School of Filmmaking

Undergraduate Bulletin

School of Filmmaking

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Overview of School

Overview of School

The School of Filmmaking offers a four-year undergraduate program in motion-picture production, preparing students for careers in the moving image arts and industries. The faculty consists of film and television artists-in-residence as well as professional scholars, all of whom are dedicated to instilling in our students the importance of telling stories that speak to the human condition. We are committed to nurturing the “complete” filmmaker ― a storyteller of vision and insight who knows and appreciates the myriad components that are essential to the creation of the entire spectrum of moving images, whether fiction or nonfiction, animated or live-action, series television, music videos, commercials, industrial shorts, or other new media. We are a training ground for young artists, giving them the freedom to explore their creative ideas within a carefully structured environment that strives to mirror the collaborative creative process of the professional world.  The relationship between our faculty and students is one of “master-apprentice,” involving close collaboration in all aspects of the development, production, and exhibition of our students’ digital video and film projects.

Essential to the development of young artists is the exposure to all the performing arts, as well as a strong background in liberal arts studies.  Our students benefit greatly from living and working in a closely-knit community of artists from the Schools of Dance, Design & Production, Drama, and Music. Their education is enriched by a liberal arts curriculum that is fully integrated into the School of Filmmaking BFA program. We expect our students to have or to develop a strong base in the liberal arts and humanities, as well as the physical and social sciences, with additional intensive coursework in film history, aesthetics and analysis.

The School of Filmmaking offers concentrations in the areas of Animation, Cinematography, Directing, Picture Editing & Sound Design, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting.  In the first year of the program, all students are required to write, direct, produce, shoot, edit and design films, whether they feel artistically inclined and qualified in those areas or not.  This approach gives students a foundation of general skills and knowledge prior to specializing in one area of focus. Students must demonstrate sufficient aptitude and progress within their chosen areas of emphasis in order to be invited to continue into a concentration.  Note that admission into the School of Filmmaking does not itself guarantee subsequent acceptance into a concentration.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Admissions Requirements

Requirements

 A. Physical and cognitive abilities

Students must, at a minimum, possess functional use of the somatic senses, have adequate motor capabilities to manage situations in which these senses would be employed, and be able to integrate data acquired via these senses.

In order for a student to be admitted to Year One in the School of Filmmaking, he/she must have the following physical and mental capabilities:

  1. Observation Skills: A student must be able to acquire information presented through visual media in a classroom setting as well as on stage or location during production.
  2. Auditory Skills: A student must be able to clearly discriminate sounds in order to analyze the sound design of an existing work of film-art, to create his/her own film-sound design, and to analyze how sounds work with visual image Furthermore, in the interest of the safety of any individual working on set or stage, each student must be able to utilize his/her senses and react appropriately in the face of a warning signal or threat of danger.
  3. Communication: A student must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, and other professi He or she must express his or her ideas clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. A student must be able to convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of artistic ideas, identify problems presented, explain alternative solutions, and give directions. He or she must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms; he or she must be able to process and communicate information on the production’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the production team.
  4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information in the classroom, on set, on location, or in the editing room.
  5. Behavioral Attributes: A student must have a sense of the professional ethics and integrity necessary to work in a collaborative environment. He/she must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The student must be able and willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships.  The student must possess attributes that include responsibility, integrity, honesty and ethical behavior in the performance of all his/her assigned duties in order to succeed in the program.
  6. Motor Functions: A student must be able to actively participate in the set-up and preparation of all equipment. This includes but is not limited to the ability to lift 35-50 pounds of weight over his/her head, the ability to climb a ladder, the ability to stand or kneel for extended periods of time, and the ability to use fine motor skills sufficient for the set-up of all equipment.

B. Required GPA and Test Scores

The School of Filmmaking has minimum high school GPA and SAT/ACT requirements. See Admissions pages for further information.

C. Transfer Students

Transfer credits for liberal arts classes taken at another institution are subject to the general policies of the Division of Liberal Arts.

Transfer credits in lieu of film classes in the School of Filmmaking will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if the student has earned a B or better for the course, and if the course meets faculty approval (based on review of the syllabus and course description).

