What is the Georgia Film Academy?
The Georgia Film Academy is a professional organization, a unit of the University System of Georgia, which is committed to leading and advancing the entertainment arts industry and its workforce in Georgia. The GFA promotes rigorous professional training, and supports opportunities for union-covered film and television production craft internships and placement in creative industries, apprenticeships and jobs in an effort to build a permanent and sustainable industry in the state. On behalf of the USG, TCSG, and their institutions, as well as private higher education institutions in Georgia who choose to use its resources, the GFA is dedicated to the development of both Georgia's workforce and the industry which will utilize it.
As a student in the Department of Communication's Georgia Film Academy Program, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Learn from professionals in the Film, Television and Digital Entertainment industries
- Take classes at an industry hub facilitated with a package of professional-level equipment
- Participate in on-set, hands-on experience and simulated "real world" projects, coupled with in-classroom course work
- Work hands-on with professional production equipment (cameras, sound gear, lights, etc.) as well as production trucks and generators on studio soundstages
- Apply for an internship or apprenticeship on a major film production set, television studio, editing house or digital entertainment lab in order to develop recognized film credits, through partnerships with professional productions
- Receive one-on-one job counseling to include resume preparation, job research and job placement outreach from GFA
- Earn any of three Georgia Film Academy industry certifications, recognized by production
companies, studios, networks, vendors, and other entertainment businesses which may
employ Georgians:
- Film & Television Production Certification
- Film & Television Post-Production Certification
- Digital Entertainment, Esports & Game Development Certification
For more information about the Georgia Film Academy, please visit the Georgia Film Academy website.
Professional Training in the Crafts of Filmmaking!
The film industry in Georgia is booming - currently ranked third in the nation and fifth in the World for number of productions (behind only Hollywood and New York). Industry growth over the next 3-5 years is projected to generate 3,000 - 5,000 new jobs in Georgia, most of which are on the set. The average earnings in these jobs are $84,000 a year.
However, getting into the industry is not easy. On-set film workers need a very specific set of skills attained by working on industry-standard equipment as well as experience on professional productions.
The GFA is a unique-in-the-nation, state-wide effort which will provide you with:
- Multi-disciplinary training by professionals in the film, TV and new media industries.
- In classroom course work coupled with on-set, hands-on training.
- Opportunity to work on "real world" projects in order to develop recognized film credits, through partnerships with professional productions.
- Hands-on instruction and training working with a package of professional equipment (cameras, sound gear, lights, etc.) as well as production trucks, generators and sound studio space.
- One-on-one job counseling to include resume preparation, job research and job placement outreach.
What kinds of jobs does the GFA training prepare you for?
Entry-level positions both on set and in production offices.
- On Set Production Assistant (PA)
- Art: set dressers, props
- Hair/Make-up/Wardrobe procedures
- Sound: mixer, boom operator, utility
- Camera: operator, camera assistants (1st and 2nd)
- Electric: on-set lamp operators
- Grip: on-set, dolly grip
- Locations: managing
- Craft Services
- Script Supervision procedures
- Video Assist
- Office PA
The Department of Communication
Columbus State University’s Department of Communication is the largest program in the College of the Arts with more than 300 majors. Its innovative curriculum and outstanding faculty made it a natural partner for the Georgia Film Academy in delivering the film production certificate. All faculty teaching in the program have industry experience and have received additional training from the Georgia Film Academy so that they are Master Teachers in the field.
Certificate in Film Production
The following is an outline of the required courses for the Certificate in Film Production. Please see our online course search to see when these courses are offered at Columbus State University.
How to Register
Students that are currently enrolled at Columbus State University can register for courses through MyCSU. For more information, please see our guide for registering in MyCSU.
The GFC semester schedule follows the eCore Common Academic Calendar.
For questions regarding classes at your institution and how they work within your degree programs, please see the contact section for more information.
For questions or more information about the Georgia Film Academy, please contact Academics Coordinator Emma Smith, emma.smith@usg.edu.
How the Georgia Film Academy Program Works
Admissions Process
We have a team of enrollment professionals designated to work with you when you have questions about the program, the enrollment process, and registering for classes. This team will walk you through the whole process and coordinate your experience so it is as easy as possible! Call 706-507-8883 or email your questions and contact information to GAFilm@columbusstate.edu.
Yes, just give us a call at 706-507-8883 or email your questions and contact information to GAFilm@columbusstate.edu. We'll walk you through what you need to do and information you'll need.
Yes, but you'll need to fill out our simplified application for readmission to Columbus State University. Just give us a call at 706-507-8883 or email your questions and contact information to GAFilm@columbusstate.edu. We'll walk you through what you need to do and information you'll need.
Applying for Admission to the Certificate Program (Students new to CSU only):
- Apply for admission to the program through the Columbus State University Online Application
- On the "Ready to Apply" page, under "Traditional Applications & Dual Enrollment Application," select the "Undergraduate Application" button
- You will then be asked to set up a log-in as a new user or enter information if you are a returning user
- Follow all instructions, provide all requested information, and submit the $40 application fee. When asked to what program you are applying, select from the drop-down menu "Certificate In Film Production"
- You will be asked to submit proof of high school graduation through having your high school send us official transcripts or you may provide your GED. You may be asked to take a placement test depending on your situation. For this certificate program, no standardized tests such as SAT or ACT are required for admission
- Your application information will be evaluated on a priority basis, and upon acceptance you will be informed, registered into the first course, and given instructions on how to log into our student online portal MyCSU
- You will be informed of any additional required documentation related to residency and immunizations which may be needed prior to the start of your first class
- The two courses are available at a very competitive, flat-rate tuition rate of $125 per semester hour plus a $265 institutional fee per semester. Please note that students concurrently enrolled in other programs of Columbus State University may have additional mandatory fees in addition to the institutional fee and normal tuition associated with their enrollment, and will be subject to additional tuition charges if the student’s total course load exceeds 15 hours due to scheduling these courses.
- Therefore, for students only taking the film certificate courses, the first course in the certificate program which is 6 semester hours of credit taken in your first semester, costs $1015 total ($750 tuition plus $265 institutional fee), due before the first day of class.
- The second course and final course in the certificate program carries 12 semester hours of credit, and for students only taking the film certificate courses, costs $1,765 total ($1,500 tuition plus $265 institutional fee), due before the first day of class.
- Please note that at this time it has not yet been determined whether students classified as out-of-state under University System of Georgia regulations would be subject to additional tuition charges.
- Upon registration into a course, the tuition charges will be added to your student account which you can view through our student online portal MyCSU. Instructions for payment options are available on the CSU Bursars' Office website. You may also pay in person at the Bursar's Office in University Hall on the main campus of Columbus State University
- Residents of Georgia may be eligible for the HOPE grant program.
- Other payment and aid options with which we can assist you in pursuing include private educational loans and please note that all lenders offer loans for students seeking a certificate except Discover), a University System of Georgia-approved payment plan, and our institutional short-term loan program. Ask your enrollment representative about these options.
- Please note that this program is not currently eligible for VA benefits, federal student aid, nor University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance (TAP).
