Georgia Film Academy (GFA)

This course is the first of an 18-credit hour certification in “Film & Television Production.” The course will provide an introduction to the skills used in on-set film production, including all forms of narrative media which utilize film industry-standard organizational structure, professional equipment and on-set procedures. In addition to the use of topical lectures, presentations, videos and hand-outs, the course will include demonstrations of equipment and set operations as well as hands-on learning experiences. Students will learn: film production organizational structure, job descriptions and duties in various film craft areas, industry terminology, safety protocols, planning and procedures for professional production, and the proper usage of industry-standard film equipment. Students will also learn how the various film crafts relate to one another on a working set, and the requisite skills and work habits expected of an entry-level crew member. In addition, students will develop techniques for networking and self-marketing.

This course is the first of an 18-credit hour certification in “Film & Television Post-Production.” Students will operate various professional non-linear editing (NLE) systems, with a focus on practical skills and essential knowledge of editing, including file management, footage logs, timecodes, proxies, edit decision lists (EDLs), synchronization, transitions, simple effects, basic audio mixing and file exports. Additionally, students will explore the terminology, department hierarchy, history and theory of editing and sound design through topics such as continuity style, montage, juxtaposition of images, development of sound design, and linear and flat-bed editing. Students will also develop an understanding and awareness of current post-production industry standards and workflow practices.

Students will become oriented with the Digital Entertainment ecosystem and job families therein, including: Game Development, Game Publishing, Tournament & League Operation, Live Production, Event Management, Broadcast Distribution, On-Air Talent, Team Organization, Sponsorship, Marketing, Content Creation, and Social Media Management. Students will learn the basic terminology across these functions and skills related to networking and self-marketing used within the digital entertainment, Esports, and game development industries. A team project allows students to design and execute a live-streamed event incorporating lessons learned during the course

This course is designed to provide students with a basic level of on-set film production skills, knowledge and experience with film-industry standards, organizational structure, professional equipment and on-set procedures by giving students hands-on experience on the sets and offices of working film productions and businesses. Students will have an opportunity to network and to build resumes. All productions will be conducted under the auspices of a professional production entity, production company studio or film business. All aspects of on-set and production office activities will be conducted at a level of professional standards common to the film industry. The Internship course will feature in-depth analysis of the various production crafts. However, the bulk of the course will focus on professional- level projects, on which students will have active roles in on-set and production office crafts. To be selected to participate in a production, a student must commit to working as scheduled in the GFA Film & Television Production Internship Course.

This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of set construction for the film and television industry. Students will participate in goal-oriented class projects including mood-boards, drafting, reading blueprints, architectural models, set safety, use of power tools, carpentry and scenic paint. Students will ultimately work on a final project that will give them hands on experience from concept to completion solving real world problems with the skills they learn. A large emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including but not limited to attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. Students are expected to attend open labs.

This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge of electrical distribution and set lighting on a motion picture or episodic television set in order to facilitate their entry and advancement in the film business. Students will participate in goal- oriented class projects including power distribution, set protocol and etiquette, properly setting lamps, department lingo, how to light a set to feature film standards, motion picture photography, etc. Emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including, but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. Students are expected to attend open labs such as guest speakers or OSHA safety classes to complete course assignments.

This class is designed to move cameras from beyond sticks and lights from beyond stands. Without rigging the creatives would be very limited in their filmmaking. This class is taught primarily through hands on application of materials learned from lectures. Repetition of physical exercises will serve to create reflexive responses to verbal and non-verbal commands. Consistently throughout the hands-on learning process student work will be evaluated for effectiveness and efficiency; the exact method of this will be the student attempt (thesis), the instructor evaluation (antithesis) and the corrective actions of the student (synthesis) to attain the knowledge necessary to this department.

