DEPARTMENT OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS

Undergraduate Department of Film

COLLEGE OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS

Dean: Reb Braddock; Associate Dean: Dr. Andrew Syder; Assistant Deans: Tony Ciarlariello, Sabrina Reisinger, Jonathan Stone, Dr. Lisa Tripp; Associate Professors: Baggott, Lee; Filmmakers in Residence: Bunch, Cawood, Cobb, Cohen, Gómez-Mouakad, Hoffman, Honn, Kaleko, Marcks, Maurer, Mendez, Meyer, Nunez, Patterson, Robkin, Schmidli, Scoon, Slade, Soares, E. Stone, Vargo, Wiley, Winter

The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree at the undergraduate level, with majors in Production and in Animation and Digital Arts. The BFA programs combine schooling in motion picture production with solid grounding in CoreFSU Curriculum. The curriculum of each program directs students through a course of study that teaches the special language of motion picture storytelling through the production of a series of short, narrative projects.

Screenwriting, production, and film analysis are each viewed as part of an integrated process. The goal of the programs is to produce educated, literate, and creative artists who are prepared for careers in the motion picture industry. Core courses in the BFA majors include producing, directing, screenwriting, editing, camera and lighting, sound, production management, animation, visual effects, motion picture history, theory, and aesthetics.

The purpose of this curriculum is to furnish the conceptual framework, the professional training, and the working environment for eventual participation in a profession that is a powerful influence in our culture. The goals of the College of Motion Picture Arts are to fully educate students and to help them become integral members of the academic community of Florida State University, responsible members of the entertainment profession, and participants in a creative and artistic process.

The College funds all BFA student production expenses from “the lens back”, including but not limited to all catering, craft services, expendables, media, production vehicle fuel for the capstone projects, and an industry-standard equipment package.

The program in Motion Picture Arts is under constant review and subject to change. For further information, please refer to https://film.fsu.edu/programs.

Facilities

The College of Motion Picture Arts operates extensive production facilities for its graduate and undergraduate programs in University Center A on Florida State University's campus in Tallahassee, and in an off-campus site in Midway, Florida, known as the Torchlight Center.

Considered one of the finest facilities in the world devoted exclusively to film education, it includes: professional sound stages, a green-screen/stage, a virtual production stage, a cinematography and set operations teaching stage, grip and electric trucks fully equipped with industry standard Grip & Electric equipment, an ADR and Foley recording studio, re-recording stages, QC and dailies screening rooms, digital animation/VFX production labs, color correction suites, a 120-seat screening room, digital animation/VFX production suites, seminar rooms, writer rooms, interactive classrooms, individual post production suites, teaching labs, and student production planning rooms.

The College is equipped for and supports industry-standard acquisition in digital formats, and digital sound recording formats.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically

Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement. Undergraduate majors in the College of Motion Picture Arts satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in FIL 2043r. History and Practice of Visual Effects and Animation.

CoreFSU Curriculum Program

All undergraduate majors in the College of Motion Picture Arts are required to meet the CoreFSU Curriculum requirements as specified in the “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” chapter.

Requirements for a Major in Motion Picture Arts - Production

The degree will require completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. For a sample listing of the required curriculum plan, please refer to https://film.fsu.edu/programs.

To fulfill the requirements of the Production major in the College of Motion Picture Arts, a student must:

· Possess sufficient mobility, strength, and dexterity in both hands and legs to lift, carry, and operate filmmaking equipment

· Possess sufficient visual capacity to perform the functions of a film crew member without the assistance of visual aids other than contact lenses or eyeglasses

· Possess sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand spoken instructions without assistance other than a hearing aid

· Be able to comprehend oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures related to the College of Motion Picture Arts, filmmaking protocols, and the operation of equipment

· Possess the ability to adequately communicate orally, in English, with others

Requirements for a Major in Motion Picture Arts - Animation and Digital Arts

The degree will require completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. For a sample listing of the required curriculum plan, please refer to https://film.fsu.edu/programs.

To fulfill the requirements of the Animation and Digital Arts major in the College of Motion Picture Arts, a student must:

· Possess sufficient mobility, strength, and dexterity in both hands and legs to lift, carry, and operate filmmaking equipment

· Possess sufficient visual capacity to perform the functions of a film crew member without the assistance of visual aids other than contact lenses or eyeglasses

· Possess sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand spoken instructions without assistance other than a hearing aid

· Be able to comprehend oral and written instructions, policies, and procedures related to the College of Motion Picture Arts, filmmaking protocols, and the operation of equipment

· Possess the ability to adequately communicate orally, in English, with others

Internships

After required coursework, students are encouraged to complete their program of study by enrolling in the program's internship class to apply their learning in a real-world setting in the industry, an experience that will position students for greater chances of success in their careers.

Honors in the Major

The College of Motion Picture Arts offers an Honors in the Major program to encourage talented seniors to write a feature-length screenplay or undertake independent and original research as part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Specific requirements for Honors in the Major are discussed with qualified students during their junior year. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.

Admission

To succeed at our mission and continue to grow our reputation, the performance bar is set very high for our students. We therefore need to run a rigorous admissions process to ensure that students can succeed and work at our expected levels of creativity and professionalism.

