Diploma In Digital Film Making (Social Media Content /Ad Commercial)
Scriptwriting | Cinematography | Editing | Direction
Course Overview
At FTP Institute, our film making courses are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to create high-quality commercial ads and films using DSLR cameras. This comprehensive program is ideal for those looking for a film direction course, movie direction course, or a film making course after 12th. Students learn the fundamentals of filmmaking, including direction, scriptwriting, cinematography, and editing, making it one of the most practical film making courses in Mumbai.
FTP Institute is recognized as one of the best filmmaking institutes in Mumbai, known for its strong focus on practical training, real-world learning, and industry connections. Our expert faculty consists of experienced professionals with a passion for teaching, mentoring, and helping students learn filmmaking with confidence.
Students receive hands-on training with DSLR cameras and essential equipment, personalized feedback from industry professionals, and opportunities to work on real-world projects to build a strong portfolio. The course also provides access to professional editing software and studio resources, ensuring complete skill development for aspiring filmmakers and directors.
- Hands-on training with DSLR cameras and equipment
- Personalized feedback and guidance from industry professionals
- Opportunities to work on real-world projects and build a portfolio
- Access to editing software and equipment
Course CurriculumUpdated 2025
Module 1: Direction of Ad Film Making
- Understanding the role of a director in film making
- Key aspects of direction: blocking, camera angles, and movement
- Pre-production planning and preparation
- Working with actors and crew
- Basics of Direction and filmmaking techniques.
- Understanding of different formats viz. Documentaries, advertisements & commercials, music albums, TV Serials and films.
- Script Analysis.
- Budgeting.
- Location Scouting.
- Understanding Camera Angles & Types of Shots.
- Storyboarding.
- Preparing Single Line Order for Shooting.
- Breaking down the film script for scheduling purposes.
- Casting and designing the shoot.
- Handling Technicians
- Handling Actors.
- Working on the Post Production Process.
- Handling publicity and launching the film in the competitive market.
Module 2: Scriptwriting for Commercial Ads
- Understanding the importance of scriptwriting
- Writing effective scripts for commercial ads
- Storyboarding and visualization
- Developing a basic idea into a concept
- Story building
- Introducing characters in the story
- Building up the scenes
- Designing the screenplay drafts
- Finalizing the duration of the film as per the screenplay
- Designing the shooting script
Module 3: Cinematography and Lighting
- Understanding lighting techniques and principles
- Cinematography basics: framing, composition, and movement
- Working with natural and artificial light
- Basics of Cinematography.
- Art of camera & understanding camera operations.
- Detailed camera movements.
- Lighting Techniques.
- Use of filters and Lenses.
- Adjusting white balance.
- Basic Framing.
- Screen resolutions.
- Special effects in camera.
- Video Formats.
- Exposure concepts.
- Indoor Shoots.
- Outdoor Shoots.
Module 4: Pre-Production Planning
- Location scouting and management
- Casting and working with talent
- Budgeting and scheduling
Module 5: Production and Camera Operation
- Shooting and capturing high-quality footage
- Camera operation and movement
- Working with lighting and sound
Module 6: Post-Production and Editing
- Introduction to video editing software
- Basic editing techniques: cutting, trimming, and arranging clips
- Advanced editing techniques: color grading, sound design, and visual effects
- Theory Session
- Introduction Editing Software.
- Media Management.
- Video Editing Techniques.
- Audio Editing Techniques.
- Sync audio tracks with respective video tracks.
- Applying Transitions.
- Animation in Editing.
- Titling
- Video Effects & Basic Color Correction.
- Editing of Multiple camera shoots.
- Technique of Film Editing.
- Editing Scenes & Sequences
- Output for different media platforms.
Module 7: Advanced Techniques and Projects
- Advanced cinematography techniques: gimbal shots, drone shots, and more
- Creating engaging storylines and narratives
- Final project: creating a commercial ad campaign
Module 8 : Advertising and Ad Agencies
- Understanding the advertising industry and its key players
- How to work with ad agencies and clients
- Creating effective ad campaigns
Assignments
- Creating a Visual Story with Images & Music
(Students will shoot images based on a theme and create a visual story) - Digital Video Ad Reel
(Students will conceptualize, shoot & Edit a Digital Video REELS ) - One Scene
(Students will conceptualize, shoot & Edit a Scene with two characters and a single location either Exterior or Interior) - Short Film of 5-10 mins
(Students will conceptualize, shoot & Edit a Short Film of 5 to 10 minutes duration for their Portfolio or Showreel) - Youtube Video
Students will learn to create for youtube vlogging, interviews, Brand promotions etc. - Final Screening and Portfolio
At the conclusion of the course, a felicitation will be held for the students with distribution of Certificates. Students retain a master copy of their work to include in their portfolio.
