Georgia Film Consortium
The University of North Georgia is a member of the Georgia Film Consortium (GFC). The Georgia Film Academy (GFA) supports the GFC, which is a unique-in-the-nation, state-wide collaboration of institutions of the University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia and Independent institutions who offer professional courses in film, television, digital entertainment, esports and game development.
About GFA
The Georgia Film Academy is a professional organization, a unit of the University System of Georgia, which is committed to leading and advancing the entertainment arts industry and its workforce in Georgia. The GFA promotes rigorous professional training, and supports opportunities for union-covered film and television production craft internships and placement in creative industries, apprenticeships and jobs in an effort to build a permanent and sustainable industry in the state. On behalf of the USG, TCSG, and their institutions, as well as private higher education institutions in Georgia who choose to use its resources, the GFA is dedicated to the development of both Georgia’s workforce and the industry which will utilize it.
As a student in the University of North Georgia’s film and digital media program as part of the School of Communication, Film, & Theatre, you will have the opportunity to:
- Learn from professionals in the Film, Television and Digital Entertainment industries
- Take classes at an industry hub facilitated with a package of professional-level equipment
- Participate in on-set, hands-on experience and simulated “real world” projects, coupled with in-classroom course work
- Work hands-on with professional production equipment (cameras, sound gear, lights, etc.) as well as production trucks and generators on studio soundstages
- Apply for an internship or apprenticeship on a major film production set, television studio, editing house or digital entertainment lab in order to develop recognized film credits, through partnerships with professional productions
- Receive one-on-one job counseling to include resume preparation, job research and job placement outreach from GFA
- Earn any of three Georgia Film Academy industry certifications, recognized by production companies, studios, networks, vendors, and other entertainment businesses which may employ Georgians:
- Film & Television Production Certification
- Film & Television Post-Production Certification
- Digital Entertainment, Esports & Game Development Certification
- More information about the
- Explore our film and digital media programs partnered with GFA
What Courses will be Offered?
GFA Courses
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This course is the first of an 18-credit hour certificate program which will provide 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 the use of topical lectures, PowerPoint presentations, videos and hand-outs, the course will include 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. Students will also learn, through lecture and exercises, how the various film craft relate to one-another on a working set, as well as how and why they all must operate in sync. In addition, students will learn skills related to networking and self-marketing.
Hours:
6
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Students will become oriented with the Digital Entertainment ecosystem and job families therein, including: Game Development, Game Publishing, Tournament & League Operation, Live Production, Event Management, Broadcast Distribution, On-Air Talent, Team Organization, Sponsorship, Marketing, Content Creation, and Social Media Management. Students will learn the basic terminology across these functions and skills related to networking and self-marketing used within the digital entertainment, eSports, and game development industries. A team project allows students to design and execute a live-streamed event incorporating lessons learned during the course.
Hours:
6
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Upon successful completion of GFA Course 1, the GFA Film and Television Production Internship course is a 6-hour option as part of the 18 credit hours needed for the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) Certification Program. The course is designed to provide students with a basic level of on-set film production skills, knowledge and experience with film-industry standards, organizational structure, professional equipment and on-set procedures by giving students hands-on experience on the sets and offices of working film productions and businesses. Students will also have an opportunity to network and to build resumes in order to help market themselves with the intention of integrating into the film industry as entry-level workers.All productions will be conducted under the auspices of a professional production entity, production company studio or film business. All aspects of on-set and production office activities will be conducted at a level of professional standards common to the film industry. Particular emphasis will be placed on safety and the recognition and application of industry-standard safety practices.
