+ Film (last updated 4/2/08)

Film—Department of Theatre and Film
338 South Hall, 419-372-2222

The Film Major gives students a foundation in film history, aesthetics, production, and methods of analysis that illuminate global and cultural perspectives. Students who select the specialization in film production gain experience in all aspects of production and are prepared to begin careers as writers, producers, and directors. BGSU graduates have been accepted into prestigious MFA film programs and highly competitive professional programs such as those sponsored by the Director's Guild of America. Students who choose the specialization in film studies develop expertise in electronic publishing and in analyzing the film industry and individual films. They are prepared to begin careers in journalism, festival organization, film acquisition and distribution, and, with professional training, entertainment law. Film studies students have been accepted into graduate film studies programs and have launched successful electronic publications on film, media, and culture.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in film are expected to:

• Comprehend, analyze, and critically evaluate film as an aesthetic form and cultural text;
• Recognize the social, economic, and technological factors that shape films from different historical periods, gender and ethnic perspectives, domestic and international cultural contexts;
• Apply critical thinking and aesthetic judgment in the analysis of fiction and nonfiction film, experimental and mainstream cinema, feature and short form narratives;
• Work collaboratively to solve specific film/video production problems as a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, gaffer, editor, sound recordist, or other member of the production/post-production team;
• Demonstrate a sense of professionalism through creative and intellectual independence.

Major, Bachelor of Arts (39 hours) — minor required — click for 2009-2010 course requirements
Film Majors meet with advisors in the Department of Theatre and Film to:

• select electives in the core requirements and their emphasis area;
• choose a minor in another field that best contributes to their program of study;
• determine protocols for internship (1 hour);
• prepare for participation in Major Event (two semesters);
• develop the skills, network, and portfolio to be a successful scholarship candidate.

Minor (21 hours) — click for 2009-2010 course requirements

Electives in film studies and production are offered by programs across campus, including: American Culture Studies, Canadian Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, GREAL, Music, Popular Culture, Romance and Classical Studies, Telecommunications, Theatre and Film, Visual Communication, and Women's Studies.

Selected film courses are available through Distance Learning and can be used to satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree.

Major event
Theatre and Film majors participate twice in major event by enrolling in THFM 099—once at the sophomore/junior level and once at the senior level—concurrently with THFM 498, senior seminar. The major event is scheduled at the end of the fall semester. Outside adjudicators are brought in to evaluate the students' audition and portfolio presentations. Oral and written evaluations serve to help students prepare for professional auditions and job interviews as well as providing a means of assessment to determine where students need additional work.

Grant-in-aid
The theatre and film department offers grant-in-aid in acting, forensics, technical theatre, and film/video/multimedia production to qualified undergraduates. The grant-in-aids are awarded on a competitive basis, with students submitting applications, letters of recommendation, and completing a live audition or interview. Students interested in obtaining a grant-in-aid application packet should contact the theatre and film department office, 338 South Hall.

Study abroad program
All BGSU undergraduate theatre and film majors may apply for participation in the BGSU/University of Wales student exchange program. If accepted into this program, students spend a semester studying theatre and/or film in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at the University of Wales, located in scenic Aberystwyth. Site of the largest undergraduate theatre program in Great Britain, the University of Wales, is also the home of the prestigious Performance Research Centre.