Drive

7200 RPM External Hard Drive or Solid-State Drive (SSD) External Hard Drive w/ minimum 500GB Storage Capacity. Connectivity/Interface: USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 2

Examples of acceptable drives:

  • SAMSUNG SSD T7 Portable External Solid-State Drive 500GB, USB 3.2 Gen 2, MU-PC500T/AM
  • G-Technology 500GB G-DRIVE ev RaW SSD Portable External Storage with Removable Protective Rubber Bumper – USB 3.0 – 0G04755-1

Additional Details

Schedule

Digital Filmmaking Session A (June 23-July 13, 2024)

Students are engaged in activities and classes along with breaks throughout the day from 9:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. There will be evening classes / workshops that occur where students will be required to be present.

NOTE: All course meeting times are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). The program schedule is subject to change.

On-Campus (Mandatory Housing)

Due to the rigorous and intense nature of the program, the residential plan, which includes a meal plan, is mandatory for all participants. Participants will be housed in one of the UCLA residence halls, comfortably furnished and conveniently located within easy walking distance of classrooms, libraries, and recreational facilities.

Financial Aid

Qualified students attending grades 8th – 11th in Spring 2024 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute. Summer 2024 deadline to apply: March 15.

Contact Summer Sessions

UCLA Summer Institutes
1332 Murphy Hall
Box 951418
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1418
Tel: (310) 825-4101
Fax: (310) 825-1528