Filmmaking (BFA)
Kristen Fuhs, Ph.D.
Chair
Accreditation
National Association of School of Art and Design (NASAD)
Introduction
Woodbury's BFA in Filmmaking is a professional degree that provides intensive experience in practical filmmaking. Students learn narrative filmmaking through a comprehensive curriculum that includes film production, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing, marketing, and distribution. Every student is given the opportunity to write, produce, direct, and edit their own narrative thesis film.
The BFA in Filmmaking focuses on practice-based education in a variety of filmmaking disciplines. The program shares a common foundation with the BFA in Filmmaking during the first two years of study. All students receive a broad introduction to the concepts, tools, and techniques of filmmaking via instruction in the building blocks of film production, the industrial processes of the entertainment industry, and the history of moving images. BFA students will ten hone their filmmaking skills with advanced classes in screenwriting and film production, culminating in the creation of a capstone film project. In addition, as part of our program's focus on the business of the entertainment industry, all students gain hands-on professional experience by completing an internship as part of their academic journey.
Mission
The Filmmaking program at Woodbury University empowers students to hone their critical, creative, and professional talents by fostering learning in the history, industry, and practice of film production. Our aim is to cultivate a collaborative environment where students can develop their stories, express their ideas, and master new technologies that will help them succeed in a wide range of fields in the entertainment media industries.
Internship/Career Experience
Prior to graduation, students must complete 120 hours of internship or work experience at a production or post-production facility, agency or management company, or other job related to the entertainment media industry. The career experience is usually accomplished in the junior or senior year. Woodbury’s Career Development Office offers a variety of programs, services, and resources to assist students in exploring careers and securing internships. The staff works with students one-on-one to develop successful search strategies to help students connect with employers through internship postings, resume collections, on-and off- campus interview opportunities, alumni connections, and employer outreach in the United States.
Technology and Computer Requirements
The Filmmaking program requires its graduates to be literate in the current media of representation and communication, as demonstrated by the following:
- Proficiency in computer system operations, including communications, upgrades, and management.
- Proficiency in internet research through completion of LSCI 105: Information Theory and Practice, or appropriate equivalent. Bibliographic documentation of database use and citation of web-based sources is required of all Filmmaking students.
- Proficiency in word processing, document formatting, and file management for both print and digital distribution.
- Proficiency in computer-based programs for editing, screenwriting, sound design, budgeting, and pre-production planning.
Media literacy is embedded in the curriculum at all levels, and Filmmaking students are expected to demonstrate these proficiencies through successful completion of their coursework.
Program Learning Outcomes
Film & Media Production
- Recognize and execute key elements of the pre-production, production, and postproduction processes.
- Develop an understanding of the communication, aesthetic, and design principles fundamental to the filmmaking process.
- Attain competency in the equipment and technologies necessary to move from concept to finished film/video project.
Film & Media Industries
- Recognize the institutional, economic, technological, and regulatory factors that shape the circulation of cultural objects within the entertainment industry.
- Develop practical skills in marketing and producing procedures for film production, distribution, and exhibition.
Film History & Theory
- Recognize the significance of film and media forms, theories, makers, technologies, and movements that predate the contemporary moment.
- Recognize and gain fluency in the key concepts and theories of film and media studies.
Professionalization
- Attain practical experience in the film and media industries via an internship or other work experience.
Assessment Process
Student performance and outcome attainment is evaluated systematically throughout the program via ongoing assessment strategies at the formative and capstone levels. Each year, the program specifies key areas for measured assessment of student learning outcomes that involve programmatic outcomes, as well as core competencies and institutional outcomes. The process provides a vehicle to assure program quality and promotes continuous improvement in student work, teaching effectiveness, and curriculum design.
Capstone
Student work in the BFA is evaluated through the successful completion of a capstone narrative film project. The BFA Thesis is a four-semester class sequence comprised of Advanced Screenwriting, Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production. The objective is to create a short film for an audience of industry professionals that is a representation of student knowledge, skills, and creativity. Completed films should be no longer than 10 minutes, including credits. Because a public viewing is part of the project parameters, students must make both their film and poster art available for screening purposes.
Program Specific Academic Standards
A minimum grade of “C” is required of all Filmmaking studio courses. Students receiving a grade below a “C” must successfully repeat the studio prior to enrollment in the succeeding studio. It is strongly recommended that students take no more than 12 studio units in a single semester.
Curriculum Summary
Program Major Curriculum
Filmmaking Track
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
78 |
| General Education (GE) |
37 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
121 |
Creative Producing Track
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
75 |
| General Education (GE) |
37 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Internship (IN) |
3 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
121 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
First Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 104 | Introduction to Film Art & Style | 3 |
| FILM 110 | Film Production 1 | 3 |
| FILM 220 | Editing | 3 |
INDS ___
| Interdisciplinary Core Elective | 3 |
| WRIT 113 | First-Year Academic Writing | 3 |
| LSCI 105 | Information Theory and Practice | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
Second Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Filmmaking Track
Third Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 300 | Advanced Screenwriting | 3 |
| FILM 351 | Career Development | 3 |
| FILM 402 | Producing | 3 |
| WRIT 313 | Advanced Academic Writing | 3 |
____ ___
| Natural Science with Lab | 3 |
____ ___
| Work Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| FILM 203 | Acting | 3 |
| FILM 304 | Pre-Production | 3 |
| FILM 310 | Documentary | 3 |
____ 3__
| UD Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 482 | Thesis 1 | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
| FILM 401 | Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| General Education Elective | 3 |
____ 3__
| Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 482, FILM 420, and Film/Media Elective: MA.
General Education Elective and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Spring Semester
| FILM 483 | Thesis 2 | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ 3__
| Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 483 and Film/Media Elective: MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Third Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| FILM 304 | Pre-Production | 3 |
| FILM 310 | Documentary | 3 |
| FILM 401 | Entertainment Marketing | 3 |
____ ___
| Art History Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| FILM 400 | Pitching | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| General Education Elective | 3 |
____ 3__
| Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 400, FILM 420, and Film/Media Elective: MA.
General Education Elective and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Spring Semester
| FILM 425 | Short Form Production & Producing | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| Film/Media Elective | 3 |
____ 3__
| Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
____ ___
| Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
FILM 425 and Film/Media Elective: MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Program Minor Curriculum
Pick four of the following courses: