- About
- |
- Course Overview
- Direction & Screen Writing
- |
- Digital Motion Picture Photography
- |
- Motion Picture Editing
- |
- Audiography & Sound Design
New technologies have made filmmaking cheaper as compared to what it was even 10 years ago. Film viewing has also crossed the threshold of cinema theatres and TV, and has moved to the internet and is now exploring mobile phones. There is, thus, a surge and demand for quality audiovisual narrative for these diverse media (i.e. aesthetically using cinematic language but fitting into audience habits on new viewing platforms).
The curriculum of the course has been designed to cater to this need of the contemporary situation without diluting the essence of cinematic language. The course will give a thorough understanding of production and processing on various formats such as celluloid, video, and HD. This will give students a solid grounding in the foundation of cinema and make them confident to venture out in the industry.
In addition, SACAC has partnered with other institutions for this course which will invite their participation in the form of knowledge, service and equipments. Film education is highly interdisciplinary in nature and requires diverse faculty and specific exercises. The course facilitates faculty from other film schools, working professionals and theoreticians from across the country. Its unique study tour facilitates an exposure to networking and the film production process that is unmatched.
Filmmaking is a career option for those who want to be involved in the process of storytelling through cinema. To tell a story well cinematically, one has to have a broader understanding of the uniqueness of the film medium. Cinema is a complex medium involving various disciplines of technique and craftsmanship. Each is unique and requires a specific understanding of technicalities and technologies.
The department of Film & Video Production focuses on a few areas of structural learning of the medium - such as film appreciation, screenplay writing, production planning, cinematography, lighting, audio recording, sound design, and direction. It offers two-year P. G. Diploma programmes in four key areas of film making: Screenplay Writing & Direction, Digital Motion Picture Photography, Motion Picture Editing and Audiography & Sound Design.
The programmes are integrated with each other and several exercises and projects are done together which combine all the different elements of a film. Many theories, film screenings, film, art, and music appreciation sessions are done collectively. This gives a broader understanding of cinema and the relevance of each element that contributes to making cinema such a powerful medium.
Learning filmmaking is a lifelong journey; this is said by all master filmmakers. It is rightly so because Cinema is a medium that integrates many artistic disciplines and skills. Additionally, cinema itself is an art and so are its elements. The path to perfection is long and challenging. As in the case of any art form, the courses have been designed to be stepping stones for aspiring artists. These two-year programmes are appropriate for proper learning with sincerity and space for internalization by the students to kick-start their career in filmmaking.
The course will be distributed over four semesters of approximately five months each. The first three semesters will be of mentored time and the 4th Semester for production of Diploma projects, their evaluation and jury.
The first semester is common to students of all specialisations. This introductory semester is structured to work as a foundation for the students for the two specialisation semesters that follow. Each semester will have written exams for self evaluation of internalising of facts, technical understanding related to craft, and theories.
The second and the third semesters are dedicated to specializations – when students go deeper into their chosen area of discipline. Theoretical inputs and practice afterwards help them understand the aesthetics and craft of the medium better. In addition, structured course exercises are conducted intermittently during the semesters which require the collective efforts of students from all specializations.
These semesters also include a one-month study tour of southern India. Students visit a reputed film processing lab in Chennai where they understand and participate in the production of a short film on celluloid. They oversee film processing, sound mastering release, and latest post-production processes. They also attend the International Film Festival of Kerala in Tiruvananthapuram . The study tour ends with a visit to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry and the International city of Auroville nearby. The students participate in activities that will imbibe a sense of collective aspiration and evolved sensitivity towards society and nature.
The fourth semester focuses on the production of diploma films through which students will showcase their learning from the course. The number of diploma films will depend on the number of Direction & Screenwriting specialisation students. An amount of INR 60,000/- will be given as production budget for each project. The student also has to develop and submit a dissertation paper outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes that they mapped during their participation in the production of diploma films. The paper has to be a minimum of 3,500 words which will be submitted to jury along with the films.
SEMESTER I
The first semester is common for students of all specialisations. This introductory semester is structured to work as a foundation for the students for the specialisation semesters that follow.
Through theory and practical classes, students will understand the technical know-how, aesthetics, and theoretical aspects of filmmaking which make it an art form. Besides regular weekly screenings, this semester also includes a weekly session on four main cinematic disciplines such as Cinematography, Editing, Audiography, and Screenwriting & Direction; aesthetic subjects such as art appreciation, film appreciation, sociology and history, design, photography, theatre etc. Everyone gets hands-on exposure which aims at exposing them to the fundamental discipline and roles involved in the process of filmmaking.
