There are now so many names for “Film” majors that maybe we can use this thread to cut through the confusion. I’ll list some here, and those in-the-know can add others.
Degrees:
Certificate: For short focused study in one area.
Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) or an Associate in Arts (AA) degree is granted by technical schools, community colleges and other programs that usually last two years.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is awarded for a degree in visual or performing arts after completion of a four-year college or university program. Of course some students take longer to complete this degree- or shorter if for example they have a lot of AP credits that are accepted by their college.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree are other four-year degrees, and differ from the BFA in that in addition to the professional preparation, they may offer a broader background in the humanities, math, and science. A BS may have more background in the math and science areas while a BA may concentrate more in the social sciences. However, the major difference between a BS and a BA may depend more on the university than on any real course differences.
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree is awarded after the completion of graduate work in the visual or fine arts.
Majors:
Cinematic Arts is the art and science of making films, Usually involves both production and film studies.
Film Production teaches various aspects of the craft of making films: screenwriting, directing, editing, casting, special effects, and many, many other jobs. A later chapter will give the details of film production jobs, but these can be lumped into pre-production, production, and post-production categories.
Media Studies or Media Arts expands the range of study to cover not only film, but other media such as television, radio and multi-media programs. Media Studies may even be associated with Journalism or Communications departments.
Media Management programs will concentrate more on the business aspects of film and media, rather than the creative or production craft aspects.
Communications is a broad field of study that would include concentrations in film, radio, television, journalism, and interactive media.
Film Studies will concentrate on the theory and critique of films that have already been made. If you love film history, this might be the major for you.
Cinema Studies will be similar to film studies, but would probably involve some production courses and making of films.
Tracks:
Within a major, you may be on a particular “track” (a speciality within that major). Here are some examples from one well-known film school’s major in Department of Visual and Media Arts: Media Production Track; BA, BFA
Animation and Motion Media
Cinematography/Videography
Directing Narrative Fiction
Documentary Production
Experimental Narrative Fiction
Film
Interactive Media
Post-Production
Producing
Radio
Sound Design/Audio
What you might expect to study:
Film Analysis and Critique: Watching and critiquing films. This might include writing essays, dissecting a film frame by frame, analyzing technique or sound or other aspects of the production.
History of Film: How did we get where we are today. From the 1867 William Lincoln zoopraxiscope or wheel of life, the Louis Lumiere cinematographe to the digital pictures of today.
Communications: Film is a powerful communications tool. But it is only one of many. Studying how we communicate, what is our message, and how do we get that across in an effective way.
Cinematography: The Art and science of the moving picture.
Sound: The audio portion of a film, how to capture high quality sound at the time of filming, and how to enhance that sound during post-production.
**Film Production: ** 16mm, 35 mm and other film stock. It is very different working with film as opposed to digital media. Some programs are phasing out teaching “film” in favor of digital. If working with film is a priority for you, be sure the program you are considering still offers instruction in actual “film”
Digital Production: The making of movies with digital or computer-assisted media.
Screenwriting: The art of writing for film
Directing: How to direct actors and crew. Learning to work in this role involves having control over the translation of a script into a final product. It is your artistic vision that will be carried out by those who work with you.
Producing: The producer oversees the entire project: from inception to completion. Producers need to know budgeting, casting, permitting, hiring the key players such as the director and casting agent, and how to market the film once it is done.
Post-Production: Editing: Editing involves the actually cutting and splicing of film if that is being used, or in the case of digital, computer equipment to form the raw footage into a final product. Often scenes are shot out of sequence, and choices need to be made about what is used and what “remains on the cutting floor”.
Post Production: Sound: The postproduction work on sound is often very extensive. What is captured during a “take” may only be a small part of what you hear in a finished product. Foley artists add sounds to a track, such as footsteps, music is overlaid to create mood, voice-overs can create clearer dialog. What you hear in the theater is often very different from what was captured at the moment of filming.
Animation: The use of 2D or 3D models to create a motion picture. These can include hand drawn images, computer generated ones, claymation and a variety of techniques.
Documentary Filmmaking: Using actual real life events and creating a motion picture.
Narrative Filmmaking: Fiction, or the use of someone’s imaginative and creative ideas to make a film.
…and so much more.
This is just a start. I’m hoping others will add to these lists.