Program Overview

Program Overview

The Film Production major is designed to serve students whose primary interest is the art of creative storytelling through film and video production. It offers an integrated curriculum in which historical, critical, and theoretical studies parallel the teaching of production and aesthetics.

Program Description

The major includes a broad liberal arts background with introductory courses in the areas of film history, theory, and practice. The course sequence provides students with a foundation in production techniques and professional practice for narrative, documentary, and alternative production. Students then have the flexibility to pursue an area of emphasis at the advanced level. The major prepares students for careers in film, television, and media-related industries or to pursue a graduate degree in a specific area of film and television production.

Entrance to Major

• Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.00
• Minimum third semester classification
• Courses required with a grade of B or better: COMM 150N, COMM 242
• Additional Criteria: A candidate who does not meet the minimum GPA or grade requirements may submit a portfolio during finals week of Spring semester.

Degree Requirements

• For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Production, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
  • General Education: 45 credits
  • Electives: 18 credits
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements: 24 credits
  • Requirements for the Major: 33 credits

Requirements for the Major

• A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major.
• To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course.
• Course List:
  • Prescribed Courses:
    • COMM 150N: The Art of the Cinema (3 credits)
    • COMM 242: Basic Video/Filmmaking (3 credits)
    • COMM 333: Film History for Filmmakers I: The Development of the Cinema to 1960 (3 credits)
    • COMM 340: Intermediate Cinematography and Editing Techniques (3 credits)
    • COMM 342W: Screenwriting I (3 credits)
  • Additional Courses:
    • Select 6 credits of the following:
      • COMM 337: Intermediate Documentary Production
      • COMM 338: Intermediate Narrative Production
      • COMM 339: Intermediate Alternative Production
    • Select 3 credits of the following:
      • COMM 437: Advanced Documentary Production 1
      • COMM 437A: Advanced Documentary Production Abroad 1
      • COMM 438: Advanced Narrative Production 1
      • COMM 439: Alternative Filmmaking Techniques 1
      • COMM 448: Advanced Group Production I 2
    • Select 9 credits of the following:
      • COMM 346: Writing for the Screen I
      • COMM 437: Advanced Documentary Production 1
      • COMM 437A: Advanced Documentary Production Abroad 1
      • COMM 438: Advanced Narrative Production 1
      • COMM 439: Alternative Filmmaking Techniques 1
      • COMM 440: Advanced Cinematography and Lighting Techniques
      • COMM 443: Producing Workshop
      • COMM 444: Advanced Post-Production Techniques
      • COMM 445: Directing Workshop
      • COMM 446: Advanced Screenwriting
      • COMM 449: Advanced Group Production II

General Education

• Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts.
• General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation.
• Requirements:
  • Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement):
    • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
    • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
  • Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement):
    • Arts (GA): 3 credits
    • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
    • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
    • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Integrative Studies:
    • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
  • Exploration:
    • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
    • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

• First Year Engagement: All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
• Cultures Requirement: 6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits
• Writing Across the Curriculum: 3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
• Total Minimum Credits: A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree.
• Quality of Work: Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
• Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition: The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned.

B.A. Degree Requirements

• World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English.
• B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language).
• World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list.

Learning Outcomes

• Professional Values and Competencies: The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications requires that graduates of accredited programs be aware of certain core values and competencies and be able to apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications, and more.

Academic Advising

• The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Suggested Academic Plan

• Admission to the film production major is selective and based on a formally-structured review process.
• The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum.
• First Year:
  • Fall: COMM 150N, COMM 160, ENGL 15, General Education Course (GN), World Language Level 1
  • Spring: General Education Course (Exploration), General Education Course (GN), General Education Course (Inter-Domain), General Education Course (GS), World Language Level 2
• Second Year:
  • Fall: COMM 242, General Education Course (GH), General Education Course (GQ), BA World Cultures, World Language Level 3
  • Spring: CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C, General Education Course (Inter-Domain), IL Cultures, General Education Course (GQ), General Education Course (Exploration)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: COMM 333, COMM 337, 338, or 339, COMM 340 or 342W, General Education Course (GA), US Cultures
  • Spring: COMM 337, 338, or 339, COMM 340 or 342W, BA Knowledge Domain, BA Knowledge Domain, Elective
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: COMM 438, 439, or 448, COMM 346, 440, 443, 444, or 445, ENGL 202A, 202B, 202C, or 202D, Elective, BA Knowledge Domain
  • Spring: COMM 346, 437, 437A, 438, 440, 444, 445, or 446, COMM 346, 437, 437A, 438, 440, 444, 445, or 446, Elective, General Education Course (GHW)

Career Paths

• A film production degree prepares students to enter careers in entertainment, business, communications, mass media, or any number of related fields that value strong, talented communicators and visual storytellers.
• Students with a film-production degree have many options to put their skills to work, including cable and television networks, independent production companies, motion picture companies, and those that support the industry such as talent agencies, equipment houses, and post-production facilities.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

• Most undergraduates initially enter the professional world, but the digital storytelling skillset associated with a film-production degree provides a basis for success for those interested in graduate studies.

Accreditation

• The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications is evaluated regularly by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, and the Bellisario College has consistently met the high standards of the organization that is dedicated to excellence in professional education in journalism and mass communications.