three-year program
Cinematography & Directing
A three-year program that trains directors and visual artists capable of managing the entire creative and technical process of a film production.
From screenwriting to directing, through cinematography and post-production, students learn to develop coherent visual languages suited to the various formats of contemporary audiovisual media.
Course Description
The three-year Cinematography & Directing program trains professionals to conceive, direct, and produce audiovisual projects for film, television, advertising, streaming platforms, and digital media.
A comprehensive program combining cinematic language, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, pre-production, production, and post-production, integrating traditional techniques with next-generation digital tools such as virtual production, LED walls, and artificial intelligence applied to filmmaking.
Throughout the program, students explore every stage of the filmmaking process: from concept development to screenwriting, filming to color correction, sound design to narrative editing, preparing them to work confidently on real-world productions.
Main areas:
Directing and visual language: managing mise-en-scène, narrative pacing, and directing actors.
Cinematography: image composition, control of the scene and lighting, narrative lens selection, and aesthetic evaluation of the image.
Screenwriting and Storytelling: Building Narrative Structure and Analyzing Film Genres
Filming and camera operation: use of professional cameras, follow focus, gimbals, and external monitors
Post-production and color grading: workflows in DaVinci Resolve, narrative editing, and visual style
Sound Design and Audio Mixing: The Relationship Between Sound, Rhythm, and Image
Previs and 3D Virtual Sets: Planning Scenes and Shots Using Digital Tools
Teamwork and Set Management: Crew Organization, Roles, Timing, and On-Set Communication
- Risoluzione delle problematiche sul set
Marco Tessarolo
COURSE DIRECTOR
Marco Tessarolo is an Italian director, AIC cinematographer, and TAU VISUAL photographer. He has worked on numerous fashion films, commercials, and short films, as well as serving as director of photography on several film productions.
Throughout his career, he has received various awards and recognitions: he won at the BFI London Film Festival in 2009 and placed second in 2010; he won the TTP Professional Italian Advertisers Award in 2010 and 2012; in 2013, he received the Best Screenplay Award at Roma Shortfilm; and in 2011, he placed second at the Cannes Lions.
He was also shortlisted as a finalist at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the Shanghai International Film Festival, the New Horizons Film Festival, and the Barcelona World Congress.
Learning Objectives
The course aims to train professionals who are capable of:
• interpret and use the codes of cinematic language;
• direct actors, crews, and departments with method and awareness;
• master photography, composition, and lighting;
• design and produce professional videos for various formats and platforms;
• integrate digital technologies and AI into production workflows;
• Develop a comprehensive portfolio of work: short films, directed scenes, commercials, narrative videos, and immersive digital content.
The program is highly practical: every year, students produce short films, miniseries, commercials, music videos, short documentaries, and interdisciplinary collaborative projects are produced.
Laboratories and Technologies
Film set equipped with Blackmagic URSA 12K cameras, Blackmagic Pyxis, cinema lenses, gimbals, dollies, and external monitors
Virtual production studio with an LED wall and green screen for mixed live-action/digital shoots
3D Previsualization Lab for Studying Camera Angles and Digital Blocking
Color grading suite with calibrated professional monitors and a DaVinci Resolve Studio workflow
Editing and sound design station for narrative editing and audio mixing
Photography classroom and darkroom for practical exercises on exposure and depth of field
AI Lab and hybrid production tools for testing new pre-production and visual composition methodologies
Classes take place in environments designed to replicate the real-world conditions of a film production.
Students combine theory with hands-on experience on set, working with professional cameras, lighting, and cinema lenses, as well as integrating digital tools for previsualization and virtual production.
Experience and Awards
The Rookies – Movie of the Year
Students in the program collaborate with those in the three-year CGI + AI program to create hybrid live-action and CGI short films, in line with the latest Hollywood productions.
These projects are submitted to the Rookie Awards in the Film of the Year category, where they are evaluated by an international jury of film and VFX professionals.
This experience allows students to work according to the production standards of major studios and showcase their academic projects on a platform with global visibility.
The Night of the Golden Dragons
An exclusive event organized by Side Academy during the Venice International Film Festival, dedicated to showcasing and awarding the best projects created by students.
Directing and cinematography short films are screened before a jury of industry experts, with awards recognizing excellence in directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design.
An evening celebrating the talent and creativity of emerging filmmakers.
83rd Venice International Film Festival
The most outstanding short films produced during the course are selected to be officially screened at the Venice Film Festival.
A unique opportunity for students to take center stage at the festival by presenting their work in one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized settings.
The school also saw two students selected for the official jury of the 2025 Venice Film Festival, further confirmation of the program’s excellence.
JUDGES OF THE ROOKIES
Each year, the projects developed by Side Academy students are evaluated by an international jury from The Rookies, composed of high-profile professionals from leading animation, VFX, and motion graphics studios.
The judging panel includes supervisors, lead artists, and senior artists from leading studios such as Weta FX, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, and DNEG, who bring their industry expertise to the evaluation of entries in categories such as 3D Animation, VFX, and Film of the Year.
This direct exposure to industry standards allows students to benchmark their work against real professional criteria and gain international visibility.
Do you have any questions about which program is best for you?
Request more information and schedule a call with one of our Admission Advisors, a campus tour, or a one-on-one meeting with a faculty member.
Course Structure
YEAR
FIELD OF STUDY
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
First Year
The Fundamentals of Cinematic Language
Introduction to the principles of film directing and storytelling through images. Students learn the basics of staging, lighting, and cinematography, studying the main technical tools: the camera, lenses, exposure, and composition. Throughout the year, students develop directing exercises and short films to gain an understanding of visual grammar and working as part of a film crew.
Second year
Production and Cinematography
An in-depth exploration of the languages of film and advertising, with a focus on set management, cinematography, and aesthetic control of the image. Students engage in filming with professional cameras, advanced lighting, color grading, and post-production, while also experimenting with 3D digital previsualization and virtual production.
Third year
Final Project and Portfolio
Production of a complete short film, from the screenplay to final post-production. Each team works just like a real film production, taking on specific roles such as directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The best films are screened at the Venice Film Festival and nominated for the Rookie Awards in the Film of the Year category.
Software & Tools
Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K and Blackmagic Pyxis 6K Cameras
Cine primelenses
Follow focus and gimbal, for controlling camera movement
Professional lighting kit: Fresnel and softbox.
Reference Monitors and External Recording Systems
DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone for Aerial Footage and Dynamic Shots
- Audio recording stations with directional microphones and professional boom mics
Software: Unreal Engine, Maya, Nuke, DaVinci Resolve
Career Opportunities
The course prepares students to work in various fields within the video game industry, CGI, and interactive production.
Film or commercial director
Director of Photography (DoP)
Camera Operator
1st Assistant Camera / Focus Puller
Gaffer / Lighting Designer
Film Editor
Colorist
Post-Production Supervisor
Sound Designer / Mix Engineer
Previs Artist and Virtual Production Supervisor
FAQ:
Absolutely, all courses start from the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID mode, we allow those who need it to take the course ON-LINE, but to have the opportunity to attend certain labs, workshops or in-person events.
We recommend having a PC or Mac at home that can run professional software, so that students can continue working on their projects from home. For those taking the online course, you’ll also need: an internet connection, a graphics tablet, a microphone to communicate with instructors, and headphones. A webcam is optional.