Course Information
-
Duration : 6 Months
Theory and Practical
-
Days : Weekday | Weekend
Theory and Practical
-
Language : English
Theory and Practical
-
Required: HSC | Undergraduates | Graduates
Minimum Entry Requirement : Class X or equivalent
-
Type : Full Time | Part Time
Full Time & Part Time, Offline and Online Class
- Locations : Mumbai
- 100% Placement Assistance
Scope Of The Course
- Career in Digital Video Ads
- Career in Music Videos
- Career in Corporate Commercial
- BTS & Film Promos
- Commercial ad filmmaker
- Freelance Ad filmmaker
- Ad film production house assistant
- Content creator for social media
Quick Enquiry
Topics CoveredUpdated 2025
B-Roll Videos
B-roll is the supplementary footage that enhances the primary content. It’s the “cutaway” footage that supports the main story, giving context and depth to the narrative. Whether it’s showing a close-up of a hand or a wide shot of a location, B-roll adds layers of meaning, emotion, and visual interest.
Key Points:
-
Supplementary Footage: Enhances storytelling by providing context.
-
Visual Interest: Keeps the viewer engaged during interviews or monologues.
-
Creative Cuts: Helps with pacing, transitions, and mood setting.
Product Videos
Product videos are a powerful tool to showcase a product in a way that highlights its features and benefits. A good product video doesn’t just explain how a product works, but demonstrates how it fits into the lifestyle of the consumer. Whether it’s a new tech gadget, fashion accessory, or a beauty product, a great product video builds excitement and provides valuable information.
Key Points:
-
Features & Benefits: Demonstrating how the product solves a problem.
-
High-Quality Production: Showcasing the product in the best light possible.
-
Call to Action: Prompting the viewer to take the next step, whether it’s making a purchase or learning more.
Fashion Film
Fashion films blur the line between art and commercial video. They’re more than just a way to display clothing—they are a means of telling a story through style, emotion, and visuals. Fashion films use cinematic techniques to evoke a mood and offer a deeper connection to the brand. These videos are often visually stunning, with a focus on aesthetics, unique storytelling, and a bold artistic direction.
Key Points:
-
Visual Storytelling: Using fashion as a narrative element.
-
Artistic Expression: High-fashion concepts, avant-garde visuals, and experimental techniques.
-
Emotional Connection: Building mood and feeling around the garments.
Hyperlapse Videos
Hyperlapse videos take timelapse photography to the next level, creating dynamic, moving shots that cover vast distances. By combining the traditional timelapse technique with camera motion, hyperlapse creates a visually engaging experience, ideal for capturing urban landscapes, large-scale events, or even a journey.
Key Points:
-
Fast Motion with Movement: Time-lapse with added camera movement.
-
Smooth Transitions: Often requires stabilization to create smooth, professional-looking footage.
-
Captivating Visuals: Ideal for travel, architecture, or fast-paced scenarios.
Lifestyle Videos
Lifestyle videos are designed to connect with an audience by showcasing everyday life or aspirational experiences. Whether it’s a fitness routine, a day in the life of someone, or a luxurious vacation, lifestyle videos create a narrative that resonates with viewers on a personal level. The goal is to engage the audience emotionally and showcase an idealized version of life.
Key Points:
-
Relatable Content: Connecting with the audience on a personal level.
-
Aspirational Themes: Showcasing an ideal lifestyle or goal.
-
Brand Connection: Often used by brands to relate their products to the audience’s lifestyle.
Fashion Show Videos
A fashion show video captures the energy, style, and elegance of a live runway show. These videos highlight the models, the designs, and the atmosphere of the event. Whether it’s for a high-end fashion label or an up-and-coming designer, capturing a fashion show on video allows viewers to experience the spectacle from every angle.
Key Points:
-
Runway Action: Showcasing the models and designs in motion.
-
Event Coverage: Capturing the atmosphere, audience reactions, and designer statements.
-
Lighting & Angles: Using specific lighting and camera angles to emphasize the clothing.
Travel Documentary
Travel documentaries are an immersive experience that takes viewers on a journey to faraway places. These films focus not just on the visuals of the location, but also the culture, people, and unique stories of the region. A good travel documentary offers a sense of discovery and adventure while educating and inspiring the audience.
Key Points:
-
Immersive Experience: Showcasing the beauty, culture, and unique stories of a place.
-
Narrative: Telling a story through the lens of exploration.
-
Cinematic Journey: Beautiful cinematography that transports viewers to new places.
