Cinematography is the art of capturing moments on camera or film. In a cinematography course, students study camera angles, lighting, and frames to capture visually appealing videos.
Students can study cinematography as a certificate course, or do a diploma or degree in cinematography in India. Cinematography can also be studied in filmmaking, video editing or digital video production courses. The best cinematography courses are BFA cinematography, BSc cinematography and diploma in cinematography. Also Check: Cinematography Course After 12th
NID Ahmedabad, FTII Pune, MGR Government Film and Television Institute, and SID Pune are top cinematography colleges in India. The admission is based on 10+2 marks, a work portfolio and general knowledge about cinema. Some colleges might conduct university-level entrance exams for admission.
After completing the cinematography course, graduates can get work in various roles, including Camera Production Assistant, Film Editor, and Camera Assistant, among others. The average salary for such roles ranges between INR 2 - 5 LPA.
Table of Contents
Cinematography Course Highlights
| Stream | Cinematography/Film Making/Digital Video Production |
| Courses Available | BFA cinematography, BSc cinematography, diploma in cinematography, certificate course in cinematography |
| Top Colleges | NID Ahmedabad, FTII Pune, MGR Government Film and Television Institute, and SID Pune |
| Average Salary | INR 2 - 5 LPA |
List of Cinematography Courses
| Diploma | PG Diploma Course in Cinematography |
| Diploma in Film Technology and Television Production | |
| Undergraduate | BFA in Film Making |
| BDes and MDes Film and Video Communication | |
| BSc in Filmmaking | |
| BSc Cinema | |
| BDes Video Design and Film Making | |
| BSc Digital Film Making | |
| Postgraduate | MA in Filmmaking |
| MSc Cinema | |
| MA in Film Art and Film Making | |
| Certificate | Certification in Cinematography |
Top Cinematography Colleges in India
| College | Courses Offered | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LV Prasad College of Media Studies | BFA in Film Making | 4 years |
| SRFTI Kolkata | Post Graduate Program in Cinematography | 3 years |
| NID Ahmedabad | BDes Film and Video Communication | 4 years |
| MDes Film and Video Communication | 2 years | |
| Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | BSc in Filmmaking | 3 years |
| MA in Filmmaking & Specializations | 2 years | |
| NIFFA Kolkata | Certification in Cinematography | 12 months |
| AAFT Noida | BSc Cinema (Cinematography) | 3 years |
| MSc Cinema (Cinematography) | 2 years | |
| SID Pune | BDes Video Design and Film Making | 4 years |
| RAFT Hyderabad | Digital Film Making | – |
| FTII Pune | PG Diploma Course in Cinematography | 3 years |
| Chandigarh University | BA (Film and Television Studies) | 2 years |
| Jain University, Bangalore | BSc Digital Film Making | 3 years |
| Bachelor of Arts (Film and Media) | 3 years | |
| Master of Arts (Film and Media) | 2 years | |
| St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai | Post Graduate Diploma in Film, Television & Digital Video Production | 10 months |
| Manipal University, Karnataka | MA in Film Art and Film Making | 2 years |
| SIMC Pune | Certificate in Video Editing | 3 months |
| Mumbai University | MA in Film Studies | 2 years |
| MGR Government Film and Television Institute, Chennai | Diploma in Film Technology and Television Production (Cinematography) | 3 years |
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Cinematography Course: Eligibility and Admission Process
- The eligibility criteria and general admission process to study in a cinematography or filmmaking college in India can vary from one college to another.
- Most cinematography colleges or filmmaking institutes require students to complete their 10+2 from a recognized board or university.
- Some colleges may ask for a work portfolio, which can include photography, short films, or any other visual storytelling projects.
- Many cinematography colleges conduct entrance exams that include written tests, and interviews related to filmmaking or cinematography.
Cinematography Course Syllabus
The syllabus for a cinematography or filmmaking course depends on the course level and the college. The common topics covered in any cinematography course are:
- Film Dimension
- Film Packaging
- Processing and Printing
- Cameras for Motion Pictures
- Different Types of Film Cameras
- Cinema Projection
- Digital Film Production
- Shooting through Mirrors
- Underwater Shooting
- Introduction to 3D
- Colour Theory
- Film History and Theory
- Optics Workshops on Cinematography
- Motion Picture Lab
- Colour Correction
- Screening of Films
- Aerial Photography
- Different Types of Shooting Formats
- Visual Effects
- Audio and Video Editing
Career Options in Cinematography and Salary
The table lists various career options after completing a cinematography course and the average salary offered for such roles in India:
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Camera Operator | INR 2.8 LPA |
| Director of Photography | INR 5.2 LPA |
| Video Editor | INR 3 LPA |
| VFX Artist | INR 3 LPA |
| Film Producer | INR 6 LPA |
| Documentary Filmmaker | INR 4.5 LPA |
Cinematography Courses: FAQs
Ques. What is Cinematography?
Ans. Cinematography is the art of capturing moments on camera or film. In a cinematography course, students study camera angles, lighting, and frames to capture visually appealing videos.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria to study in a cinematography or filmmaking institute in India?
Ans. There is no such eligibility requirement to enroll in a cinematography course. Students need to complete their 10+2 from a recognized board. Some colleges might conduct an entrance test, or ask for a work portfolio to assess the candidate’s experience and interest in this field.
Ques. Name top cinematography colleges in India.
Ans. The top cinematography colleges in India are:
- LV Prasad College of Media Studies
- SRFTI Kolkata
- NID Ahmedabad
- Whistling Woods International, Mumbai
- AAFT Noida
- RAFT Hyderabad
- FTII Pune
- Jain University, Bangalore
- MGR Government Film and Television Institute, Chennai
Ques. What are the career options after completing the cinematography course?
Ans. The career options available after completing a cinematography or filmmaking course in India include:
- Camera Operator
- Director of Photography
- Video Editor
- VFX Artist
- Film Producer
- Documentary Filmmaker
Ques. What is the average salary offered for such job roles?
Ans. The average salary offered for such roles ranges from INR 2.5 - 6 LPA.
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