Our curriculum from Year One onward is sequential and intensive, and therefore it is difficult for applicants to transfer in at an advanced level. However, we will evaluate each applicant’s transcript and creative portfolio to determine whether or not transfer credit and/or advanced standing can be awarded. Please follow the guidelines for Transfer Applicants in the Admissions section of the UNCSA website.

Evaluation

Evaluation

Continuation in the program from year to year is based upon a number of factors, including: the student’s grades, reflecting both artistic and academic performance; assessment of the student's portfolio; and their ability to interact appropriately and productively within the School community. Particular emphasis is placed upon the professional demeanor and creative discipline exhibited by the student, and the demonstration of collaborative skills in both classroom discussions and on the set of student productions. Please see UNCSA’s Undergraduate Policy on Student Probation and Continuation.

A. End-of-the-Year Portfolio Review

At the end of every Spring semester, the faculty will review each student’s portfolio from that academic year.  The review consists of a general discussion and assessment of all aspects of the student’s coursework, practicum experiences, and his/her progress throughout the year.

B. Class Placement and Concentration

At the end of a student’s first year, they may request a portfolio review for admission into either the Animation or Production Design department, each of which is a three-year concentration.

At the end of Year Two, those students who are not in Animation or Production Design select 1st and 2nd choice disciplines from among the following options: Cinematography, Directing, Picture Editing & Sound Design, Producing, and Screenwriting, each of which is a two-year program. Faculty will take into consideration each student’s grades, artistic portfolio, and professional demeanor in order to select those students best qualified to maximize their potential in their first or second choice. Note that admission into the School of Filmmaking does not itself guarantee subsequent acceptance into a concentration.

C. Minimum Grade Point Averages, Probation, and Non-continuation

Students in the School of Filmmaking are expected to meet or exceed minimum cumulative Grade Point Averages (GPAs), as delineated in the Institutional Policies section of the UNCSA Bulletin; see the chart and policy at: https://www.uncsa.edu/bulletin/current/undergraduate/institutional-policies.aspx#UndergraduatePolicyonStudentProbationandContinuation

Failure to meet these minimum GPAs will result in written warning, placement on probation, or possibly discontinuation from the program.

D. Division of Liberal Arts (DLA) Requirements

School of Filmmaking students pursuing the BFA must complete 30 credit hours of Liberal Arts core courses, plus an additional 6 credit hours in designated Arts or Liberal Arts courses in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the UNCSA School of Filmmaking.  It is recommended that students complete at least 9 credit hours (3 classes) of these requirements each year in order to be on track to graduate at the end of their fourth year.

E. Additional School of Filmmaking Policies

Students must read and comply with all policies and procedures in the School of Filmmaking Student Handbook and the School of Filmmaking Safety Handbook (available online at the Film School Art Hub). Because all filmmakers must understand the importance of safety, not only for their own sake but also for their fellow crewmembers in all production situations, students must take and pass the safety exam in the fall semester of each year before being allowed to work on any productions. Students must also sign a Student Agreement of Understanding at the beginning of each school year verifying that they have read and accept the policies of the School of Filmmaking.

Additional Costs

Additional costs, materials, and equipment

A. Computer and Software Requirements

Each incoming freshman is required to purchase an Apple MacBook Pro with the latest operating system and Final Draft screenwriting software. Students will also be using Adobe Creative Cloud, the license for which is provided by UNCSA at no additional cost.  Select the link below for more information about these requirements.  http://www.uncsa.edu/mysa/incoming-students/filmmaking-orientation/supply-list-filmmaking.aspx

B. Tools and Equipment

Students are also required to purchase several items in order to work on set safely and responsibly. A list of these tools (such as leather palm work gloves, a crescent wrench, Swiss army knife, etc.) is available at this link: http://www.uncsa.edu/mysa/incoming-students/filmmaking-orientation/supply-list-filmmaking.aspx.  All of these items are available for purchase in the Winston-Salem area, but we recommend you buy these essential tools of the filmmaking trade in advance.