Filmmaking

Unleash your creativity in Filmmaking

This world-first qualification combines film and virtual production in a practical course to learn film making that prepares you for the global film industry. AIE's filmmaking course is designed to expand your creative thinking and explore new ways of storytelling, replicating the film industry and operating just like a production house. Learners will get real experience in traditional film making and virtual production methodologies, enabling you to become part of the new generation of in-demand professional film practitioners.

This course runs over two years full-time, during which you will create your own extensive portfolio of work that will impress potential employers or prospective clients and set you up to become a leading independent filmmaker.

Why study game design with AIE?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning instructors with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

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Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Multiple Award Winners

AIE delivers highly specialist education for games, visual effects and animation.

AIE was the first video game school in the world and developed the world’s first accredited game development qualification. AIE has been at the forefront of delivery through specialist education and achieving great graduate outcomes for over 27 years.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world's first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator. 

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

Graduate Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Industry software you will learn

Your career in Filmmaking starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the film industry and leveraging the latest industry software, state of the art equipment and resources including:

  • LED Virtual Production Studio stage on campus
  • Arri Amira 4k, Black Magic 6K Pro, Sony FX-9 & Z Cam 6K cine cameras
  • LED lighting equipment, including battery operation
  • Jibs, Dollies, Gimbals and Sliders
  • iMac editing and sound suites
  • Industry speakers and practitioners as trainers
  • adobe-premiere-logo-white-small

    Adobe Premiere

    Video editing

  • davinci-resolve-logo

    DaVinci Resolve

    Colour grading & video editing

  • pro-tools-logo-small-white

    Pro-Tools

    Sound editing and mixing

  • unreal-engine-logo-02-small

    Unreal Engine

    In camera visual effects

Louisiana Entertainment Logo

Program Details

Collaborating with other students across AIE and working in our new LED wall virtual production film studio, you will gain hands-on skills and make creative directorial decisions. You'll apply new cinematic techniques in a virtual capture volume as well as using traditional film methods. You will learn the art of script development, project planning and pre-visualisation, LED wall dynamic lighting, set extension and virtual scouting techniques, optimising pipelines and workflow, editing and post-production, including real time final pixels in camera compositing to combine live action footage and visual effects.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop both your creative practice in filmmaking as well as specialise in a technical virtual production crew role while networking in the social and professional world of film production. AIE graduates have had their short films featured in film festivals around the world and worked on blockbuster films and TV shows, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Lego Movies, WandaVision as well as AIE’s funded feature films such as Blue World Order, The Furies and Sissy.

Stage One Core Topics

  • Intro to Filmmaking
  • Documentary Round
  • Project Development
  • Open Round
  • Drama Round
  • Frontier Round
  • Craft Skills
  • Professional Development
  • Red Carpet

Stage Two Core Topics

  • Minor Production
  • Major Production
  • Post Production
  • Business and Professional Development

Filmmaking Skills

  • Film Analysis
  • Scriptwriting
  • Project Development
  • Pitching
  • Pre-production
  • Cinematography
  • LED virtual volume film production
  • Virtual sets, costumes and set extensions
  • Sound Recording
  • Editing
  • Color Grading
  • Editing complex scenes
  • Working with talent
  • Motion Control methodologies
  • Volumetric Capture
  • Visual effects
  • Live compositing
  • Directing, Producing, Financing

Advanced Diploma students work in industry-simulated studio environments and complete one subject at a time, building upon knowledge as the learning pathway progresses.

Students in the first year will study two Diploma programs simultaneously through the completion of eight subjects. In the second year students will undertake another seven subjects to complete the Advanced Diploma.

Students complete practical filmmaking tasks and projects based on industry standards and briefs. Accompanying projects students record their process through development journals and other documentation.

  • Director
  • Virtual Production Director
  • Virtual Production Producer
  • Production Supervisor
  • Scenic Supervisor
  • Director of Photography
  • Continuity Supervisor
  • Lighting Supervisor
  • Layout and Previs Artist
  • Visualisation Lead
  • Compositor
  • On-Set Painter
  • Sound Designer
  • Virtual Production Crew
  • Props Master
  • Special Effects Supervisor
  • Producer
  • Creative Director
  • Production Designer
  • Art Director
  • Motion Control Specialist
  • Film Editor
  • Set Dresser
  • Lighting Technician
  • Previs Designer
  • Pipeline Technical Director
  • Concept Artist
  • Production Manager
  • Camera Operator
  • Sound Effects Editor
  • Set Builder
  • Digital Imaging Technician
  • Virtual Production Effects Specialist
Program Name Associate of Occupational Studies in Filmmaking
Program Name Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking
CIP Code 50.0602

Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.

For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.

Hear from our graduates

Casey Thomas Student and Alumni | AIE

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas
Damian Lam Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam
Kellie Lautier Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier
Josh Van Zuylen Student and Alumni | AIE

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen
Beverly Crock Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock
Ben Davis Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis
Vinessa Mayer Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer
Tom Johnstone Student and Alumni | AIE

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

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