Academics

San Francisco Film School offers two accredited programs in Digital Filmmaking – an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Professional Certificate (PC). Both programs focus on the art and craft of filmmaking and content creation, allowing students to develop their own unique creative voice. Both programs lay a solid foundation upon which students can build their careers.

AAS in Digital Filmmaking teaches every aspect of filmmaking and is designed for students wishing to pursue careers as writers, directors, producers and editors in the motion picture and television industries.
PC in Digital Filmmaking program focuses on technical proficiency and is designed for students wishing to pursue careers in corporate and web-based production.

AAS in Digital Filmmaking

The AAS program focuses on teaching professional filmmaking techniques and developing a students’ full creative potential. It is designed to prepare students to pursue careers in motion pictures (both independent and Hollywood) and television (network, cable, and streaming). Students completing this program will be able to work in all areas of the motion picture and TV industry including getting jobs as directors, producers, screenwriters, editors, motion graphics and VFX, and audio recording & post.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students in this program are required to take 70 credits which includes core production courses, general education courses, and electives. Students that enroll in the AAS starting in the Mid Fall of 2023 will also be required to declare a Minor by the end of their second semester. This ensures that all students have a core foundation of knowledge, and the ability to specialize in a particular area of filmmaking (cinematography, screenwriting, directing, producing, editing, or sound). The program is a mix of classroom learning, practical exercises, and hands-on film production. Students apply the skills and techniques they learn every semester by writing, directing, shooting, producing, and editing five (5) short films. Each film project is progressively more challenging in demand and scope. This educational method is an effective and powerful way of teaching the art and craft of moviemaking:

Visual Montage (2-3 mins)

Short Fiction Film (4-6 mins)

Documentary (5-7 mins)

Web Commercial (:30 sec)

Thesis Film (10-15 mins)

Students enrolled full-time will take a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 18 credits per semester. In order to remain actively enrolled in the AAS program and eligible for federal financial aid, students must take a minimum of 6 credits per semester. Click here to see the full list of classes require for the AAS program.

PC In Digital Filmmaking

Throughout the Professional Certificate (PC) program, students make their own films, collaborate on classmates’ projects, make industry contacts, and create a body of work that will help them launch their career. The PC program can be completed in 4 - 5 semesters, depending on the number of credits taken per semester. Please see the complete list of classes below for more details.

The PC programs’ production-based curriculum emphasizes hands-on filmmaking. Almost every semester students write, produce, direct and edit their own films, as well as crew on each other’s projects, working as Assistant Directors, Cinematographers, Sound Recordists, and Gaffers. Over the course of the program, students will make at least four (4) short films, each project becoming progressively more challenging.

Visual Montage (2-3 mins)

Short Fiction Film (4-6 mins)

Documentary (5-7 mins)

Web Commercial (:30 sec)

Students enrolled full-time will take a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 18 credits per semester. In order to remain actively enrolled in the PC program and eligible for federal financial aid, students must take a minimum of 6 credits per semester. Click here to see the full list of classes require for the PC program.

Students enrolled in both the AAS and PC are expected to adhere to the San Francisco Film School's Policies and Procedures.