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Practical Filmmaking
Course Overview
Practical Filmmaking – Course Description
This six-week intensive is designed for filmmakers, actors, cinematographers, assistant directors, and crew members who already have some foundational experience and want to apply their skills in a real production environment.
While both this course and our Intro to Filmmaking course offer immersive experiences on a working film set, this class represents an advanced, master-level engagement. Participants take on significant responsibility within professional departments, making creative and technical decisions with minimal supervision while benefiting from strategic guidance from industry mentors. The course emphasizes independent, hands-on filmmaking, culminating in the production of a festival-ready short film that showcases both technical expertise and professional readiness.
Students must be 18 or older.
Participants will earn an IMDb credit and be invited to an awards ceremony and film-screening celebration upon completion.
Prerequisites
This course is intended for students with prior filmmaking knowledge or experience. Eligible backgrounds include:
– Completion of Intro to Filmmaking
– Film-related coursework or degrees
– On-set or industry experience
– Self-taught experience supported by previous work or demonstrated skills
Self-taught filmmakers, working creatives, and anyone with real-world experience are encouraged and fully welcomed.
Reasons to Take the Practical Filmmaking Class 2026
Hands-On Filmmaking Experience
Work from a given script and prompt, collaborating to produce a completed short film.
Gain experience in all key departments including AD, Art, Talent, and Camera and practice on-set operations.
Professional Recognition
Earn an IMDb credit for your role in the film.
Receive professional headshots to showcase your work as an actor or crew member.
Industry Exposure and Networking
Collaborate in an intimate class setting, with one-on-one guidance from instructors.
Work alongside other motivated filmmakers, actors, and crew with prior Intro to Filmmaking experience.
Award Ceremony & Film Screening (Film Festival Opportunities)
Showcase your final project at a red carpet screening.
Films may be submitted to festivals, offering professional exposure.
Neef Owens front center, working on the feature film “The Soil” only a month after taking our filmmaking class.
Structured, Intensive Curriculum
Weeks 1 to 6 focus on pre-production and preparation for filming.
The final weekend is dedicated to shooting the film, providing full production experience.
Practical Skills and Portfolio Development
Students gain technical skills, creative problem-solving experience, and tangible work to showcase in a portfolio or reel.
Commitment to Learning and Professionalism
Clear attendance policy ensures accountability.
Students practice professional etiquette, scheduling, and team coordination, skills transferable to any career.
BENEFITS
- Upon completion of the class, students will create a short film for their portfolio and reel
- Networking with industry professionals & building community within the cohort
- Receive insight from Hollywood guest speakers who have empirical experience in the entertainment industry via in person or virtual
- IMDB credit
- Intimate class settings with one-on-one sessions
- Invited to the red carpet/screening event
- The cohort short film will be submitted to film festivals
CLASS SCHEDULE
CLASS SCHEDULE 2026 COHORT
6 Week Class | Thursdays | 6pm to 9pm6
Location: Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), 3675 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Students learn the full filmmaking pipeline using a professional script and prompt. At the end of the class, the cohort will shoot a short film on the potential filming weekend listed below.
ORIENTATION Mandatory for all students
Thursday, January 8th, 2026 | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | CIC
WEEKLY CLASS SESSIONS Thursdays 6pm to 9pm
Week 1 – January 15, 2026
Project kickoff, script assignment, department assignments including AD, Art, Talent, and Camera
Week 2 – January 22, 2026
Pre-production, storyboarding, shot lists, location prep
Week 3 – January 29, 2026
Department intensives including AD workflow, Talent rehearsals, Art prep, Camera exercises
Week 4 – February 5, 2026
Technical rehearsals, finalize sets, wardrobe, props, equipment prep
Week 5 – February 12, 2026
Final pre-production, run-throughs, lock schedules, confirm departments
Week 6 – February 19, 2026
Last class, review logistics, camera setups, and final rehearsal before filming
Potential Filming Weekend (Final Project) – Saturday and Sunday, February 21–22, 2026
Note: Participation in the final filming project requires that all tuition payments are completed in full.
TUITION
Tuition, Payment, and Cancellation Policy
- Total Class Cost: $1,000
Option 1 – Installment Plan:- Downpayment to Reserve Your Spot: $400 (due upon acceptance; last day to secure your spot: Dec 30, 2025)
- Remaining Balance: $200 × 3 automatic payments every 2 weeks from your initial payment date
- This bi-weekly payment schedule is processed automatically through our secure online system. Students do not need to manually make additional payments.
Option 2 – Pay in Full:- Full Payment: $900 if paid in full by December 30, 2025
Payment Requirements:
- Full tuition must be paid in full to participate in the final filming project and receive any class-related deliverables.
Cancellation Policy:
- No Refunds: All payments are non-refundable once made.
- Spot Transfers:
- If a student cannot attend, the only way to recover tuition is by transferring their reserved spot to another eligible student.
- The new student must pay the full tuition to the school.
- Once the school confirms payment from the new student, the original student may be reimbursed from those funds.
- After Class or Production Begins:
- Once the class or filming production has started, cancellations may not be possible.
- Removing a student at this stage can disrupt production schedules, crew coordination, equipment use, and other students’ learning.
- Because of these potential disruptions, students cancelling after the class begins may forfeit tuition entirely and may not be allowed to participate in the final project.
- Administrative Approval:
- Any exceptions to this policy (including spot transfers after the start of class) are at the sole discretion of the administration.
Purpose of Policy:
This policy ensures that all students can participate fully, protects the integrity of the production schedule, and ensures the class can cover costs for instructors, equipment, locations, and other production resources without disruption.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
1 unexcused absence participation reviewed
2 unexcused absences participation may be removed
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