Have you ever wonder what it is like to be a film student at one of the top graduate film programs in the world? Panavision has published those outstanding pictures demonstrate fellows of AFI Conservatory during their 35mm essays, by shooting with the legendary Panaflex Platinum. Watch them below.
AFI Conservatory: #1 film school in America
The AFI Conservatory is a private not-for-profit graduate film school in the Hollywood Hills district of Los Angeles. Students (called “Fellows”). The Conservatory is a program of the American Film Institute founded in 1969. In 2020, both The Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap ranked AFI as the #1 film school in America. The AFI Conservatory stands out because its intensive two years program, which is emphasized on a practical and hands-on approach, forces (positively) fellows to make multiple films. Since the AFI Conservatory began in 1969, AFI alumni have received 34 Best Cinematography Oscar nominations and seven wins.
Cinematography Fellows are challenged to become adept at making fast, informed, and inspired creative decisions to harness the visceral power of visual storytelling.
AFI Conservatory
AFI disciplines and programs
AFI Conservatory is a five-term Master of Fine Arts program in six disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting. Traditionally, the Conservatory accepts 28 Fellows per year for most disciplines and 14 for the Production Design and Editing disciplines. Each discipline’s program runs two years in length.
- First Year: Fellows from all disciplines work on at least three digital video or high definition short films (up to 20 minutes), referred to as ‘cycle projects’. Each of these first-year projects is accomplished by Fellows with a minimum of oversight from the senior faculty.
- Second Year: Most Fellows work on at least one thesis short film, shot on digital video, high definition, 35mm film, or 16mm film, and develop portfolio materials (such as a reel and a feature film screenplay).
The Cinematography discipline
Encompassing training from pre-visualization to advanced image manipulation and control, Cinematography Fellows develop their storytelling skills using formats ranging from digital video to 16mm and 35mm film cameras. “Cinematography Fellows are challenged to become adept at making fast, informed, and inspired creative decisions to harness the visceral power of visual storytelling. Shooting on both digital and film, Fellows have the chance to work on 28 films a year and produce a 35mm visual essay. AFI gives them unprecedented access to lighting workshops and practical seminars taught by master-level cinematographers” as described by the AFI Conservatory.
BTS of the Cinematography Program
The superb BTS pictures that you see in the article, were published by Panavision. The pictures were captured by cinematographer Oli Cohen which was one of the AFI fellows. The pictures demonstrate six sets on six different projects from 2019 to 2021, showing AFI grads and crew members working on 35mm visual essays with the Panaflex Platinum. The pictures demonstrate the intensity of the Cinematography Program.
Shooting on both digital and film, Fellows have the chance to work on 28 films a year and produce a 35mm visual essay. AFI gives them unprecedented access to lighting workshops and practical seminars taught by master-level cinematographers.
AFI Conservatory
How to apply
In case you’d like to apply to the AFI Conservatory, you can find all admissions requirements by pressing this link. The Tuition is around $65,000. Let’s know your thoughts about the AFI Conservatory. In general, is there a justification for a traditional film school these days? Feel free to throw your insights in the comments section below.
Nothing says “filmmaking” like an actual film camera, and nothing compares to shooting in film. I hope everyone has an opportunity to experience shooting in film.