General Information
The Division of Film and Media Arts offers students intensive training and close mentorship in the art of film and other audiovisual media, helping students develop their own artistic voice and vision, and building their understanding of the relationships between media and society. Production and screenwriting courses focus on fostering individual creativity and imagination while simultaneously developing artistic craft skills (e.g., in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and sound). History and critical studies courses expose students to the key artists and theorists of film and media across the past century, as well as to the various aesthetic movements that have developed across the globe. Courses on the business of media demonstrate how industrial concerns shape technological, artistic, and ethical choices, and prepare students to successfully enter their chosen field upon graduation. Students are also encouraged to take an internship in the professional sector to gain practical experience in the field and establish professional contacts.
The B.A. in film and media arts requires 33 credit hours; it gives students a broad foundation in all areas of film and media, preparing them for a variety of careers in the media industries, or for postgraduate work in film and media studies and related fields. The B.A. is also designed to allow time for significant study in other disciplines, making room for additional majors and minors in other fields. Courses in film and media history, theory, and criticism provide extensive insight into these media as art forms and as important social and cultural institutions. Courses in production and screenwriting build experience and creative skills in writing, shooting, directing, and editing film and other media. Courses that focus on the business of media train students in the industrial aspects and logics of these industries. Finally, a capstone sequence provides final preparation for entrance into a career in the media industries.
The B.F.A. in film and media arts requires 51 credit hours and emphasizes developing the unique creative voice of each student. The B.F.A. is specifically designed to prepare students for in the production side of the media industries and to develop their creative abilities in the art form. B.F.A. students choose one of two paths of emphasis: production or screenwriting. Courses in production offer creative development and extensive experience in shooting, directing, and editing film and other media; students choosing this emphasis may focus on developing their own creative projects or on specializing in a particular area of cinematic craft. Courses in screenwriting train students in the necessary skills and dispositions for crafting their stories in scripts suitable for production as films, television series, and other media. Additionally, courses in film and media history, the business of media, and media ethics provide extensive insight into audiovisual media as art forms, as important social and cultural institutions, and as industries. Finally, a capstone sequence provides final preparation for entrance into a career in the media industries, culminating in a thesis-level collaborative or individual creative project.
Instructional Facilities
The Division of Film and Media Arts is located on the first and second floors of the Umphrey Lee Center, which houses faculty offices, classrooms, production and post-production facilities, and media support areas. Production facilities include a computer lab with a full suite of editing, audio, and graphics software; two recording studios; a mixing suite; and three color grading suites. All these are available to majors seven days a week through ID card access. Other facilities include equipment checkout, a seminar room, and production classrooms.
Departmental Distinction
Both B.A. and B.F.A. film and media arts majors with sufficiently high standing may graduate from the division with honors (i.e., with departmental distinction). All students who are qualified – 3.500 departmental GPA, 3.300 SMU GPA and 18 credits of film and media arts courses completed – will be informed by the division chair of their eligibility at the end of the fall term of their junior year.
To attain the departmental distinction recognition, an eligible B. A. major must complete a thesis project through FILM 5214, successfully defend the thesis to their thesis advisor, and earn a final grade of B+ or higher in FILM 5214. An eligible B.F.A. major must pass FILM 5305, be approved to continue into FILM 5205 or FILM 5213, and must then complete and successfully defend their thesis project with a final grade of B+ or higher in FILM 5205 or FILM 5213.
For both B.A. and B.F.A majors, candidates must also maintain a 3.500 departmental GPA through graduation to earn departmental distinction. Students should note that admission to FILM 5205, FILM 5213, and FILM 5214 requires approval from the faculty (of a proposal for FILM 5214, or of continuing a thesis project begun in FILM 5305 for FILM 5205 and FILM 5213); eligibility for departmental distinction does not guarantee acceptance into these courses.