Film and Animation BFA

Tuition Fee

Start Date

Medium of studying

Duration

Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Animation | Film Production | Fine Arts

Area of study

Arts

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

Film and Animation Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Overview

The film and animation degree develops your production skills and promotes film and animation as creative media. Utilizing research, critical thinking, creativity, and a range of problem-solving principles, you will address complex motion imaging workflow issues within the constraints of time, space, budget, and technology.

Why Study Film and Animation at RIT

Focused Degree Options: Choose one of two options: animation or production.
Get Ahead in the Summer: Enjoy the School of Film and Animation’s limited selection of courses during the summer term.
Study in LA: Spend a semester in Los Angeles with Study Away: LA, RIT's semester in LA where you can intern at top studios and entertainment companies.

RIT’s Film and Animation BFA

The film and animation degree prepares you to produce, creatively and practically, your own independent work and/or fulfill professional production responsibilities in any medium suitable to your interests and abilities.

Film and Animation BFA Options

Animation option – This animation BFA on 2D, 3D, and stop motion animation spanning from conception to application to final production of short films.
Production option – This focuses on production through visual and sound artistry utilizing hands-on experience with camera, editing, and sound equipment.

Hands-On Experience to Gain Real World Skills

Study Away: LA gives Film bachelor’s degree students the opportunity to spend a semester in Los Angeles learning from industry professionals. The bulk of your time will be spent doing internships, but you'll also complete two courses that will complement your study-away experience.

Interested in a Career in Game Arts?

We’ve got you covered. The film and animation major allows you to explore your creative interests related to video games. You'll have endless opportunities to collaborate with developers and fellow artists on game and digital media projects. Film and animation alumni have gone on to establish successful careers as game artists. Learn how you can use the film and animation major to launch a career in game arts.

Furthering Your Education in Film and Animation

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree

Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

+1 MBA:Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

3D Modeling and Character Designer
Art Director
Camera Operator
CG Painter
CG Lighting PD/TD
Character Animator
Digital Paint Artist
Director
Editor
Effects Animator
Layout Artist
Key Grip
Post-production
Producer
Production Manager
Production Sound Mixer
Screenwriter
Supervising Sound Editor
Visual Effects Supervisor
Writer
Animator
Broadcast Technician
Gaffer
Production Runner
Visual Designer

Industries

Movies, TV, and Music
Tourism
Health Care

Featured Work and Profiles

RIT, NTID team up to create pioneering film
Video Game Development
Virtual Reality Film
Sizzle Reel
Stop Motion Animation That Packs a Visual Punch
Experience Film and Animation in Los Angeles

Curriculum

Film and Animation (animation option), BFA degree, typical course sequence

First Year
- ARTH-1##: Any 100 Level ARTH Course (General Education – Global Perspective)
- FDTN-111: Drawing I
- SOFA-101: Production I
- SOFA-107: Principles of Animation
- SOFA-121: Animation I (General Education – Artistic Perspective)
- SOFA-122: Fundamentals of Computers and Imaging Technology
- SOFA-131: Film History and Theory I
- YOPS-10: RIT 365: RIT Connections
- General Education – First-Year Writing (WI)
Second Year
- SOFA-205: Basic Sound Recording
- SOFA-217: Animation Production Workshop I
- SOFA-228: Animation Scriptwriting and Storyboard (WI-PR)
- SOFA-541: History and Aesthetics of Animation (WI-PR)
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-203: 2D Animation I (2D)
  - SOFA-215: 3D Animation I (3D)
  - SOFA-522: Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-224: 2D Digital Animation (2D)
  - SOFA-226: Advanced 3D Modeling (3D)
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-216: 3D Animation II (3D)
  - SOFA-218: Concept and Character Design (2D)
  - SOFA-533: Advanced Stop Motion Techniques
- Open Elective
- General Education – Ethical Perspective
- Choose one of the following:
  - General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective
  - General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective
  - General Education – Mathematical Perspective A or B
Third Year
- SOFA-303: Animation Production Workshop II
- SOFA-518: Business and Careers in Animation
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-323: 2D Animation II: Performance
  - SOFA-582: Alternative Frame By Frame
- CAD Elective
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-575: 3D Lighting and Rendering
  - CAD Elective
- Professional Electives
- General Education – Social Perspective
- General Education – Immersion 1
- Open Elective
Fourth Year
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-411: Animation Capstone I
  - CAD Elective
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-411: Animation Capstone I
  - SOFA-412: Animation Capstone II
- CAD Elective
- History and Aesthetics Elective
- Open Electives
- General Education – Immersion 2, 3
- CAD Elective
- General Education – Elective

