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Making Your First Short Film

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FILM TV X 476.39

Understand the steps for creating your first successful short film, whether you are an aspiring director, writer, or producer. Learn the process, from pre-production all the way to post, followed by film screenings and more.

Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Cost
Starting at $835.00

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What you can learn.

Maximize the onscreen value of your project using available resources
Learn how to write, direct, and edit your own three- to five-minute short film
Understand the fundamentals of shooting and directing actors
Explore the basics of editing and outputting through various assignments
Critique and discuss all completed films during the last class

About This Course

Always wanted to make your own short film but thought you had no experience and no money? In this class for aspiring directors, writers, and producers, you use your own camera to learn how to write, produce, direct and edit a three-to-five-minute short film. Emphasis is placed on maximizing the on-screen value of the project using available resources. The first part of the class is devoted to understanding the pre-production process, highlighting the role of the story, and providing an overview of affordable shooting equipment and editing technologies. You then develop and write your project, which is filmed outside of class. Instruction includes a primer on the fundamentals of shooting and directing actors, as well as the basics of editing and outputting assignments. The completed films are screened and discussed during the last class.
Prerequisites
Students must have access to a digital video camera and editing equipment and software.

Winter 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 12:00PM - 3:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
406090
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Updating...
Notes

No meeting May 29, 2024.

Students must have access to a camera and editing equipment. Internet Access Required. 

Deadline
Refunds only available from November 03, 2025 to January 18, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Wed Jan 7, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Jan 14, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Jan 21, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Jan 28, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Feb 4, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Feb 11, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Feb 18, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Feb 25, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Mar 4, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Mar 11, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)
Lecture
Wed Mar 18, 2026
12:00PM PT - 3:00PM PT
UCLA Extension - Downtown Los Angeles
Trust Building Suite 600 (6th floor)

This course applies toward the following programs

acting-ce0425

Acting

certificate
certificate Take your performance, improvisation and auditioning skills to the next level.

Take your performance, improvisation and auditioning skills to the next level.

certificate Filmmaking is a truly collaborative process. In this certificate, learn about key roles and related aspects of the entertainment industry – from producing to cinematography to directing. Gain a broad understanding of the business by exploring various areas of interest.

Filmmaking is a truly collaborative process. In this certificate, learn about key roles and related aspects of the entertainment industry – from producing to cinematography to directing. Gain a broad understanding of the business by exploring various areas of interest.

Man and woman editing video together

Post-Production

certificate
certificate Prepare for a career as an editor or post-production professional in film, television, and documentaries. Gain hands-on training taught by Hollywood professionals.

Prepare for a career as an editor or post-production professional in film, television, and documentaries. Gain hands-on training taught by Hollywood professionals.