The tools and techniques of post-production are presented through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on exercises. The foundation of the curriculum is the industry-standard Avid Media Composer Certified Training in the most recent Fundamentals 1 (MC101) and Fundamentals 2 (MC110) courses. Avid’s curriculum will be supplemented with elemental post-production information, including: current processes, procedures and terminology; project organization; digital file codecs; audio sample rates; finishing processes; and introductory troubleshooting. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the skills needed for entry-level positions in film and television post-production. Students will demonstrate knowledge of industry standards, tools and techniques related to preparation of dailies, media management, editing, audio mixing, audio effects, visual effects, color correction, and digital file delivery. Emphasis will be placed on understanding industry working conditions and employer expectations. Rigorous study of the MC101 and MC110 books, combined with hands-on practice, in and outside of class, will greatly aid in successfully passing Avid’s two certification exams. While Avid certification is not required for successful completion of the course, passing the two certification exams will earn the student the credential of Avid Media Composer Certified User, recognized worldwide as an industry standard for editors in feature film and broadcast television.

This course is designed to provide students with entry-level skills and industry-standard based knowledge in practical Special Effects (SFX) Make Up for major film and television production. Students will participate in goal-oriented hands-on class projects including fabrication, material safety, use casting materials, professional make-up, sculpting, airbrushing, and design. A large emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including, but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. Students will also attend open lab sessions to get more repetitious practice in order to refine their special FX make-up creation skills.

This course will train students to identify the key players in Accounting and Production Office Departments, define their responsibilities, and perform the essential functions. The Production Office component of this course focuses on the relationship between the Production Office and the overall production and the importance of the communication hub that exists between the Office, Set and Post-Production teams. The Accounting component of this course will focus on the guidelines and reporting practices that are used to track and manage the finances of a production. Practical elements will be created through the use of actual production software and scenario simulations.

Students will be immersed in the practical working of a costumes department through goal oriented projects, discussions, lectures, and assignments. Topics include fabrics/fibers/shapes, production and character costume design, budgeting, dressing background, shopping and sewing costume pieces. An emphasis will be placed on set and department etiquette, working with actors, professionalism, and technique. Students will be given a television or movie scene to research, design and complete costumes as a final project.

Students will participate in goal-oriented class projects to develop practical skills in Camera, including a breakdown of the skill sets needed by each member of the Camera Department, how to execute numerous camera builds, the purpose of each piece of gear, how to troubleshoot problems that arise in the Camera Department, set safety, and how to analyze the various camera elements of a scene. Students will learn the necessary paperwork involved with a production, who to communicate with for certain tasks, set protocol, and etiquette. Upon completion of this course, the students will have a fundamental knowledge that includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, techniques, procedures, terminology, communications, specifications, and hierarchical structure within a professional Camera Department. An emphasis will be placed on set etiquette, including but not limited to, attitude, professionalism, and technique. Students will understand the instrumental role the Camera Department has to a production.

Students will develop the practical skills and fundamental knowledge for entry-level job positions in professional film and television through hands-on experience when placed in a dedicated craft-specific Externship under the direction of a graduate thesis candidate. Students document their acquired knowledge through journals and reports. The course emphasizes career development through student-specific, on-the-job training and in required weekly lessons that include instructor-led resume and interview training sessions. Because of the compressed and sometimes unusual scheduling nature of film productions, students must have flexibility in their own schedules to be able to work on these projects. A student must commit to working, as scheduled, the full term of the project and must follow all professional standards. Note: the thesis films are most likely shot on multiple weekends (Friday- Sunday) over the course of the semester. Production will either occur at Trilith Studios or within a 30-mile radius of Trilith (studio zone) on location; transportation to and from location shoots within this zone are the responsibility of the student. Students who cannot meet those standards will not be permitted to continue on the project. It is expected and required that all 2100 students are present on set and willing to provide hands-on labor.

The tools and techniques of post-production sound design are presented through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on exercises. The foundation of the curriculum is the industry-standard Avid Pro Tools Certified Training in the most recent Fundamentals 1 (PT101) and Fundamentals 2 (PT110) courses. Avid’s certification training is supplemented with academic curriculum, including but not limited to: an historical overview of the sound design process and tools; current processes, procedures and terminology; project organization; audio sample rates and file types; audio manipulation; and introductory troubleshooting. Technical operations are covered, including: creating sessions; recording and importing audio and MIDI; multi-track recordings of live audio; editing session media; MIDI sequences and virtual instruments; navigating sessions and arranging media on tracks; and using basic processing and mixing techniques to finalize a production.

