Student Filmmaker Academia

Funded in Part by

"Corre"
A student produced film now screening in festivals!

Our Curriculum

2024 Fall Semester

Our free program for the students of Southern Arizona encompasses two stages of mentorship and application:

In-class instruction on the basics of filmmaking starting from the story to production
- On-site vocational training on a professionally produced short film

Self-sufficient filmmaking practices and production of their own "Beyond Fronteras" documentary short film

*Students should be prepared to dedicate 6-10 hours per week for this course

Meet the Instructors

Our team of film instructors will be supported by guest speakers and mentors from Southern Arizonas' filmmaking industry.

Lead Production Instructor

Oscar Rene Coronado

Oscar Rene Coronado is an industry filmmaker with over 17 years experience and over 100 professional productions including film, music videos, television series, and commercials for such companies as Gatorade, Netflix, McDonalds, and Adidas. He has led several film production seminars, mentorships, and training sessions and has also taught anger management training for displayed youths at the Vision Quest Juvenile Program in Tucson AZ.

Luis Horacio Pineda (_luishoraciopineda) • Instagram photos and videos_edited.jpg

Student Film Instructor

Luis Horacio Piñeda

Luis Horacio Pineda is a film director from Nogales, Arizona, who produces short films, animated films, TV spots, documentaries, and music videos. Piñeda’s background as a painter and muralist in Mexico City and Hermosillo, Sonora, informs his distinctive visual style. Beyond writing and directing, he is a film instructor for the Los Angeles education organization Creating Creators.

Basics of Filmmaking Instructor

Francisco J Landin Jr

Francisco Landin is a Southern Arizona short and feature film producer leading the cause for diversity, inclusivity, and positive representation in the local film community. He has previously led a “Basics of Filmmaking” summer program for High School youths and was also an integral part of the Native Music Coalition’s youth film program in 2023, while also coordinating diversity film seminars and networking events.

Explore Our Courses

Introduction to the Basics of Filmmaking

Learn the process behind screenwriting, script breakdowns, shooting, and budgeting
Learn the process of production needs and creating schedules
Attend lectures between departments that consist of how filmmakers think and what they are looking for
Learn from your choice of direction, cinematography, lighting, art, makeup, wardrobe, location management, editing, and post-production
Train in equipment and application
Learn low budget cell phone production
Obtain real world filmmaking techniques

Vocational Film Training

Students will attend lectures by industry professionals who will offer knowledge as well as discourse to ensure that learning can occur at a personal level, encouraging the individual artistic vision of each student. Students will then take part in a full scale film production where they will have unprecedented hands-on training and learning opportunities to better understand film as not only an art, but a lucrative industry and career.

Students are able to choose their own career path in the filmmaking process and serve as a support crew for a professional film shoot.

These paths include:

Art Department/Set Design/Makeup/Wardrobe
Cinematography/Camera
Lighting/Gaffing
Production Coordination/Locations/Casting
Audio/Sound

End of Program

At the conclusion of this program, students will have the knowledge to produce and execute their own short film to showcase for the "Beyond Fronteras" project and the history of Santa Cruz County with the tools already available to them at home and from school.

Our goal is to give students the resources they need to create their own art on their own terms once the program has ended so that they may continue on their path towards their passion for the arts and the industry of filmmaking.

Students will also receive a professional IMDB and festival credit for their participation in the production of the professional short film.

Learn About Beyond Fronteras