School of Visual Arts — Film | Oklahoma City University

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.

Group photo of film department students, 2019

Getting ready for the next take on the set of The Rift

Monitoring sound on the set of That Night

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

OCU is the only university in Oklahoma that offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production. Each BFA student follows a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum that culminates in the production of a capstone film that is screened for a faculty committee and the public.

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*

Select one of the following upper-level Film Culture courses:

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.

The Bachelor of Arts in Film helps students recognize, understand and produce effective storytelling for the screen. This degree track can be combined with a variety of majors and minors including Theatre, Creative Writing, Animation and others.

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 2123 - Film Editing Fundamentals
FILM 3213 - Film Theory & Criticism

or

Two additional 3000- or 4000-level film classes

For non-Film majors, the Minor in Digital Film & Media complements each student’s major field of study by providing perspective on — and experience in — modern media production. The minor appeals to students interested in acquiring employable skills in filmmaking and the analysis of audio-visual culture. Current and prospective students should contact a member of the faculty with any questions or to make a personalized plan for degree completion.

2 + 2 Transfers

Download information about our agreement with OCCC here.

Qualified transfer students who have a conferred Associate of Arts degree in Digital Cinema Production (DCP) from Oklahoma City Community College are well on their way to completing the requirements for OCU’s BFA in Film Production.

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.