Program Overview
Film Production
Make Movies!
In Shenandoah’s film production program, you’ll gain hands-on experience by making your own films and starring in Shenandoah-produced movies. Students serve as the crew members and cast members— sometimes alongside big-name Hollywood actors — in all of our movies: Santa Girl, GetAWAY, and A Cupid for Christmas.
Shenandoah is one of the very few universities in the nation to co-produce a commercial feature film with a professional production company.
My favorite part of my program is having hands-on experience working with bigger films and creating my own as well. I appreciate the people and the wide range of opportunities to connect and the events in the working world. I feel more confident about entering the real world once I leave SU.”
Kendrick Robinson ’25 | Film Production and Media & Communication
Through our program, you can step onto any film or television set, ready to work. Upon graduation, you can use your skills not only in the film industry, but anywhere visual storytelling is prized.
Our Virginia-based program is truly unique, offering opportunities to learn from industry professionals as feature films are made on campus and the surrounding community, access to student performers in one of the nation’s top conservatories, the filmmaking equipment and resources you need, support for personal film projects, and a location within easy driving distance of several international airports.
Classes
Explore the history of film and filmmaking from a wide variety of perspectives.
All majors complete a core curriculum and a set of elective courses from film criticism, production and related arts and humanities. All students are required to complete a practicum in film production or programming.
Required Courses
- Understanding Visual Communication
- Understanding Movies
- Introduction to Filmmaking
- Media Writing
- Film History, Theory & Criticism
- Film Studies Practicum
Elective Courses
- Images of Women in American Film
- Introduction to Photography
- Crime Films
- Documentary Film
- Literature and Film
- Religion and Film
- Video Journalism
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Special Topics
- Spanish Cinema
- Advanced Filmmaking
- Post-Production Editing
- Latin American Cinema
- Politics in Film
- Gender, Sport, Media and Film
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Career Possibilities
Through our program, you can step onto any film or television set, ready to work. Upon graduation, you can use your skills not only in the film industry, but anywhere visual storytelling is prized.
No other universities are making professional-grade feature films for the actual film market with students. The true-to-life experience being offered is priceless both to the film students and to acting students who may have spent years on stage but are rarely in front of a camera. Not to mention, students also emerge from university with a legitimate film credit to their resume, which is such a help when getting a start in entertainment.”
Blayne Weaver
Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Meet the Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Related Programs
Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates.
All majors within the College of Arts & Sciences require students to complete a minor in the program of their choice at Shenandoah.
These majors complement this program well:
- Acting
- Media & Communication
- English
- Music Production & Recording Technology
These minors complement this program well:
- Professional & Popular Writing
- Theatre
This certificate complements this program well:
- History & Documentary Film
Minor in this Program
Minor Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| MCOM 215 | Understanding Movies | 3 |
Select five of the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| WST/FILM 200 | Images of Women in American Film | 3 |
| MCOM 211 | Media Ethics | 3 |
| CJ/FILM 230 | Crime Films | 3 |
| ENG 307 | Literature and Film | 3 |
| REL/FILM 349 | Religion and Film | 3 |
| SPA 400 | Spanish Cinema | 3 |
| SPA 405 | Latin American Cinema | 3 |
| PSCI 407 | Politics and Film | 3 |
| MCOM/FILM 461 | Gender, Sport, Media and Film | 3 |
| FILM 395 | Special Topics in Film | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Practicum in Film Studies | 3 |
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Film Studies Abroad Course Catalog
Application Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Program Locations
- Winchester Main Campus