Filmmaking Courses in Chennai, India

Mindscreen Film Institute, Chennai:
Mindscreen Film Institute is India’s premier film school specializing in cinematography, screenwriting and film-making, conveniently based in Mylapore in south Chennai in Tamil Nadu. We provide comprehensive learning across all facets of cinematography & acting courses. Imagine, think and create is the Institute’s core philosophy. Mindscreen Film Institute was founded by Rajiv Menon, an acclaimed Indian cinematographer and filmmaker in the Indian Advertising and Movies industry. The film institute draws upon decades of experience and success of Rajiv Menon and his film productions and equipment rental company, Mindscreen. We make use of the latest state-of-the-art of all camera equipments and facilities available on campus.

Cinematography, Screenwriting & Film-Making Courses:

Mindscreen Film Institute is one of the best cinema schools for cinematography. The certificate course on Cinematography offered by Mindscreen Institute is highly reputed for its comprehensive program that is very hands-on, practical with the hottest latest in digital and cinematography techniques.

* Mindscreen Film Institute will offer high quality professional study programs in the theory & practice of film-making.

* Mindscreen Film Institute study programs in specialized areas are intended to produce very proficient technicians who are creative artists as well.

* Mindscreen Film Institute curriculum and its alumni should make a professional impact and significant contribution to the industry

Course 1 - CINEMATOGRAPHY (6 Months)
To apply for the course, the concerned candidate should possess an undergraduate degree either in the science or the arts. However, +2 students with three years experience in Photography / Film Industry may also apply.

Subjects Covered:
- Photography Optics
- Film & Lab
- Lighting & Exposure
- Study Of Still & Movie Cameras
- Electronic Cinematography
- Elements of Film Direction, Screenplay and Editing
- Production Design
- Film Production & Teamwork
Course Requirements:  
To apply for the course, the concerned candidate should possess an undergraduate degree either in the science or the arts. However, +2 students with three years experience in Photography / Film Industry may also apply.

Course 2 - SCREENWRITING & FILMMAKING (6 Months)
The Mindscreen Screenwriting and Filmmaking Course is a vocational program of study designed to groom students for the position of Assistant Director.

The course features an entirely practical approach equipping students with a keen understanding of storytelling and enough hands on experience in character development and actor direction to become a valuable asset to the Director's team.

Students will learn how to generate ideas within a dramatic framework and how best to apply them from initial concept through to story structure, scriptwriting, dialogue and their successful reproduction on screen.

Subjects covered:

Aesthetics & Authorship:
• Indian vs. Western Aesthetics
• Philosophy & Film
• History of Cinema
• Psychoanalysis

Finance:
• Films as Business
• Producers & Distributors
• Making a Business Plan

Preproduction:
• Acting & Directing Actors
• Scene Preparation
• Production Design
• Scouting Locations

Production:
• From Screenplay to Shooting Script
• Camera & Sound Essentials
• Continuity
• Project Management

Postproduction:
• Key principles of Editing
• From First Assembly to Fine Cut
• Working with Music

Writing:
• Mechanics of story telling
• Why do we tell stories?
• Character & Story
• Story Structure
• Story Types, Mythology & the Epic Form

Screenplay beginnings:
• Writing to Genre
• Character Development
• Setting & Morality
• Theme; Concept Unity
• Story Types, Mythology & the Epic Form

Screenplay development:
• Story Outline
• Character Arc
• Plot & Subplots
• Step Outline
• Story Types, Mythology & the Epic Form

Scripting:
• Cinematic Description
• Dialogue
• Scene Analysis
• Redrafting Processes
• Formatting with Final Draft & Movie Magic

Course Requirements:
• The Prospective student should have already had their writing published be it at any level a school literary prize, student newspaper or commercial publication
• They should demonstrate a prior knowledge of international as well as local cinema
• Candidates should posses a high level of communication skills irrespective of language, an enthusiasm to convey ideas and an ability to absorb and to respond to information quickly

Course 3 – ACTING FOUNDATION (6 Months)

Following the huge success of its Screenwriting and Cinematography courses, the Mind Screen Institute is now launching its first Acting Foundation Course. 

This 6 month course is suited to students with a strong interest and some experience in the performing arts as well as returning students or professional practitioners who would like to refresh their learning and knowledge in a pressure-free environment.

The aim of the acting foundation course is to help performers to become confident and comfortable in the skills needed by an actor today in order to secure quality and regular acting work. 

During the course, students will begin to understand the nature and language of actor training and the effect will be to gain confidence, and lose any nervousness about acting and being an actor. Along with modern training, we will also introduce the student in the traditional skills of classical language, with particular reference to the voice.

Successful candidates will be offered a complementary Film Appreciation Option, where they will be given the opportunity to attend a variety of screenings made available at the Institute after school hours.

Course 4 – DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (3 Months)
The foundation course, an opportunity to aspiring candidates who have a passion and desire for photography, to gain a deeper appreciation of one's creativity, explore effective avenues of Photography, discover and develop skills for better image projection, tricks and techniques of effective photography.

Subjects covered:
- History of Photography
- Exploring the Digital Frontier
- Perfecting your Vision
- Practical Exposure
- Storytelling - Pictorially
- Creating Prints Fit for Galleries
- Sharing Pictures
- Celebrating your Portfolio
- Collaborating with Global Photo Community