An unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world
Gain hands-on experience in cinematic storytelling from concept to post-production and learn story structure, cinematography, and editing
As of 6/15/2023, the Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking enrollment is closed.
The UCLA Film and Television Summer Institute shapes the filmmakers of tomorrow from the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
The Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking gives high school students from across the country and around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world. The program is a three-week, intensive production workshop designed for highly motivated rising high school juniors, and seniors, and spring 2023 high school graduates. Students are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling and challenged to create entertaining narrative projects.
- Students use the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media’s latest editing software and digital cinema cameras
- Students work collaboratively on projects that are filmed as daylight exteriors on location across the UCLA campus
- The program curriculum consists of a combination of lectures, practical camera exercises, guest speakers, and post-production labs
- This workshop carries 3 units of UCLA college credit
- Program activities include film screenings, guest speakers, and a visit to a Hollywood studio
- All films will be screened in a state-of-the-art theater during the certificate ceremony at the end of the workshop. Friends and family are welcome!
This is an intensive immersion experience for beginning filmmakers designed to form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in making a film. While previous experience in digital filmmaking is not required, this is a disciplined and rigorous program and requires a significant time commitment. Please refer to the program schedule for details.
Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking Program
This program offers a hands-on overview of the production process, from conceptualization to post production. Through lectures, discussions, workshops and group projects, students will form a basic understanding of the aesthetic, creative, and logistical decisions involved in making a film. This includes story structure, the principles of cinematography, and editing. Letter grading.
To participate in the Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking, students must apply and receive acceptance into the program.
Applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 2-4 weeks. See Application Requirements below for more details. Early application is strongly encouraged as this is a highly applied to program.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:
- Responses to the following essay prompts:
- Why you would like to participate in the program, and what you expect to gain from the experience? (100 words or less)
- What prior experience, if any, do you have in digital filmmaking? Include both academic coursework and extracurricular activities. Previous experience in digital filmmaking is not a requirement. (100 words or less)
- Filmmaking requires creative collaboration at every stage. Describe an example of your collaboration experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (250 – 300 words)
- Artistic creativity and expression can be a vulnerable process, especially when working with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Describe how you foster an environment of inclusiveness when working collaboratively. (200 – 250 words)
- As a program that carries UC college credit, students are expected to exhibit maturity inside and outside of the classroom and to abide by the UCLA Student Conduct Code. Bullying, academic dishonesty, and disorderly behavior, among other violations, will not be tolerated. If you were to witness bullying or disrespectful behavior among your classmates, how would you respond? (150 – 200 words)
- Is it better to be perfect and late, or good and on time? (100 words or less)
- This is a disciplined and rigorous program. Describe a time you took on an academic challenge. What were some of the obstacles you encountered and how did you overcome them? (250 – 300 words)
- An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
NOTE: Students should compose their responses to the essay prompts before beginning the online registration process. There will be text fields on the online registration form of which the response text can be copied.
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 8th – 11th in Spring 2023 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Summer 2023 deadline to apply: March 15.
Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
Due to the intense nature of the Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking and the time commitment involved, living in on-campus housing is mandatory.
For more information on UCLA housing precollege programs, please see the Housing for Minors page.
Many of our precollege programs with mandatory housing (only) also feature non-curricular evening and weekend activities, the availability of which is at the sole discretion of the academic department offering the program, and are not operated by UCLA Summer Sessions. To learn more about whether (and when) your selected program will host such activities, please consult the schedules for each program or contact the department in question directly: summer2@tft.ucla.edu
As of 6/15/2023, the Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking enrollment is closed.
Program Dates: June 25, 2023 – July 15, 2023
Program Type: Admission based / In-person
Program Eligibility: 10th-12th grade in Spring 2023
UCLA Coursework: FILM TV 72; 3 units
Application deadline: June 1, 2023
Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2023
The schedule and syllabus are subject to change.
Fees and Payment Info
The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.
Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.
Meet your instructors
Instructors for the UCLA Film and Television Summer Institutes are UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media faculty.
Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking FAQ
The Film and Television Summer Institute – Digital Filmmaking is intended for beginning filmmakers. Intermediate students are welcome to apply. However, they should be aware that this track is designed for beginners.
Please have the following supplies for your Summer Institute:
External Hard Drive – You will need a 500gb (minimum) external hard drive to save your film work this summer. It should be:
- 7200 RPM External Hard Drive or Solid State Drive (SSD) External Hard Drive w/ minimum 500GB Storage Capacity Connectivity/Interface: USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt 2
- (USB 2.0 is supported, but not recommended, as it will be very slow for video editing.)
Examples of acceptable drives:
- Samsung T5 Portable SSD – 500GB – USB 3.1 External SSD (MU-PA500B/AM)
- G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE ev RaW USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Rugged Bumper
USB Flash drive
- USB Flash drives (4GB or 8GB) are recommended but not required.
Required and Recommended Supply Lists will be sent out to enrolled students as part of their welcome packet after registration and acceptance to the program.
Students should expect an hour of homework per day.
Students are expected to work on elements of their film’s pre-production outside of class hours to complete before the respective deadlines.
Students will work in production groups as learning creative collaboration is an important component of this program.
Students will study many styles of filmmaking and are encouraged to develop their own unique storytelling voices.
Yes, all films will be screened during the certificate ceremony at the end of the program. Friends and family are welcome to join!
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.