Each student will write, direct, shoot, record and edit on his/her own during the exercises. Other students may help in getting the shooting/recording organised.
Exercises:
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on continuity
Short documentary narrative with emphasis on interview
Short sound narrative with emphasis on audio design
SEMESTER II
The semester will start with 4-week common advanced theory and practical sessions in subjects of structural and textual analysis of film. The theory & practical sessions will be followed by a week of examinations. The semester will introduce the students to production on celluloid and post production in HD. Besides this, the semester will deal with two important aspects of film-making craft such as organised shooting in documentary, and mise-en-scene in a fictional realm.
Advanced Documentary Production
During this exercise the emphasis will be on the understanding of visual imagery and a wide range of storytelling styles - investigative, historical, biographical etc. and the coursework covers writing, directing, cinematography, sound recording, production planning, and editing skills specific to documentary.
Mise-en-scene exercise
Mise-en-scene exercise is designed to focus on the cinematic technique of using space and objects to give depth to a narrative. This is done through critical analysis of film clippings where mise-en-scene elements are consciously used. Stress is given to camera movement as well as sound design to create a narrative.
Exercises:
Documentary narrative with emphasis on shooting with a larger crew
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on mise-en-scene
SEMESTER III
This is a heavy semester in terms of practicals, where students continue learning different styles of shooting fictional narrative. The styles are more complex and parameters are diverse. The students also have the one-month intensive study tour that is focused on broadening their scope in terms of their world view, professional networking, film production, technique, and self development. They visit a reputed film processing lab in Chennai; they produce a short film on 16mm and oversee post production process of celluloid and HD material and oversee the DI process and sound mixing for theatrical release; they travel to the International Film Festival of Kerala in Tiruvananthapuram for 8 days. The study tour culminates in a 10-day stay in Sri Aurobindo ashram in Puducherry and the international city of Auroville. The students then come back to Delhi and do two more structured exercises.
Project on 16 mm
The students will be exposed to the aesthetics and technicalities involved in producing a film on celluloid format. The filmmaker will help them plan a story, write the screenplay and shooting script, and shoot on 16 mm camera. The post-production (which includes editing, dubbing, DI and sound mixing) will be done in the lab.
Travel to Chennai, Puducherry, and Kerala
Laboratory tour to Chennai will expose the students to the departments of film processing stages and familiarize them with the latest aspects of film processing in the Lab.
Attendance of the International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananathapuram
During their stay in Auroville and Puducherry, students will be engaged in activities and interaction for dynamic application of Integral Education and Integral Yoga.
‘Pre-Rec’ Exercise
Students will shoot according to a pre-recorded audio track with dialogue, music and sound designed and conceived in advance for the exercise. Working on detailed storyboard they will approach the shoot to fit the pre-recorded audio track and produce a 3-minute film.
Dialogue Exercise
To demonstrate creative, technical and collaborative skills of specialization, students will be asked to work on a dialogue-based short story and produce a 5-6 minute film incorporating the use of on-location sound and folly sounds. This will be conceived and written especially and exclusively for indoors.
Exercises:
5-minute short film on celluloid
Short fiction narrative with playback of pre-rec sound
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on dialogue
SEMESTER IV
This semester will start with pre-production for diploma films. The diploma films can be either in fiction, documentary, or a mix of genres. Then the students will have to prepare dissertation papers to articulate their approach and framework for the particular role they undertook in production. The film will be presented in front of a jury comprising faculty and external academicians and practitioners. Each student has to defend his/her individual participation in the filmmaking process in front of the jury.
The Diploma Film Production
Fiction – 10 min
Documentary – 20 min
Mixed - between 10 to 20 min depending on element of fiction or documentary
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
- Production houses
- Television channels
- Ad & Corporate production houses
- Film production houses
- Multimedia production houses
Qualification:
Graduates from any discipline
Admission is subject to an aptitude test followed by orientation & interview
Attributes:
Creative and innovative bent of mind
Flair for writing and keenness on research
Commitment & motivation for long term engagement with the medium
Must have patience, dynamism, perseverance and quality to lead a team
SEMESTER I
The first semester is common for students of all specialisations. This introductory semester is structured to work as a foundation for the students for the specialisation semesters that follow.
Through theory and practical classes, students will understand the technical know-how, aesthetics, and theoretical aspects of filmmaking which make it an art form. Besides regular weekly screenings, this semester also includes a weekly session on four main cinematic disciplines such as Cinematography, Editing, Audiography, and Screenwriting & Direction; aesthetic subjects such as art appreciation, film appreciation, sociology and history, design, photography, theatre etc. Everyone gets hands-on exposure which aims at exposing them to the fundamental discipline and roles involved in the process of filmmaking.
