In this course, you will gain a foundational understanding of filmmaking by learning how stories are told through image and sound, using curriculum developed by working film and television professionals. The course is built on INDSTRY’s Introduction to Film & Digital Media—part of the INDSTRY initiative, launched by George Clooney in partnership with CAA and leading entertainment industry partners to expand access to real career pathways in film and television.
Course Information:
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites to take this course; however, you must have familiarity with using a personal computer in a Windows or Mac environment. You must also be able to launch and close programs, navigate to information stored on the computer, and manage files and folders.
INDSTRY’s Introduction to Filmmaking & Digital Media is a comprehensive foundations course that teaches how stories are told through image, sound, performance, and structure. Rather than focusing on a single tool or job role, the course develops visual literacy, narrative thinking, and creative decision-making across the full filmmaking process.
Students learn how films communicate meaning through framing, movement, light, sound, editing, and performance. Historical context is paired with hands-on practice, helping learners understand not only how films are made, but why certain creative choices work. Throughout the course, students complete applied projects that translate theory into concrete visual outcomes.
This course is designed for early filmmakers, content creators, and students exploring film, media, or creative careers. No prior filmmaking experience is required. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of cinematic language and a body of practical work demonstrating their ability to think and create like filmmakers.
What kinds of jobs can this course help me explore?
This course provides a foundation that is relevant to early roles in film, television, and digital content creation, including production assistant, junior editor, assistant camera, and social media video creator. It is also suitable preparation for students planning to pursue further study in film, media, communication, or related creative fields.
Does this course qualify me to work as a director or cinematographer right away?
This is a foundations course, so it focuses on building core cinematic language and practical skills, not granting an advanced professional credential. Graduates will have stronger visual literacy and sample projects for entry-level roles or further education, but will still need additional experience and training to move into senior creative positions.
How does this course relate to other creative paths like graphic design or animation?
While some concepts, such as composition, color, and visual hierarchy, overlap with graphic design and motion graphics, this course is centered on moving-image storytelling for film and digital media. Students interested in design or animation can use what they learn about framing, pacing, and sound-image relationships to strengthen projects in those adjacent fields.
What practical skills will I have by the end of the course?
You will know how to plan, shoot, and edit short visual pieces that use shot size, movement, light, performance, and sound to tell a story. You will also be able to analyze professional films and translate script pages into visual plans using tools like shot lists, blocking diagrams, and storyboards.
Will I build a portfolio?
Yes. Throughout the course, you will complete a sequence of short projects—such as scene breakdowns, visual storytelling exercises, editing and pacing studies, and location-based films—that can be curated into an entry-level reel or portfolio. These examples help demonstrate your ability to think like a filmmaker and make intentional creative choices, even on a small scale.
How much film theory is included versus hands-on work?
The course blends historical and theoretical context with concrete practice in camera, directing, sound, and editing. Lessons on topics like realism, montage, and documentary strategies are always tied to applied exercises that require you to shoot, cut, or analyze specific scenes.
Which software is used in the course?
The course uses industry-standard tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, but the concepts covered will apply to any standard editing software. Instruction focuses on using these tools to support cinematic storytelling rather than on software-only workflows.
Does this course prepare you for an Adobe certification?
You will gain experience using Adobe Premiere Pro and related tools in a filmmaking context, but this course is not structured as a dedicated Adobe Certified Professional exam-prep bootcamp. Learners who wish to pursue Adobe certification may find that the editing and workflow skills gained here support later, more targeted certification study.
Is this course right for complete beginners?
Yes. The course is designed for early filmmakers, content creators, and students exploring film and media for the first time, with no prior on-set or editing experience required. You should be comfortable using a computer and willing to experiment with shooting and editing short pieces.
Can this help if I already make basic content for social media?
If you already create simple videos, this course will help you move beyond instinctive shooting into deliberate cinematic choices around framing, performance, sound, and structure. You will learn to critique and revise your own work using concepts like coverage, pacing, and visual storytelling, which can significantly raise the quality of your content
REQUIREMENTS
Hardware Requirements:
The processor should be:
In addition, the computer should have at a minimum:
Software Requirements:
Other:
Instructional Material Requirements:
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK
Receive direct, personalized critique from working film and media professionals who review your project and provide actionable insights to strengthen your storytelling, technical execution, and overall production quality.
You've got questions, we're here to help.
INDSTRY
855.520.6806
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SYLLABUS
Students complete a sequence of projects, including:
Each project reinforces core cinematic concepts while developing practical skills in planning, shooting, and editing short visual pieces.
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