Film Studies Major

Baldwin Wallace University is discontinuing the film studies major and is no longer accepting applications for this major. View all active majors and programs.

Prospective students: Students interested in attending BW should contact the BW Admission Office at (440) 826-2222, admission@bw.edu with any questions.

Current BW students: The University is committed to "teaching out" and supporting all students currently enrolled in the film studies major. Students should contact their academic advisor for scheduling courses.

OVERVIEW

Director, publicist, screenwriter. If the imaginative and artistic field of film and video interest you, Baldwin Wallace's film studies program offers outstanding learning experiences.

Film studies focuses on the aesthetic, technical and socio-cultural aspects of this visual art form. You'll learn about the historical, theoretical, visual, narrative and technical components of film as well as gain proficiencies in creative and technically skilled storytelling.

Film and Media - Learn by Doing

The curriculum includes hands-on coursework in audio, lighting, screenwriting, computer imaging, and photography. In your senior year, you'll create a professional portfolio showcasing your media experiences - including a demo reel and other communication projects that demonstrate your proficiencies in writing, research, planning and recording.

Career Opportunities in Film, Video and TV

Director or producer
Production coordinator
Script supervisor
Casting director
Camera operator
Technician
Publicist
Screenwriter

Hands-On Studio Experiences

Learn to produce high-quality film and video. BW's film and TV studio functions as both a multi-camera television and recording studio and as a film sound stage. The studio features a full lighting rig and dimming system, 32-channel sound board, switcher and industry-standard editing facilities.

Close to Cleveland

BW's 20-minute proximity to Cleveland puts you within easy access to impressive networking, internship and employment opportunities. BW students have interned at television stations, Cleveland's International Film Festival, as well as with national production companies filming on-location in Cleveland.

CURRICULUM

What You'll Learn

Film studies emphasizes the practical and theoretical aspects of film. You'll become skilled at writing, producing and directing your own work and be encouraged to take creative risks.

Through course electives, internships and co-curricular activities, you can focus your studies on a specific area of interest as well as become proficient in:

Understanding the role of film within a society
Utilizing and developing a variety of methods to evaluate film
Understanding the ethical implications of visual images presented in film
Effectively communicating using contemporary audiovisual production technologies

See a full list of required courses and electives >

Communication Minors

You can complement your communication major with a minor in our newest programs:

Social media production - an interdisciplinary program that incorporates writing, visual communication and marketing as tools to create strategic social media plans and tactics.
Convergent journalism - a program that builds skills in interviewing, writing, social media, design and is closely integrated with BW's award-winning student newspaper as a learning laboratory.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Faculty mentoring is inherent to the program. BW professors and advisers in the film studies program are communication professionals with decades of real-world experience. They'll work closely with you to help you establish key networking contacts in the field and gain the experiences needed to land a first job or obtain acceptance to graduate school.

BW's Award-Winning Radio, Newspaper, TV

You'll benefit from hands-on learning that includes BW's award-winning media - The Exponent (student newspaper), WBWC 88.3 "The Sting" (radio station) and BWTV - a student-directed program airing on local cable TV offering opportunities for video production and television broadcasting.

Student Clubs and Organizations

BW Film Society

This student organization educates students about all aspects of film and promotes cultural diversity through events, films and speakers. It makes available films that are not locally shown and films by artists that interest the group.

Lambda Pi Eta

This communication studies honor society serves as a point of distinction for high-achieving students as well as a sponsor for a service-learning initiative through BW's Habitat for Humanity.

Wordsmiths

A group of creative writers who are dedicated to strengthening their craft through discussion and critique, mutual respect and support for each other in their growth as writers.