Each student will write, direct, shoot, record and edit on his/her own during the exercises. Other students may help in getting the shooting/recording organised.
Exercises:
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on continuity
Short documentary narrative with emphasis on interview
Short sound narrative with emphasis on audio design
SEMESTER II
The semester will start with 4-week common advanced theory and practical sessions in subjects of structural and textual analysis of film. The theory and practical sessions will be followed by a week of examinations. The semester will introduce the students to production on celluloid and post-production in HD. In addition, this semester will deal with two important aspects of film-making craft: organised shooting in documentary and mise-en-scene in fictional realm.
Advanced Documentary Production
During this exercise the emphasis will be on the understanding of visual imagery and a wide range of storytelling styles - investigative, historical, biographical etc. and the coursework covers writing, directing, cinematography, sound recording, production planning and editing skills specific to documentary.
Mise-en-scene exercise
Mise-en-scene exercise is designed to focus on the cinematic technique of using space and objects to give depth to a narrative. This is done through critical analysis of film clippings where mise-en-scene elements are consciously used. Stress is given to camera movement as well as sound design to create a narrative.
Exercises:
Documentary narrative with emphasis on shooting with a larger crew
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on mise-en-scen
SEMESTER III
This is a heavy semester in terms of practicals, where students continue learning different styles of shooting fictional narrative. The styles are more complex and parameters are diverse. The students also have the one-month intensive study tour that is focused on broadening their scope in terms of their world view, professional networking, film production, technique, and self development. They visit a reputed film processing lab in Chennai; they produce a short film on 16mm and oversee post production process of celluloid and HD material and oversee the DI process and sound mixing for theatrical release; they travel to the International Film Festival of Kerala in Tiruvananthapuram for 8 days. The study tour culminates in a 10-day stay in Sri Aurobindo ashram in Puducherry and the international city of Auroville. The students then come back to Delhi and do two more structured exercises.
Project on 16 mm
The students will be exposed to the aesthetics and technicalities involved in producing a film on celluloid format. The filmmaker will help them plan a story, write the screenplay and shooting script, and shoot on 16 mm camera. The post-production (which includes editing, dubbing, DI and sound mixing) will be done in the lab.
Travel to Chennai, Puducherry, and Kerala
Laboratory tour to Chennai will expose the students to the departments of film processing stages and familiarize them with the latest aspects of film processing in the Lab.
Attendance of the International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananathapuram
During their stay in Auroville and Puducherry, students will be engaged in activities and interaction for dynamic application of Integral Education and Integral Yoga.
‘Pre-Rec’ Exercise
Students will shoot according to a pre-recorded audio track with dialogue, music and sound designed and conceived in advance for the exercise. Working on detailed storyboard they will approach the shoot to fit the pre-recorded audio track and produce a 3-minute film.
Dialogue Exercise
To demonstrate creative, technical and collaborative skills of specialization, students will be asked to work on a dialogue-based short story and produce a 5-6 minute film incorporating the use of on-location sound and folly sounds. This will be conceived and written especially and exclusively for indoors.
Exercises:
5min short film on celluloid
Short fiction narrative with playback of pre-rec sound
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on dialogue
SEMESTER IV
This semester will start with pre-production for diploma films. The diploma films can be either in fiction, documentary, or a mix of genres. Then the students will have to prepare dissertation papers to articulate their approach and framework for the particular role they undertook in production. The film will be presented in front of a jury comprising faculty and external academicians and practitioners. Each student has to defend his/her individual participation in the filmmaking process in front of the jury.
The Diploma Film Production
Fiction – 10 min
Documentary – 20 min
Mixed - between 10 to 20 min depending on element of fiction or documentary
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
Course requirements
On selection the student must have 1 TB hard drive with Fire-wire port and a light and spot meterQualification:
Graduates from any discipline
Admission is subject to an aptitude test followed by orientation & interview
Attributes:
Creative and innovative bent of mind
Good visual sense and keenness for detail
Basic experience in photography or video
Commitment & motivation for long-term engagement with the medium
Must have patience, perseverance and team working capabilities
SEMESTER I
The first semester is common for students of all specialisations. This introductory semester is structured to work as a foundation for the students for the specialisation semesters that follow.
Through theory and practical classes, students will understand the technical know-how, aesthetics, and theoretical aspects of filmmaking which make it an art form. Besides regular weekly screenings, this semester also includes a weekly session on four main cinematic disciplines such as Cinematography, Editing, Audiography, and Screenwriting & Direction; aesthetic subjects such as art appreciation, film appreciation, sociology and history, design, photography, theatre etc. Everyone gets hands-on exposure which aims at exposing them to the fundamental discipline and roles involved in the process of filmmaking.
