How to Pursue Cinematography Courses After 12th: Complete Guide

Creativity, a flair for storytelling and the capability to craft compelling visuals – are these things you are passionate about? Then cinematography is what you need to take up.

The world of cinema is multifaceted and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to film production. By definition, cinematography is the art and craft of photography and videography in film production.

However, understanding cinematography in depth, requires proper guidance and learning which is exactly what we are going to elucidate on, in this article. Keep reading further to know how you can pursue a BA in Cinematography.

General Overview of Cinematography Courses

1) Cinematography courses can be pursued both in undergraduate and postgraduate levels

2) Undergraduate courses are of 3-4 years’ duration, Postgraduate courses are 2 years

3) Course fees can range from Rs. 30,000 to 4 Lakhs, depending on institutes and colleges

Eligibility criteria for UG Courses:

• Must have complete 12th grade from a recognized board
• Entrance exams to be qualified – based on the institute

Cinematography

• Must have completed UG in cinematography or a related niche
• 55% and above marks/grades to be secured

Questions You May Have About Cinematography: 

1) What is the average salary for cinematographers?

The average salary can range between 2 Lakhs to 9 Lakhs per annum

2) What are the skills required for a cinematographer?

Creative and critical thinking skills, technical knowledge of camera, sound and lighting, knowing how to work on a color palette, shot composition and ratios, communications skills and much more

3) What are the different film-oriented UG Courses?

• B. Sc. in Cinema
• B. Sc or BA in Filmmaking
• BA in Visual Effects
• B.Des in Film and Video Communication
• BA in Multimedia-Film Art
• Diploma programs and certifications (online and offline)

4) Are there Scholarship programs available?

Yes, based on the institute of your choice – you can take a look at the scholarship and financial aid policies they offer.

5) What is the job scope after graduation?

You can take up a career in videography, cinematography, DOP, production assistant, film direction, video editing and much more.

Cinematography Entrance Exams to Know About:

Qualifying for most cinematography courses may require you to attend entrance exams, which is also based on the institution you are looking to enroll in. Some of the commonly known entrance exams are as follows:

1. Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) – Entrance Exam
2. Bharati Vidyapeeth (BVP) Common Entrance Test
3. JMI Entrance Exam
4. IIM Entrance Exam
5. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) – Entrance Exam
6. Global Media Common Entrance Test (GMCET)

What Skills to Master for Cinematography? 

Cinematography is both a technical as well as a creative spectrum. Fundamentally, we all know that it requires learning to use a camera, understanding camera techniques and mastering various equipment.

It, however, is a blend of knowing the basics of scriptwriting, storytelling, colour composition and colour grading and much more. Let us take a look at some of them:

1. Knowing how to use different equipment required for camera operations.
2. Making accurate decisions about lighting and light sources.
3. Collaborating and associating with other technicians.
4. Problem solving skills when challenges, if any, arise.
5. Understanding the basics of script writing and storyboarding.
6. Trying to create your own unique style.
7. Using camera angles based on the scene’s mood and emotion.
8. Suggesting inputs to make a sequence better and being part of post and pre production discussions.
9. Organizational skills to effectively manage schedules and timelines.
10. Overseeing and guiding other technicians based on requirements for each shot or sequence.
11. Making sure that everyone in the team is on the same page.
12. Visualizing the result in mind and trying to execute the same

All of these skills, you’ll get to learn in your undergraduate course. Most programs offer internships, workshops and apprenticeships opportunities that help you gain hands-on experience and you get to know what it is like to work in the field. It also gives you the opportunity to work with industry specialists and experts.

Potential Syllabus for Cinematography Courses

As an aspiring cinematographer, it is valid to be curious about what you’ll get to learn in your cinematography course and it is also important that you do your research. College websites provide details and overviews about the course structure and curricula details. Here’s a quick look into what a potential syllabus would look like:

1. Film Production in the digital world
2. Understanding concepts of optics
3. Learning visual effects
4. History of cinema and film appreciation
5. Camera techniques and video editing
6. Sensitometry – studying how light sensitive material respond to light
7. Lighting techniques
8. Basics of 3D animation, CGI and special effects
9. Audio editing and fundamentals of sound design
10. Various types of shooting formats
11. Motion picture labs and its disciplinaries
12. Film production and direction
13. Understanding the impact of language in cinema

Why Should You Pursue Cinematography?

If you are passionate about cinema and all things film-making, here’s why you should pursue your dream career:

1. Being a sector within the creative industry, it gives you the scope to explore various niches. Though it requires one to follow best practices, there is always space to try new things.
2. You get the personal satisfaction of pursuing what you aspire. This caters to both emotional wellbeing and productivity.
3. Career opportunities within cinema are vast. You also have the option to branch out in the industry.
4. Collaboration and associations. Every production is new and different. You get to work with like minded people, learn new insights, keep up with trends and for meaningful connections.
5. The skills you learn can help you try alternative cinema options

Conclusion

Figuring out ‘what next’ after your boards can be a daunting task, especially with multiple options to choose from. Doing the right research, reading and asking-around can help you get clarity. Always make sure to decide while keeping your personal preferences first.

People’s love for cinema keeps growing and also evolving – based on which curricula and courses have been adapting in ways that accommodate these changes.

Cinematography offers lucrative career choices, the platform for creative expression and chances to work with great minds. Keep an eye out for this space for more insights on educational pathways and career scopes.

You can read more about AAFT’s School of Cinema Here.

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