You are here
Film/Video BFA
Film/Video is a 39 credit major that begins in the sophomore year. Students take 6 credits of major production each semester, and choose their electives in order to build a personal approach to time-based media. Film/Video electives regularly include cinematography and lighting, screenwriting, sound design, hand-made film, performance for camera, video installation, editing, and post-production finishing.
Students majoring in Film/Video are encouraged to experiment widely in order to realize their personal aesthetic goals and vision. Students focus on producing their own work in all three years of the major, working both individually and in collaboration with their peers. They are introduced to all facets of digital and analogue production, and work in experimental, narrative, and nonfiction forms.
Students have the opportunity to explore emerging digital platforms, including live video and performance, video installation, multi-screen projection and 360º camera. Within their major courses, students explore the history and contemporary culture of the moving image through regular viewings and discussions of a wide range of films, video art, and time-based installation work. In-class critiques give students vocabularies to understand and discuss their work, and help to contextualize it within the dialogue of contemporary art.
After graduating, MassArt Film/Video alumni continue their studies in top-ranked MFA programs; become award-winning filmmakers and video artists; work in the film industry as cinematographers, gaffers, editors and production assistants; and direct and program film festivals.
Learning Outcomes
- To articulate and realize a personal vision with the moving image
- To develop and engage in a personal thesis project.
- To be passionate about their work and have the technical and conceptual skills to reach that vision.
- To gain confidence in their own skills as media makers.
- To be creative risk takers and problem solvers, and to learn from failure.
- To understand the history of the moving image and its various styles and genres and incorporate a critical analysis of the moving image into their work.
- To know how to do research, how to source and build resources for their work.
- To develop openness to listen to the critique of peers and faculty and thoughtfully incorporate relevant feedback to their work.
- To develop awareness of current film, video, installation practices in the global culture.
- To develop a respect and appreciation for diversity across a broad spectrum: racial, social, political, economic, gender, and in a socially sensitive art practice.