Learn Digital Film Making in 16 months

Berkeley Digital is a 16-month, high-intensity digital filmmaking program, creating the next generation of Producers and Directors in Motion Picture Production. Besides a comprehensive course in digital film production, we also offer specialization in the fields of Documentary Production, Environmental Documentary Production, Music Video Production and Commercials Production.

Get important job skills fast - with no General Ed requirements

Our program is four 15-week semesters. In those four terms, we squeeze in 1800 clock-hours of intense immersion in the process of narrative filmmaking. Classes meet every weekday, for at least 6 hours a day, divided between production and lab hours. Your first and second semesters consist of 6 major classes, and the last two semesters you will take 7 major classes.

Build your Digital Portfolio

Every student produces and directs 9 films, varying in length from one minute to 30 minutes, with an increasing degree of difficulty and complexity as the program goes forward. Berkeley Digital utilizes a unique proprietary "Synchronized Curriculum" to create an accelerated learning curve, utilizing the concepts of project-based and student-centered learning. Final thesis projects are mixed by professional re-recordists in our 5.1 Dolby mixing stage.

Blazing a Digital Trail

Berkeley Digital is a new school with an impressive legacy. Our founder, Patrick Kriwanek, was previously the Director of the Academy of Art University's film program. In his six years there, he oversaw the largest film department expansion in the school's history, and his students garnered more than 40 national and international awards, including 3 National Clios.

Get a great job in Digital Film

Patrick's previous students currently work at some of the nation's most prestigious media companies, including:

• LucasFilm
• Lucas Digital
• Lucas Learning
• Skywalker Sound
• Francis Coppola
• American Zoetrope
• SKG Dreamworks
• PBS "Frontline"
• Fox Sports Network
• The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded
• Shrek I and II
• Warner Brothers
• HGTV Disney Corporation
• Fox Searchlight
• Pixar Toy Story I and II
• Ridley Scott/RSA
• NFL Films
• MTV Music
• Radical Media
• Pacific Data Images
• E! Entertainment TV

From Feature Films to Music Video

We believe that music videos and commercials have inherent artistic value. Because we honor these student projects just as we honor student feature films, our graduates go on to impressive careers in music video production and commercial production. These graduates have directed music videos for U2, Green Day, Kanye West, Audioslave, Gnarls Barkley, The Killers, The Chemical Brothers, Modest Mouse, Jet, Courtney Love, and Staind.

Small Class Size, Big Industry Exposure

Your class size is limited to 12, and in this mentor-apprentice environment, you will get the time you need to have your individual needs addressed and met. You will also be exposed to more than 80 additional filmmakers during your 16 months of film school.

"I'm a first-semester film student and I'm in the elevator with Saul Zaentz. There's no way I'd get an experience like this anywhere else." - Current Berkeley Digital Film student

Cutting-Edge Digital Film Curriculum

In our high-contact, mentor-driven style, augmented by the presence of multiple guest lecturers per class term, students hear "multiple voices" and are exposed to a large number of different filmmaking styles and approaches. At Berkeley Digital, our goal is to develop small, connected cadres of professional-level filmmakers who collaborate intensively over the course of 16 months.