Film and Animation BA (film concentrations)

About the Program

The Film Major gives students a full overview of all the aspects of creating a moving image story as a movie, video, internet content, or TV episode. Students begin shooting with HD cameras their first year while taking both film history and film appreciation courses. The course of study continues with screenwriting, advance production, and post-production courses but then allows students to further explore their particular interests with a wide range of major electives. Internships and independent studies are also available.

Potential Career Paths

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with a BA in Film can pursue a variety of career paths including:

Directing
Cinematography
Post-production
Screen Writing
Art Directing
Media Research
Media and Film Criticism

Program Learning Outcomes

Technical Film Production: Graduates will be able to perform the technical skills required in film production and post-production environments.
Film History: Graduates will be able to integrate historical and cultural knowledge with film production.
Film Language: Graduates will be able to utilize the concepts of film language in their professional life.
Screenwriting: Graduates will be able to apply effective screenwriting techniques and formatting skills.
Knowledge of Business of TV/Film Industry: Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of business and industry practices to the development of works in television and film media.
Present Orally: Graduates will be able to present film concepts, principles, and practices in oral form.

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Major Requirements

The film major and all concentrations share 27 credits of FILM requirements, which means that students can commit to one of the concentrations as late as their junior year. In the last of the required courses, FILM 4312, each student will work in the area of their concentration.

Electives in the Film Major (15 to 18 credits)

Note: Three credits in an internship may be used to fulfill elective credits.

Directing Concentration

Students in the film directing concentration focus on all the various aspects that a director must consider and incorporate into their storytelling process. Besides learning how to break down and visually approach a film project, directing students will study how to work with and direct actors, the pre-production process, the importance of telling a story visually, and recognizing how their work may fit into the larger picture of culture and society.

Directing students work their entire senior year on making their senior thesis films, which receive an exciting and widely attended public screening at a local movie theater!

Requirements for the Directing concentration (9 credits)

Electives in the Directing concentration (6 to 9 credits)

Note: Three credits in an internship may be used to fulfill elective credits.

Editing & Post Production Concentration

The Editing and Post Production Concentration is a rigorous course of study for students who have a special interest in the art and science of editing the moving image. Whether working in Avid, Premiere, Final Cut or any other non-linear editing system, the concepts, concerns, and artistic approaches to achieving the final edit remain the same. The Core Major Requirements are the same as the standard Film Major, thus students may elect this concentration as late as their junior year. The Editing Concentration requirements, which are a mix of cross-discipline courses, educate students in the craft and practice of post-production, enabling them to work as editors on senior student film projects to build a reel and help start them on a future career working professionally in the post-production industry.

Requirements for the Editing & Post Production concentration (9 credits)

Electives in the Editing & Post Production concentration (6 to 9 credits)

Note: Three credits in an internship may be used to fulfill elective credits.

Cinematography Concentration

The Cinematography Concentration at FDU is unique and one of the only ones offered in undergraduate programs. Our alumni work in the industry and have made our program highly regarded and recognized in the profession.

The Cinematography Concentration is a rigorous course of study for students who have a special interest in the art and science of photographing the moving image. Whether the capture medium is film, video or a new digital process, the concepts, concerns, and artistic approaches to achieving the right visual imagery are the same. The Core Major Requirements are the same as the standard Film Major, thus students may elect this concentration as late as their junior year. The Cinematography Concentration requirements, which are a mix of cross-discipline courses, educate students in the craft and practice of cinematography, enabling them to work as the Director of Photography on senior thesis film projects to build a camera reel and help start them on a future career working professionally in the camera and lighting industry.

Requirements for the Cinematography concentration (9 credits)

FILM 3211 Cinematography: Lighting
FILM 3214 Cinematography: Camerawork
FILM 3430 Reality TV Production (as camera) or
FILM 2255 TV News & Magazine production(as camera) or
FILM4465 Corporate Video Production I (as camera/lighting)
ART1191 Photography I

Electives in the Cinematography concentration (6 credits)

Note: Three credits in an internship may be used to fulfill elective credits.

Producing Concentration

The Producing concentration allows students to pursue the organizational and business skills required of the producer in the film industry. Available courses within the discipline now include the study of Producing for Film, Television, and Streaming Content, as well as Distribution in all media formats. The Producing concentration allows students to incorporate course work from Business and Communications, creating an interdisciplinary approach to those seeking to pursue this area of study.