Tisch Pro Online Courses

Whether you’re brand new to the world of filmmaking or looking to refresh your core skills, this course is a great starting point. Course topics include composition, storyboarding, pre-production, lighting, camera movement, and audio/video editing. The course is entirely asynchronous, so you can learn at your own pace and your own schedule. You will receive video feedback on your final project from an NYU instructor. Your final project will be reviewed by award-winning cinematographer and NYU Tisch School of the Arts Head of Cinematography Professor Anthony Jannelli.

Note: Cinematography Fundamentals is a self-paced course and does not include all features available in other Tisch Pro/Online courses. Since this course is entirely self-paced, your final project must be completed within the three-month window in order to receive NYU instructor feedback.

The Documentary Fundamentals Workshop, with participation from New York Times Op-Docs, is designed to give developing storytellers the tools they need to complete a short documentary film. Students will explore documentary styles, the language of film production, and the legal and ethical considerations involved in chronicling the lives of their subjects. 

Students will be exposed to this unique storytelling format through readings, pre-recorded video lectures, self-prep exercises, and screenings of both classic and modern examples of the form. The course culminates with each student making a 3-5 minute digital documentary. Students will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one sessions with the instructor and schedule time with other students to view work and provide feedback.

From Idea to Reality

The course will cover the theory and techniques behind documentary production, from concept development through researching, writing, filming, directing, producing, and editing. Through asynchronous online lectures, individual video meetings with the instructor, self-prep exercises and assignments, students will be introduced to a variety of documentary styles and techniques, becoming fluent in the language of film production and well-versed in the legal and ethical considerations involved in making a documentary.

The New York Times Op-Docs staff will participate in the course sharing their esteemed traditions of short documentary storytelling. Students will also hear from filmmakers who have had their short documentaries featured on New York Times Op-Docs.

Documentary filmmaking is a collaborative process, and the course provides ample opportunity for students to come together to complete ambitious projects.

Additional Information
 

• Program Dates: July 11 - August 5, 2022 - Enroll by June 24, 2022
   

• It is recommended that students spend a minimum of three hours per week on this workshop.
   

• Each student will have two one-on-one, 10-15 minute live video sessions with the instructor. Students can schedule these sessions at any point during the workshop via the Smashcut online learning platform.
   

• This workshop does not include live, mandatory synchronous meetings with the instructor and entire class.
   

• This workshop includes assignments which will be submitted to the instructor for review, as well as self-prep optional exercises which will not be reviewed.
   

• The workshop includes solo assignments, one collaborative project, and culminates with an individual final documentary film project.
   

This online workshop will introduce you to the basic theory and techniques of writing, shooting, and editing short digital films. The course includes asynchronous pre-recorded video lectures, real-time one-on-one video meetings with the instructor, solo assignments and a collaborative project with fellow students, as well as readings, self-prep exercises, and film viewings.

Most students enter this course with little or no experience in film or video, and they learn the building blocks that will enable them to create captivating visual stories. Topics that will be covered include:

• Equipment and techniques needed to digitally shoot and edit films
   

• Narrative approaches to filmmaking
   

• Introduction to Screenwriting, script development, and research
   

• Film Grammar
   

• Roles in the film industry

Students will work in crews on their collaborative project as well as have opportunities to share feedback with each other on self-prep assignments designed to help the development of their final film. This gives students experience with sharing creative responsibility and working to each team member’s individual strengths, which are essential for those who hope to work in the film industry.

Additional Information:
 

• Program Dates: July 11 - August 5, 2022 - Enroll by June 24, 2022
   

• It is recommended that students spend a minimum of three hours per week on this workshop.
   

• Each student will have two one-on-one, 10-15 minute live video sessions with the instructor. Students can schedule these sessions at any point during the workshop via the Smashcut online learning platform.
   

• This workshop does not include live, mandatory synchronous meetings with the instructor and entire class.
   

• This workshop includes assignments which will be submitted to the instructor for review, as well as self-prep optional exercises which will not be reviewed.
   

• The workshop includes solo assignments, one collaborative project, and culminates with an individual final film project.

Participants will examine the principles and processes of writing for the screen. Topics include: finding and developing story ideas, film language, and script structure. By the end of the course, students will have participated in in-depth film analysis and intensive screenwriting exercises and discussions. 

At the end of the course, students are expected to complete a film treatment (prose description of your film) with a step outline for a feature film or TV episode they plan to write. In addition, students must hand in the first scene (3 - 5 pages) of their script with dialogue.

Program Dates
Summer 2022 Session I: May 23 - July 1, 2022 - Enrollment Closed
Summer 2022 Session II: July 5 - August 12, 2022 - Enroll by June 17, 2022