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Summer Programs

Spend your summer
earning college credit through individual classes or multi-course institutes.

Summer programs at TFT are rigorous, rewarding and fun! Come learn from our professional faculty and study in our classrooms, theaters, studios, soundstages and labs. It’s an experience you won’t forget! We offer individual courses both on campus and online that are open to UC and visiting students alike, as well as life-long learners. Many individual courses are also open to high school students.

Our popular summer institutes are an intensive experience that focus on a specific area of study, and are aimed at either high school students, college students, or professionals.

Pre-College Summer Institutes

Motivated high school students from around the globe can apply to a variety of institutes focusing on specializations such as acting, cinematography, animation, and costume design. These intensives offer students the preparation required for successful participation in a university program or a career in the performing or visual arts.

College & Professional Summer Institutes

A unique opportunity for college students and professionals to network and enhance their skills. Participants are taught by UCLA TFT faculty and leaders in the entertainment and theater industries who will prepare you to be better equipped and confident in your professional pursuits.

Pre-College Emerging Filmmakers

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers is a professional development certificate program that offers pre-college students an unparalleled opportunity to work with entertainment industry professionals to develop their portfolios and gain the hands-on experience they need to take their creative work to the next level.

UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers

Taught by industry experts with curriculums that focus on contemporary professional practices in Hollywood, UCLA Emerging Filmmakers immerses pre-college students in the world of film and educates them on the tools and pathways available to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Visit the Emerging Filmmakers page to learn more.

Summer 2025 Emerging Filmmakers Interest Form
Interested in exploring UCLA Emerging Filmmakers this summer?
Click on the link below to get started.

Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking

Pre-college students are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling through lectures and a hands-on overview of the production process. Three weeks. Commuter.

Emerging Filmmakers TV Writing

The TV Writing Track immerses students in the world of episodic television. In this three-week program, students write under the guidance of a TV Writing industry professional, engage in screenings, discussions, and writers’ groups, and participate in professional development workshops equipping students with the tools needed to pursue a career in the TV Writing Industry. Commuter and Virtual sessions offered.

Emerging Filmmakers Cinematography

This one-week intensive teaches talented and highly motivated pre-college students a variety of cinematic lighting techniques through a series of lectures and hands-on exercises. One week.

Emerging Filmmakers Media Parks

In this intensive program, pre-college students will explore theme park history, and the evolution of the relationship between moving image media (film, television, and video games) and theme parks. Two Weeks. Commuter.

UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute

The UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute offers students from around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world – right in the heart of Hollywood. Visit the FTVDM Summer Programs Page to learn more.

Summer 2025 Film, TV and Digital Media Interest Form
Interested in exploring UCLA FTVDM this summer?
Click on the link below to get started.

Creative Producing

College students study the role of Creative Producers and Studio Executives while engaging in entertainment industry internships. Six weeks. Session A (June 23 – August 1, 2025).

Film Production

College students and aspiring filmmakers (ages 18+) collaborate on short film projects as they learn the aesthetics, techniques and practice of filmmaking from beginning to end. Six weeks. Session A (June 23 – August 1, 2025); Session C (August 4 – September 12, 2025).

TV Writing

The TV Writing Summer Institute introduces students to writing for television in Hollywood. Six weeks. Session A In-Person (June 23 – August 1, 2025); Session C Virtual (August 4 – September 12, 2025).

Traditional Animation

Students and aspiring animators learn to write and draw their own animated movies. No drawing experience required, just limitless imagination. This online track is open to college, professional, and pre-college students. Six weeks. Session A (June 23 – August 1, 2025).

Sports Media

Students study the world of sports entertainment while engaging in live-sports industry internships. Six Weeks. Session C (August 4 – September 12, 2025).

UCLA Theater Summer Institutes

The Department of Theater’s Summer Institutes offer high schoolers, college students, and professionals with a unique opportunity to network, and enhance their acting, singing and dancing abilities during two and three-week intensives.

 

Join us for our upcoming virtual information sessions! These events will also include a live Q&A session.

UCLA Theater Summer Institute Pre-College/College-Professional Info Session Wednesday, February 12, 2025 @ 3:00pm PT: Register

Summer 2025 Theater Interest Form
Interested in exploring UCLA Theater this summer?
Click on the link below to get started.

Acting & Performance

Prepare for a university theater program or career in the performing arts.

Augmented Reality and Theater Summer Institute

Elevate your understanding of where the industry is headed.

Camera Acting

Learn how to relate to the camera lens and approach script analysis.

Content Creation & Scriptwriting

Create stories that can be shared across all entertainment mediums.

Design Innovation – Costume

Bring stories to life through design.

Design Innovation – Lighting & Sound

Bring stories to life through design.

Design Innovation – Scenic

Students will learn the technical components of breaking down a script and the art of collaboration with directors while gaining hands-on experience such as model-building, perspective drawing, and scale measurement as means of realizing a design.

Intermediate Acting

Develop techniques to take your talent to the next level and book the audition room.

Musical Theater

Train with experts in preparation for your performing arts career.

Pit Orchestra Summer Institute

Intensive training for skilled student musicians in preparation for performing in a musical theater production pit orchestra.

Stage Management

Develop key production management skills for a career in theater.

Voice-Over Camera Acting

Tell a story with your voice.

TAPSII

Live. Breathe. Theater

Private: Pre-College Digital Filmmaking

Pre-college students are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling through lectures and a hands-on overview of the production process. Three weeks.

Individual Summer Sessions
Film Courses

In our summer film courses, you’ll gain an understanding of stop-motion animation and digital cinematography; get an overview of the contemporary film industry; learn about the evolution of Disney features and more. Courses offered both in-person and online and carry the same unit value as their academic-year counterpart.

Individual Summer Sessions
Theater Courses

In our summer theater courses, you’ll have the opportunity to work on your acting skills, learn new dance routines, design for the stage or write a play. Courses offered both in-person and online and carry the same unit value as their academic-year counterpart.