College of Fine Arts 
31 S Court St.
Phone: 740.593.1323
www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/film

Justin Daering, Director

jdaering@ohio.edu

Mission

The School of Film is dedicated to providing an educational environment of creativity, diversity and excellence in which talented, motivated and disciplined students can examine and develop the art and craft of the motion picture as an art form, educational tool and a dynamic cultural force in the 21st Century.

Description

The School of Film offers two major degree options – the B.F.A. in Film and the B.F.A. in Film Tutorial – and a Film minor.

The B.F.A. in Film is a unique curriculum providing professional training in all major aspects of filmmaking alongside a solid foundation in film studies. The program prepares students to succeed in careers in the film and television industry, in professional areas utilizing time-based media (i.e., the web, advertising), and/or as independent artists. The focus of the program is to develop each student’s individual strengths as visual storytellers, creative voices, and critical media practitioners within the context of a rigorous liberal arts education. By encouraging students to master a wide range of tools as well as specific areas of knowledge and experience, the program aims to nurture filmmakers that will be ready, upon graduation, to work in a multifaceted and rapidly changing media world, while discovering and expressing their unique creative vision.

In their freshmen and sophomore years, students receive an introduction to film as an art form, focusing on film history and film studies combined with an overview of basic filmmaking techniques and tools. Fiction, non-fiction, and experimental films and filmmaking practices are explored. In their junior and senior years, students continue to engage with a rigorous film studies program while shifting their focus to filmmaking praxis. During this period, students also take part in specialization classes designed around professional practice. Utilizing a project-based approach to building creative portfolios, students earn a B.F.A. with a concentration in directing, screenwriting, producing, cinematography, or post-production. Students graduate with a strong combination of critical knowledge, filmmaking skills, and a polished portfolio of work.

The B.F.A. in Film Tutorial (offered in conjunction with the Honors Tutorial College  ) provides exceptional students the opportunity for practical and scholarly study of film, combined with a broad liberal arts education. Enrollment is limited; only ten students (2-3 per year) can be enrolled in this program at any given time.

Admission

B.F.A. in Film:

Freshman/First-year Admission

Admission to the B.F.A. in Film requires submission of a portfolio of creative work containing films/videos, screenplays, and/or work from another medium.

Change of Program Policy

Admission to the B.F.A. in Film program is by application, interview, and portfolio submission only. Upon successful admission, change of major paperwork should be initiated at the College of Fine Arts Deans Office.

External Transfer Admission

Admission to the B.F.A. in Film program is by application, interview and portfolio submission only. It is rare to accept a transfer beyond the sophomore year. After acceptance to the University, program acceptance and placement will depend on the faculty’s assessment of the candidate’s potential to succeed. In most cases, transferring students should be prepared to make up some of the foundation coursework. Upon successful admission, change of major paperwork should be initiated at the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Office.

B.F.A. in Film Tutorial

Please consult the Honors Tutorial College  for additional information.

Programs

• Film Major (B.F.A.)

• Film Minor