Film and Animation (production option), BFA degree, typical course sequence

First Year
- ARTH-1##: Any 100 Level ARTH Course (General Education – Global Perspective)
- SOFA-101: Production I
- SOFA-105: Documentary Field Practices
- SOFA-112: Fundamentals of Screenwriting
- SOFA-121: Animation I (General Education – Artistic Perspective)
- SOFA-122: Fundamentals of Computers and Imaging Technology
- SOFA-131: Film History and Theory I
- YOPS-10: RIT 365: RIT Connections
- General Education – First-Year Writing (WI)
- General Education – Ethical Perspective
- General Education – Elective
Second Year
- SOFA-205: Basic Sound Recording
- SOFA-206: Directing
- SOFA-208: Dramatic Structure (WI-PR)
- SOFA-214: Fundamentals of Editing
- SOFA-502: Production Processes
- Choose one of the following:
  - SOFA-211: Documentary Workshop
  - SOFA-212: Fiction Workshop
  - SOFA-537: Radical Cinema Workshop
- Choose one of the following:
  - General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective
  - General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective
  - General Education – Mathematical Perspective A or B
- CAD Elective
- General Education – Social Perspective
Third Year
- SOFA-306: Senior Capstone Seminar
- SOFA-514: Business and Careers in Film
- History and Aesthetics Electives
- CAD Electives
- SOFA Craft Choice
- Open Electives
- General Education – Immersion 1 (WI-GE)
Fourth Year
- SOFA-416: Production Capstone I
- SOFA-417: Production Capstone II
- Open Electives
- General Education – Immersion 2, 3
- CAD Elective
- History and Aesthetics Elective

Electives

History and Aesthetics Electives

ARTH-###: Any "ARTH" undergraduate course
GRDE-205: History of Graphic Design
GRDE-322: Women Pioneers in Design
MLFR-151: Film, Comics, and French Culture
PHAR-211: Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I
PHAR-212: Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II
SOFA-511H: Film Sound Theory: Music
SOFA-512: Film Sound Theory: Effects
SOFA-513: Film Sound Theory: Voice
SOFA-541: History and Aesthetics of Animation
SOFA-561: New Documentary Issues
SOFA-562: Film History
SOFA-566: Documentary Film History
VISL/WGST-388: Gender and Contemporary Art

Professional Electives

IGME-119: 2D Animation and Asset Production
IGME-220: Game Design & Development I
IGME-317: 3D Asset Production Pipeline for Videogames
IGME-320: Game Design & Development II
IGME-580: IGM Production Studio
PRFL-268: Composing for Media
PRFL-378: Composing for Video Games and Interactive Media
Any DDDD course, per catalog restrictions
Any ILLS course, per catalog restrictions
Any GAMA course, per catalog restrictions
Any SOFA course, per catalog restrictions

Admissions and Financial Aid

First-Year Admission

4 years of English
3 years of social studies and/or history
3-4 years of mathematics
2-3 years of science
A portfolio of expressive, original work must be submitted.

Transfer Admission

A portfolio of expressive, original work must be submitted.
Chemistry or physics is required and both are recommended.

Portfolio Guidelines

Specific instructions on portfolio submission for applicants to the film and animation major are available on the college website.
The review committee is looking for work that is original in concept and content.
It does not necessarily need to be motion media, but should be visual or aural.

Faculty

Jesse O'Brien: Assistant Professor
Franklin Deese: Associate Professor
Jack Beck: Professor

Facilities

Theater
Animation 3D Lab
Narration Room

Events

Film+FotoFest@RIT'25

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