Each student will write, direct, shoot, record and edit on his/her own during the exercises. Other students may help in getting the shooting/recording organised.
Exercises:
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on continuity
Short documentary narrative with emphasis on interview
Short sound narrative with emphasis on audio design
SEMESTER II
The semester will start with 4-week common advanced theory and practical sessions in subjects of structural and textual analysis of film. The theory & practical sessions will be followed by a week of examinations. The semester will introduce the students to production on celluloid and post production in HD. The semester will deal with two important aspects of film making craft such as organised shooting in documentary and mise-en-scene in fictional realm.
Advanced Documentary Production
During this exercise the emphasis will be on the understanding of visual imagery and a wide range of storytelling styles - investigative, historical, biographical etc. and the coursework covers writing, directing, cinematography, sound recording, production planning and editing skills specific to documentary.
Mise-en-scene exercise
Mise-en-scene exercise is designed to focus on the cinematic technique of using space and objects to give depth to a narrative. This is done through critical analysis of film clippings where mise-en-scene elements are consciously used. Stress is given to camera movement as well as sound design to create a narrative.
Exercises:
Documentary narrative with emphasis on shooting with a larger crew
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on mise-en-scene
SEMESTER III
This is a heavy semester in terms of practicals, where students continue learning different styles of shooting fictional narrative. The styles are more complex and parameters are diverse. The students also have the one-month intensive study tour that is focused on broadening their scope in terms of their world view, professional networking, film production, technique, and self development. They visit a reputed film processing lab in Chennai; they produce a short film on 16mm and oversee post production process of celluloid and HD material and oversee the DI process and sound mixing for theatrical release; they travel to the International Film Festival of Kerala in Tiruvananthapuram for 8 days. The study tour culminates in a 10-day stay in Sri Aurobindo ashram in Puducherry and the international city of Auroville. The students then come back to Delhi and do two more structured exercises.
Project on 16 mm
The students will be exposed to the aesthetics and technicalities involved in producing a film on celluloid format. The filmmaker will help them plan a story, write the screenplay and shooting script, and shoot on 16 mm camera. The post-production (which includes editing, dubbing, DI and sound mixing) will be done in the lab.
Travel to Chennai, Puducherry, and Kerala
Laboratory tour to Chennai will expose the students to the departments of film processing stages and familiarize them with the latest aspects of film processing in the Lab.
Attendance of the International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananathapuram
During their stay in Auroville and Puducherry, students will be engaged in activities and interaction for dynamic application of Integral Education and Integral Yoga.
‘Pre-Rec’ Exercise
Students will shoot according to a pre-recorded audio track with dialogue, music and sound designed and conceived in advance for the exercise. Working on detailed storyboard they will approach the shoot to fit the pre-recorded audio track and produce a 3-minute film.
Dialogue Exercise
To demonstrate creative, technical and collaborative skills of specialization, students will be asked to work on a dialogue-based short story and produce a 5-6 min film incorporating the use of on-location sound and folly sounds. This will be conceived and written especially and exclusively for indoors.
Exercises:
5 min short film on celluloid
Short fiction narrative with playback of pre-rec sound
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on dialogue
SEMESTER IV
This semester will start with pre-production for diploma films. The diploma films can be either in fiction, documentary, or a mix of genres. Then the students will have to prepare dissertation papers to articulate their approach and framework for the particular role they undertook in production. The film will be presented in front of a jury comprising faculty and external academicians and practitioners. Each student has to defend his/her individual participation in the filmmaking process in front of the jury.
The Diploma Film Production
Fiction – 10 min
Documentary – 20 min
Mixed - between 10 to 20 min depending on element of fiction or documentary
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
- Production houses
- Television channels
- Ad & Corporate production houses
- Film production houses
- Multimedia production houses
Course requirements
Student must have 1 TB hard drive with Fire-wire port and a PC/Mac laptop.Qualification:
Graduates from any discipline
Admission is subject to an aptitude test followed by orientation & interview
Attributes:
Creative and innovative bent of mind
Good visual sense and keenness for detail
Basic command over handling computer operations
Commitment & motivation for long-term engagement with the medium
Must have patience, perseverance and team working capabilities
SEMESTER I
The first semester is common for students of all specialisations. This introductory semester is structured to work as a foundation for the students for the specialisation semesters that follow.
Through theory and practical classes, students will understand the technical know-how, aesthetics, and theoretical aspects of filmmaking which make it an art form. Besides regular weekly screenings, this semester also includes a weekly session on four main cinematic disciplines such as Cinematography, Editing, Audiography, and Screenwriting & Direction; aesthetic subjects such as art appreciation, film appreciation, sociology and history, design, photography, theatre etc. Everyone gets hands-on exposure which aims at exposing them to the fundamental discipline and roles involved in the process of filmmaking.
