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Low-Budget Filmmaking

On the set of a low-budget film.
FILM TV X 476.6

Learn techniques and theories examining all phases of the low-budget filmmaking process, from development to production to post-production, and how to translate a minimum budget into maximum quality on screen.

Typically Available
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Online
Cost
Starting at $835.00

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What you can learn.

Discover how to analyze and break down the screenplay
Learn about financing the production, evaluating the marketplace, marketing, and distribution
Learn how to apply creativity to a budgetary plan to maximize on-screen value
Learn how to cast and select key production personnel
Learn production design, music, editing, sound design
Apply concepts learned to your own projects

About This Course

In this detailed exploration of low-budget filmmaking, learn techniques and theories examining all phases of the process, from development to production to post-production. The focus is on translating a minimum budget into maximum quality on screen. Topics include the script, financing the production, evaluating the marketplace, analyzing and breaking down the screenplay, learning to apply creativity to a budgetary plan to maximize on-screen value, casting, selecting key production personnel, production design, music, editing, sound design, marketing and distribution. Throughout the class, you are able to apply concepts learned to your own projects.

Winter 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
406447
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Updating...
Notes

Internet access required. Materials required.

Deadline
Refunds only available from November 03, 2025 to January 18, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance by Diane Bell
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Jan 6, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Jan 13, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Jan 20, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Jan 27, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Feb 3, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Feb 10, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Feb 17, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Feb 24, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Mar 3, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Mar 10, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Tue Mar 17, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood

Spring 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Instructor:
REG#
407683
Fee:
$835.00
Onlineformat icon
Updating...
Notes

Internet access required. Materials required.

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance by Diane Bell

This course applies toward the following programs

directing-ce0428

Directing

certificate
certificate Master the art of filmmaking. Learn the craft of directing through the process of producing an original short film.

Master the art of filmmaking. Learn the craft of directing through the process of producing an original short film.

producing-ce0429

Producing

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Learn the ins and outs of producing short films and features from Hollywood professionals.