Film and Video Short-term Training
Turn your passion for film into practical, industry-ready skills with Cape Fear Community College’s short-term Film and Video training courses.
Through CFCC’s partnership with Cinespace Studios in Wilmington, students have the opportunity to train in a professional film and television production environment using industry-standard equipment. Whether you’re exploring a new career, looking to break into the film industry, or expanding your existing skills, our hands-on courses help prepare you for the demands of real-world production.
Registration is Now Open!
The following upcoming session(s) for Film & Video are currently active and accepting registrations:
Learn at Cinespace Studios
Real studios. Professional equipment. Hands-on experience.
CFCC offers a unique opportunity to learn at Wilmington’s established film and television production facility. Students gain valuable insight into the film industry through hands-on training on a professional soundstage using industry-standard equipment.
Explore Our Film & Video Training Courses
CFCC offers a growing selection of short-term courses covering specialized areas of film, television, and digital media production. Courses are designed for individuals entering the industry as well as professionals seeking to develop new skills.
Film Production & Set Operations
Learn how film sets operate and explore the responsibilities of different production departments.
- Filmmaking Bootcamp: Experience the filmmaking process from pre-production through filming while working alongside fellow students and industry professionals.
- Production Assistant Training: Learn set etiquette, production workflows, communication, and the responsibilities of an entry-level production assistant.
- Grip & Electrical Rigging: Develop foundational skills in rigging equipment, soundstage systems, safe working practices, and production support.
- Special Effects: Explore practical effects techniques, equipment, and safety procedures used in film and television production.
Camera, Lighting & Sound
Build technical skills using professional production equipment.
- Cinematography & Lighting: Explore camera techniques, composition, exposure, and lighting design for visual storytelling.
- Camera Department Operations: Learn camera preparation, lenses, focus systems, media handling, and camera department workflows.
- Sound Tech for Film/TV: Explore production sound recording, microphones, wireless systems, boom operation, and the responsibilities of the on-set sound department.
- Lighting Data Technician: Develop specialized knowledge of lighting data systems and their role in modern production workflows.
Creative & Digital Media Production
Explore the creative and technical skills used to bring stories to life.
- Acting for Camera: Develop on-camera performance techniques and an understanding of the filmmaking process from an actor’s perspective.
- Visual Storytelling: Learn techniques for communicating ideas and emotions through visual composition and cinematic storytelling.
- Social Media Content Creation: Build practical skills in planning, recording, editing, and producing engaging video content for digital platforms.
Course availability varies by semester. New classes are offered regularly. View the current registration listings for upcoming classes.
Learn from Industry Professionals
Learn from the people who make movies and television happen.
Our instructors bring extensive professional experience from film and television productions, including major motion pictures, television series, and independent projects.
Students benefit from practical instruction, firsthand industry insight, and opportunities to learn about the expectations and responsibilities of professional production crews.
Meet Some of Our Instructors
Krystina Figg brings over 25 years of professional experience in filmmaking to Cape Fear Community College, where she is committed to helping students connect creative vision with practical filmmaking skills. Throughout her career, Figg has contributed to some of the film industry’s most acclaimed productions, including Avatar, Dunkirk, The Hateful Eight, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Killers of the Flower Moon, Bob Marley: One Love, and Superman. Beginning her career in broadcast television during college and later advancing into leadership roles within the grip department, she has built a reputation for technical excellence, collaboration, and mentorship while working alongside some of the industry’s most respected filmmakers.
With more than 40 years of experience in the motion picture industry, David Hill has worked as a Special Effects Technician, Supervisor and Coordinator on major feature films, television shows, commercials, and live productions. Throughout a career spanning four decades, he has specialized in practical effects, including atmospheric effects, mechanical effects, animatronics, pyrotechnics, and on-set safety. His career reflects a deep understanding of both traditional and practical effects and modern production methods. Notable works include, “The Hunger Games,” “Armageddon,” “The Conjuring,” “The Notebook,” and “Scream 5.”
Kasey Kiser is originally from Shelby, NC, and moved to Wilmington in 2001, where he developed a passion for filmmaking. He began his journey as a student in Cape Fear Community College’s Film and Video Production Program in 2003, which helped launch his professional career. Since then, he has worked in the Locations Department for various productions in Wilmington, including “One Tree Hill,” “Eastbound and Down,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Tammy,” “Max Steel” and many others. Most recently, he worked on all six seasons of Netflix’s “Cobra Kai,” serving as the Location Manager for the final season. While he continues to work professionally in the industry, he is excited about the opportunity to bring his skills back to the students at CFCC.
Since beginning his film career in Wilmington in 1984, Jeff Loy has worked on more than 100 productions in roles including Set Dresser, Electrician, Best Boy Grip, and, for the past two decades, Special Effects Technician. His background also includes serving as Production Manager at Thalian Hall, where he oversaw technical operations, supported professional touring productions, and designed lighting for more than 300 performances. In 2021, Jeff became the owner of Carolina Effects, a full-service special effects workshop that continues to support the film industry with practical effects solutions. His expertise spans rigging, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, metal fabrication, pyrotechnics, budgeting, scheduling, and production management, providing students with real-world insight from an accomplished industry professional.
Widely recognized for her performances in film sensations such as “Pale Rider” opposite Clint Eastwood and “Two Women” (“La Ciociara”) opposite Sophia Loren, Sydney Penny has also achieved international fame for her leading performances in both English and French in the film “Bernadette”. Ms. Penny garnered a Letter of Commendation from Pope John Paul II for her performance in “Bernadette” and has also been nominated for two Emmy awards in network television for her long running roles on “All My Children” and “Santa Barbara”. In addition, she was on the popular hit series “Pretty Little Liars” and portrayed an ex-CIA officer in the worldwide sensation “Largo Winch”.
Who Should Enroll?
Our short-term film training courses are ideal for:
- Individuals interested in starting a career in film or television production.
- Working film professionals who want to expand their technical skills.
- Creative professionals interested in cinematography, lighting, sound, acting, or digital media.
- Students exploring the film industry before pursuing additional education.
- Current film degree students looking to specialize.
- Anyone interested in developing practical filmmaking skills in a professional learning environment.
Registration & Course Information
Start building your skills today.
CFCC’s Film and Video courses are offered through Continuing Education, making it easy to enroll in specialized training without applying to a degree program.
- No college application required: Register immediately online!
- Affordable training: Course registration fees generally range from $280 to $395.
- Hands-on instruction: Develop practical skills through exercises and equipment-based training.
- Minimum age: Students must be at least 16 years old. Students ages 16–17 must submit a completed parental permission form with their registration. Email completed forms to workforceinfo@cfcc.edu .
- Short-term schedule: Classes meet 1–2 times per week. Class semesters are 8 weeks long.
Course schedules, duration, fees, and requirements vary.
Course Technical & Physical Requirements
To be successful in this course, students must be able to:
- Have reliable access to a desktop or laptop computer, a high-speed internet connection, and a current web browser.
- Log in to and navigate the college’s Learning Management System (LMS), access course materials (including videos, documents, and external links), submit assignments electronically, and monitor grades and instructor feedback.
- Communicate effectively through written digital formats (email, discussion boards, messaging).
- As a writing class, demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and communicating in English.
