School of Visual Arts — Film
Think like a filmmaker
Artistic sensibility, knowledge and experience are the foundations of thoughtful filmmaking. Our film production curriculum nurtures these characteristics by encouraging students to engage in the cycle of practice, reflection and refinement built into making movies. From your first semester through your final year, you’ll use state-of-the-art equipment and learn about the latest workflow practices within the context of the aesthetics, ethics and traditions of filmmaking.
Your work will set a foundation for your success in further graduate study or in the rapidly expanding local, regional and national entertainment industries. While many of our graduates have gone on to work as production personnel in film and TV, others have started careers as independent filmmakers and visual artists. All have benefited from the collaborative atmosphere at OCU where creative work is nurtured and new voices are discovered.
BFA in Film Production
Curriculum Requirements
Film Culture (15 credit hours)
- FILM 1013 - Introduction to Film Studies
- FILM 1113 - History of Motion Pictures
- PHIL 2513 - Ethics of Communication
- FILM 3213 - Film Theory & Criticism
- FILM 3363 - Cinema & International Explorations
Film Crafts (36 credit hours)
- ART/DESIGN ELECTIVE (choose one)
- ART 1043 - Foundational 2D Design
- ART 1603 - Digital Photography I
- THRE 1603 - Technical Drawing for Theatre
- FILM 2013 - Writing for the Screen
- FILM 3013 - Short Screenplay Short Film
- FILM 2023 - Film Sound Recording
- FILM 3023 - Sound Design & Mixing
- FILM 2123 - Film Editing Foundations
- FILM 3123 - Edit Theory & Practice
- FILM 3223 - Camera & Light 1
- FILM 3323 - Camera & Light 2
- FILM 3513 - On-Camera Acting
- FILM 4003 - Producing
- FILM 4113 - Directing for the Camera
Film Workshops (11 credit hours)
- FILM 1024 - Intro Film Workshop
- FILM 2024 - Intermediate Film Workshop
- FILM 3023 - Advanced Film Workshop
Film Capstone (4 credit hours)
- FILM 4091 - Senior Capstone: Planning
- FILM 4193 - Senior Capstone: Execution
Approved Electives (21 credit hours)
Approved electives may be selected from the following list or students may select electives from allied disciplines — but only with prior advisor approval.
- FILM 3083 - Film Internship
- FILM 3163 - Film Genre
- FILM 3313 - Great Films
- FILM 3613 - Advanced On-Camera Acting
- FILM 4063 - Specital Topics in Film
- FILM 4123 - Advanced Post-Production
- FILM 4013 - Feature Screenwriting
- FILM 4023 - Summer Film Workshop
- Film Culture classes like History of Motion Pictures and Film Theory & Criticism help students acquire the vocabulary and conceptual framework necessary to respond with insight to the experience of watching and making movies.
- Film Crafts courses provide training and instruction in the latest techniques and workflows for filmmaking including producing, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound recording and design, and editing and post-production.
- Film Workshops help students synthesize the lessons from their film culture and film craft courses as they also learn to collaborate productively with their classmates in the production of a variety of short film projects.
BA in Film
Curriculum Requirements
(42 credit hours)
- FILM 1013 - Intro to Film Studies
- FILM 1024 - Intro Film Workshop
- FILM 1113 - History of Motion Pictures
- FILM 2013 - Writing for the Screen
- FILM 2024 - Intermediate Film Workshop
- FILM 2123 - Film Editing Foundations
- FILM 3013 - Short Screenplay Short Film
- FILM 3213 - Film Theory and Criticism
- FILM 3423 - Advanced Film Workshop
- FILM 4003 - Producing
- FILM 4113 - Directing for the Camera
- FILM 4091 - Senior Capstone: Planning*
- FILM 4193 - Senior Capstone: Execution*
- FILM 3163 - Film Genre
- FILM 3313 - Great Films
- FILM 3363 - Cinema & International Explorations
* Students enrolled in both the BA in Film and the BA in Theatre may select to complete a Film capstone or a Theatre capstone project. If they choose to complete the Theatre capstone, they will complete the BA in Film requirements with 38 credit hours in the major.
Minor in Digital Film & Media
The total credit hours for the minor will be 19 or 20 credit hours.
- FILM 1024 - Intro Film Workshop
- FILM 1013 - Introduction to Film Studies or FILM 1113 - History of Motion Pictures
- FILM 2123 - Film Editing Fundamentals
- FILM 3213 - Film Theory & Criticism or FILM 3123 - Edit Theory and Practice
- Two additional 3000- or 4000-level film classes
2 + 2 Transfers
Reach out to talk with us for more details about counting courses from OCCC toward a degree from OCU.
Courses from other colleges and universities may also be transferable to OCU. Check with us for more details.
Scholarships
OCU offers generous scholarship opportunities for academic achievement. In addition, the Film Department offers talent scholarships you can earn by submitting a portfolio via email or by participating in our annual High School Film Festival. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
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Bryan Cardinale-Powell
Associate Professor + Chair
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Billy Palumbo
Visiting Associate Professor
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James Cooper
Adjunct Professor
You Qualify for Financial Aid
If you have a 3.0 GPA or higher, you may qualify for Academic Scholarships from $8,000–$13,000 per year.