Directing a summer blockbuster, producing an Emmy Award-winning television series or editing an impactful documentary all require a passion for storytelling. The Film, Television and Media Arts programs are dedicated to training the next generation of innovative storytellers and providing them with tools, techniques and technical skills to bring compelling and transformative stories to life on-screen.
Tell Your Story
The Film, Television and Media Arts (BA and BFA) programs are project-driven, production programs that prepare graduates for a wide range of successful careers in the entertainment industry. Our curriculum embraces a comprehensive and holistic approach to teaching the craft of filmmaking and our graduates begin their professional careers with the ability to write, direct, shoot, edit and produce for the screen.
Students are using professional cameras as soon as they step foot onto Quinnipiac’s campus. The first-year curriculum focuses on acquiring fundamental production skills, including directing, cinematography, sound acquisition and editing. Students also complete introductory coursework in film history, theory and criticism. These courses balance the education, providing students the analytical tools to be lifelong learners and understand the social impact of film as a medium.
In their second year, students take intermediate-level courses in film production and analysis. The required courses build on those from the previous year, scaffolding the curriculum. Students then branch out and take more specialized film electives in their second year that reflect their own specific interests and career goals. For instance, if a student is an aspiring director of photography, they may take: Cinematography & Lighting, Emerging Cinematography Techniques and Directing Techniques as their film electives.
In the third year, students continue to explore various electives while also taking a more advanced screenwriting course that encourages young writers to find their voice on the page and tell stories that are meaningful to them. The final screenwriting project is a script for a short film that students may choose to produce as their senior capstone project.
The program culminates senior year with an intensive senior capstone production. Over the course of two semesters, students work in crews of 6-8 under faculty guidance to produce a professional short film. The capstone films generally have budgets between $15,000 – $20,000, cast professional SAG-AFTRA actors, secure external locations, use industry-standard 4K cameras and equipment, and fully replicate the experience of producing a professional, independent film. After the films are completed, students screen them at our Senior Project Showcase and submit them to domestic and international film festivals. Capstone films have been official selections and won awards at prestigious film festivals around the world and help launch the careers of our Film, Television and Media Arts graduates.
