When: Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30 PM, September 2 – November 18.
Foundations of Filmmaking provides foundational knowledge about working conditions, jobs, and professional expectations in film and television. Students will learn industry-specific terminology and processes related to above- and below-the-line positions, how a creative project moves from script to screen, and how to start and build a film or television career. With an emphasis on industry standards, practices and procedures, on-set safety protocols, and the realities of the job market, students will be prepared to take further coursework in any number of more focused areas covered in this course. Want to know how a project is made from start to finish? This is the course for you.
This class is perfect for anyone with a passion for film and television who is eager to delve into the industry. Whether you are a creative enthusiast, aspiring filmmaker, or simply curious about the world of entertainment, Foundation of Filmmaking is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to embark on a rewarding career. It is an ideal starting point for individuals looking to grasp industry-specific terminology, understand the script-to-screen process, and prepare themselves for various roles within the dynamic film and television field.
Please note: students do have graded assignments, assessments, and projects and will receive a final grade in this course. Grades demonstrate a student’s ability to apply their understanding and mastery of concepts taught in this course. Trilith Institute instructors have a wealth of knowledge as they come with expertise in the film and entertainment industry
Course Note: No Prerequisite Required.
*Those receiving a grade of 80 (B) or above in the course will receive a “Certificate of Completion”. Complete 3 of the Trilith Institute’s Professional Education Courses, and you will receive “Trilith Institute Outstanding Achievement in Film Arts.” In addition, if you have completed 3 courses and our Mastering Self-Marketing workshop, you will be eligible to submit an original project for consideration for our Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant, with a potential award of up to $10,000.
Questions? Check out our FAQ page.
Ashley Paterson has spent the last twenty years of her professional life entrenched in film production. Her wide-ranging experience covers every narrative genre and tier, from award-winning independent films like Whistleblower, to blockbusters like Weapons, and everything in between. She has script supervised over two hundred episodes of television, including series like Atlanta, Rectify, and Being Mary Jane, over twenty feature films, including recent releases Scream 7 and Netflix’s A Family Affair, and over seventy commercials. Inspired to share her knowledge, she is currently focusing on teaching her craft. She has taught production at the University of Georgia in the Entertainment and Media Studies department, and she mentors younger members of her longtime union, Local 161. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Columbia University.
The Trilith Institute 365 Fund supports all aspects of the 501(c)(3) organization.
$250 pays for a single episode of the Trilith Institute Talks podcast.
$500 feeds cast and crew for one Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant film
$650 provides a one-week scholarship to the Script to Screen Summer Camp
$1000 covers a Dinner With… events where students talk with industry experts over dinner
No amount is too big or small.
