BA Film and Media Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The University of Utah’s BA in Film & Media Arts combines creative storytelling with technical production, film history, criticism, and theory, giving students the freedom to explore documentary, narrative and experimental filmmaking, animation, screenwriting, sound, and new media. Students can tailor the degree to their interests and may choose an Animation or Film Production emphasis while developing the creative, technical, and collaborative skills needed for today’s media industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the foundations of filmmaking and media studies through courses such as FILM 1110 – Introduction to Film and Media Arts and FILM 1500 – Making Movies. These courses introduce students to film language, creative practice, production processes, and the relationship between moving images, sound, and storytelling.

Year 2: Students deepen their understanding of cinema through courses such as FILM 2110 – History of Film and Media Arts: Origins to the 1960s and FILM 2115 – History of Film and Media Arts: 1960s to the Present, while beginning more specialized creative work. Depending on their interests, students can move toward animation, narrative filmmaking, documentary, screenwriting, sound, or other media practices.

Year 3: Students build more advanced production skills through areas such as FILM 3530 – Directing, FILM 3570 – Digital Cinematography, FILM 3412 – Editing, FILM 3420 – Sound for Film and Digital Media, and FILM 3565 – Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen. The emphasis is increasingly practical, allowing students to develop technical and aesthetic competence while creating original work.

Year 4: Students bring their creative and technical skills together through advanced production, independent projects, internships, or capstone-level work. Options include FILM 4510 – Documentary Filmmaking, FILM 4590 – Directing the Independent Film, FILM 4520 – 16mm Cinematography, and FILM 4960 – Animation Project, giving students opportunities to complete substantial creative work that can strengthen their professional portfolio.

Focus Areas

Documentary filmmaking, narrative filmmaking, experimental filmmaking, animation, film production, digital cinematography, screenwriting, editing, sound production, new media, film history, film criticism, visual storytelling.

Learning Outcomes

Creative and technical competence in film and media arts, mastery of at least one discipline, understanding of film history and theory, original creative production, individual and collaborative project development, critical analysis, research, argumentation, revision and professional project presentation.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BA is professionally oriented toward film, media, animation and creative industries through technical training, project-based learning and production experience. The official program information does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation for the Film & Media Arts BA.

Reputation

The University of Utah’s Department of Film & Media Arts reports that its Animation program ranked #47 nationally and #18 among public schools and colleges in the 2026 Animation School Rankings, with additional recognition in the Southwest and Utah. The department also highlights its position among leading film departments and its alumni success, including filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung, director of Minari.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program is strongly production-oriented, giving students opportunities to learn by actually making, editing, recording, animating, and analyzing moving images and sound. Students have access to working soundstages, screening spaces, computer labs with industry-standard systems and software, animation and color-grading facilities, 16mm production spaces, and a dedicated equipment checkout facility with cameras, sound, grip, and electrical equipment.

Students can turn classroom learning into professional experience through:

• Working Soundstages: Students can develop practical filmmaking and production skills in dedicated soundstage environments.

• Industry-Standard Computer Labs: The department provides computer facilities equipped with industry-standard systems and software for film and media production.

• Animation Facilities: Animation-focused spaces support students developing technical and creative animation skills.

• Color-Grading Facilities: Students can gain practical experience with post-production and visual finishing workflows.

• 16mm Production Facilities: Students interested in traditional film production can work with dedicated 16mm facilities.

• Equipment Checkout: Production-course students can check out cameras, grip, electrical and sound equipment through the department’s Equipment Lab.

• Independent Production Projects: Students can work one-on-one with faculty members on production projects through courses such as FILM 4950, 4960, 4965, 5900 and 6950.

• Independent Research: Students can undertake individual research projects with faculty through FILM 4910, FILM 4999 or FILM 6910, connecting film practice with research and critical inquiry.

• Internships: Students who secure relevant internships can receive academic credit through FILM 4900, with defined learning objectives, professional supervision and workplace experience.

• Student Media Opportunities: Department opportunities include film-related internships and roles in videography, editing, social media, digital content and multimedia production.

• Adobe Next: University students have access to a paid, campus-based Adobe program offering hands-on creative-industry experience, professional mentorship, workshops and early access to Adobe tools.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Film & Media Arts BA prepares students for careers across film, television, digital media, animation and emerging creative platforms by combining storytelling with technical production skills. Graduates can build professional portfolios through production projects, internships, independent work and access to industry-focused career coaching.

Typical career options: Film Director, Film Producer, Film and Video Editor, Camera Operator

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

• Fine Arts Career Coaching: University of Utah career coaches provide one-to-one guidance on internships, career opportunities, resumes, networking, interviews, gig work and building a professional brand.

• Career Outcomes: College of Fine Arts alumni data shows that 84% of recent alumni found employment or pursued further education within one year, including 60% who did so within four months.

• Relevant Professional Fields: College of Fine Arts alumni work across fields including film, television and video, arts administration, graphic design, writing and education, demonstrating the transferable value of creative training.

• Industry Opportunities: The department regularly posts film-related jobs, internships, digital media roles, multimedia opportunities, festivals and creative-industry programs through its departmental bulletin.

• Professional Portfolio: Production courses, independent projects and internships allow students to graduate with completed creative work that can demonstrate their directing, cinematography, editing, animation or storytelling abilities.

• Long-Term Professional Value: The program develops adaptable skills in storytelling, production, visual communication, collaboration, research and digital media that can transfer across film, television, advertising, content creation and emerging media.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in Film & Media Arts, Film Studies, Animation, Media Arts, Screenwriting, Documentary Studies, Communication or related creative disciplines. The University of Utah offers a three-year MFA in Film & Media Arts, where graduate students develop advanced filmmaking projects and can pursue independent artistic, professional and teaching careers.