Each student will write, direct, shoot, record and edit on his/her own during the exercises. Other students may help in getting the shooting/recording organised.
Exercises:
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on continuity
Short documentary narrative with emphasis on interview
Short sound narrative with emphasis on audio design
SEMESTER II
The semester will start with 4-week common advanced theory and practical sessions in subjects of structural and textual analysis of film. The theory & practical sessions will be followed by a week of examinations. The semester will introduce the students to production on celluloid and post production in HD. Besides this the semester will deal with two important aspects of film making craft such as organised shooting in documentary and mise-en-scene in fictional realm.
Advanced Documentary Production
During this exercise the emphasis will be on the understanding of visual imagery and a wide range of storytelling styles - investigative, historical, biographical etc. and the coursework covers writing, directing, cinematography, sound recording, production planning and editing skills specific to documentary.
Mise-en-scene exercise
Mise-en-scene exercise is designed to focus on the cinematic technique of using space and objects to give depth to a narrative. This is done through critical analysis of film clippings where mise-en-scene elements are consciously used. Stress is given to camera movement as well as sound design to create a narrative.
Exercises:
Documentary narrative with emphasis on shooting with a larger crew
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on mise-en-scene
SEMESTER III
This is a heavy semester in terms of practicals, where students continue learning different styles of shooting fictional narrative. The styles are more complex and parameters are diverse. The students also have the one-month intensive study tour that is focused on broadening their scope in terms of their world view, professional networking, film production, technique, and self development. They visit a reputed film processing lab in Chennai; they produce a short film on 16mm and oversee post production process of celluloid and HD material and oversee the DI process and sound mixing for theatrical release; they travel to the International Film Festival of Kerala in Tiruvananthapuram for 8 days. The study tour culminates in a 10-day stay in Sri Aurobindo ashram in Puducherry and the international city of Auroville. The students then come back to Delhi and do two more structured exercises.
Project on 16 mm
The students will be exposed to the aesthetics and technicalities involved in producing a film on celluloid format. The filmmaker will help them plan a story, write the screenplay and shooting script, and shoot on 16 mm camera. The post-production (which includes editing, dubbing, DI and sound mixing) will be done in the lab.
Travel to Chennai, Puducherry, and Kerala
Laboratory tour to Chennai will expose the students to the departments of film processing stages and familiarize them with the latest aspects of film processing in the Lab.
Attendance of the International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananathapuram
During their stay in Auroville and Puducherry, students will be engaged in activities and interaction for dynamic application of Integral Education and Integral Yoga.
‘Pre-Rec’ Exercise
Students will shoot according to a pre-recorded audio track with dialogue, music and sound designed and conceived in advance for the exercise. Working on detailed storyboard they will approach the shoot to fit the pre-recorded audio track and produce a 3-minute film.
Dialogue Exercise
To demonstrate creative, technical and collaborative skills of specialization, students will be asked to work on a dialogue-based short story and produce a 5-6 min film incorporating the use of on-location sound and folly sounds. This will be conceived and written especially and exclusively for indoors.
Exercises:
5 min short film on celluloid
Short fiction narrative with playback of pre-rec sound
Short fiction narrative with emphasis on dialogue
SEMESTER IV
This semester will start with pre-production for diploma films. The diploma films can be either in fiction, documentary, or a mix of genres. Then the students will have to prepare dissertation papers to articulate their approach and framework for the particular role they undertook in production. The film will be presented in front of a jury comprising faculty and external academicians and practitioners. Each student has to defend his/her individual participation in the filmmaking process in front of the jury.
The Diploma Film Production
Fiction – 10 min
Documentary – 20 min
Mixed - between 10 to 20 min depending on element of fiction or documentary
During this time they have to finalise their dissertation paper. The paper has to be of minimum 3,500 words outlining the aesthetic and technical treatment, including inspirations, influences, and expected outcomes. Each student will be expected to make an individual presentation for 15 minutes followed by discussion with the jury.
- Audio studios
- Television channels
- Film production houses
- Multimedia production houses
Course requirements
Student must have 1 TB hard drive with Fire-wire port and a PC/Mac laptop.Qualification:
Graduates from any discipline
Admission is subject to an aptitude test followed by orientation & interview
Attributes:
Creative and innovative bent of mind
Good sense of sound and keenness for detail
Basic command over handling computer operations
Commitment & motivation for long term engagement with the medium
Must have patience, perseverance and team working capabilities