Applicants must apply to Florida State University's Office of Admissions by their Fall admission deadline and must submit a separate application to the College of Motion Picture Arts by the same Fall admissions deadline used by the Florida State University Office of Admissions. As a part of the College of Motion Picture Arts application, applicants must submit a résumé, three letters of recommendation, a creative portfolio (which can include film work, photographs, animations, etc.), a writing sample adhering to the given prompt, and a 500–1000 word personal statement describing their filmmaking aspirations. Any application that does not contain all these items will be considered incomplete and will be denied automatically. All application materials must be submitted online via the application portal for the applicant to be considered for admission the following Fall term. More information concerning the undergraduate application is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/undergraduate app/transfer.

Freshmen majors will not enroll in major classes prior to their sophomore year to concentrate full-time on fulfilling their general education requirements.

Transfer Students

The College of Motion Picture Arts will accept transfer students for admission each Fall term, and those students must have completed at least 30 credit hours of their general education requirements prior to their initial Fall term in the College, as well as have at least a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average. Applications must be submitted separately to both the College of Motion Picture Arts and the Florida State University Office of Admissions. The College of Motion Picture Arts application is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/undergraduate app/transfer. Transfer students are subject to the same application requirements and must submit the same application materials as those applying as a freshman applicant.

Grade Requirements

All Motion Picture Arts majors must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all coursework, including general education requirements taken during their freshman year at the University. Any student who falls below that 3.0 cumulative grade point average at any point in their studies will be placed on academic probation. Failure to bring the grade point average above a 3.0 may result in dismissal from the College of Motion Picture Arts.

Retention

All students must meet the University's minimum retention standards as well as the College of Motion Picture Arts Professional Code of Conduct. In addition, continuation as a major will depend on the development of each student's talents, skills, professional discipline, and academic record. A student's work and commitment are under continuous review, and any candidate who fails to maintain high standards will be dismissed from the program.

Probation and Dismissal

Motion Picture Arts majors will adhere to the University Academic Honor System, Student Conduct Code, Summons to Responsible Freedom, and the College of Motion Picture Arts Professional Code of Conduct.

Each term, the faculty will meet to discuss the work, behavior, grades, and progress of students in the major. At any point in the term, if the faculty determines that a student's behavior fails to adhere to the College's Professional Code of Conduct, the student may be issued a verbal warning or a written remediation plan. Failing to satisfy the terms of a remediation plan may result in dismissal from the program.

Behavior so negative, disruptive, or destructive as to compromise the work of fellow students or the effectiveness of the faculty may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal without any prior period of warning or remediation. Peer evaluations may be considered in this evaluation process.

Any unauthorized use, possession, or willful destruction of College of Motion Picture Arts equipment, facilities, media, or finished film will result in immediate notification to the proper authorities. The outcome of their decisions will determine the actions of the College of Motion Picture Arts with respect to the student(s) involved.

If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, it will result in academic probation. Students will be reinstated in good standing if the cumulative major GPA rises to 3.0 by the end of the following term. Failure to raise the GPA may result in dismissal from the program.

Financing and Ownership of Student Films

The College of Motion Picture Arts pays for virtually all student laboratory, workshop, and capstone project production expenses at the graduate and undergraduate level. So far as it is known, it is the only film school in the United States to do so.

Under State of Florida law, regulations, and rules, all films and videos produced by Motion Picture Arts students become the property of Florida State University and are copyrighted in the name of Florida State University. The same regulations and rules provide that in the event of the commercial exploitation of these films, any net revenues derived from a particular film will be split in a proportion to be determined by Florida State University between the College of Motion Picture Arts and all the graduating student workers on the film including, but not limited to, the writer, director, producer/production manager, sound designer, editor, cinematographer, art director, and musical score composer.

State law provides that any stand-alone screenplays created by students will remain the student's property and may be exploited commercially by them; however, screenplays, script, and story ideas that are proposed and incorporated by students into their workshop courses or capstone films become the property of Florida State University and will be copyrighted with the University's name.

State law requires that all entering students be provided with a copy of the relevant regulatory rule and that applicants for admission to the College of Motion Picture Arts sign a statement acknowledging their receipt and understanding of the rule prior to official admission and enrollment.

Health Insurance

Students seeking degrees in certain majors, including film, assume any exposure to the particular hazards associated with that major. As protection for our students, the College of Motion Picture Arts requires that majors present proof of health and accident insurance (name of insurer and policy number) prior to registration in the Fall term of each year. Students are expected to maintain this insurance throughout their enrollment in the program and keep the information updated with the Associate Dean's Office.

Film Studies Minor in the College of Motion Picture Arts

The film studies minor will give students the opportunity to select a program of study that examines the many facets of American and international cinema. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to experience different approaches to film study: film and cultural differences, basic film vocabulary, film history, film and social forces, film genres, film theories, film directors, and film aesthetics. No production or animation classes are offered as part of the film studies minor.

Requirements for a Minor in Film Studies

The interdisciplinary minor requires the completion of 15 credit hours in courses approved for film studies. All students are required to take FIL 2001, Introduction to Cinema Studies. The remaining hours may be selected from the approved film studies offerings. Courses counted toward the film studies minor cannot be counted toward a student's major. All film minor hours must be taken at Florida State University.

For additional information on a film minor and to view the most up-to-date course listings, please visit https://film.fsu.edu/programs/film-studies-minor.

Definition of Prefix

FIL—Film

IDS—Interdisciplinary Studies