Objectives

The School of Film and Television’s major in Film and Television Production is designed to enable students to express their ideas on the screen whether that screen is in a theater, at home, or held in one’s hand. Beyond the existing television and theatrical feature landscape, new forms of media empower a single person to be both a worldwide broadcaster and a very selective receiver. Digital technologies have created new ways of working that transcend the traditional distinctions between film and television. The Film and Television Production major combines the best of both of these fields.

Students admitted to this rigorous major quickly become immersed in the art of storytelling for the screen. They encounter and study great works of world cinema, both past and present, and ponder the ramifications of the emerging media of the future. They receive expert hands-on training in writing the screenplay, directing actors, cinematography, sound recording and design, and editing. In the process, each student learns about the challenging relationship between art and technique, and how both serve each other. Students learn the practical aspects of mounting a production: budgeting, location scouting, casting, set design and construction, post production, and the importance of safety in all aspects of what they do. Complete, premier art equipment and technology are available 24/7–all in service of story. Through teamwork, students learn an appreciation for all of the artists who labor to serve the story, and the camaraderie that comes from working as part of a crew engaged in a large, collaborative creative enterprise.

Students also learn to find their individual voices, and express their own points of view, on projects driven by their own creative choices. Beginning with their work on a series of short and intermediate films, students forge the fundamental skills of visual storytelling. Each student’s experience culminates with a final project in which advanced students create their own thesis films.

Film and Television Production Student Learning Outcomes

Film History and Context

By studying a diverse canon of great films and filmmakers, students will gain a broad understanding of the history and socio-historical contexts of American and global film, television, and emerging media to inspire them to create transformative works of their own.

Storytelling

Students will master the methods of visual storytelling–through screenwriting, camera placement and movement, lighting, blocking and performance, post-production picture and sound–to create content with unique cinematic expression and engaging dramatic structure.

Technical Proficiency

Students will demonstrate mastery of the components and processes in at least one of the following areas of specialization: Creative Producing, Fiction Directing, Non-Fiction Directing, Cinematography, or Post-Production.

Voice and Creativity

By analyzing past historical works and applying technical and storytelling skills, students will be able to produce works with a strong personal voice that show vision and imagination.

Collaboration

Students will work constructively to problem solve and collaborate in diverse teams to create impactful media.

M.F.A. in Film and Television Production Requirements

M.F.A. in Film and Television Production Guidelines

• Proper sequencing of major requirements is indicated by prerequisites of individual courses and as noted in the outline below. Consult assigned academic advisor.
• First semester courses (PROD 500 , PROD 541 , PROD 566 , and SCWR 501 ) must be completed with a grade of B- or higher. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification from the program, based on review of an exceptions committee. Students who receive a grade lower than a B- in any class may not continue with the standard sequence until they repeat the course when it is next offered. A course may be repeated only once. If a passing grade of B- is received, the student may continue with the standard course sequence in the program.
• Thesis requirements are specific to the student’s selected Specialization, detailed below. Consult the Graduate Director regarding requirements for Advancement to Candidacy and Thesis Submittal.
• Probation/Dismissal: See Academic Standing in Academic Degree Requirements and Policies .
• SAFETY: Since the School of Film and Television is fully committed to safety and sensible risk management, every student will be required to adhere to all safety and risk management policies. The School considers violation of the Safety and Risk Management policies infractions of the LMU Student Honor Code. In accordance with the Honor Code guidelines and process, disciplinary measures may range from warnings, to failure in the course to expulsion from the University. Additionally, any footage acquired during the commission of a violation of these policies will be disallowed from the project. Students in violation of SFTV policies also risk suspension of privileges. Privileges include access to SFTV Production and Post Production resources and equipment and participating at the end of the semester screenings. When a violation occurs, the instructor, the appropriate department chair, HOPA, and the graduate director will meet to determine whether and to what extent the student shall incur temporary loss of privileges, or they may jointly make a recommendation to the dean for permanent loss of privileges.

Three-Year Plan

Cinematography Specialization

Creative Producing Specialization

Directing Fiction Specialization

Directing Non-Fiction Specialization

Editing Specialization