How to Register
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Jump down to: Tuition/Course Fees | Refund Policy | Equipment Access
Registration Details
Prospective students should have a high school diploma or GED; high school seniors may petition for admittance. Youth (ages 5-17) who are interested in media arts classes may enroll through the Filmmakers at the Center program at our sister organization, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
All classes are open to the public on a non-college credit basis. Independent students may also register for transferable college credit directly through Pittsburgh Filmmakers by checking the "Credit Transcript" box on the registration form and paying the appropriate tuition (see Tuition/Course Fees). Students wishing to register for credit through a local college or university should refer to the College/University Students section of the For Prospective Students page.
Registration for classes and workshops may be completed by filling out the registration form and paying tuition and fees:
- in person at Pittsburgh Filmmakers administrative offices
- by calling 412-681-5449 (have credit card information ready)
- by mailing to the Registrar
- by faxingwith credit card information to: (412) 681-5503
- online.
Roster space is reserved only for students who have paid their tuition and course fees in full before the first class meeting. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration. We recommend that you register early, since many course sections fill rapidly. Students who register for advanced classes must have received a grade of "C" or better in prerequisite courses.
Tuition/Course Fees
Non-college credit tuition for each full-semester course is $365, discounted to $325 for registrants who pay all fees in full by the published semester discount date (see Class Schedules). ("Credit Transcript" tuition is for a full-semester course [42 classroom hours, equivalent to three credits], with no early registration discount – please contact the Registrar for the current rate.) In addition to tuition, a course fee ($35 or $70, see each course description) is charged to cover the use of equipment and facilities, film rentals, chemicals and supplies used in the classroom.
PF/PCA members receive additional discounts: $25 off the first full-semester course, plus $35 off each additional full-semester course. Full-Access members get a waiver of one course fee per semester. (Member discounts are subject to certain restrictions, see Artist Services.)
Refund Policy
Once payment has been made and a space reserved in a class, 20% of the total fee (tuition plus course fee) is completely non-refundable. 80% of the total fee is refundable until the class has held its first scheduled meeting. After the first class meeting but before the second class meeting, 60% of the total fee is refundable. No refunds will be made after the second scheduled meeting of any class. Tuition and course fees, in whole or in part, are not transferable to future semesters under any circumstances.
Equipment Access
Enrollment in a class grants students access to the cameras, lights, sound and support equipment necessary for that class. Students also gain nearly 24/7 access to the facilities including Final Cut Pro editing suites, film editing suites, photography darkrooms and computer labs. For a complete list of our equipment inventory, see the Equipment Office page.
Students are expected to pay for materials such as videotape, film and processing, paper, data storage, and other production expenses. Students receive significant discounts at film laboratories and supply stores, as well as discounts on seminars, workshops and screenings at the Melwood Screening Room, Filmmakers at the Harris Theater and the Regent Square Theater. Students must present positive ID at the box office. In some cases, students are eligible for student production grants and motion film stock awards offered by Pittsburgh Filmmakers.
Faculty assignments are also subject to change.
Pittsburgh Filmmakers does not discriminate in its programs, activities or policies against students or prospective students because of race, national origin, religion, age, gender or physical handicap.