Students will have the opportunity to create either their own game or a mock virtual production environment. Every class will also include a series of smaller in-class projects to provide students with additional practice using the different systems and editors within Unreal Engine. Topics include, but are not limited to, gameplay scripting, building levels/sets, cinematics, realtime vfx, optimization, user interfaces, and animation. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the processes and life cycles involved within both industries, be able to analyze games and film from a technical standpoint and create their own games and sets within Unreal Engine

This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge in digital entertainment and Esports events production, including tournament operation and administration, event management, talent management, live broadcast (aka “streaming”), on-air personality skills, social and community management, and post-production. With an emphasis on practical application, students have the opportunity to gain experience in the technical and production roles. Students will have access to industry-standard software and equipment to gain a working familiarity with these tools, taught in a professional live digital entertainment and Esports production facility.

This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of hosting and live-casting for Digital Entertainment and Esports. Students will develop techniques for on-camera and public speaking scenarios. Topics will include play-by-play casting, analyst desk hosting, breath and tone control, pickups and drops, and interviewing. Students will study the appropriate style and tone for various genres of Digital Entertainment and Esports casting as they create an industry-standard demo reel.

Production Design I provides students with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills necessary to create and implement a production design through the stages of conceptualization, execution and presentation for a professional art department in the film and television industry.

Motion Picture Set Lighting I equips students with the practical skills and knowledge of electrical distribution and operations of set lighting, as well as the fundamental understanding of lighting theory, necessary to facilitate entry-level jobs in film and television production.

Introduction to Editing with Avid Media Composer 100 is a skills-based course to learn the tools and techniques of post-production for careers in editing. Students participate in creative, narrative editing projects to demonstrate fundamentals of post-production theory and practice. During the course, students have the opportunity to certify as an Avid Media Composer Certified User.

Production Management & Film Accounting provides students with a broad base of knowledge of the processes, protocols, paperwork and computer programs utilized within the Production Accounting and Production Office departments in the film and television industry, focusing on the knowledge, practical skills, and work routines required for entry-level jobs. Students will also gain a fundamental understanding of budget and scheduling procedures and an introduction to software platforms utilized for production.

Film & Television Costumes and Wardrobe equips students with industry-standard, fundamental knowledge and essential entry-level skills in costuming and wardrobe to facilitate their entry and advancement in film and television production. Special emphasis is placed on design inspiration and construction techniques.

he Camera Department for Film and Television equips students with the practical skills and knowledge of camera gear and job functions on a motion picture or episodic television set to facilitate their entry and advancement in the film business. A fundamental understanding of the pre-production process for a Director of Photography will be developed and students will learn how to film and transition smoothly in a multi-scene production while defending their shot choices.

Introduction to Sound Design with Avid Pro Tools 100 is a skills-based course to learn the tools and techniques of post-production sound design for careers in sound editing. Students participate in creative, narrative sound design projects to demonstrate fundamentals of post-production sound design theory and practice. During the course, students have the opportunity to certify as an Avid Pro Tools Certified User.

Digital Entertainment and Esports Event Design provides the specialized skills and insight needed for the creation of live digital entertainment and Esports events, including the necessary steps to propose, plan, produce, and market a professional event. Students will demonstrate learned skills through practical application exercises, culminating in a final class project.

Digital Entertainment & Esports Creative Development provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a professional live-casting and hosting talent, as well as the theoretical context for various performances. Students will study live-casting for Digital Entertainment and Esports of various genres, and hosting for interviews and analyst desks, while developing skills for career advancement in the field.

Film, Television & Digital Entertainment Apprenticeship provides students with career development through experiential learning in film/television or esports/game development environments, such as shooting sets, production offices, post-production, esports and/or game development facilities and ancillary businesses, under the advisement of industry experts. The course is offered in cooperation with IATSE 479 and companies like Disney, Netflix, HBO, Skillshot Media, Axis Replay and others. Apprentices will research career paths and develop a portfolio of work.