Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

This professional diploma takes you into the world of audiovisual production in maritime settings. You will master the techniques and tools needed to capture powerful images in demanding conditions, from planning and logistics to operating cameras and lighting on moving platforms, and develop the skills to create compelling visual stories that use the scale and power of the ocean as their stage.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography?

This professional diploma covers every stage of making film at sea, from the first idea to the delivered short. You will study the fundamentals of marine cinematography, its genres, references and visual language; digital cinema cameras, lenses, splash housings, gimbals and maintenance in salty air; shooting on board, with motion compensation, tight spaces and coordination with the master and crew; shooting from other platforms such as camera boats, drones, helicopters, cranes and the shore; natural and artificial light at sea, night shoots and boat interiors; sound at sea, from dialogue in wind and engine noise to hydrophones and final mix; production and safety, including permits, weather planning, insurance, budgets and call sheets; and post-production, grading, digital water effects and distribution.

What sets this professional diploma apart: it treats the ocean as a full production environment rather than a backdrop, with dedicated content on motion, salt, wind and confined spaces; a complete sound module, often missing from camera-focused programs; a strong production and safety thread covering maritime permits, weather contingencies and occupational safety on set; multi-platform shooting, from camera boats to aerial units; an in-depth structure of eight modules; and a final project in which you plan and deliver a short film shot at sea.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Marine cinematography: the sea as a set, technical challenges, maritime genres and visual storytelling.
  • Camera and protection: cinema cameras, lenses, splash housings, gimbals, data management and salt-air care.
  • Shooting on board: motion compensation, tight spaces, coordination with the master and crew, deck safety.
  • Multi-platform shooting: camera boats, drones, helicopters, cranes, shore positions and port permits.
  • Light and sound at sea: reflections, night shoots, interiors, dialogue in wind, hydrophones and mixing.
  • Production and final project: permits, weather planning, insurance, grading, VFX water and a short film at sea.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of marine cinematography

  • 1.1. The sea as a film set
  • 1.2. Technical challenges of shooting at sea
  • 1.3. Cinematic references
  • 1.4. Visual language
  • 1.5. Safety in production
  • 1.6. Maritime film genres
  • 1.7. Visual storytelling of the sea
  • 1.8. Production planning
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Camera equipment and protection

  • 2.1. Digital cinema cameras
  • 2.2. Lenses
  • 2.3. Housings and splash protection
  • 2.4. Stabilizers and gimbals
  • 2.5. Maintenance in a salty environment
  • 2.6. Choosing format and resolution
  • 2.7. Data management on set
  • 2.8. Accessories for shooting on the move
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Shooting on board

  • 3.1. Planning shots on vessels
  • 3.2. Motion compensation
  • 3.3. Confined spaces
  • 3.4. Coordination with the crew
  • 3.5. Shooting under way
  • 3.6. Coordination with the master and crew
  • 3.7. Safety of cast and crew on deck
  • 3.8. Shots from the rigging and the bridge
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Shooting from other platforms

  • 4.1. Camera boats
  • 4.2. Drones
  • 4.3. Helicopters
  • 4.4. Cranes and telescopic arms
  • 4.5. Shooting from the shore
  • 4.6. Coordination between camera vessels
  • 4.7. Aerial filming by helicopter or drone
  • 4.8. Permits for filming in ports and on the coast
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Lighting and natural light

  • 5.1. Light at sea at different times of day
  • 5.2. Reflections and contrast control
  • 5.3. Artificial lighting on board
  • 5.4. Night shooting
  • 5.5. Filters
  • 5.6. Outdoor light metering
  • 5.7. Backlight and sunsets at sea
  • 5.8. Lighting boat interiors
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Sound at sea

  • 6.1. Recording dialogue in wind and engine noise
  • 6.2. Protected microphones
  • 6.3. Ambient sound
  • 6.4. Hydrophones
  • 6.5. Sound post-production
  • 6.6. Protecting sound equipment from water and salt
  • 6.7. Recording nautical sound effects
  • 6.8. Final mix and mastering
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Production and safety

  • 7.1. Permits and maritime authorities
  • 7.2. Weather and planning
  • 7.3. Safety of crew and cast
  • 7.4. Insurance
  • 7.5. Budget
  • 7.6. Shooting schedule and call sheet
  • 7.7. Managing weather contingencies
  • 7.8. Occupational safety on maritime shoots
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Post-production and final project

  • 8.1. Editing
  • 8.2. Color grading of marine scenes
  • 8.3. Visual effects and digital water
  • 8.4. Delivery of masters
  • 8.5. Distribution to festivals and platforms
  • 8.6. Rights and licensing of the work
  • 8.7. Technical review of the short film
  • 8.8. Final project: short film shot at sea
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

01Master innovative maritime filming techniques, using drones and underwater equipment and optimizing stabilization and remote control in a range of weather and sea conditions.
02Adapt film equipment to extreme conditions by applying protection protocols against heat, cold, humidity, dust and vibration that keep cameras, lenses and power systems working reliably.
03Manage film logistics at sea efficiently, planning routes and locations around environmental factors, safety and port regulations and communicating effectively with the competent authorities.
04Create powerful visual stories in the marine environment, mastering composition, lighting and editing to convey concise, emotional narratives about marine life, conservation and exploration.
05Lead film crews effectively at sea, managing the team's safety, logistics and communication while optimizing resources and minimizing risks.
06Safeguard the safety and wellbeing of the crew during maritime filming through specific protocols that include risk assessment, emergency plans and ongoing safety training.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

01Marine cinematographerresponsible for lighting and visual style in productions filmed at sea.
02Audiovisual filmmaker specializing in maritime settingscontent for shipping companies, marine conservation organizations and tourism.
03Video editor specializing in offshore footagepost-production of marine films and documentaries.
04Screenwriter specializing in maritime storiesscripts for films, series and documentaries set at sea.
05Film producer with maritime logistics expertisemanaging offshore shoots, including permits, transport and safety.
06Production consultant for shoots at seatechnical and logistical advice for productions in marine environments.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Offshore Cinematography

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded. The content is focused on filming at sea, and your final short film is planned and shot in a maritime setting you organize.

Yes. A full module covers recording dialogue in wind and engine noise, protected microphones, ambient sound, hydrophones, nautical sound effects and the final mix.

Vessels under way, camera boats, drones, helicopters, cranes and telescopic arms, and shore positions, together with the coordination and permits each one requires.

Yes. Safety runs through the diploma, with content on cast and crew safety on deck, weather contingencies, occupational safety on maritime shoots, insurance and dealings with maritime authorities.

It is not required for admission. Basic STCW safety training is useful for working at sea and is obtained through approved training centers, separately from this diploma.

Underwater work appears through housings, hydrophones and the use of underwater equipment, but the core of the diploma is filming on and around the surface of the sea.

You plan, shoot, edit and grade a short film at sea, then carry out a technical review of the finished piece and prepare it for delivery.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of 100 hours each, with practical exercises you can adapt to your own pace and access to the teaching staff.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at film-makers, producers and assistant producers, cinematographers and camera operators, screenwriters, post-production and VFX specialists, and film and audiovisual communication students; a qualification in audiovisual communication, fine arts or a related field, or demonstrable experience in audiovisual production or cinematography, is recommended, together with familiarity with camera, lighting and sound equipment and editing software, and good physical condition for demanding maritime settings.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and video editing software.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $464 deposit

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