UGA students interested in film careers pursue majors in theatre, film studies, entertainment and media studies, or some combination of these including double majors and minors. The state of Georgia has been dubbed “Hollywood of the South;” by 2016, more movies were filmed in Georgia than in California. Film is a crucial, growing part of Georgia’s economy, with Marvel, Pinewood, and Tyler Perry Studios within little more than an hour’s drive from the University of Georgia campus. The University of Georgia is a core university partner of the Georgia Film Consortium, and offers professional courses in film production at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville and the OFS movie studio campus in Norcross and, starting in Fall 2023, at Athena Studios in Athens. These courses may count towards a film studies minor, in core area 6 for theatre or film studies majors, or general electives. Theatre majors and Film Studies majors, if selected for an internship with Georgia Film Consortium, may use the internship course credit towards their major electives. FILM 2000 – Introduction to On-Set Film Production (6 credits; no prerequisites or restrictions) This course provides an introduction to the skills used in on-set film production, including all forms of narrative media which utilize film-industry standard organizational structure, professional equipment and on-set procedures. In addition to lectures, the course includes demonstrations of equipment and set operations as well as hands-on learning experiences. Students will learn: film production organizational structure; job descriptions and duties in various film craft areas; names, uses and protocols related to various pieces of professional on-set film equipment; and skills related to networking and self-marketing. Students will also learn how the various film crafts relate to one-another on a working set, as well as how and why they all must operate in sync. Taught on Fridays from 9-4 at Athena Studios in Athens. Specialty Craft Courses (6 credits; prerequisite FILM 2000) NOTE: taught OFF CAMPUS at the OFS studio facilities of Georgia Film Consortium, on I-85 near Jimmy Carter Blvd. The instructor is a Georgia Film Consortium professional. FILM 2010 – Set Construction and Scenic Painting This course equips students with skills and knowledge of set construction for the film and television industries, including drafting, reading blueprints, architectural models, set etiquette and safety, carpentry and scenic paint. FILM 2020 – Electric and Lighting This course equips students with the knowledge and skills of electrical distribution and set lighting on a motion picture or television set. Upon completion of this course, students will be ready to work in film and media as entry-level set lighting technicians. FILM 2030 – Grip and Rigging This course introduces students to the latest equipment and techniques for on-set grip positions as well as proper rigging techniques and setting up tracks for camera movements and dolly shots. Studio policies, crew communication, equipment storage and care, labor rules, and safety are also covered. FILM 2050 – Introduction to Special Effects Makeup This course provides students with entry-level skills and industry-standard knowledge of practical Special Effects (SFX) Makeup for major film and television productions, including the professional use of casting materials, makeup, sculpting, and airbrushing. FILM 5700 - Internship in Film/Media (3 credits; repeatable for 6 credit hours) Students who complete FILM 2000 and a Specialty Craft Course may, if pursuing the Georgia Film Academy Certification, be eligible to compete for a Georgia Film Consortium internship. While some of the GFC Internship course will feature a more in-depth analysis of the various production crafts, the bulk of the course will focus on professional-level projects, on which students will have active roles in on-set and production office crafts. The Internship is a competitive program dictated by the amount of available on-set internship opportunities and are not guaranteed to anyone. Students pursuing the GFC certification may substitute a second specialty craft course instead of an internship to complete that certification. NOTE: Georgia Film Academy offers other classes beyond what will count for credit at UGA. Please visit their website for complete information on all of GFA's offerings.
