Filmmaking

Intake Dates

Advanced Diploma
January 2026

Duration

Advanced Diploma
2 years

Fees

Advanced Diploma: VETSL approved
Domestic / International

Unleash your creativity in Filmmaking

This world-first qualification combines film and virtual production in a practical course to learn film making that prepares you for the global film industry. The filmmaking course at AIE Film School is designed to expand your creative thinking and explore new ways of storytelling, replicating the film industry and operating just like a production house. Learners will get real experience in traditional film making and virtual production methodologies, enabling you to become part of the new generation of in-demand professional film practitioners.

This course runs over two years full-time, during which you will create your own extensive portfolio of work that will impress potential employers or prospective clients and set you up to become a leading independent filmmaker.

Why study Filmmaking with AIE Film School?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning trainers with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Start your own studio

AIE is going beyond providing
digital media training.

AIE Incubator

Education is only the first part - we want to help our graduates achieve their dreams - initiatives like the AIE Incubator Program make it possible.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world's first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator.

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

Career Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Industry software you will learn

Your career in Filmmaking starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the film industry and leveraging the latest industry software, state of the art equipment and resources including:

LED Virtual Production Studio stage on campus

Arri Amira 4k, Black Magic 6K Pro, Sony FX-9 & Z Cam 6K cine cameras

LED lighting equipment, including battery operation

Jibs, Dollies, Gimbals and Sliders

iMac editing and sound suites

Industry speakers and practitioners as trainers

DaVinci Resolve
Editing, Color, and Audio Post
Unreal Engine
In camera visual effects

Advanced Diploma

Course Content

Collaborating with other students across AIE and working in our new LED wall virtual production film studio, you will gain hands-on skills and make creative directorial decisions. You'll apply new cinematic techniques in a virtual capture volume as well as using traditional film methods. You will learn the art of script development, project planning and pre-visualisation, LED wall dynamic lighting, set extension and virtual scouting techniques, optimising pipelines and workflow, editing and post-production, including real time final pixels in camera compositing to combine live action footage and visual effects.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop both your creative practice in filmmaking as well as specialise in a technical virtual production crew role while networking in the social and professional world of film production. AIE graduates have had their short films featured in film festivals around the world and worked on blockbuster films and TV shows, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Lego Movies, WandaVision as well as AIE’s funded feature films such as Blue World Order, The Furies and Sissy.

Core Topics

Stage One

Film Analysis
Scriptwriting
Project Development
Pitching
Pre-production
Cinematography
LED virtual volume film production
Virtual sets, costumes and set extensions
Sound Recording
Editing
Colour grading
Final Year Projects categories include:
- Documentary
- Drama
- Fantasy (Virtual Production)
- Science Fiction (Virtual Production)
- Horror (Virtual Production)
- Experimental

Stage Two

Editing complex scenes
Sound Recording
Colour Grading
Working with Talent
Motion Control methodologies and techniques
Volumetric Capture
Visual effects
Live compositing
Directing, Producing, Financing
Online Portfolio
Final Year Projects categories include:
- Documentary
- Drama
- Fantasy (Virtual Production)
- Science Fiction (Virtual Production)
- Horror (Virtual Production)
- Experimental

Study schedule

Subjects and Assessment

Career Outcomes

Director
Virtual Production Director
Virtual Production Producer
Production Supervisor
Scenic Supervisor
Director of Photography
Continuity Supervisor
Lighting Supervisor
Layout and Previs Artist
Visualisation Lead
Compositor
On-Set Painter
Sound Designer
Virtual Production Crew
Props Master
Special Effects Supervisor
Producer

Creative Director
Production Designer
Art Director
Motion Control Specialist
Film Editor
Set Dresser
Lighting Technician
Previs Designer
Pipeline Technical Director
Concept Artist
Production Manager
Camera Operator
Sound Effects Editor
Set Builder
Digital Imaging Technician
Virtual Production Effects Specialist

Qualification

Entry Requirements

Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.

Student need either to have completed Year 12 or achieve an Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy.

For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.

Hear from our graduates

Casey Thomas | AIE Film School

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas

Damian Lam | AIE Film School

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam

Kellie Lautier | AIE Film School

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier

Josh Van Zuylen | AIE Film School

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen

Beverly Crock | AIE Film School

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock

Ben Davis | AIE Film School

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis

Vinessa Mayer | AIE Film School

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer

Tom Johnstone | AIE Film School

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

Beyond The Yellow Bin

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Wunbes

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Beasts Down Under

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