While some of the 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. Because of the compressed and sometimes unusual scheduling nature of film production, students must have flexibility in their own schedules to be able to work on these projects. To be selected to participate in a production, a student must commit to working as scheduled the full term of the project and must follow the professional standards. Students who cannot meet those standards will not be permitted to continue on the project.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
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This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of set construction for the film and television industry. Students will participate in goal oriented class projects including reading blueprints, set safety, use of power tools, carpentry, scenic paint and sculpting. A large emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including, but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. Students are encouraged to attend open labs if and when available to further practice what they learned in class.The course will be presented through lectures, discussions, audio-visual materials, written assignments and hands-on demonstrations. Students will be expected to complete all homework assignments including participation in on-line forums, library (research) assignments, guest speakers follow up (Q&A), quizzes, tests and the assessments of student learned skills through the use of hands on demonstration.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge of electrical distribution and set lighting on a motion picture or episodic television set in order to facilitate their entry and advancement in the film business. The course is offered in collaboration with the Georgia Film Academy. Students will participate in goal oriented class projects including power distribution, set protocol and etiquette, properly setting lamps, department lingo, how to light a set to feature film standards, motion picture photography, etc. A large emphasis will be placed on set etiquette including, but not limited to, attitude, professionalism and technique on and off set. Students are expected to attend open labs such as guest speakers or OSHA safety classes to complete course assignments.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
Grip and Rigging is an introduction and orientation to the practice of rigging and supporting grip equipment, cameras, vehicles and other physical/mechanical devices. Grips are first and foremost team members. In addition to a gaining a thorough knowledge of the equipment used in grip and rigging, students will engage in on-set exercises in inventory, maintenance, set-up, troubleshooting, teamwork, set protocol and safety. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to work on a motion picture production set. As such, student responsibilities are matched to potential responsibilities as a team member on a production set as closely as possible.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
This course is designed to give students a broad understanding of work in and surrounding the Production Accounting and Production Office departments. Students will learn the fundamentals for working within and succeeding through the Production Office or Accounting Department in the film and television industry. In this course, students will be able to identify the key players in each department and define their responsibilities. The Production Office component of this course will focus on the relationship between the Production Office and the overall production and the importance of the communication hub that exists between the Office, Set, and Post. The Accounting component of this course will focus on the accounting guidelines and reporting practices that are used to track and manage the finances of a production. Practical elements will be created through the use of actual production software and scenario simulations. This course is intended for students with little to no experience in television and film production who wish to understand the larger importance of how the Production Office and Production Accounting departments affect production with effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
Students will be immersed in the practical working of a costumes department through goal-oriented projects, discussions, lectures, and assignments. Topics include fabrics/fibers/shapes, production and character costume design, budgeting, dressing background, shopping and sewing costume pieces. An emphasis will be placed on set and department etiquette, working with actors, professionalism, and technique. Students will be given a television or movie scene to research, design and complete costumes as a final project.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
Students will develop the practical skills and fundamental knowledge for entry-level job positions in professional film and television through hands-on experience when placed in a dedicated craft-specific Externship under the direction of a graduate thesis candidate. Students document their acquired knowledge through journals and reports. The course emphasizes career development through student-specific, on-the-job training and in required weekly lessons that include instructor-led resume and interview training sessions. Because of the compressed and sometimes unusual scheduling nature of film productions, students must have flexibility in their own schedules to be able to work on these projects. A student must commit to working, as scheduled, the full term of the project and must follow all professional standards. Note: the thesis films are most likely shot on multiple weekends (Friday- Sunday) over the course of the semester. Production will either occur at Trilith Studios or within a 30-mile radius of Trilith (studio zone) on location; transportation to and from location shoots within this zone are the responsibility of the student. Students who cannot meet those standards will not be permitted to continue on the project. It is expected and required that all 2100 students are present on set and willing to provide hands-on labor.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: GFA 1000 and GFA 2000, GFA 2010, GFA 2020, GFA 2030, GFA 2040, GFA 2060, GFA 2070, GFA 2540, GFA 3520, GFA 3070, GFA 3140, or GFA 4040
Hours:
6
-
Students will have the opportunity to create either their own game or a mock virtual production environment. Every class will also include a series of smaller in-class projects to provide students with additional practice using the different systems and editors within Unreal Engine. Topics include, but are not limited to, gameplay scripting, building levels/sets, cinematics, realtime vfx, optimization, user interfaces, and animation. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the processes and life cycles involved within both industries, be able to analyze games and film from a technical standpoint, and create their own games and sets within Unreal Engine.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1040 or GFA 1500
Hours:
6
-
