"The UM Theatre and Film department is particularly special for its sense of community. I've metmany friends and formed relationships that I know will last a lifetime. The Liberal Arts, in general,provide a wonderful communal environment where you constantly feel like you are learning andgrowing as one."
Will Jones ('25)
B.F.A. in Film Production
About the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production
The Department of Theatre and Film in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.F.A. in Film Production. Our film production majors make their own films beginning in the first month of the first semester, which distinguishes us—the only intensive film production program in Mississippi—from most top tier film schools.
- Our B.F.A. is professionally-focused and features a low student-to-teacher ratio with emphasis on individual mentorship. Most importantly, students build professional grade portfolio reels essential for entering the industry.
- The state-of-the-art 8,500 square foot film production facility provides two sound stages (one with a large infinity/green screen), private editing suites, foley sound recording studio, editing classroom, meeting rooms, and green room/work space for actors and film students.
The program has a core of film production courses, practicum courses, and the flexibility for students to decide on areas of focus; students can shape the program to their interests.
Admission
The B.F.A. in Film Production degree is by competitive entry that is separate from the admission to the university. Students must successfully complete a portfolio review and interview process for admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production prior to enrollment at UM. Visit the department website for more information and the online application form.
The Value of a Film Production Degree
The B.F.A. in Film Production prepares students to work in the professional film industry or to pursue graduate work in the discipline. The need to communicate message through film permeates the world, providing many career opportunities in businesses of all kinds, government, sports, non-profits, and, of course, the extensive entertainment fields.
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Program Information
Degree
B.F.A. in Film Production
Required Credit Hours
120
Program Type
Major
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Film Production Job Outlook
Median income for Producers and Directors in 2023.
Median income for Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators in 2023.
Degree Requirements
Students in the B.F.A. in Film Production complete 75 hours of film production courses as well as courses in theater history, literature, and theory.
- Thea 120: Introduction to Theatre, Film and Dance
- Thea 121: Creative Thinking
- Thea 150: Introduction to Design for Theatre & Film
- Thea 499: Senior Seminar
Film Production Courses (39 credit hours):
- Thea 193: Film Practicum I
- Thea 250: Film Production I
- Thea 252: Film Production II
- Thea 253: Cinematography I
- Thea 293: Film Practicum II
- Thea 294: Film Practicum III
- Thea 305: Screenwriting I
- Thea 350: Editing I
- Thea 354: Directing for the Screen I
- Thea 361: Sound Design for Film I
- Thea 393: Film Practicum IV
- Thea 394: Film Practicum V
- Thea 450: Editing II
- Thea 493: Film Practicum VI
- Thea 494: Film Practicum VII
Three Film Production Electives (9 credit hours) chosen from:
- Thea 306: Writing the Pilot
- Thea 352: Producing I
- Thea 358: Writer’s Room I
- Thea 362: Motion Picture Lighting
- Thea 406: Screenwriting II
- Thea 407: Writing the Feature I
- Thea 408: Writing the Feature II
- Thea 454: Directing II
- Thea 460: Cinematography II
- Thea 461: Sound Design for Film II
Two Film Production Electives (6 credit hours) chosen from:
- Thea 110: Intro to Acting
- Thea 111: Realism for Stage and Screen
- Thea 171: Rendering for the Theatre
- Thea 172: Three-Dimensional Design for Theatre
- Thea 210: Acting for the Screen
- Thea 240: Makeup for Stage and Screen
- Thea 246: Costume Crafts
- Thea 256: Documentary Production I
- Thea 270: Basic Lighting and Sound Technology
- Thea 271: Introduction to Stagecraft
- Thea 272: Introduction to Costumes for the Stage
- Thea 273: Costume Construction
- Thea 274: Theatre Design Graphics
- Thea 276: Drafting I
- Thea 277: Intro to Patternmaking
- Thea 279: Costume Design for Film and TV I
- Thea 306: Writing the Pilot
- Thea 341: Property Design and Construction
- Thea 352: Producing I
- Thea 353: Devised Filmmaking
- Thea 358: Writer’s Room I
- Thea 359: Writer’s Room II
- Thea 362: Motion Picture Lighting
- Thea 369: Sound Design I
- Thea 370: Scenic Design II
- Thea 371: Period Patternmaking
- Thea 372: Lighting Design I
- Thea 373: Advanced Makeup for the Stage
- Thea 375: Costume Design II
- Thea 376: Basic Draping
- Thea 378: Fabric Dyeing and Modification
- Thea 379: Theatre Production Techniques III
- Thea 381: Advanced Rendering for the Theatre
- Thea 383: Production Design I
- Thea 406: Screenwriting II
- Thea 442: Millinery
- Thea 453: Postproduction Specialties
- Thea 454: Directing II
- Thea 456: Documentary Production II
- Thea 457: Producing II
- Thea 460: Cinematography II
- Thea 461: Sound Design for Film II
- Thea 469: Sound Design II
- Thea 470: Scenic Design III
- Thea 471: Lighting Design III
- Thea 473: Basic Tailoring
- Thea 474: Costume Design II
- Thea 476: Scene Painting II
- Thea 478: Drafting II
- Thea 479: Costume Design for Film and Television
- Thea 483: Production Design II
- Thea 497: Special Topics in Film Production
Five Theatre History, Literature, and Theory courses (15 credit hours):
- Thea 203: Drama in Film OR Thea 204: Comedy in Film
- Thea 205: Cinema Survey I
- AH 201: History of Art I
- AH 202: History of Art II
Additional Electives (3 credit hours):
- Anth 302: Anthropological Films
- Cine 398: Study Abroad in Cinema
- Eng 311: Studies in Cinema/Media Genres
- Eng 314: The Cinematic South
- Eng 427: Shakespeare on Film
- G St 350: Gender and Sexuality in Cinema
- G St 386: Gender on Film
- Phil 320: Aesthetics
- Phil 355: Philosophy of Film
- Rel 386: Religion and Film
- Thea 303: Indigenous Storytelling on Screen
Video: Get to Know the Department of Theatre & Film
Hear firsthand from students, faculty, and staff about the Film Production program.
Meet a Current Film Production Student
Hear what it's like to study a B.F.A. in Film Production at Ole Miss.
Will Jones
When and why did you select film production for your major?
See Will’s AnswerWelcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
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