Mission and Goals

Mission Statement

At the center of our mission is teaching the history, theory, and practice of filmmaking. Our students learn screenwriting, cinematography, and post-production skills alongside courses in global film history and contemporary genres. Studying film within the context of a liberal arts college provides students with the knowledge to appreciate a diverse range of fiction and documentary films. As they integrate film studies and video production with courses in other disciplines, our students develop their own original cinematic stories. We produce graduates with experience in the latest technologies, the skills to work collaboratively in demanding work environments, a theoretical understanding of how films interact with societies, and a passion for aesthetically sophisticated films that express meaningful ideas.

Learning Goals

To understand the components of film as a language and learn how to interpret this language
To be able to use theoretical concepts to place films in larger contexts or explain textual complexities
To understand the development of the cinematic art form, including its interactions with technology, social/ historical events, other art forms, and different national/ regional styles of filmmaking
To gain familiarity and confidence with film technology (cameras, lights, editing software)
To learn how to develop cinematic stories that reflect the complexity and diversity of the human experience, and without reinforcing stereotypes or unequal power dynamics
To make intentional and meaningful decisions (aesthetic, technical, conceptual) that support the production of moving image work driven by the student’s unique personal vision."
To communicate with others about one’s own vision and learn to work with other students and their visions as part of a team