This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of hosting and live-casting for Digital Entertainment and eSports. Students will develop techniques for on-camera and public speaking scenarios. Topics will include play-by-play casting, analyst desk hosting, breath and tone control, pickups and drops, and interviewing. Students will study the appropriate style and tone for various genres of Digital Entertainment and eSports casting as they create an industry-standard demo reel.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1500
Hours:
6
-
Students will be immersed in the practical working of a costumes department through goal-oriented projects, discussions, lectures, and assignments. Topics include fabrics/fibers/shapes, production and character costume design, budgeting, dressing background, shopping and sewing costume pieces. Students will explore historical artists' works and how they can inspire costume design. An emphasis will be placed on set and department etiquette, working with actors, professionalism, and technique. Students will be given a television episode or pilot to research, design and complete costumes as a final project.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
This course is designed to certify and equip students with a unique skillset and knowledge of the Digital Audio editorial process in order to facilitate their entry and advancement in the entertainment post-production industry. Students will certify as "Avid Technology ProTools User." More specifically, students learn and certify in industry best practices for the digital audio process within an industry-standard sound department. A large emphasis will be placed on the technical aspects of industry-standard digital audio tools; including attitude, professionalism, and technique in and out of the room. Students are given in-class attendance/participation assignments that cannot be made up if absent.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1000
Hours:
6
-
Students will have the opportunity to create either their own game or a mock virtual production environment. Every class will also include a series of smaller in-class projects to GFA 3310 Introduction to Unreal Engine 2 provide students with additional practice using the different systems and editors within Unreal Engine. Topics include, but are not limited to, gameplay scripting, building levels/sets, cinematics, realtime vfx, optimization, user interfaces, and animation. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the processes and life cycles involved within both industries, be able to analyze games and film from a technical standpoint, and create their own games and sets within Unreal Engine.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1040 or GFA 1500
Hours:
6
-
This course is designed to examine the process and techniques of professional hosting and livecasting for Digital Entertainment and eSports. Students will develop techniques for on-camera and public speaking scenarios by creating content specific to the industry. Topics will include play-by-play casting, analyst desk hosting, breath and tone control, pickups and drops, and interviewing. Additionally, students will explore the self-analysis process. Within the context of performance and broadcast theory, students will apply the appropriate style and tone for various genres of Digital Entertainment and eSports casting as they create an industry-standard demo reel.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 1500
Hours:
6
-
This course builds upon the knowledge gained at the 100-level by implementing Avid's MC 201 and MC 210 Professional Editing curriculum. Students who pass Avid's two certification exams will earn the industry post-production credential of "Avid Certified Professional" in Media Composer. With the step-by-step guidance from an Avid Certified Professional Instructor, students will learn the skills needed to optimize editing workflows, streamline the ingestion process and manage media files. Students will also learn advanced picture editing techniques, how to prepare for multi-camera editing, and how to work with graphics and mattes. Additionally, this course introduces compositing with the 3D Warp effect, color correction, and some of the wide range of audio tools and effects included in Media Composer. Focusing on real-world workflows, concepts, and techniques, Media Composer Professional Editing takes students to a higher level of understanding and editing ability, providing the knowledge to distinguish themselves as post-production professionals.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: GFA 2040
Hours:
6
-
Students will develop the practical skills and fundamental knowledge for entry-level job positions in professional film and television through hands-on experience when placed in a dedicated craft-specific Practicum under the direction of a graduate thesis candidate. Students GFA 4100 Production Crew Practicum 2 document their acquired knowledge through journals and reports. The course emphasizes career development through student-specific, on-the-job training and in required weekly lessons that include instructor-led resume and interview training sessions. Because of the compressed and sometimes unusual scheduling nature of film productions, students must have flexibility in their own schedules to be able to work on these projects. A student must commit to working, as scheduled, the full term of the project and must follow all professional standards. Note: the thesis films are most likely shot on multiple weekends (Friday-Sunday) over the course of the semester. Production will either occur at Trilith Studios or within a 30-mile radius of Trilith (studio zone) on location; transportation to and from location shoots within this zone are the responsibility of the student. Students who cannot meet those standards will not be permitted to continue on the project. It is expected and required that all 4100 students are present on set and willing to provide hands-on labor.
Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: GFA 1000 and GFA 2000, GFA 2010, GFA 2020, GFA 2030, GFA 2040, GFA 2060, GFA 2070, GFA 2540, GFA 3520, GFA 3070, GFA 3140, or GFA 4040
Hours:
6
In addition, the GFC semester schedule follows the
- For questions regarding classes at your institution and how they work within your degree programs, please go to our contact page.
- For questions or more information about the Georgia Film Academy, please contact Academics Coordinator Emma Smith at emma.smith@usg.edu.
How Can I Register as a Current Student at ǧÃŬAV?
Current students enrolled at ǧÃŬAV can register for GFA courses just like any other course at ǧÃŬAV as long as they meet the pre-requisite courses needed by GFA and ǧÃŬAV.
If you need assistance registering for a GFA courses please go to our contact page.
I am a Prospective Student and would like to attend ǧÃŬAV to take GFA courses. Where do I Start?
If you would like to attend ǧÃŬAV as a first time student, returning student, transfer student, transient student, dual enrolled student, international student, non-traditional student, or a non-degree seeking student, we would love to have you join us at ǧÃŬAV.
Please see the admissions page for more information about how to apply for ǧÃŬAV and get that process started.