Video Design Tech Schools San Antonio

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production

AI Film Fest

The Art Institutes system of schools* is proud to bring the skill, passion and creativity of our students to the creative community with the inaugural Virtual Student Film Festival; October19th-30th, 2020. Submissions will be hosted by FilmFreeway, the industry-leading platform used by over 150 Academy Award/BAFTA accredited festivals. Detailed information on rules & terms, awards & prizes and event dates & deadlines can be found here: https://filmfreeway.com/ArtInstituteFilmFestival.

*The Art Institute system of schools locations: The Art Institute of Atlanta, The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston, The Art Institute of Dallas, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, The Art Institute of Houston, Miami International University of Art & Design, The Art Institute of San Antonio, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston, The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta

I have a story to tell.

Whether you're watching a movie screen, TV monitor, or your smartphone, you're looking at the work of a team of writers, producers, directors, camera operators, lighting technicians, video editors, and digital video effects designers. If you want to join them, the place to start is our Digital Filmmaking & Video Production degree programs. We'll guide your learning as you work with digital video cameras, editing and graphics software, and other technologies. You'll explore how to create everything from broadcast news to motion pictures as you get ready write and direct the story of your future. You'll be surrounded and inspired by other talented, creatively driven students. And you'll be pushed, challenged, and, above all else, supported by experienced faculty*. You'll work harder than you thought you could. But it can pay off in a future where you do what you love.

*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production

Quarter Credit Hours:

180

View Academic Catalog

Meet our Alumni

Victoria Zamora

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production , 2016

"[My education] provided me with the skills and knowledge to carry out small productions, which benefits the dealership when the final video product is uploaded [to the web]."

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Victoria Zamora

Videographer for Red McCombs Toyota Creates Premium and Basic Video Content for Car Dealership's Website and Social Media

Victoria Zamora is working as a videographer for Red McCombs Toyota in San Antonio, Texas. She creates premium and basic video content for the dealership's website and social media outlets. Prior to starting her current position, Victoria worked for CarMax, which provided her with background knowledge of the automotive industry. Before she was hired at Red McCombs Toyota, she created a freelance video for her portfolio that ended up getting the attention of Red McCombs Toyota—which posted the video on its social media accounts. The connection led to her employment with the company.

She says that a typical day includes taking photos of vehicles to post to the web. "I'm constantly planning new concepts to shoot. I first come up with an idea, then visualize the camera shots I would do and begin to script it out. Storyboards and music selection are my last steps before I begin filming." Victoria urges current students to never stop brainstorming. "I have changed scripts constantly, sometimes the day before I would shoot, but in the end it comes out better than my first concept. Plan it well and make sure you have everything lined up and ready for that day you will shoot." She also recommends a back-up plan in case things fall through.

Victoria's biggest challenge is being the only videographer for the dealership—and having limited resources. "I have my own equipment but sometimes you just need a little help here and there. I [have to plan around] my camera being the only one needed. I still think big but I make sure it is possible to accomplish."

She cultivates a collaborative work environment by asking workers about music selections and plans for her videos. "It's different for them since I'm creating local videos [and they're used to] seeing the standard Toyota videos." Victoria believes that her hard work is paying off via positive feedback from her coworkers and more time with her family. When she was in school, she was always working weekends on filming. Now that her job incorporates her passion of making videos, she has more free time to spend with her family.

Victoria, who in 2016 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production from The Art Institute of San Antonio, says that her education provided the skills and knowledge she needed to carry out small productions. "This benefits the dealership when the final video product is uploaded [to the web]."

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Robby Martinez

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production , 2016

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Robby Martinez

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What Will I Study?

Study Section

I have the vision. I just need the skills.

The curriculum for our Digital Filmmaking & Video Production degree programs will take you from the basics to more advanced courses in an atmosphere every bit as creative and competitive as the real world of filmmaking and video production. Here are some of the areas you'll study:

Video
Lighting
Audio
Digital Imaging
Conceptual Storytelling
Editing
Studio Production
Motion Graphics
Digital Cinematography
Sound Design
Scriptwriting

I'm looking for my proving ground.

At The Art Institutes system of schools, creativity is our core, our calling, our culture. Digital Filmmaking & Video Production is built on that creative foundation. It's also built on our knowledge that a creative career is not for the faint of heart. Every day is a battle to get your ideas produced and noticed. And because it's tough out there, it's tough in here. But we'll support you along every step of your journey. We provide the mentoring and real-world experience you need to prevail, with faculty* who've worked in the field and internship possibilities at successful businesses. You'll be encouraged and expected to be bold. To take risks. To push yourself and the people around you. It won't be easy. In fact, it'll be the hardest thing you'll ever love.

*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.

Meet our Faculty

H. Homayoun Nouramadi

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production

"Follow your passion for the art of filmmaking."

