Degree Overview: Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree in Film and Video Production
Majors Overview April 13, 2015Get information about Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree programs in Film and Video Production and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree Programs in Film and Video Production
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) programs that cover Film and Video Production typically complete coursework that combines fundamental principles and elements of theoretical, critical, practical, and technical courses. Students enrolled in most programs are introduced to the three stages of film production — editing, filming, and development — commonly called post-production, production, and pre-production.
Students engage in teamwork and hands-on experiences while gaining skills in editing, lighting, sound design, and videography and cinematography aimed at developing creative personal voices in movies through the use of digital cameras and 16 mm film.
The thesis project is a requirement of students enrolled in most programs. Schools offer students opportunities of participating in internships that involve working with mentors in the field; in some programs, students are offered the ability of preparing resumes, participating in mock interviews, and participating in model staff meetings with the aim of gaining professional experience.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma; some schools require them to have completed prerequisite coursework before allowing them to begin core coursework. Submission of a portfolio of work is also a requirement of students enrolled in many programs.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to train students in creating a range of work, including independent films, documentaries, and narratives. Over the duration of the program, students may be taught aspects of writing, sound, videography, and directing. Additionally, students enrolled in many schools are trained to use editing software programs, such as Final Cut Pro. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Sound production
•Screen directing
•Film history
•Pitch-financing
•Screenwriting
•Visual storytelling
•Media aesthetics
•Experimental production
•Idea development
•Motion pictures
Career Choices
Those who graduate from a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree program related to film and video production may seek careers in post-production, production, and motion picture development. They may seek positions such as:
•Television production assistant
•Film and video producer
•Editor
•Camera operator
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rate of three percent have been predicted for producers and directors (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the same period, motion picture, video, and television camera operators and editors are expected to see a slower-than-average growth of three percent. In 2012, producers and directors brought home an average annual wage of $71,350. Film and video editors along with camera operators banked $46,280 on average during that year (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Those who complete the B.F.A. in Film and Video Production program may seek continuing education. A graduate degree in the field is available, such as a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in Film, wherein aspiring filmmakers can avail the opportunity of learning and improving on skills learned from the bachelor’s program while developing individual expressions. In the master’s degree program, a student may opt for specialized study in an area such as a documentary film.
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