Bachelor’s Degree in Filmmaking
Southern Utah University's Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Filmmaking is an interdisciplinary program, integrating areas of art and design, communication, media, English, history/sociology/anthropology, music, and theatre, as well as content unique to the discipline of film. This program allows students to acquire a strong technical skillset with the writing and visual story-telling of meaningful ideas developed during the pre-production, production, and post-production of the film/video-making process.
College: Performing and Visual Arts
Department: Filmmaking, Art, and Design
Filmmaking Application/Audition Process
The B.F.A. admission process seeks evidence that each applicant possesses the talent, artistic and collaborative sensibility, and most importantly, a strong sense of commitment to be successful in the B.F.A. Filmmaking program. Candidates will have a portfolio review upon admission to the university, or after completing their first year of classes in the Filmmaking program. These classes help prepare the students in completing portfolio requirements. Students in their junior or senior year must have approval from the program director prior to applying.
Complete Your Filmmaking Application
This is in addition to being admitted to the university.
- Understand, through production-oriented studies, communication, aesthetic, and design principles in the elements of film, including the use of time as an expressive design consideration.
- Gain knowledge and skills in the use of basic concepts, tools, techniques, and procedures sufficient to produce work from concept to finished product (this involves competence in film production processes, including fundamental knowledge of equipment and technologies.)
- Gain functional knowledge of the history of film, its artistic and technological evolution, and an understanding of basic aesthetic and critical theory.
- Learn to coordinate project elements and communicate with involved personnel at all stages of the production process.
- Gain functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications.
- Present work that demonstrates perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and technical facility at a professional entry level of their chosen field.
- Become familiar with the historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions in their field.
- Analyze works of film from both Western and non-Western cultures perceptively and to evaluate them critically.
- Understand the common elements and vocabulary of film and of the interaction of these elements.
- Be able to place works in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Have a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to the film industry.
- All courses must be passed with a "C" (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
- FILM 1100, 2100, 3900, 4900 must be passed with a "B-" (3.0) or better.
Sample Course Schedules
| First Year Fall | Credit Hours | First Year Spring | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART 1050: Introduction to Photography (GE) | 3 | GE Course (Quantitative Literacy) | 3 |
| ENGL 1010: Introduction to Academic Writing (GE) | 3 | ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing | 3 |
| THEA 1023: Introduction to Film (GE) | 3 | INFO 1010: Information Literacy (GE) | 1 |
| ENGL 1523: Storytelling | 3 | ART 1110: Drawing I (GE) | 3 |
| FILM 1100: Personal Cinema | 3 | FILM 2100: Filmmaking Fundamentals | 3 |
| ENGL 2023: Screen Aesthetics | 3 | ||
| Total: 15 | Total: 16 |
Admissions: Foundation Review at the end of the Fall Semester.
| Second Year Fall | Credit Hours | Second Year Spring | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTH 2720: Art History Survey II (Humanities GE) | 3 | GE Course | 3 |
| FILM 2200: Subtext for the Screen | 3 | ARTH 2910: History of Experimental Film and Video Art | 3 |
| FILM 2300: Editing for the Screen | 3 | FILM 2400: Sound for the Screen | 3 |
| ART 1120: 2-D Design | 3 | ART 1130: 3-D Design | 3 |
| ENGL 2150: US Narrative Film | 3 | ENGL 2523: Writing for the Screen | 3 |
| Total: 15 | Total: 15 |
Green lighting process at the end of the Third-Year Spring Semester.
Varied Film Career Opportunities
Graduates of SUU’s Filmmaking program pursue careers as film directors, cinematographers, film editors, producers, aerial cinematography pilots, film colorists, critics, designers, writers, and sound specialists. The program’s interdisciplinary approach equips students with the skills needed for various roles in the film industry.
Expert Filmmaking Faculty
State-of-the-Art Facilities
SUU’s Filmmaking program boasts modern labs and access to advanced equipment, including drones for aerial cinematography. The university’s unique location near National Parks and Monuments offers students unparalleled outdoor filming opportunities, enhancing their hands-on learning experiences.
Recognized Excellence
SUU’s Filmmaking program is accredited and recognized for its interdisciplinary curriculum, integrating art, media, communication, and technical skills.