Filmmaking
At AIE’s Media and Production Film School (MAPS), we are leveraging over 35 years, 1000 film graduates and the production of 1,500 films through our acquisition of South Australia’s Department of Education iconic MAPS Film School.
Strengthened by an extensive array of national industry film practitioners in directing, producing, cinematography, sound engineering and now virtual production, we are bringing you this world-first qualification that combines traditional film making and virtual production in a practical, hands on, intensive way that prepares you for the global film industry. In this fun, vibrant and hard working environment you can pursue projects you are inspired by.
Ideas are developed and pitched, crews are formed and projects are realised from pre-production to post-production, utilising outdoor locations and AIE’s virtual production sound stage. You will learn practical skills involved in the range of roles involved in filmmaking as well as the art of collaboration not just with other film students but with industry specialists, actors, visual effects artists and virtual production specialists.
Students will be creating short dramas, comedies, short documentaries , music videos, and experimental art. Thanks to the capabilities of virtual production techniques, we can now support sci-fi , fantasy and horror productions. With up to 50 short film projects completed each year, the course is designed to operate just like a production house. Learners will get real experience in traditional film making and virtual production methodologies, enabling you to become part of the new generation of in-demand professional film practitioners placing you ahead of any other film school graduate.
The MAPS Film School course runs over two years full-time, during which you will create your own extensive portfolio of work that will impress potential employers or prospective clients and set you up to become a leading independent filmmaker.
This course has been written in consultation with leading film directors, producers, game engine developers, film and visual effects studios. It will give you the skills to help you create and tell film and TV stories set in the real-world as well as fantastic new universes with spectacular imagery.
MAPS Film School
At AIE’s MAPS Film School you learn filmmaking from filmmakers, by making films. Our trainers are industry practitioners that will instruct you in the exciting practice of filmmaking. Our philosophy is simple – learn by doing. Each year around 50 short films are produced. Students learn the practical aspects of filmmaking as well as the art of collaboration from making films. We replicate the real world industry and operate like a production house. Students generate original ideas, develop and pitch their projects, crews are formed and projects are realised from pre-production to shoot to post-production. It’s a fun, vibrant, hard working environment where students can pursue projects they are inspired by. We make short dramas and comedies, short documentaries, music videos, experimental art pieces. And genres like fantasy, sci-fi and horror. Our films in Adelaide have screened publicly at the Mercury cinema at the end of each year and we plan to do the same for Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
“Racka Racka [Maps alumni] are the most
successful content creators in the country”
Graeme Mason, CEO Screen Australia
Over the last 35 years MAPS has trained over 1000 alumni and produced over 1500 films. Now as part of AIE and having increased resources, we have the unique opportunity to work with virtual production technology and use professional grade ARRI cameras. MAPS films regularly win awards and screen at festivals and online. MAPS graduates work locally, interstate and internationally in all areas of filmmaking. They can be found behind the camera, directing, producing, recording sound, in the edit suite, writing scripts and more.
AIE is highly regarded by the industry for preparing students artistically and technically for work, and for some of the commercial feature films we have help to fund, produce or enabling our graduates and students doing paid work on their visual effects.
- Bruce Beresford beloved “Ladies in Black” (funded)
- John Asher’s “I Hate Kids” (funded)
- Dan Sanguineti’s “Me and My Mates vs the Zombie Apocalypse” (funded, vfx work)
- Che Baker’s “Blue World Order” (funded, vfx work)
- Tony D’Aquuino’s “The Furies” (funded, vfx work and produced)
- Hannah Barlow & Kane Senes “Sissy” (In production, funded, produced, vfx work)
AIE FILM STUDIO
The AIE Film Studio is currently in the process of construction. It features a large commercial grade 24 metre wide, 6m high LED wall soundstage, as well as LED Ceiling. In essence it allows for any number of fantastical scenes to be depicted by the director. It allows for “final pixel in camera”, meaning that the director, actors and crew are all able to see and film the scene in real time.






Course Content
Collaborating with other students across AIE and working in our new LED wall virtual production film studio, you will gain hands-on skills and make creative directorial decisions. You'll apply new cinematic techniques in a virtual capture volume as well as using traditional film methods. You will learn the art of script development, project planning and pre-visualisation, LED wall dynamic lighting, set extension and virtual scouting techniques, optimising pipelines and workflow, editing and post-production, including real time final pixels in camera compositing to combine live action footage and visual effects.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop both your creative practice in filmmaking as well as specialise in a technical virtual production crew role while networking in the social and professional world of film production. AIE graduates have had their short films featured in film festivals around the world and worked on blockbuster films and TV shows, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Lego Movies, WandaVision as well as AIE’s funded feature films such as Blue World Order, The Furies and Sissy.
