For Austin-based filmmakers (or those who would like to become filmmakers), the city offers up a variety of accessible, highly educational, hands-on filmmaking classes. In this case, we’re focusing on classes that exist outside of the university system. (Of course, they’re great too!) The options listed here offer various class times (hello nights and weekends), reasonable costs, and the flexibility to take as few or as many classes as you’d like.
The following are some of the best places to take filmmaking classes in Austin…
Austin School of Film
Austin School of Film is a non-profit that offers a wide variety of filmmaking classes from the camera basics to post-production, as well as experimental, Super-8, and direct animation filmmaking. Many of the classes are held in the evenings and on weekends, which are very convenient for working professionals. Students have the option of taking classes at their own pace or signing up for the Digitial Video Certificate program and completing a full curriculum within a three-year period.
In addition to flexible scheduling, they also offer payment plans, and DVCP students always get a discount on classes. During the summer, Austin School of Film offers filmmaking classes for kids too.
Austin School of Film classes are held at their Motion Media Arts Center, which also offers a coworking space called the Cinemaker Space. Perks of joining that include studio rentals, equipment rentals, a podcast suite, film darkroom, and coworking areas.
Austin Public at Austin Film Society
The Austin Film Society offers classes through its Austin Public Producer Program. About once a month they offer a one-hour orientation to the program, and once completed it’s possible to sign up for the classes that they offer.
Classes include topics like: Camera Rig and Stabilization, Lighting Grip and Gear, Adobe programs, Field Lighting, Cinematography, and camera classes on the Sony FS5 and Sony A7Sii.
In addition to Austin Public, the Austin Film Society also entails Austin Studios and AFS Cinema. AFS (which was founded by Austin-based filmmaker Richard Linklater), offers a variety of events for filmmakers and film lovers.
Austin Community College
Austin Community College (or ACC), is another great option for filmmaking classes. They too offer a variety of class times, as well as the option to sign up for one or as many as you’d like. Their Radio-Television-Film program covers screen storytelling, creative digital production, and offers hands-on experience in their in-house production studio.
Classes include things like: Creative Podcasting, Event Videography, Video Editing, and TV Production.
Credits at ACC can be transferable to University programs or taken on their own to gain valuable filmmaking experience.
