Film School- BFA & Certificate
Studying at The 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 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.
Watkins 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. We also offer a Certificate in Film for those who already hold a Bachelor’s Degree in another area of study and who now would like to pursue film by taking the core of the film program, without the general education or visual arts core required in the BFA.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Although internships are not required, students are encouraged to intern in the film industry before graduation. At the end of their internship, students are evaluated by professional filmmakers using an evaluation form that addresses their knowledge of the film industry, professionalism, etc. These evaluations are reviewed and used to adjust curriculum with regards to changing technology, real industry skills, production information, general job skills, etc.
BFA and Certificate graduates are prepared to enter a visual art career in filmmaking because they can demonstrate an overall understanding of story structure and cinematic language, an understanding of the major artistic trends and developments associated with narrative filmmaking from its beginnings to present day, and a thorough understanding of the filmmaking process from development to distribution/exhibition
Film BFA and Certificate Program Costs per credit hour - $655/tuition $55/program fees
Additional Film Fee $250 per semester
Film and production costs vary by student and type of film and/or production: Approx. $5,000 min (Contact the Film School for more detailed information regarding this program)