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Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen

Explore the craft of Production Design with award-winning filmmakers and learn how it adds meaning and depth to screen stories.

24,061 enrolled on this course

AFTRS Student Production Design - Behind the Scenes

Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen

24,061 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

Production Design is at the heart of making memorable screen stories.

This course provides a basic understanding of the role of the Production Designer on feature films, short films, TV, live action, animation or game design. It will explore key concepts and core skills required to really add value and visual interest to any screen story.

Learn more about the world of Production Design with the expert creative professionals from Australia’s premier screen arts and broadcast school.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds The ideal candidate for the course. » It’s people that are interested in expressing themselves. » But maybe you can even just be people who are just passionate about telling screened stories and filmmaking and design. » I think one of the great things about production design and production designers, these they get to work with a whole bunch of other creative people. » People don’t design films and I make them on their own, they always collaborate and that’s the fun of it as well. » So even our production designer has a vision for a screen story. » They’re going to be working with art directors.

Skip to 0 minutes and 32 seconds They’re working with an art department that working with set designers, working with construction managers, scenic arts, prop makers, visual effects supervisors, really exciting, creative, talented people… so that when students leave, it’s not a big shock. The whole industry doesn’t become a mystery to them anymore. It’s more like it’s real and it’s interesting and it’s exciting.

What topics will you cover?

THE BACKSTORY

  • The history, foundations and future of Production Design.

BUILDING FOUNDATIONS

  • Research and references: the foundations of design.
  • The elements and principles of Production Design.
  • How Production Design supports and enriches screen stories.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION

  • Script analysis and Art Department breakdowns.
  • Controlling and enriching mood and tone in screen stories.
  • Pre-visualisation and visual communication.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Discuss the history, context and underlying concepts of Production Design for screen stories.
  • Apply Production Design principles to appropriately enrich and support screen stories.
  • Evaluate a screen story in design terms, considering appropriate and practical solutions in your response.
  • Identify and communicate key principles of a screen design.
  • Effectively explain basic design concepts to creative collaborators.

Who is the course for?

This course is suitable for all screen creators and for designers from non-screen storytelling backgrounds.

It is for anyone interesting in learning more about Production Design for film, screen and broadcast. Whether you’re interested in art and design, considering a career in Production Design or a creative screen storyteller who wants to understand more about the value of great Production Design, this course will have something for you.

What software or tools do you need?

This course doesn’t require any existing specialist skills or equipment, though there will be extension activities if you want to enhance your learning experience.

Who will you learn with?

Having designed dozens of feature films and hundreds of ads over 30 years, I chose to focus on teaching. My students are my inspiration now, providing endless delight and hope for the future.

I'm Head of Production Design at AFTRS and have been a successful production designer and art director in industry for over 20 years. My work is extremely varied in scale, scope, style and theme

I'm Head of Animation at AFTRS.
I have worked in virtual screen production in animation, design and VFX for over 20 years. My screen credits include The Matrix, Moulin Rouge, Happy Feet to name a few.

Who developed the course?

Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS)

Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is Australia’s premier screen arts and broadcast school, offering top online courses on FutureLearn.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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