More than ever before, there's a growing demand for skilled professionals adept in documentary filmmaking. From companies who would like to document their CSR activities to organisations working in areas of environmental and social impact, to corporations wanting to document various aspects of their functioning, they are all interested in creating documentaries that are both content-rich and at the same time visually arresting.
In response, Light & Life Academy presents a course designed to meet contemporary industry standards. Graduates of this program will master the art of crafting compelling documentaries, showcasing proficiency in producing impactful visual narratives tailored for diverse platforms and mediums.
Duration: 6 Months
This course is meticulously structured and is designed to optimise time and resources. It is totally immersive. The schedule is densely packed. It is assumed that the student will be very passionate, highly motivated and totally committed to getting the best out of this course.
Note: This program will be taught with 35mm digital mirrorless cameras. There will be a workshop conducted to give participants exposure to higher-end equipment.
The course begins with understanding how to tell a story in a single frame.
Understanding the Camera: Technical Aspects, Creative Possibilities and Limitations
Aesthetics of Photography: A study of colour and composition and how it impacts an image
Natural Light: An in-depth study of natural light and its qualities. The many different ways in which light adds mood and dimension to an image
Filters: The use of filters & their applications in manipulating images captured by the camera
Artificial Continuous Light Sources: Exploring the technical and creative possibilities of using continuous light sources and accessories
Documentary Photography: Exploring how to craft a narrative with a set of images
Drone: Understanding the techniques of capturing subjects from an aerial point of view. (A workshop)
Every area of study will be covered through lectures, slideshows, and demos (Wherever required), followed by time-bound assignments with critique (Individual/Group) and grading.
Evaluation: Evaluation is done on a continuous basis, on assignments submitted and tests administered. The students are expected to clear every single assignment/test with a minimum score of 70%.
Introduction to different formats of filmmaking - narrative, documentaries, short films. Introduction to the concept of Shots, Scenes, and Sequences.
Finding the Story
Identifying a Topic Researching and creating a narrative for the film
Fundamentals of filmmaking (Direction - Camera - Edit - Sound)
Understanding and exploring the role of the Director (the team leader), the DOP, and the role of edit and sound.
Filming: Exploring Framing, Lenses, Lighting (natural and artificial), the language of shots and camera and movements
Conducting Interviews: How to make the subject feel comfortable and get the desired content
Editing: Learn the basics of working with video editing software
Sound: Sound recording on camera
Music: The importance of music in telling a story
Title Design: Mood, style and overall title aesthetic (Workshop)
Every area of study will be covered through lectures, demos, and in-class screenings. Every area of study has its time-bound assignments with critique.
The students will work on a complete film of about 10- 15 minutes duration. This will be a group project, with each group working on one film in and around the Nilgiris. They will go through the following stages guided by the faculty.
▪ Identifying a topic, researching, visual narration & storytelling
▪ Pre-Production: Orientation, Scripting, recce, storyboarding and scheduling
▪ Production: Planning and executing all elements of the shoot
▪ Post-Production: Editing, sound and final finishing (including tilting). A professional editor will be working with you at this stage
This will be a workshop to give an understanding of how to approach and execute a corporate film.
Light & Life Academy believes that every student can make the grade, and the student is given enough opportunities and assistance from the faculty to achieve the required grade for completion of the course.
Evaluation will be done based on the following elements:
▪ Visual narration & Storytelling
▪ Pre-Production
▪ Production
▪ Post-Production
▪ Final Film
On submission of a final film that meets Light & Life standards, students will be eligible for the award of the PG Diploma in Documentary & Corporate Filmmaking.
▪ Independent documentary film-makers
▪ Working with NGO’s
▪ Working with travel magazines
▪ Working with independent platforms/content agencies
▪ Working with CSR wings of various organisations
▪ Making corporate films for companies and services
▪ Creating social media content
▪ Creating educational videos
▪ Creating digital manuals
Total: Rs. 3,75,000 + Rs. 30,000 (Refundable Security Deposit)
GST as applicable will be payable on the fee. Current rate: 18%.
The course fee includes:
▪ Use of lighting equipment, light modifying accessories and grip equipment within the Academy Campus only.
▪ Transport from Ooty (designated pick-up point) to Academy and back on days when the student is required to be on campus.
▪ Lunch, tea/coffee on days when the student is required to be on campus.
Additional Expenses to be borne by the students:
▪ Personal equipment maintenance/repairs/insurance, books/stationery
▪ Personal expenses on accommodation, food, personal travel, etc.
