Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT)

Program Overview

Xavier University's Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) program equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital media and production industry. Through a combination of coursework, internships, and hands-on experience in the on-campus film and television studio, students gain expertise in visual storytelling, video production, and post-production techniques. The program emphasizes ethical decision-making and social justice, preparing graduates for careers in creative/corporate film, television, broadcasting, and content creation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) major at Xavier University is a Bachelor of Arts program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital media and production industry. The program focuses on visual storytelling, exploring the latest in digital media production and technologies. Students gain practical experience through internships, paid work opportunities, and community service, preparing them for careers in creative/corporate film, television, broadcasting, producing, multimedia, or content creation.

Outline:

Curriculum:

• First Year:
• Fall: General Elective (3cr), DIFT 210: Art of Film (3cr), Core 100: First-Year Seminar (3cr), Philosophy 100: Introduction to Ethics (3cr), Second Language I (3cr)
• Spring: Mathematical Perspectives (3cr), Social Impact Sciences Elective (3cr), Theology 111: Theological Foundations (3cr), English 101: English Composition (3cr), Second Language II (3cr)
• Sophomore Year:
• Fall: DIFT 213: Non-Fiction Film (3cr), Communication Arts 206: Writing for the Media (3cr), General Elective (3cr), Scientific Perspectives Elective (3cr), Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives (0cr)
• Spring: Historical Perspectives Elective (3cr), DIFT 215: Aesthetics and Technology in Post-Production (3cr), English 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination (3cr), General Elective (3cr), Creative Perspectives Elective (3cr)
• Junior Year:
• Fall: DIFT 250: Screenwriting and Story Craft (3cr), DIFT 254: Intro To Video Production (3cr), General Elective (3cr), Natural Science Elective (3cr), Humanities Elective (3cr)
• Spring: DIFT 354: Field Production and Story Telling (3cr), Theological Perspectives (3cr), General Elective (3cr), General Elective (3cr), DIFT Elective (3cr)
• Senior Year:
• Fall: DIFT 459: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production (3cr), DIFT Elective E/RS Elective (3cr), General Elective (3cr), DIFT Elective (3cr), General Elective (3cr)
• Spring: DIFT 460: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production II (3cr), DIFT Elective (3cr), DIFT Elective (3cr), General Elective (3cr), General Elective (3cr)

Sample Courses:

• Screenwriting and Story Craft (DIFT 250): This course focuses on the conceptualization, design, and communication strategies for crafting compelling narratives.
Students explore storytelling components, including drama, character development, and literary techniques, while honing their scriptwriting and scene construction skills.
• Advanced Video Editing (DIFT 454): This course immerses students in the AVID non-linear editing system, equipping them with skills in aesthetics and effective editor-client interaction.
• Aesthetics and Tech Post (DIFT 452): This course covers cinematic grammar and storytelling techniques in video editing.
Students explore strategies to enhance their skills in crafting compelling visual narratives.
• Senior Seminar Advanced Digital Production I & II (DIFT 459 & 460): This capstone experience focuses on producing individual documentary or narrative films with social significance, alongside a collaborative group narrative project.
Students dive into industry-standard practices across pre-production, production, and post-production phases.

Careers:

• Top Jobs: Content creators, producers, multimedia journalists, editors, videographers, filmmakers, freelance production, social media marketing
• Student Job Placements (all Communications majors): Procter & Gamble, ESPN, Fifth Third Bank, NCAA, Macy's, Amazon, Four Entertainment Group, Total Quality Logistics, Mercy Health, ABC
Over 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors.

Other:

• Xavier Film and Television Club (FTC): This student-run club engages in film events, competitions, podcasts, trainings, and supports a weekly news broadcast, including a sports segment, entirely produced by students.
The broadcast takes place in the Film and Television Studio in conjunction with the DIFT program.
• Location: Xavier's location in Cincinnati, Ohio, places students in the middle of a vibrant film industry, supported by a growing network of production companies, studios, and film professionals.
Students gain valuable hands-on experiences through internships, networking opportunities, and more.
• On-Campus Film and Television Studio: Students have access to an on-campus digital film and television studio, where they gain practical skills needed to succeed in the industry.
• Jesuit Education: The program emphasizes social justice and ethical decision-making, encouraging students to use media as a tool for positive change.
• University Scholars Honors Program: This program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors.
Acceptance is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.