Skip to content
Lights, camera, summer! Register now for TFT's exciting summer programs. Click Here

Emerging Filmmakers Cinematography

Session A (June 23 – June 28, 2025)
Session B (June 30 – July 5, 2025)
Session C (July 7 – July 12, 2025)
Session D (July 14 – July 19, 2025)
To stay up to date please join our interest form and follow us on Instagram at @uclaemergingfilmmakers

Applications Now Open!

Register Here

Join Our Virtual Office Hours

Join Zoom Meeting
Virtual Office Hours

Meeting ID: 963 1539 5991
Passcode: 779089

Program Overview

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Cinematography gives high school students an unparalleled opportunity to study cinematography at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. This one-week intensive workshop is designed for highly motivated high school students enrolled in 9th-12th grade and spring 2025 high school graduates. Students are immersed in the concepts, creativity and technique of cinematic lighting through a combination of lectures and hands-on lighting exercises. Students will explore such concepts as composition, framing, blocking, lens choice, camera movement/placement, exposure, lighting techniques/equipment, shot design, and set protocol.

  • Students work on UCLA sound stages with the latest digital cinema cameras and lighting equipment
  • The program curriculum consists of a combination of lectures and hands-on lighting exercises
  • Class exercises will be screened at the end of the workshop. Friends and family are welcome!

This is an intensive immersion experience for beginning to intermediate filmmakers designed to form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in lighting for film and television. Previous experience in cinematography is not required.

Curriculum

This program offers an introduction to the concepts and practices of lighting for film and television through discussion and intensive hands-on, laboratory experience. Through lectures, discussions, workshops and group exercises, students will form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in lighting for film and television. This includes composition, framing, blocking, lens choice, camera movement/placement, exposure, lighting techniques/equipment, shot design, and set protocol. Class exercises will be screened at the end of the workshop. Friends and family are welcome!

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program. The program does not carry college credit.

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

View Sample Syllabus Here

Eligibility

This track is open to high school students enrolled in 9th – 12th grade in Spring 2025 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

All students will be required to successfully complete a safety training course before the first day of the program to ensure safe practices while using film equipment and sound stages. Students will be provided ample time to complete this training before the start of the program, and more information will be sent to students once enrolled.

Online Registration

Registration opens February 15, 2025.

Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:

  • An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.  For students currently in 9th grade, please provide at least 2 years of study (7th, 8th, and fall semester of 9th).
    • If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
    • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
      • If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
  • at least 2 years of study (7th, 8th, and fall semester of 9th).
  • at least 2 years of study (7th, 8th, and fall semester of 9th).

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.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $35.

 

Application Questions

  • Why would you like to participate in the program, and what do you expect to gain from the experience? (150 words or less)
  • What prior experience, if any, do you have in cinematography? Include both academic coursework and extracurricular activities. Previous experience in cinematography is not a requirement. (100 words or less)
  • Filmmaking requires creative collaboration at every stage. Describe a specific example of a recent collaborative experience when you positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. (250-300 words)
  • Describe a time you fostered an environment of inclusivity when working collaboratively. How did that experience impact how you approach creative collaboration? (200 – 250 words)
  • Describe a time that you witnessed bullying or disrespectful behavior among your classmates. How did you respond? What did you learn? (150 – 200 words)
  • Is it better to be perfect and late, or good and on time? (100 words or less)
  • This is a disciplined and rigorous program. Describe a time you took on an academic challenge. What were some of the obstacles you encountered and how did you overcome them? Remember to be specific. (250 – 300 words)
Register Here

Supply List

Grip Gloves

Grip Gloves

  • Pair of leather Grip Gloves for lighting exercises. Your grip gloves must be heat resistant leather gloves, not plastic or rubber.
  • Examples of acceptable grip gloves:
    • Leather Grip Gloves
    • Ironclad Leather Work Gloves
    • Heat Resistant Leather Gloves
Headlamp

Headlamps can be found for purchase at your local sporting goods store, hardware store, Target, Wal Mart, Amazon, or at many other online retailers. The make or model of the headlamp doesn’t matter, so long as it fits on your head and is easy to use.  

Clothing Requirements (required for working safely on soundstages):
  • Closed-toed, closed heel, rubber soled shoes.
    • Sneakers or work boots highly preferred.
    • No sandals, ballet flats, crocs, etc.
  • Pants that cover your whole leg.
  • Comfortable, non-restricting clothing that covers your midriff and shoulders.
Highly Recommended Items:

Additional Details

Schedule

Session A (June 23 – June 28, 2025)
Session B (June 30 – July 5, 2025)
Session C (July 7 – July 12, 2025)
Session D (July 14 – July 19, 2025)

Students are engaged in activities and classes along with breaks throughout the day from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. There may be some mandatory evening classes / workshops via Zoom.

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

Commuter Programs

UCLA Emerging Filmmakers Digital Filmmaking is a commuter program. Participants must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.

For more information, we encourage parents and students to attend an upcoming info session.

Program Costs

Program Fee: $2600
Registration Fee: $350
Total Fee: $2950

Contact Emerging Filmmakers

Email: summer@tft.ucla.edu

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to commonly asked questions about UCLA Emerging Filmmakers