About the Film & Television Conservatory

The Film & Television Conservatory offers students in grades 9 through 12 comprehensive training in film and television production, editing, screenwriting, sound design, cinematography, directing, and producing. Through a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, faculty members challenge and mentor students to be their best selves, both artistically and individually. Students are encouraged to use their work to demonstrate visual invention and curiosity, collaboration and individual expression, solid technical craftsmanship, and captivating storytelling that creates a thoughtful exploration of the human condition. The Film & Television Conservatory is both a pre-collegiate cinematic arts school and an industry prep program, helping students discover their own cinematic voices through practical training with industry equipment, software, and protocols.

Student Experience

The Film & Television Conservatory immerses students in a challenging, innovative, and cutting-edge environment, where they learn to design characters, tell stories, and proficiently manage industry equipment. Each semester, students create and edit original film projects that they screen at Cineplex, the Film & Television Conservatory’s bi-annual film festival. Over the course of the four-year program, students have the opportunity to attempt a variety of exciting film-oriented assignments, including writing a script, editing a movie trailer, making a documentary, and working on a web series. Film & Television students are also exposed to many extracurricular filming opportunities, professional workshops, and exclusive field trips.

  • “Cinema is so much more than simply making movies. I've learned so many valuable skills about the art and practice of cinema, as well as leadership and team building.”
    Griffin Meyer – Class of 2016
  • “Film & Television gave me a solid foundation to build on as I continue on at USC. I left OCSA with years of experience and a solid portfolio, which opened more doors for me compared to other freshmen.”
    Gillian Annis – Class of 2015

Preparing Students for the Future

Students in the Film & Television Conservatory take two to three courses each semester. As freshmen and sophomores, students take foundational courses, which provide experience in all aspects of production. As juniors, students focus on the importance of collaboration and the act of applying foundational knowledge to larger projects. During their senior year, students have the chance to bring together all the things they learned during their time in the conservatory. By creating a thesis film project and compiling a personal portfolio of work, seniors graduate from the Film & Television Conservatory feeling prepared and excited to either attend a four-year college/university or enter the professional film/television industry.

Click here for more information on our scope and sequence and curriculum. 

FAQ

How many projects will I make each semester in the Film & Television Conservatory?

Students will have at least one production course each semester and produce one to two projects in each of those classes (either individually or as a group). Students screen at least one project each semester at the conservatory’s student film festival.

Do I need to have a lot of prior experience to apply to be in the Film & Television Conservatory?

Incoming freshmen are not expected to have a lot of experience prior to applying (although, it’s great if a student has already made some short films). If a student is auditioning as a new sophomore, junior, or senior, editing and some narrative filmmaking experience is expected in order for the student to be able to enter and succeed in classes in his/her grade level.

What kind of editing software does the conservatory use?

Students train on Adobe Premiere but have access to computers with Final Cut 7 and Final Cut Pro X.

What other kinds of equipment / facilities does the Film & Television Conservatory have?

The conservatory has a steadicam, tripods, cranes, sliders, a dolly and jib, C-stands, light kits, flags, and grip/gaff accessories. Conservatory facilities include a full-service TV studio, control room, and sound stage, as well as four editing bays, a computer lab, and two classrooms.

How big is the Film & Television Conservatory?

There are approximately 80 students in grades 9-12, averaging 20 students in each grade level/class.

How much television versus film will I get to experience? Does the conservatory provide any news broadcasting opportunities?

Most of the courses are film-related, but students take at least one TV production course each year. Students have the opportunity to create their own live news magazine-style show, produce a web series, and tape a live performing arts event. While the television side focuses more on scripted and arts content, rather than news journalism, the school does produce a live daily news show for OCSA students and faculty/staff outside of conservatory called The Art Attack Live.

Do I need to have my own editing equipment and camera gear to be a student in the Film & Television Conservatory?

No. The conservatory will provide all necessary equipment for you. However, if students have their own gear, they are welcome to use it to complete class projects.

What kinds of cameras are used?

There are Canon Vixias, 60Ds, 6Ds, C100s, and six RED Cinema Cameras.