University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years full-time
Course city: Sydney
A great cinematographer requires mastery of screen language, leadership, and the ability to collaborate on visual storytelling.
In this course – Australia’s only full-time Masters in cinematography – you will undertake learning through extensive workshops, seminars and collaborative practice designed to advance your skills.
You will learn to critically evaluate the theory, techniques and technologies of cinematography, refining your understanding of cinematic storytelling across screen platforms. In the final year, you will create a funded major project and undertake a professional placement.
WHY DO THIS COURSE
AFTRS’ cinematography department is committed to maintaining the excellence we have established over 45 years. This excellence is built upon the quality of our teachers and our close industry links. Our network provides significant opportunities for students within the industry.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Industry practitioners will contribute to the coursework program, and you will collaborate with your fellow students in small cross-disciplinary groups.
In your final year, you will create a funded major project using AFTRS’ extensive production facilities and undertake a professional placement.
Overall, the course will allow you to consider who you are as a creative practitioner with an adaptable skill-set. Learning to analyse your process through the development of a practice-based research project, you will understand how your practice is informed by the past – but also how it engages with contemporary screen culture and emerging trends and technologies.
The Master of Arts Screen: Cinematography will enable you to shoot a variety of screen narratives in a wide range of formats and styles. This course will propel you into a career as a professional cinematographer. AFTRS graduates dominate the Australian Cinematography Awards at State and National level.
AFTRS Cinematography alumni include Warwick Thornton, who shot The Sapphires (2012) and Sweet Country (2017). Two AFTRS Cinematography graduates have won Oscars: Andrew Lesnie, Best Achievement in Cinematography for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), and Dion Beebe, Best Achievement in Cinematography for Memoirs of a Geisha (2006).
