Cinematography Certificate

Do you want to pursue a career as a director of photography, or would you like to learn more about the cinematography and camera department? Our Cinematography Certificate will provide a comprehensive introduction to shooting and lighting for film. Guided by experienced filmmaking professionals, this intense 5 or 10 day course will introduce the concepts of lighting, camera operation, framing, colour correction and grading.

This course will be taught using the state of the art, Arri Alexa HD camera. If you take the 10-day option, you will also be introduced to shooting on Super 16mm film.

This practical, in-depth training will give you the opportunity to serve as DOP, camera operator, focus puller and clapper loader on a series of short films in an industry setting, offering hands-on insights into the world of cinematography.

Our Cinematography Certificate is the ideal course for filmmakers keen to build their knowledge and experience of working in the camera department. By developing an understanding of all of the key roles on set, students will complete the course with an enhanced perspective of the filmmaking process. Accordingly, this course would also benefit aspiring directors and filmmakers who have not yet worked in the camera department. Guided by experienced camera and lighting professionals, this practical and in-depth course provides training in various aspects of cinematography including lighting, camera operation, focus, field of depth, lens manipulation, DIT, colour correction and grading. All students will have the opportunity to practise the roles of the camera department on a short film in a studio environment using a high-end HD camera. Participants will also be introduced to grading and colour correction in LFA’s bespoke grading suite, ahead of a screening in our state-of-the-art cinema.

Targeted exercises (both 5 & 10 day versions) ensure you:

• Establish an understanding of shot choices, visual storytelling and effectively interpreting the script
• Build an understanding of operating camera effectively
• Enhance your communication skills, allowing you to draw the best from your crew and directors
• Shoot and grade a short film, working with a full crew and professional actors in an industry standard environment

Should you take the 10-day course, you will, in addition:

• Work with professional actors to break down a scene
• Develop an understanding of shooting on Super 16mm film
• Better understand the intricacies and techniques involved in moving camera exercises
• Receive a masterclass from professional cinematographer(s) analysing their work with real-life case studies