certificate

Post-Production

Prepare for a career as an editor or post-production professional in film, television, and documentaries. Gain hands-on training taught by Hollywood professionals.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

This program is perfect for...

Creative learners pursuing career transition/advancement, or aiming to edit their own entertainment project
Specialists interested in the post-production workflow and film finishing
Past and current students in film editing classes or other UCLA Extension Entertainment certificate programs
International students seeking to enhance their creative/professional skill set

What you can learn.

Learn the basics of film color correction and visual effects
Develop image and audio post-production skills
Practice video post-production techniques for all types of content
Train in industry standard software, film post-production workflow, and processes
Gain foundational skills and guidance on finding work as an assistant editor or related below-the-line position
Cultivate key industry connections through post-production internships

Get on the fast track to a career in entertainment.

Detail of a computer screen, displaying video editing software

Accessible content creation tools, the power of social media, and the expansion of media platforms have created a need for professionals with film and video editing skills, VFX talent, and the capacity to use the latest post-production techniques for feature, TV and documentary projects of all budgets.

The UCLA Extension Post-Production Certificate offers training in industry-standard software, practical project experience, and exposure to networking/internship opportunities for students wishing to begin, advance, or transition into editing, VFX, sound, or similar specialties.

Hands-on and in-person.

Learn the art and craft through in-person classes taught by executives from a variety of studios, as well as from professional editors, colorists, and sound designers on projects at Netflix, Amazon Studios, Vice, MTV, and other prominent services.

A DIY ethos.

The certificate offers students a quick path to breaking into the business as an assistant editor. All participants are required to have their own computing resources; upon successful program completion, you will have the basic tools and personal equipment necessary for stepping into a related below-the-line position.

Format: In-Person, some courses offered online
Duration: 9 months (full-time pace) to 3 years
Unit Requirement: 40
GPA Requirement: minimum 3.0 for certificate completion

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (7)

Elective (2)

Required Courses

The Art and Craft of Film Editing

FILM TV X 479.613

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Post-Production for Film and Television

FILM TV X 404A

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Introduction to Adobe Premiere

FILM TV X 477.84

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Introduction to Avid Media Composer

FILM TV X 479.28

Color Correction for Film and Television

FILM TV X 478.314C

Introduction to Visual Effects Creation

FILM TV X 477.241B

Post-Production Sound For Film and Television

FILM TV X 478.013

Elective Courses

Complete 2 electives (8 units) from courses numbered X 400-499 in Directing, Producing, Film Scoring, and Cinematography. New electives are added regularly. Below is a list of suggested electives.

Suggested Electives

Documentary Filmmaking Workshop

FILM TV X 478.481

The Language of Filmmaking

FILM TV X 476.581

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Building an Online Audience

FILM TV X 408

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Introduction to Pro Tools

MUSC X 479.12

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Making Your First Short Film

FILM TV X 476.39

Anatomy of a Film Score

MUSC X 482.8

Typically Offered: Spring

Adobe After Effects for Filmmakers: An Introductory Workshop

FILM TV X 477.85

The Role of the Digital Imaging Technician in Cinematography

FILM TV X 478.301

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

The Craft of the Director

FILM TV X 478.9

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Marketing Entertainment: Strategies for the Global Marketplace

MGMT X 476.99

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Directing Workshop I: Composition and Movement

FILM TV X 476.95

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

see all courses

PLAN YOUR STUDIES

Prerequisites & Courses

To fulfill certificate requirements, students must complete a total of 36 units—including seven required classes and two electives–with a grade of “C” or better in each course.

Additionally, Post-Production Certificate students must have access to a computer with editing software. Editing software and hardware is available at a discount for UCLA Extension students at the UCLA Store online or on software vendor websites. Students are responsible for their own computer and software costs.

Required Hardware

Computer specs:
RAM: Minimum 16GB
CPU: Intel i7, i9 or newer
Hard Drive: Minimum 250GB
VRAM: Minimum 2GB for graphics

Mac:
MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Studio models, ideally purchased in the last 2-3 years.
OS: Catalina (10.15) or newer.
Note: Avoid MacBook Air, Mac Minis and iPads/tablets, as they lack the processing power necessary for the required software.

PC:
A “gaming” machine is recommended.
OS: Windows 10 or newer
Note: Avoid Chromebooks, “hybrid” machines, and any other PC with a sub-$1K price point, as they lack the power necessary for running required software.

Portable External Hard Drive:
All students should have an external hard drive for storing media.
A 4TB+ external hard drive is recommended. Ideally, it should utilize the fastest connection on your machine, typically Thunderbolt 3 / 4 for Macs and USC-C for Windows.

How to Get Started

Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each class is paid for individually. You may take courses without committing to the program; however, establishing candidacy provides many benefits exclusive to our certificate students. To establish candidacy, click 'Apply Now' below.

When enrolling in courses, we recommend taking them in the order listed above, starting with FILM TV X 479.613 The Art and Craft of Film Editing.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

6705.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

550.00

Apply Now

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Internship Opportunities

An internship in film and television can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 12 units of program curriculum (3 courses) before completing the application for approval to enroll in an internship.

Learn More

International Students

This certificate is approved for international students (F-1 student visa).

International students may begin the certificate program in fall or spring quarters only.

Students participating in courses offered solely by UCLA Extension must meet the English Language Requirements outlined below. Any international student interested in taking classes on UCLA’s main campus must adhere to the English Requirements outlined for UCLA courses.

Acceptable tests and minimum scores

Scores that are equal to or higher than the listed minimum scores from the following tests, taken within the past two years, can satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

TOEFL: 80 (iBT)
IELTS: 6.5
iTEP: 4.5
CAE: B (CEFR C1)
CPE: C (CEFR C2)
TOEIC: 685
DUOLINGO (DET): 105

While no other type of test score is accepted in general, students who are affected by test center closures may request an exception to submit an alternate test score.

International Baccalaureates (IB) students or students currently enrolled in an academic institution where the primary language of instruction is English may submit an official academic transcript or verification of enrollment from their school as proof of English proficiency.

Learn more:

International Students: How to Apply

Academic Requirements & English Language Proficiency