Filmmaking and Digital Media
Undergraduate Certificate in Filmmaking and Digital Media
Application Deadline: December 9
Program Overview
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a filmmaker or content producer? In this program you can build a foundation for entry-level work in filmmaking and digital media or further study. Immersed in a project-based curriculum, you will explore the art of filmmaking from various professional perspectives, acting as cinematographer, screenwriter, director, and editor.
Undergraduate Certificate in Filmmaking and Digital Media students build skills through a series of hands-on filmmaking projects, then showcase their talents by producing a 10-minute movie as a final project. In the program, you'll gain experience of the filmmaking process, learning how to start with an idea, develop a screenplay and production plan, fulfil the role of director, cast and lead a team, light and shoot scenes, and edit your ideas into a compelling visual story.
At Sessions College, the entire program is asynchronous, project-based, and instructor-led, which means you can earn a degree or certificate entirely online, working at your own pace and at any time convenient for you.
Application Deadline. Enroll by December 9 to enter January 6, 2025 classes.
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Program Length: 8 months
Credits: 24 credits
Tuition: $300 per credit
Next Class:
January 6, 2025
App Deadline:
December 9
"This exciting, project-based certificate program provides creative storytellers the opportunity to develop and produce their ideas with feedback from professional filmmakers and digital creators."
André Robert Lee
Department Head of Filmmaking, Sessions College
Program Curriculum
The Undergraduate Certificate in Filmmaking and Digital Media is a 24-credit online program completed in two semesters. Part-time schedules are available.
First Semester
FLM 101: Cinematography - 3 Credits
What makes the cinematography of the great filmmakers so compelling? In this course, you will develop an understanding of foundational cinematic principles, including shot types, composition, and lighting, and explore how to apply them in a series of creative projects. The course culminates in a final project demonstrating your ability to plan and execute a visually compelling scene in which actions speak louder than words. Cinematography course syllabus
FLM 102: Editing - 3 Credits
As a film or video editor you are storyteller with the power to affect your viewer in ways you may not even imagine. In this course, you'll study the tools and techniques used by professional editors, learning the basics of how to manage projects in Premiere as you explore how editing affects the pacing and mood of a scene. Lectures on montage, coverage, and B-roll explore how creative editors make the connections between each shot that pull a scene together. In final project, students demonstrate the ability to edit a set of footage in two distinct moods. Editing course syllabus
FLM 103: Screenwriting I - 3 Credits
Do you have what it takes to write for the screen? In this class, you will analyze and write screenplays, developing your ability to work with dialogue, character development, and plot structure. During the class you will learn how to interpret and correctly format a script. By the end of the class, you will have created a compelling short dialogue scene between two or more characters. Screenwriting I course syllabus
FLM 104: Directing - 3 Credits
What does it mean to direct a movie? Directing has been compared to many things, ranging from leading an army into battle to managing a corporation. In this course, you'll gain hands-on experience of many aspects of directing including interpreting a script, using camera movement, sound design, and working with actors. Throughout the course, there is a focus on what makes a director's work distinctive, and how do you begin to develop those qualities in your work? In the final project, you will test your ability to creatively interpret a script for the screen in your own unique style. Directing course syllabus
Second Semester
FLM 201: Filmmaking for Digital Media - 3 Credits
This multi-faceted course will enhance your filmmaking and digital media skills with an emphasis on planning, producing, and distributing creative work through web-based applications and venues such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch (livestreaming). You will research, conceive, plan (using storyboards and other planning aids), and produce a variety of creative pieces by applying filmmaking principles such as storytelling, cinematography, directing, and editing to short-form digital media projects to distribute and stream through multiple web-based venues and channels. Filmmaking Concepts for Digital Media course syllabus
FLM 202: Screenwriting II - 3 Credits
Utilizing a collaborative workshop strategy you will develop a concept for a 3-act narrative short script. You will write a concept and an outline, then transform it scene by scene into a script. As a screenwriter, you will workshop ideas at multiple stages in the creative process, and gaining critical feedback to improve your script from the instructor and your peers. Throughout the course, you will gain inspiration from the exploration and analysis of outstanding examples of professional screenwriting. Screenwriting II course syllabus
FLM 203: Film Criticism - 3 Credits
To make great films, you need to understand what makes them tick—how they are put together. And the best, most transformational way to do that is to closely study some of the greatest movies ever made. In this class, you will learn and apply concepts and principles for the critical analysis of films. You will explore six classic and contemporary films in great depth, engaging in focused discussions of specific scenes, and writing critical analyses that demonstrate your understanding and appreciation of the elements of filmmaking. Through critical analysis you will learn how to look and write about films, gaining insights that will enrich your future filmmaking. Film Criticism course syllabus
FLM 204: Final Project - 3 Credits
Produce a complete short narrative or documentary film from concept to screening. Guided by your instructor, students will script, shoot, and edit a short narrative or documentary film. In the first half of the course, students will complete all aspects of pre-production: scripting, planning, recruiting, and more. In the second half, students will shoot and edit their film, refining their project into a polished production. having gained insights from multiples rounds of feedback, informed by course content, inspiration and your lived experience. Final Project course syllabus
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Undergraduate Certificate in Filmmaking and Digital Media students develop the following competencies:
Storytelling
Effectively communicate a story in writing by developing a plot, characters, treatments, and dialogue, and translate that story into visual media.
