Intro to Industry
Instructors
Taylor Hensel
Instructor
Taylor Hensel is an award-winning producer, writer, director and Cherokee Nation citizen based in Oklahoma. Her work has been showcased at major film festivals worldwide including Sundance, and has streamed internationally.
Brit Hensel
Instructor
Brit Hensel is an Oklahoma-based director and award-winning filmmaker whose work explores themes of environment, Indigenous women’s experiences, language and her people’s connection to the lands of Oklahoma and North Carolina. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, she is the first female enrolled member of the tribe to direct a film selected by the Sundance Film Festival.
Overview
Students will gain a holistic overview of all career opportunities in the film & media industry, as well as the state of the industry. CFI stands apart from other programs because of its focus on Native American representation. This required Intro to Industry course offers content not found in other film training programs, such as what to expect when filming with tribes and protocol for filming on tribal lands.
Our Impact
By the end of the first class, we were getting to shoot on real cameras… We all got assigned different roles … I got a real good working knowledge of the industry.
Andrew Wilson
Student
Our last day of Intro to Industry, we got to shoot a film scene. I ran audio… it was really fun to see how that all came together.
Brian Legg
Student
Intro to Industry was great at getting all of us really excited… and helped us hone in on where we were most interested from a career standpoint.
Sammye Walton
Student
Course Insights
What Will I Learn?
Film & Media Foundations
Unlock the full spectrum of career paths and production roles in film and television, while centering Native American voices and perspectives.
Why This Course Stands Out
- Industry 360° Overview: Explore every phase of narrative digital cinema — from script development and pre-production through distribution and beyond. Dive into what each department is responsible for and why an in-sync operation creates a safe and efficient film set environment.
- Native Representation & Protocol: Learn what to expect when filming with tribes, observe proper protocols on tribal lands, and understand the critical role of consultation in Native American storytelling. Learn the how, when and why of bringing on advisors and consultants for Native American film and media.
- Hands-On Experience: On the final day, you’ll collaborate with other students to prep, plan, shoot, and wrap a scene — applying your newfound production techniques, understanding of on-set lingo and equipment know-how to bring a story to life.
What Will I Gain?
- A holistic understanding of today’s entertainment landscape and the variety of job opportunities it offers
- Practical skills in industry-standard technologies, aesthetic conventions, and narrative strategies
- Deep insight into the importance of cultural consultation, ensuring respectful and authentic collaboration with Native communities
- Real-world experience with professional expectations, crew roles, and on-set workflows
Course Goal
By the end of Intro to Industry, you will be equipped with both the big-picture knowledge and hands-on skills needed to navigate — and contribute meaningfully to —your first entry-level film job.