▪ Expenses for travel and stay at locations where assignment shots are to be done
▪ Expenses involved while working on the final projects. On travel, accommodation etc.
▪ Overnight field trips.
Eligibility Criteria
Admission is open to any graduate (with a minimum of 15 years of formal education), who is over 20 years of age. In rare cases, exceptions will be made at the discretion of management, for those who have not completed a UG degree but have substantial work experience.
Admission Process
Admission is on a first-come-first-served basis and involves a two-step process: Online Application Review by Light & Life Academy. Personal interview on campus with Director(s). The Academy notifies admission status soon after the interviews.
Online Application Process
Step 1: Fill out the online application form. The following documents are needed during the application process. All files uploaded are to be under 1 MB. a. Profile Picture: Digital file of a recent passport-size photograph against a plain background (Note: ‘Selfies’ not accepted) b. Digital copies(PDF/Jpeg) of Educational certificates. c. Reference letters (Optional). d. Portfolio: 20 images made by the candidate. Note: Once the application process has been initiated, the form can be accessed by using the unique URL sent to your email ID. Step 2: Complete online payment of the application fee. Upon payment of Rs.1500/- + GST, the application process is complete. Once step 1 & step 2 are completed, you will be informed about the next step within 3 working days. You can reach out to us in case you have any doubts/clarifications. Call: +91 75982 87370 Email: admissions@llacademy.org
Equipment
The course requires candidates to have their own 35mm DSLR/Mirrorless camera with lenses ranging from wide to tele, a video tripod, filters, a laptop with Adobe Premiere Pro, and a simple audio recording device that works with a cell phone. A specific equipment list will be provided once the candidate is accepted.
Accommodation
Light and Life Academy does not provide hostel facilities. However, assistance will be provided by the academy in finding appropriate accommodation.
Step 1: Fill the online application form.
The following documents are needed during the application process. All files uploaded to be under 1 MB.
a. Profile Picture: Digital file of a recent passport size photograph against a plain background (Note: ‘Selfies’ not accepted) b. Digital copies(PDF/Jpeg) of Educational certificates. c. Reference letters (Optional): The candidate may upload any reference letters.d. Portfolio: 20 images made by the candidate using any camera. Note: Once the application process has been initiated, the form can be accessed by using the unique URL sent to the candidate’s email.
Step 2: Complete online payment of application fee.
Upon payment of Rs.1000/- + GST, the application process is complete.
Light & Life Academy will send the candidate an email with the future steps within 3 working days.
The time I’ve spent in LLA has been the best year of my life.The sessions, explanations, critiques, constant feedback, the way we were taken care of, the love we got, all the fun we had, just amazing and we truly loved it. I constantly keep looking for reasons to come back to my College, my Home- Light & Life Academy.
– Anurag Katailiha, Alumnus, Batch 17
I never knew that I could learn so much in six months. My passion for photography grew from just a hobby to being a professional. We’ve had ups and downs in this course where we wanted to learn more and there was not enough time to do it. But overall it’s been an amazing roller coaster ride and I loved it every bit. The best part was that it was a small group of students and we got close and became a family.
– Prathiksha.M.K, Alumnus, Batch 17
LLA was the perfect turning point in my life. Learning at LLA – from the people, faculty, and students has changed my thinking completely. Hoping to be a better photographer I joined LLA, to learn, observe and practice the Art – Now I leave this place as a better person and a better photographer.
– Shriram Bala, Alumnus, Batch 17
1. Complete the Online application process: Fill in the application form with all the required details. If your application has been shortlisted, you will be called for a personal interview at the LLA Campus
2. Personal Interview: This will be held on campus. It is a half-day process. Details will be shared via email.
3. Offer of Admission: After the personal interview, if you have been selected, the offer of admission letter will be handed over. Our student affairs manager will take you through the process in detail.
Light & Life Academy expects 100 percent attendance for all classes, demos, critique sessions and shoots in the studio. This is to ensure that the learning is thorough and every single concept that Light & Life has to teach is understood.
Visual narration & Storytelling Pre-Production Production Post-Production Final Film
To enroll in our programme, being familiar with the use of DSLR/Mirrorless cameras is a prerequisite. You could borrow or rent a DSLR/Mirrorless camera and take pictures, which you can submit with your application.Once you are offered admission, you will need a DSLR/Mirrorless camera to do the course.
Light & Life Academy has 14 studios equipped with strobe lights, light modifiers and grip equipment required to work on all assignments to be done on campus Apart from this, lights and accessories required for the Digital Filmmaking section will be provided by the Academy.
Please refer to our FAQ page for detailed answers to all questions related to the admission and application process.
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