Stop Motion
Stop motion is a technique where objects are photographed one frame at a time and then played back in sequence to create movement. It’s a time-consuming but incredibly creative method of animation, often used in short films, advertisements, or music videos. Each frame is meticulously crafted to create fluid movement from static objects.
Key Points:
-
Frame-by-Frame Animation: Objects appear to move by photographing them in slight increments.
-
Creative Process: Requires precision and patience to create smooth animations.
-
Versatility: Used in everything from claymation to product promos.
Production Techniques
Production techniques cover all the methods and strategies used to create professional film or video content. This includes everything from pre-production planning to post-production editing. Techniques such as camera work, sound design, editing styles, and pacing all play a role in shaping the final product. Understanding and mastering these techniques are crucial to crafting high-quality video content.
Key Points:
-
Pre-Production: Planning, scripting, and storyboarding.
-
Cinematography: Shot composition, lighting, and camera movement.
-
Post-Production: Editing, color grading, sound design, and visual effects.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements of filmmaking and video production. The right lighting can set the tone, highlight key aspects of the scene, and guide the viewer’s attention. Whether it’s natural light or artificial setups, understanding how to manipulate light is crucial to achieving the desired mood and aesthetic.
Key Points:
-
Mood & Atmosphere: Lighting sets the emotional tone of the scene.
-
Techniques: Key light, fill light, backlighting, and practical lighting.
-
Color Temperature: Using warm or cool light to evoke certain emotions.
Short Film
Short films are a great way to tell a concise story in a limited amount of time. They are often used by filmmakers to showcase their talents, experiment with ideas, or deliver impactful messages within a smaller timeframe. A short film’s strength lies in its ability to condense a full narrative into an emotional punch in under 30 minutes.
Key Points:
-
Brevity: Telling a compelling story within a short time frame.
-
Focused Narrative: Every shot and scene should have a purpose.
-
Creative Experimentation: Ideal for trying new techniques
Equipment Handling and Technical AspectsNew
Gimbal
A gimbal is a stabilization tool that allows smooth, fluid camera movements even while walking or running. Students will learn how to balance a camera on a gimbal, operate it efficiently, and use it to achieve dynamic shots such as tracking, orbiting, and follow movements. The focus is on mastering motion to create professional-quality, cinematic visuals.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Balancing techniques for various camera types
-
Pan, tilt, and tracking shot execution
-
Creative movement for storytelling impact
Slider
The slider introduces controlled, linear camera motion that adds depth and dimension to static shots. Students will learn how to use sliders for smooth dolly-ins, pull-backs, and lateral movements that enhance the storytelling tone and pacing.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Setting up and securing a slider
-
Smooth motion techniques for interviews and product shots
-
Integrating slider shots into a visual narrative
Microphone (Mic)
Audio quality can make or break a film. This section covers different types of microphones—shotgun, lavalier, condenser, and boom—and their specific uses in various shooting environments. Students learn how to capture clean, crisp audio that complements the visuals.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Microphone types and polar patterns
-
Placement techniques for dialogue and ambient sound
-
Managing background noise and audio interference
Camera Rig
Camera rigs enhance stability and allow more creative control over movement and framing. This includes handheld rigs, shoulder mounts, cages, and follow-focus systems. Students will understand how to assemble and customize rigs to suit different production needs.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Rig setup and balance
-
Mounting accessories (monitors, lights, audio gear)
-
Ergonomics and handling for long shoots
Sound Design
Sound design brings a film to life by shaping the auditory experience. Students explore how sound effects, Foley, ambience, and music contribute to mood and storytelling. The module emphasizes creativity and precision in building immersive soundscapes.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Creating and layering sound effects
-
Mixing and mastering audio tracks
-
Using silence and sound contrast for dramatic effect
Sound Recording
In this section, students learn practical sound recording techniques during live shoots. They’ll work with boom operators, field recorders, and mixing devices to ensure clarity and consistency in dialogue and ambient sounds.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Field recording best practices
-
Syncing sound with video
-
Managing multiple audio sources on set
Script Writing
Every great production begins with a strong script. This part of the course focuses on crafting engaging narratives, writing effective dialogue, and structuring a story for film and video. Students will learn how to translate ideas into written form with visual storytelling in mind.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Story structure: concept, conflict, resolution
-
Character development and dialogue writing
-
Formatting scripts for production use
Storyboarding
Storyboarding bridges the gap between script and screen. Students will learn to visualize each scene through sketches or digital frames, mapping out camera angles, movements, and shot compositions before production begins.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Visual storytelling through frames
-
Planning camera angles and transitions
-
Communicating creative vision to the crew
Working with the Director of Photography (DOP)
The Director of Photography (DOP) plays a crucial role in determining the visual tone of a film. This section teaches students how to effectively collaborate with the DOP, understand cinematographic principles, and maintain visual consistency throughout a project.
