Cinema

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of the Arts

Program description

The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema is designed for students who desire a hybrid program with an emphasis in film combined with a strong liberal arts component. All candidates for the Cinema B.A. must declare an additional major or two minors.

The program focuses on the art and craft of narrative filmmaking with an emphasis on the practices of U.S. independent filmmakers. The Cinema B.A. offers an on-set experience that simulates the industry standard by placing the focus on Cinema as a collaborative art form. The program offers opportunities for international study options. Internships with professional film organizations in the U.S. are available on a competitive basis.

Full-time students enrolled in this program may graduate with the B.A. after three years of study by completing required course work in the summer semester following the second and third year.

Career opportunities

A BA in Cinema affords students a well rounded understanding of technical skill, complex group dynamics and narrative filmmaking. This serves as their gateway to both Graduate candidacy or a wide range of entry level - mid level positions in the film and media industry. Cinema graduates have a unique understanding of the structure and protocols of major motion picture film sets. This praxis lends itself to a variety of professional environments in multiple fields. Additionally, the completion of the second major/double minor reinforces the ability to multitask and make connections across diverse professions.

Change of major requirements

Student must submit application to VCUarts Admissions. http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/

Bachelor-level job titles

Art Directors
Camera Assistants
Directors - Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
Electrics/Lighting Technician
Film and Video Editors
Grips
Line Producer
Producers
Production Assistant/Technician
Screenwriters
Set PA
Talent Directors

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Cinema

Plan of study in Bulletin

Cinema

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 131

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:

Cinema

Building/room location:

Pollak Building, Room 520

Phone:

(804) 828-7919

Email:

cinema@vcu.edu

http://arts.vcu.edu/cinema/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
Visit potential secondary major/minor advisors and ensure that they know of the truncated length of the Cinema Program.
Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend Cinema Friday Workshops to meet upperclassmen and gain technical skills in areas of cinema you would like to focus on. Ask for advice from a workshop leader on how to make the Cinema program more advantageous to you.
Attend local film networking events and screenings.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs
Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources.
Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field
Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Participate in film shoots led by Cinema upperclassmen such as the CINE 201 shoot.
Prepare for the Cinema Practical Exam.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services
Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
Create a draft of your resume and come to have it reviewed by Career Services.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Declare Cinema Track and Second Major/Double Minor and visit the correlating advisors.
Prepare for summer enrollment in CINE 390.
Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues.
Continue attending Cinema Friday Workshops.
Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings.
Attend alumni talks.
Attend local film networking events and screenings.
Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA)
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings.
Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Intern with local production companies, the Virginia Film Office, RIFF, FFF, CWA, and PA on smaller scale professional film shoots.
Apply for VCU Project Grants.
Take advantage of the VCU Libraries workshops, resources in The Depot, and Lynda.
Take the Cinema Practical Exam.
Get feedback from Cinema faculty and staff on your film resume.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
Consider creating a website to display your work experience and work.
Meet with the faculty to be connected with local filmmakers whose areas of focus match your own.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor(s) a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all requirements will be met.
Prepare for summer enrollment in CINE 490.
Meet with Cinema staff/Faculty to plan a course of action that aligns with your professional and educational goals.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings.
Attend alumni talks and local film networking events and screenings.
Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues.
Talk to your academic advisor, faculty and Cinema staff to learn about different regional film markets and which best fit your skill set.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings.
Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive.
Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Perfect your film resume and go to drop-ins at VCU Career Services to have it reviewed.
Apply to day play on large scale commercials/television/features.
Begin reaching out to professional contacts, Cinema alums, and colleagues.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about graduate school or a job post graduation.
Create a demo-reel of your work and back-up all the work you have done in Cinema to a personal hard drive for future access.
Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor(s) a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
If necessary**** Complete Second Major/double minor coursework.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings.
Attend alumni talks.
Attend local film networking events and screenings.
Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues.
Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings.
Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Apply to day play on large scale commercials/television/features.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and events throughout the year.
Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Research employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Cinema

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Visit potential secondary major/minor advisors and ensure that they know of the truncated length of the Cinema Program. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.	Attend Cinema Friday Workshops to meet upperclassmen and gain technical skills in areas of cinema you would like to focus on. Ask for advice from a workshop leader on how to make the Cinema program more advantageous to you. Attend local film networking events and screenings. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events! Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.	Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office. Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources. Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Participate in film shoots led by Cinema upperclassmen such as the CINE 201 shoot. Prepare for the Cinema Practical Exam.	Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor. Create a draft of your resume and come to have it reviewed by Career Services.
Experience	Year 2	Declare Cinema Track and Second Major/Double Minor and visit the correlating advisors. Prepare for summer enrollment in CINE 390. Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.	Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues. Continue attending Cinema Friday Workshops. Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings. Attend alumni talks. Attend local film networking events and screenings. Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA) Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.	Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings. Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week. Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive.	Intern with local production companies, the Virginia Film Office, RIFF, FFF, CWA, and PA on smaller scale professional film shoots. Apply for VCU Project Grants. Take advantage of the VCU Libraries workshops, resources in The Depot, and Lynda. Take the Cinema Practical Exam. Get feedback from Cinema faculty and staff on your film resume.	Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest. Consider creating a website to display your work experience and work. Meet with the faculty to be connected with local filmmakers whose areas of focus match your own.
Experience	Year 3	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor(s) a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all requirements will be met. Prepare for summer enrollment in CINE 490. Meet with Cinema staff/Faculty to plan a course of action that aligns with your professional and educational goals.	Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings. Attend alumni talks and local film networking events and screenings. Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues. Talk to your academic advisor, faculty and Cinema staff to learn about different regional film markets and which best fit your skill set. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.	Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings. Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive. Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office	Perfect your film resume and go to drop-ins at VCU Career Services to have it reviewed. Apply to day play on large scale commercials/television/features. Begin reaching out to professional contacts, Cinema alums, and colleagues.	Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about graduate school or a job post graduation. Create a demo-reel of your work and back-up all the work you have done in Cinema to a personal hard drive for future access. Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor(s) a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. If necessary**** Complete Second Major/double minor coursework.	Regularly attend Cinematheque screenings. Attend alumni talks. Attend local film networking events and screenings. Consider creating small scale projects with your Cinema colleagues. Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.	Attend the French Film and Afrikana Film Festival screenings. Check to see if there is an available Cinema Study abroad course following Summer Intensive.	Apply to day play on large scale commercials/television/features. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and events throughout the year. Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.	Research employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.