Film & Television Production

1. Core Film & Television Production

These foundational courses cover the essential pipeline from concept to execution.

• Screenwriting & Story Development: Focuses on narrative structure, character development, and industry-standard formatting using professional software like Celtx.

• Cinematography & Camera Operations: Teaches the visual language of film. Topics include mastering 4K camera workflows, lighting setups, lens selection, and framing.

• Directing for the Screen: Guides students on how to translate a script into visual action, block scenes, and draw authentic performances from actors.

• Producing & Set Management: Covers the business of filmmaking, including budgeting, location scouting, scheduling, and managing a film crew.

2. Post-Production & Technical Arts

This department focuses on shaping the raw footage into a polished final product.

• Video Editing & Workflow: Comprehensive training in assembling footage, pacing, and continuity using industry-standard non-linear editing (NLE) software.

• Cinematic Color Grading: Dedicated training on color correction and grading to achieve specific visual aesthetics and international broadcast standards.

• Sound Design & Audio Engineering: Teaches the capturing of clean location audio, foley creation, sound mixing, and dubbing.

3. Broadcast & Digital Media

For institutions managing network channels, these courses prepare students for fast-paced media environments.

• Television & Studio Production: Training in multi-camera setups, live switching, control room operations, and floor management for live broadcasts.

• Radio Production & Podcasting: Focuses on audio-only storytelling, broadcast scripting, vocal delivery, and operating radio console equipment.

• Documentary Filmmaking: Specialized instruction in non-fiction storytelling, investigative research, interview techniques, and capturing real-world events.

4. Specialized & Cultural Studies

Courses designed to carve out a unique institutional identity and empower local creators.

• Cultural & Heritage Storytelling: A specialized module focused on translating traditional narratives, music, and dance into compelling visual media to preserve local culture on the global stage.

• Media for Civic Engagement: Teaches students how to use media tools to mobilize communities, run advocacy campaigns, and produce socially impactful youth programming.

• Acting for the Camera: Prepares on-screen talent with the techniques needed for realistic, grounded performances rather than theatrical or stylized acting.

Structuring the Programs

To accommodate different student needs, these courses can be packaged into varying certification levels:

• Short Courses / Masterclasses (4–8 Weeks): Intensive, single-skill programs (e.g., Mastering Color Grading or Documentary Fundamentals)

•        Identification: Original and copies of a National Identity Card (ID) or Birth Certificate.

• Academic Records: Original and copies of the KCSE Result Slip or official KNEC Certificate.

• Photographs: Colored passport-sized photographs (usually 2 to 4 copies).
• School Leaving Certificate: A copy of the secondary school leaving certificate.
• Application Form: A fully completed application/enrollment form, either submitted physically or via the institution's online portal.
• Application/Commitment Fee: A standard non-refundable application fee or an initial tuition deposit as determined by the college's finance department.

Course Title: Certificate in Core Film Production

Duration: 12 Weeks

Objective: To equip students with the technical and creative skills required to write, shoot, direct, and edit professional-grade short films and documentaries.

Phase 1: Development and Pre-Production

Week 1: Introduction to Visual Storytelling

• The history and evolution of cinema and local African media.

• Understanding narrative structure (The Three-Act Structure).

• Analyzing award-winning documentaries and short films.

• Idea generation and pitching concepts.

Week 2: Screenwriting and Formatting

• Translating ideas into scripts.

• Introduction to industry-standard screenwriting software (focus on Celtx).

• Formatting dialogue, action lines, and scene headings.

• Writing authentic local narratives for a global audience.

Week 3: Producing and Production Management

• Breaking down a script for production.

• Budgeting, scheduling, and resource management.

• Location scouting and securing permits.

• Creating call sheets and organizing a production crew.

Phase 2: Production and Technical Execution

Week 4: Cinematography and Camera Operations

• Understanding camera mechanics: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and frame rates.

• Introduction to 4K resolution workflows and professional camera bodies.

• Lens selection and the visual impact of focal lengths.

• Rule of thirds, framing, and dynamic camera movement.

Week 5: Lighting Techniques and Aesthetics

• The physics of light and color temperature.

• Mastering the three-point lighting setup (Key, Fill, Backlight).

• Shaping light with modifiers, diffusers, and gels.

