Film School

Studying Film at Watkins Film School is unique. Here you experience true hands-on filmmaking. You learn your craft from faculty who are working artists in the field. You gain intimate knowledge of every aspect of film and you start studying it from the first day you arrive as a student. By your third semester you have a camera in hand and are shooting your first production. By the end of the BFA degree you will have completed as many as four films of increasing complexity, culminating in your senior project.

OUR FILM SCHOOL MISSION

Students specialize in one of the five concentrated areas of filmmaking, while developing competency in the entire filmmaking process, which includes story structure, cinematic language, production and film business. Graduates will possess a general understanding of film and will have created a body of work that demonstrates that they are prepared to enter a career in filmmaking. 

OUR FILM SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Watkins Film School is distinguished by a film curriculum that explores the artistic, technical and the business aspects of independent filmmaking. With a focus on dramatic narrative film, Watkins Film School helps students find their personal voice and style and helps them incorporate these factors into their narrative work.

All film students take film courses their first year of study and begin production within their second year, depending on their program of study. Production courses are small, allowing for faculty mentoring and advising and close collaboration with colleagues.

The Watkins Film School offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA) in Film with concentration in Producing, Directing, Screenwriting, Cinematography and Editing. In addition to the film curriculum, students are required to complete a Visual Arts Core of studies and a General Education Core, designed to create a program for a well-rounded filmmaker and visual artist. 

CERTIFICATE IN FILM

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another area of study, we also offer a Professional Certificate in Film. This 42 credit hour program allows you to study the film foundation and then choose electives to expand your studies in the areas of Producing, Screenwriting, Directing, Cinematography and Editing.