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H. Homayoun Nouramadi

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

It all started when I was watching my oldest brother perform on stage when I was nine years old. Although theatre is only one aspect of my professional life, it's definitely what ignited my creative passion at an early age.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

Teaching creativity is mostly about exploring the work of creative professionals of the past. I use my experience as a bridge to connect students—and the future creative professionals in them—to the past.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

Students are different in many ways, so I constantly modify my approach to teaching and mentoring to better accommodate their needs.

How does collaboration contribute to students' success—particularly when students from various programs work together?

Technology has changed the way art is made. For example, a video editor can now create graphics or visual effects, whereas before you'd need professional graphic and visual artists. But you can't replace the quality of the work of that graphic or visual artist. Students who collaborate with peers in other programs are setting themselves up for future success in the industry.

What's the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

Follow your passion for the art of filmmaking.

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Brett Mauser

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production

"You have to know the rules before you can break them."

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Brett Mauser

What would you say is the defining moment in your life when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

I had always enjoyed entertaining friends and family with coin/card slight-of-hand magic. But one weekend, a family friend left their old VHS Camcorder at our house. I picked it up and for the next week made silly spoofs and satires with my friends. Using my knowledge of illusion and magic, I created entertaining short films for fun and even some for high school classes. If it weren't for video, I'd never have passed my English class! From then on, I was hooked!

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience to provide an industry veteran's sense of the realities / challenges / opportunities of the profession?

I use real-world experiences and tricks I have learned and relate those assets to the current lesson or student questions. Providing real stories and real experience in the classroom personalizes the lessons and provides the students a confidence and a trust, knowing that my knowledge comes from experience, not just a book. I am able to answer difficult questions when students press for deeper answers as I've been on sets and had to solve those issues and problems.

Is there a class assignment that exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring? Similarly, how does your approach inspire each student to push themselves beyond their own perceived limits?

The midterm and final projects I assign most exemplify my teaching approach. Through lessons and lectures, I provide them with fundamentals and basics in video and film production. Over the course of their assignments, they learn hands-on how to complete a project and can come to me with questions when they have concerns or hit a roadblock. They are often excited to present their projects and see what their fellow students have to say about the film. I allow them to critique their classmate's films, which instills confidence and the ability to take criticism.

What role does collaboration contribute to students' success, especially when students from other programs contribute to the same project?

It's important for students to learn to collaborate and work with one another to achieve a higher goal. They learn communication and community skills. When students form other programs collaborate, they are able to see another side of their industry. Much like a director must learn acting, a Digital Filmmaking & Video Production student should learn a bit of photography and computer animation, among other talents. The more a student is armed with, the more employable they are in the real world.

In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you impart to your students to help them succeed in your class and in the real world?Alternatively, what is the most critical advice you would offer any student as he / she embarks on a creative career?

You have to know the rules before you can break them. Artists are very free spirited and independent. They want to try something new and break the mold. Oftentimes, students will want to immediately break the rules of writing, filmmaking, or the like. I express how important it is to learn what the right way to do things is, before delving into unknown territory. Allowing them to figure out the traditional way gives motivation to their ideas and concepts later down the road when they try to be different and unique.

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Rebecca Kerr

"Continue to refine your speaking skills so that the ability to communicate never stands in the way of your success."

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Rebecca Kerr

Is there a class assignment that exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring? Similarly, how does your approach inspire each student to push themselves beyond their own perceived limits?

Just the act of Public Speaking often pushes students outside their comfort zone. Standing up in front of a full classroom with all eyes on you can be uncomfortable. Then students must organize their ideas and clearly present them to the class. That can be terrifying! Students often enter my class believing they can't stand up and deliver a speech to their peers. However, I provide the students with coping mechanisms, skill development, and a safe environment allowing them to deliver not only one but many speeches.

What role does collaboration contribute to students' success, especially when students from other programs contribute to the same project?

Collaboration in a communication class serves a dual purpose. Collaboration allows students to improve their group communication skills, as well as develop an end result that is better than any single group member could do alone. Working in a group challenges students to clearly express their ideas, mediate during disagreements, compromise for the good of the project, lead, follow, and much more. Additionally by bringing students from different fields of study and diverse backgrounds together, students' own ideas, abilities, and limitations are challenged often resulting in a better end product.

In your opinion, what is the single most important thing you impart to your students to help them succeed in your class and in the real world? Alternatively, what is the most critical advice you would offer any student as he / she embarks on a creative career?

I work to ensure students leave my class with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate their ideas. I believe the ability to skillfully convey abstract ideas, like those often found in art, can set an artist apart from their peers. In the creative career field, students will be asked to communicate on many levels. They will pitch ideas, lead groups, speak to investors, and hopefully deliver acceptance speeches. My advice to students: Continue to refine your speaking skills so that the ability to communicate never stands in the way of your success.

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