• Lighting for different genres (documentary vs. dramatic narrative).

Week 6: Directing for the Screen

• The role of the director on a professional set.

• Blocking scenes and mapping actor movements.

• Techniques for directing realistic, non-theatrical performances.

• Maintaining continuity and managing set dynamics.

Week 7: Location Audio and Sound Recording

• The importance of high-fidelity sound in international cinema.

• Operating boom microphones, lavaliers, and field recorders.

• Monitoring audio levels to prevent clipping and distortion.

• Capturing room tone and ambient sound.

Phase 3: Post-Production and Finishing

Week 8: Non-Linear Editing (NLE) Workflows

• Organizing file structures and ingesting 4K footage.

• Introduction to professional editing software.

• The mechanics of cutting: assembling the rough cut.

• Pacing, rhythm, and continuity editing.

Week 9: Cinematic Color Grading

• Understanding color spaces and working with log footage.

• Primary color correction: balancing exposure and white balance.

• Secondary color grading: creating specific cinematic looks and moods.

• Ensuring the final image meets international broadcast standards.

Week 10: Sound Design and Audio Mixing

• Cleaning up location audio and removing background noise.

• Introduction to Foley recording and sound effects mapping.

• Mixing dialogue, music, and effects.

• Finalizing audio levels for broadcast and cinema playback.

Phase 4: Capstone and Exhibition

Week 11: Final Project Assembly

• Students finalize the edits of their short films or documentaries.

• Peer review, critical feedback, and troubleshooting technical errors.

• Picture lock and final audio synchronization.

Week 12: Exporting, Distribution, and Premiere

• Mastering the final project in appropriate formats (H.264, ProRes).

• Understanding aspect ratios and delivery requirements for festivals and television.

• Developing marketing materials (posters, trailers, and synopses).

• Final course screening and certificate awarding ceremony.

 Graduates with these skills are not just looking for jobs; they are positioned to build production companies, launch networks, and shape cultural narratives.

Here are the primary career trajectories available to individuals trained in these disciplines:

1. Production & Set Leadership

These roles are the driving force on set, responsible for translating the script into actual footage.

• Film & Television Director: The creative lead who oversees the artistic and dramatic aspects of a film, guiding actors and technical crews to fulfill a specific vision.

• Producer: The strategic mind behind a project. Producers secure funding, hire key personnel, manage the budget, and oversee the project from initial concept through to final distribution.

• Cinematographer / Director of Photography (DP): The chief over the camera and light crews, responsible for achieving the cinematic look of the film, choosing lenses, framing shots, and designing lighting setups.

• Screenwriter: The architect of the story. Screenwriters craft the dialogue, characters, and narrative structure for films, television shows, and documentaries.

2. Post-Production & Finishing

These professionals take the raw materials captured on set and sculpt them into the final product.

• Video Editor: The storyteller in the cutting room. Editors assemble the footage, determine the pacing, and ensure narrative continuity.

• Colorist: A specialized role focused on color correction and cinematic grading to ensure the final image meets international broadcast standards and evokes the right emotional tone.

• Sound Designer / Audio Engineer: Responsible for everything the audience hears. They mix dialogue, create sound effects (Foley), and blend the musical score to create an immersive audio experience.

3. Broadcast & Network Operations

For those moving into television and radio, the skills learned in a media academy translate directly to fast-paced studio environments.

• Broadcast Producer: Oversees live television or radio programs, managing the rundown, coordinating talent, and ensuring the show airs seamlessly.

• Technical Director (TD): Operates the video switcher in a multi-camera studio setup, cutting between different camera angles and graphics during a live broadcast.

• Radio Host / On-Air Talent: The voice of a station, requiring strong communication skills, an understanding of broadcast audio equipment, and the ability to engage a live audience.

4. Specialized & Impact-Driven Careers

Many creators use their technical skills for cultural preservation, education, and advocacy.

• Documentary Filmmaker: Specializes in non-fiction storytelling, investigative journalism, and capturing real-world events, often focusing on community issues or cultural heritage.

• Media Educator / Academy Instructor: Mentoring the next generation of creatives by teaching the technical and theoretical aspects of film production.

• Digital Content Strategist: Leveraging production skills to build online platforms, manage digital campaigns, and create high-quality promotional content for businesses or advocacy groups.