University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years full-time
Editing Fellows are trained in the technical side of the editing process, but their attention is always focused on storytelling. Guided by a faculty of working professionals, Fellows work in rotating teams with the other disciplines, cutting six cycle films and working as an assistant editor on an additional six projects. By the end of the two years, Editing Fellows complete the program with a new demo reel to share with the industry.
the Masters
AFI also brings your favorite master storytellers to campus to deliver personal, inspiring guest lectures and enlightening seminars. They’ll share their personal experiences and answer your questions about the filmmaking process.
PRN 510: Introduction to Cycle Production — Boot Camp
FIRST TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS
This intensive six-week workshop is meant to introduce Fellows to the AFI Conservatory. There is a focus on narrative storytelling. Classes for all first-year Fellows, orientations into production policies and procedures and discipline-specific workshops will prepare Fellows for both the academic and production work ahead. The production component of this course is the Boot Camp Shoot, a digital video exercise shot in four hours that guides first-year Fellows through Conservatory production procedures. The production teams engage in the processes of development, casting, pre-production, shooting and post-production, resulting in a project three to five minutes in length, to be screened the week following the shoot.
PRN 5111: Cycle Production I
FIRST TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS
Narrative Cycle Project 1 is the first of three collaborative narrative projects that each Fellow will complete during the first year. Narrative Cycle Projects are shot digitally, then edited, evaluated and screened in Narrative Workshop. They cannot run longer than 20 minutes in length, including credits.
PRN 5122 and 5123: Cycle Production II and III
SECOND TERM
8 CREDIT HOURS
This course encompasses narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3. Narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3 follow the pattern of Narrative Cycle Project 1. In addition to the above-mentioned required production coursework, other production at the AFI Conservatory may include first-year Cinematography 35mm Visual Essays, as well as other in-class exercises. In all cases, all AFI Conservatory production policies and procedures must be followed. Narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3 follow the pattern of Narrative Cycle Project 1.
PRN 5211, 5222 and 5223: Narrative Workshop and Analysis I – III
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
6 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
At the end of the production process, all first year Cycle films are screened and reviewed for all first year Fellows, key Production faculty members, and staff. Each screening is followed by a critical analysis of the project, specifically for team members, led by a faculty member. Fellows receive feedback from the first-year class, allowing them to broaden their perspective beyond their study discipline. Team members then adjourn for one-on-one analysis with the NW faculty member.
EDT 511 and 512: Editing Analysis
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
Editing Fellows analyze and assemble dramatic scenes under a variety of conditions and narrative strategies. These are analyzed by faculty and Fellows. Editing theories, techniques and procedures, issues of continuity, effects, movement and sound are examined as they relate to the fundamentals of cinematic montage and visual storytelling. All first-year productions are deconstructed and analyzed by Editing faculty in order to develop a versatile and confident understanding of editorial principles and techniques.
EDT 525 and 526: The Art and Craft of Editing
FIRST AND SECOND TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
The tools and techniques of the editor’s craft are presented through a series of topic-based seminars, workshops and hands-on training sessions.
EDT 584: The Producing of Post-Production
SECOND TERM
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course will examine and explain the main elements of Producing post production for Film/Television/Streaming and learn how it relates to AFI thesis projects. Fellows will learn about the fundamental Post Production producing skills from pre-production through final delivery.
CON 521 and 522: American Approaches to Film
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
An American narrative, live-action screening series of classic and contemporary feature and short films, highlighting the work of each discipline, in order to explore the aesthetic, cultural, historical and social phenomenon of the motion picture arts.
First-Year Fellow Comprehensive Review
Upon review of the first-year work, faculty invites Fellows to continue to the second year and candidacy for the Master of Fine Arts degree or Certificate of Completion. The portfolio review is conducted by Editing faculty through a formal interview with each Editing Fellow, which results in a recommendation regarding future work in the program.
PRN 610: Thesis Production — Editing
Building on the first-year production experience, the Editing Fellows must successfully fulfill all editorial responsibilities on two thesis productions — professionally executed short film and digital video projects — which are evaluated by the senior faculty. Editors collaborate with project team members under the guidance of thesis faculty mentors. Thesis production teams participate in special development, pre-production and post-production workshops. In addition, teams visit discipline workshops on a scheduled basis over the course of pre-production, production and post-production in order to gain a thorough understanding of the collaborative interdisciplinary creative process. If an Editing Fellow is approved by faculty to edit more than two thesis productions, the additional project(s) will be considered an additional thesis requirement for completion of the degree or certificate.
EDT 611 and 612: Advanced Editing Workshop
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
This workshop is led by senior Editing faculty and master guest artists, who present a variety of topics and experiences that are designed to broaden the Fellow’s understanding of the art of cinematic storytelling and montage. Work on thesis projects is integrated into the workshop as a means to understanding advanced editing tools and techniques.
EDT 621 and 622: Advanced Art and Craft of Editing
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
This seminar presents a variety of topics relating to specialized aspects of editing and post- production. Picture and sound post-production techniques and tools are presented through a progression of training that builds upon and advances the first-year experiences.
EDT 683: The Producing of Post-Production
FIRST TERM
3 CREDIT HOURS
This course will examine and explain the main elements of Producing post production for Film/Television/Streaming and learn how it relates to AFI thesis projects. Fellows will learn about the fundamental Post Production producing skills from pre-production through final delivery.
EDT 670: Internship Practicum
ANY TERM
1–3 CREDIT HOUR(S)
ELECTIVE
The objective of this course is to provide working experience in the film/TV industry as it pertains specifically to the Fellow’s degree/certificate requirements. Specific duties and requirements will be outlined and supervised by the faculty mentor. This internship qualifies an international Fellow for Curriculum Practical Training; approval must be obtained by the international advisor, as well as the faculty mentor prior to enrolling in the course.
EDT 690: Thesis Portfolio – Editing
8 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
Each Editing Fellow prepares a personal portfolio of work demonstrating their editorial skills and talents. The portfolio is a culminating summary of the AFI Conservatory experience, which is reviewed, evaluated and approved by the senior faculty for graduation.
CON 621 and 622: World Approaches to Film
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
A non-American narrative, live-action screening series of classic and contemporary feature and short films, highlighting the work of each discipline in order to explore the aesthetic, cultural, historical and social phenomenon of the motion picture arts.
CON 631 and 632: HLMS (Harold Lloyd Master Seminar)/ Seminar Series
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL
