OUR PROGRAM


CORE LABS

As a Film & Video Production student, you will receive wide-ranging and intensive instruction in the methods, technology and art of media production. Core labs provide the foundation for the curriculum and include:

Camera
Students will be instructed in the art of Cinematography. Both the technical and aesthetic aspects of High Definition Video will be taught through frequent hands-on shooting exercises and short projects.

Editing
Movies are made in the editing. In the age of desktop video, the tools of the editor are more powerful than ever. All students will learn how to manipulate time and space using software in Northwestern's G5 equipped Final Cut Pro Lab

Digital Animation
No longer are movies made exclusively with cameras. Students will explore modern image manipulation techniques as well as 2D and 3D animation. Topics may include: Stop Motion Animation, Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, 3D modeling, and more.

Screenwriting
All students will study the fundamentals of storytelling and screenplay structure, gaining a working understanding of the most important part of any film: the story. Exposure to carefully selected great works of cinema will inform and enrich the students’ own productions.

TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE

1st Half of Program

7am - Breakfast
8am - Division wide lecture/class/activity
10am - Modular Section of 2 hour Core Class; including Screenwriting, Animation & Editing
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Modular Section of 2 hour Core Class; including Screenwriting, Animation & Editing
3pm - Modular Section of 2 hour Core Class; including Screenwriting, Animation & Editing
5pm - Dinner
7pm - Film Screening with Guided Discussion and/or Guest Speakers/Webcasts/etc.
This schedule will be followed seven days a week, shifting to accomodate field trips, guest lectures, and leisure activities as needed.

2nd Half of Program

Students concentrate on their final projects during the day, and continue with large lectures, screenings, and workshops in the evening. Days are spent directing and crewing on final projects. Writing students will also have writing days, featuring more intensive writing classes, as well as time to work on final screenplay projects. Field trips and additional guest lectures are added to this schedule.

LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, & SCREENINGS

All students will attend university-style lectures, screen and discuss films and participate in intensive workshops. Some past topics have included:

  • Film Studies
  • Film History
  • Writing for Comedy
  • Writing for TV
  • Writing for Music Video
  • Documentary Production
  • Experimental Production
  • Music Video Production
  • Sound Design
  • Directing the Actor

To complement your course of study, we also arrange guest lectures and field trips to places of related interests. Past field trips have included The Art Institute of Chicago, WGN Studios, The Museum of Broadcast History, Harpo Studios, and local movie sets. Guest Lecturers have included Garry Marshall, John Logan, Donald Petrie, Fred Silverman, Roger Ebert, George Vershoor, Wolfman Jack, John Hamburg and Robert Towne.