Bachelor of Fine Arts - Motion Pictures and Television

The BFA degree offers a solid grounding in the creative process and business skills of entertainment, as well as an in-depth specialization in one of the key areas of filmmaking (directing, producing, cinematography, editing, production design, and screenwriting).

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

General Filmmaking Skills

• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrate basic understanding of the process of creating a film from beginning to end

Professional Readiness

• Apply knowledge of roles in the film industry to select an area of specialization (Midpoint Review only)
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel and website (Final Review only)
• Demonstrate professional – level achievement through the execution of a variety of projects in area of specialization (Final Review only)

Editing

• Demonstrate proficiency in editing and color correction programs by effectively using them in projects.
• Complete an editorial project through locked cut to include basic sound effects, scratch music underscore, and color correction

Screenwriting

• Create shorts that demonstrate a basic understanding of story structure
• Write shorts where three-dimensional characters are built
• Write shorts that contain realistic dialogue

Cinematography

• Work effectively with various cameras, lenses and accessories
• Design and execute creative lighting schemes
• Effectively manage a scene for coverage
• Apply principles of composition and camera movements to enhance the story

Directing

• Guide a crew in preproduction, production, and postproduction to execute effective choices that serve the story
• Create shorts that demonstrate a basic understanding of story structure and character development
• Elicit engaging and believable performances from actors

Producing

• Demonstrate basic proficiency in budgeting and scheduling
• Demonstrate familiarity with negotiating film contracts (for actors, crew, locations, equipment, lodging, transportation, and catering)
• Demonstrate understanding of the legal aspects of film production, including copyrights, trademarks, music licensing, and working with minors

Production Design

• Support the look of films based on the director’s vision, including: choosing locations, creating settings, selecting props, and dressing sets
• Communicate design concepts through basic drawing skills and visual presentations

*Note App Fee Waiver in effect for ApplyBoard to reduce the application fee to $50*