The film studies major is a unique form of art, a social club, a sociological barometer, an historical artifact, an emotional agent of change, and an intellectual adventure. The film majors at the university are known for their creative and expressive use of the visual arts, often weaving storytelling into their work. The film major thrives in a multidimensional environment when students come from many different disciplines and diverse perspectives. There is a wealth of training and resources to help the student develop the skills required to create a successful career in this exciting but difficult field. The Film Studies program is the second largest of the departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.
There are a number of aspects to the major and a student may find themselves with more than one major. For instance, there is the history and culture section which gives students an overview of the history of the motion picture as well as the social, political, economic, and artistic implications of the process of film creation. In addition, there is the acting department, which offers courses for students interested in learning about the history of the cinema and the role actors have played in its development. Students will also learn about the various genres of movies, how to choose the proper acting school for the major, and prepare for the final exam and final project.
The coursework for this program is challenging and requires students to be creative and imaginative. The coursework typically covers the history of the motion picture, how films are made, the influences of directors on their films, how to develop characters for the screen, how to write a screenplay, the history of the American film industry, and other important aspects of the history of cinema. The majority of the coursework is based around one of two primary areas of the film: visual art or narrative filmmaking. The visual art major focuses on understanding the visual language used in the film. The major concentrates on both the narrative and non-narrative aspects of the film as a whole. Students will learn how to interpret images, how to use camera angles, compositions, lighting, props, and sound in the creation of their own work of art. This program is important to the film major because it prepares students for the role they will ultimately fill in this world of the cinema.
The narrative filmmaking major focuses on the narrative, or the story that follows the point of view of a character as he or she performs a task. This curriculum will teach students how to craft an intricate story line and how to structure a scene so the audience can fully understand what is happening and why the action is taking place. Students learn how to create their own endings and the various types of shots used in films. Students learn how to tell a story by using the structure of a film script and how to use transitions and montage. This program prepares students for their own careers as filmmakers.
Students gain practical experience in the classroom through the internship, which is a critical component of their curriculum. The internships are designed to help students develop their work as well as develop their abilities as professional filmmakers. These interns are given access to a range of facilities including classrooms, laboratories, and offices that are owned or rented by the college. They also learn how to make use of equipment such as editing suites, digital SLR’s, lights, microphones, cameras, and computer databases to work on their projects.
The most important aspect of the internship is getting hands-on experience. Students learn how to manipulate their equipment in the field and learn about the film making process as well as the different formats of the movie making process. The internship helps students develop the ability to work independently. Students can also network with professors, film makers, and other students to create a successful career in the field of the film industry. The internship is an important part of any film school curriculum.
