28 professionals. 40 students. 14 weeks. One feature film.
Semester Cinema provides a rare learning adventure that is firmly grounded in filmmaking and the liberal arts. Our program is open to students from all accredited colleges and universities - and takes place every two years, during the Winter/Spring semester. We accept a maximum of 40 students who will collaborate with 28 professionals in all aspects of preparation, production and post-production. Students receive 16 college credits AND professional screen credit listed on IMDB.
We kick off the semester with a week-long excursion to the Sundance Film Festival where students navigate screenings, filmmaker Q & A’s, music events and the highly charged atmosphere of America’s most celebrated showcase of indie filmmaking.
We then move to our filming location for 7 weeks of daily classes, hands-on workshops, master classes with visiting artists, field trips, and more - all in preparation for the six-week production of our feature-length film.
During production, students work under the mentorship of 28 professionals, in a wide range of positions, from wardrobe supervisor and camera operator to script supervisor, set decorator, prop master, assistant editor and second assistant director.
Many students arrive with a passion for film or theater - but little technical filmmaking background. And they often choose to work in film jobs they didn’t even know existed. That’s OK! We create a comfortable learning environment where students are encouraged and supported to take risks and try new things and, along the way, develop new skills in critical thinking, creative collaboration, problem solving, flexibility and improvisation - and much more.