Directing
Collaborate with others to successfully develop and execute a production plan, directing a cast and team members to realize a shared vision for a project.
Art & Design Principles
Employ design and art principles such as composition, lighting, camera angles, lens usage, color, texture, and continuity to support a story and concept being developed and conveyed.
Technology
Utilize cameras, lighting, and audio equipment, Adobe Premiere, and other software as needed, to produce and edit compelling content for viewing and distribution.
Critical Analysis
Employ analytical skills to develop and refine creative work including screenplays, written film criticism, and visual media.
About Sessions College
Sessions College has been inspiring creative professionals for 25 years.
 Accredited since 2001, we have a unique and proven approach to online education.
Accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2001
Recognized as top design school by GDUSA
Winner of four USDLA awards for distance education
Student Work
Student Work
Program Benefits
Advance Your Creative Career
Advance your creative career in a focused 2-semester program.
By Creatives, For Creatives
Collaborate with a community of creative learners and industry professionals.
Enhance Your Portfolio
Enhance your portfolio with creative projects that put you through your paces.
Structure and Flexibility
Weekly deadlines keep you on track, but with no set login times you can build your studies around your schedule.
Education You Can Afford
Affordable programs with low per credit tuition, and financial aid available for those who qualify.
Open Enrollment Program
Open enrollment with a convenient application process.
Career Outlook for Filmmakers and Digital Media Professionals
Filmmaking and Digital Media professionals produce creative work such as documentaries, motion pictures, screenplays, video production for web, television, social media, and live streaming. These creatives can serve in multiple roles such as cinematographer, director, editor, screenwriter, camera operator, content producer and more. In today's media environment, filmmaking skills can be applied to roles in digital advertising, promotions, and marketing.
Exciting Job Opportunities
Graduates could be employed in the movie industry as Camera Operators, Film and Video Editors, Producers, Directors, Writers and Authors. In digital media graduates could be employed as Digital and Social Marketers, Influencers, and Media Producers.
Median Annual Wage and Income Potential
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual salaries in filmmaking in May 2023 were as follows:
| Camera operators, television, video, and film | $61,800 |
| Film and video editors | $66,600 |
| Producers and directors | $85,510 |
| Writers and authors | $73,690 |
According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for advertising and promotions managers was $131,870, and for marketing managers was $157,620 (as of May 2023).
Job Projections and Employment Trends
From 2022 to 2032, employment opportunities are expected to grow as follows:
- Film and video editors, camera operators, producers and directors: jobs are projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
- Writers and authors: jobs are projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Employment opportunities for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032.
There are about 34,000 openings projected for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers each year, on average, over the decade.
Based on Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data for camera operators, film and video editors, producers and directors, and writers and authors and Indeed Job Outlook on video production and film majors.
Truly Affordable Education
Our tuition is:
50% lower than the average annual cost of tuition at 4-year colleges in the United States.
Significantly more affordable than other online design / digital media colleges.
An attainable path to gain an education without incurring excessive loan debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our online application process makes getting started easy, fast, and convenient.
How Do I Enroll?
Open Admissions.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is open admissions: any student who have earned a high school diploma, GED, or state-approved home school equivalent may enter the program. Any students under 18 years of age will need to provide the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
Classes start in January, April, and August, with midterm options in February, June, and September. Our online application is simple and convenient, and there is no application fee.
How Long is the Program?
Two Semesters, 8 months.
The Undergraduate Certificate program is a 2-semester, 24 credit program. Students can graduate in eight months or less and part-time schedules are available.
Is the Tuition Affordable?
Truly Affordable Tuition.
We are committed to making the highest-quality design and digital media education available at the lowest cost. Our truly affordable tuition is:
| Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition |
|---|
| $300 per credit |
| $3,600 per semester |
| $7,200 total program tuition |
Per-credit tuition is the same full-time and part-time students. Federal financial aid available for eligible students.
A $200 registration fee is required to process your enrollment in the program. Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from the scheduled beginning of program orientation. See Undergraduate Certificate Admissions.
Is Financial Aid Available?
Military Student Aid. Military servicemembers and their families who are eligible for GI Bill Education Benefits or active service member Tuition Assistance (TA) may also be able to utilize these programs to pay for their education.
This recently released program is not currently eligible for Federal Student Aid or military servicemember / veteran education benefits.
What are the Deadlines to Enroll?
Here are relevant deadlines to be admitted for next term.
- Next Class:
January 6, 2025
Priority Deadline:
November 4
- Final Deadline:
December 9
- End Registration:
December 22
Will the Program Fit My Schedule?
Weekly deadlines help you stay on track. And with no set login times, you can build your studies around your schedule, wherever you are located. Many of our students complete their programs while working part-time or full-time.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
To take this program, you'll need:
- A computer with Internet connection (56 Kbps modem or faster).
- Non-linear video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie.
- Projects in this class can be completed using your mobile device, a point-and-shoot, or a consumer-level DSLR. If you have access to a professional camera, that’s great but not required.
- Ability to connect your video device, (as described above) to a computer to capture footage.
- Professional lights are not required for this course. Household, repurposed items, and natural light can be used to complete course assignments.
Get Started Today
Take the first step on a rewarding creative journey towards earning an Undergraduate Certificate in Filmmaking and Digital Media.
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