Subjects you will study
Stage One
- Film Analysis
- Scriptwriting
- Project Development
- Pitching
- Pre-production
- Cinematography
- LED virtual volume film production
- Virtual sets, costumes and set extensions
- Sound Recording
- Editing
- Colour grading
- Final Year Projects categories include:
- Documentary
- Drama
- Fantasy (Virtual Production)
- Science Fiction (Virtual Production)
- Horror (Virtual Production)
- Experimental
Stage Two
- Editing complex scenes
- Sound Recording
- Colour Grading
- Working with Talent
- Motion Control methodologies and techniques
- Volumetric Capture
- Visual effects
- Live compositing
- Directing, Producing, Financing
- Online Portfolio
- Final Year Projects categories include:
- Documentary
- Drama
- Fantasy (Virtual Production)
- Science Fiction (Virtual Production)
- Horror (Virtual Production)
- Experimental
Equipment and Software You Will Use
Students utilise state of the art equipment and resources such as:
- LED Virtual Production Studio stage on campus
- Arri Amira 4k, Black Magic 6K Pro, Sony FX-9 & Z Cam 6K cine cameras
- LED lighting equipment, including battery operation
- Sound Devices audio recorders and Sennheiser microphones
- Jibs, Dollies, Gimbals and Sliders
- iMac editing and sound suites
- Industry speakers and practitioners as trainers
Your Career Opportunities
- Director
- Virtual Production Director
- Virtual Production Producer
- Production Supervisor
- Scenic Supervisor
- Director of Photography
- Continuity Supervisor
- Lighting Supervisor
- Layout and Previs Artist
- Visualisation Lead
- Compositor
- On-Set Painter
- Sound Designer
- Virtual Production Crew
- Props Master
- Special Effects Supervisor
- Producer
- Creative Director
- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Motion Control Specialist
- Film Editor
- Set Dresser
- Lighting Technician
- Previs Designer
- Pipeline Technical Director
- Concept Artist
- Production Manager
- Camera Operator
- Sound Effects Editor
- Set Builder
- Digital Imaging Technician
- Virtual Production Effects Specialist
Entry Requirements
Entry for this course is based on:
- Interview - In the interview we are assessing your suitability for the course including any specific requirements you may have.
- Portfolio - we are looking for evidence of creativity which is demonstrated through a collection of works in a medium of your choosing.
- Copy of your Year 12 Certificate OR by achieving an Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy.
An Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy will show that you have the capability to be successful in this course. AIE can assist you with this assessment process if required and results will be reported to you as soon as practicable. As per the Department of Education and Training guidelines, assessment results are also available to the Department Secretary on request.
For more information please see our interview and portfolio page
State Funding
Our Fees
Maximum tuition fees for the intake commencing February 2023
Filmmaking | Tuition Fee | |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (2023) | $16,750 |
delivered in conjunction with | ||
CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts (2023) | $16,150 | |
Year 2 | CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (2024) | $17,300 |
Total Fee | $50,200 |
The VET Student Loans program allows eligible students enrolled in AIE's approved Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Graduate Diploma courses to defer part of the cost of their tuition fees. Courses are subject to maximum loan caps and students will be required to pay any fee over and above that cap. For more information visit our VET Student Loans page.
Please note:
- VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.
- VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
- On successful completion of stage 1, students will be awarded recognition of prior learning or credit transfer towards Stage 2 of the Advanced Diploma.
For more information on our tuition fees, please visit our FEES page
To see our international fees, please visit our FEES page
Trainers and guest speakers
STUDY MODE OPTIONS: ON- CAMPUS
Students can study this program in the following modes:
Study Mode | Campus | Day and times | Hours per week |
---|---|---|---|
Face to Face | AIE Campus in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra or Adelaide | Week days, 9am to 5pm | 20 hours (full-time) |
NATIONALLY-ACCREDITED QUALIFICATIONS
This two-year, full-time program has been developed with industry and is delivered through the following qualifications:Filmmaking | Cricos | |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media | 106064C |
delivered in conjunction with | ||
CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts | 106067M | |
Year 2 | CUA60620 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media | 106065B |
Filmmaking News

AIE's Virtual Production Studio and the Filmmaking Program was supported by funding from the ACT Government.
Upcoming EventsInformation EveningDiscover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation and visual effects at the AIE Information Evening. Sydney, Melbourne Canberra and Adelaide campuses will be opening their doors to visitors eager to find out about full-time and part-time courses starting soon.Now an online livestream event |