Key Learning Areas:
-
Understanding lighting setups and camera choices
-
Communication and teamwork on set
-
Translating storyboards into cinematic shots
VIRAJ S.
Lead Faculty ( Fashion, Advertising, Portraiture Photography )
Experience: 20 Years
DEEP SIR
Experience: 20 Years
Graduate in commercial arts (BFA) and Post graduation in Art Direction from Film television institute (FTII) ,pune .
Rakesh S.
Experience: 20 Years
Honorary Guest Visiting Faculty & Production House
KUNAL SIR
Experience: 15 Years
A Film/Video Editor, Script Writer & Film Educator having experience in teaching for 12 years in several media colleges in Mumbai
SHRIKANT BHELKAR
Experience: 15 Years
Acting & Direction Faculty
An Associate Director for Films,Telefilms, Serials on leading channels like Zee TV, Star Plus & Sahara Manoranjan, also having experience of conducting workshops on Direction and Acting.
After completing his B.E, he opted for Post Graduation in Journalism & Mass Communication and Diploma in Film & Video Editing. With total working experience of 14 years in the field of television & films by working with immensely talented people belongs to this fabulous industry,he has expertise in the various streams of Film Making.
His enthusiasm in imparting knowledge about the different streams of filmmaking help students to develop a keen & focused approach for the media industry.
Benefits of FTP Institute
High-Level Professionals
The faculty consists of team members being high-level professionals in their respective photography field.
Live Practical Shoot & Professional Setups With Professional Mentors
- Build Practical skills & real world confidence to create your portfolio.
- Students get an opportunity to attain live practical shoot with professional mentors.
Professional Gears and Studio Lighting
Professional gears and Studio lighting Equipment’s are used as teaching aids.
100% Job Assistance
Programs developed to met current Industry demands, placement support & guidance after course completion
Comfortable Environment
Each student is an integral part of the institute with learning in an affectionate and comfortable environment.
Easy Accessibility
FTP is well connected to the city with being present at Goregaon east, which can be easily reached via train travel and few minutes of walking or through taxi or auto-rickshaw persisting a well-connected network of roads.
Top Fashion photography Institute in Mumbai
– Maharashtra Times
Best Photography Institute In Mumbai –
4.9 Rating on Google
4.5 Rating on Facebook
4.7 Rating on JustDial
Student Testimonial
FTP Institute has been a turning point in my creative journey; the Commercial Ad Film course helped me understand how to bring concepts to life through professional filmmaking techniques, while the hands-on projects pushed me to think differently and improve my skills every day. The highly experienced faculty created a motivating learning environment, and thanks to their guidance, I now feel confident in handling ad shoots, content creation, and creative direction with a professional approach.
My journey at FTP Institute has been an inspiring experience! The Commercial Ad Film course gave me the perfect blend of creativity and technical skills, along with the chance to work on real live projects that helped me understand real-world filmmaking and content creation. The mentors were incredibly supportive, guiding me through every step with patience and expertise, which helped me grow as a visual storyteller and gain the confidence to create impactful ad films and digital content.
I joined FTP Institute’s Diploma in DSLR Commercial & Ad Filmmaking with zero prior experience in video production. The moment we stepped into the studio, the hands-on filming with real DSLR setups and lighting rigs made me feel like a pro already. The mentors broke down everything: storyboarding, camera movements, editing workflows. By the end of the course I produced my own short advertisement that was selected for a local brand’s social campaign — something I never imagined before. Thanks to FTP, I feel confident stepping into the ad-film world.
What impressed me was the way FTP demonstrates commercial filmmaking as a full package: not just shooting, but motion, sound, colour-grading, and working with clients. The sessions on DSLR settings for fast-moving ad sequences and real-world case-studies (brands, briefings) gave me practical insight. After finishing the diploma, I landed an assistant role on a regional commercial shoot within weeks — and it was FTP’s portfolio-section assignment that helped me showcase my skills. Highly recommend this course for anyone serious about breaking into ad films.
The environment at FTP Institute feels like a mini production house: you learn DSLR cinematography, lighting for commercials, working with actors/models, editing for ads — everything under one roof. The instructors were always available for feedback, the peer shoots pushed my creativity, and the final project pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I came in wanting basic skills — I left feeling like I had a full ad-film reel. If you want a career in commercial filmmaking, this diploma is a strong stepping stone.
Placement Opportunities