Film Production Program
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"I've been able to make a special group of friends in the film program. I've never been in a room with other creatives like this before and it's a great feeling."
Arkasha McGinness
(B.F.A. in Film Production '25)
Master the Art and Craft of Filmmaking
Our B.F.A. in Film Production stands out as the only intensive film program in Mississippi—and one of the few in the region—where students start making their own films in their very first semester, setting us apart from most top-tier film schools.
Best described as a graduate program for undergraduates, our B.F.A. program 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. Our production-based curriculum gives students as many opportunities as possible to make films.
Students must have successful application for entry to the B.F.A in Film Production. Each cohort is limited to no more than 16 students, encouraging a dynamic, long-term collaboration that ensures the advanced production classes function with the efficiency of professional film crews.
Meet the Faculty and Staff in Film Production
Our working filmmakers have created a close-knit artistic community.
Alan Arrivee
- Associate Professor of Film Production
Keith Davis
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Film Production
Sarah Hennigan
- Interim Chair of Theatre and Film and Associate Professor of Film Production
Chriss Alison Huff
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Film Production
Juli Jackson
- Assistant Professor of Film Production
John Rash
- Assistant Professor of Film Production and Southern Studies
Jonathan Smith
- Film Equipment Manager
Michael Tuxhorn
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Film Production
Degree Information
Hone Technical and Creative Skills
Unlike film programs housed within journalism, art, or communications departments, our B.F.A. in Film Production thrives within a dynamic and growing Department of Theatre & Film, offering a rich, immersive creative environment. Film production students study and create alongside acting and design students in a partnership that supports a culture of creativity and storytelling that enriches their technical skills. Starting in the first semester, students are engaged in film projects that culminate in a year-long film project in the senior year. In the junior and senior years students collaborate on the creation of professional-quality short films that are frequently submitted to film festivals.
Film Production Training
As students progress through the program, the equipment and techniques become more refined, allowing them to create first-rate portfolios on their way to the professional world.
First Two Years
Michael Tuxhorn, Instructional Assistant Professor of Film Production, teaches Film Production II where students are introduced to various aspects of digital film production through motion picture fieldwork, history, theory, and criticism. They also work in groups to make short film projects. In the first two years of the curriculum, students gain competency in the use of film production processes and fundamental knowledge in core areas of screenwriting, directing, editing, cinematography, sound design, and producing.
Production Electives
The photo shows an example of a Postproduction Specialty course in animation taught by Juli Jackson, Assistant Professor of Film Production. Students select a variety of production and post-production electives including more of the same core areas or stretch into producing, documentary, animation, experimental, and crafts such as costume, make-up, scenic design, computer-aided design, and more. They use electives to explore possible career interests;
Last Two Years
Alan Arrivée, Associate Professor of Film Production, teaches the advanced screenwriting course, Writing the Feature. In the last two years of the curriculum, students continue to hone their skills in advanced courses that allow them to gain a deeper knowledge in at least one area of film production.
AVID Certification
Thea 450: Editing II is taught by several faculty including Keith Davis, an Instructional Assistant Professor in Film Production. At the conclusion of this advanced editing course students may receive certification in AVID, an industry-standard editing software. Several faculty and staff are certified instructors in AVID, giving our students the edge in stepping into post-production careers.
Film Practicum Courses
Students use the Film Practicum courses to make plans in a pre-production meeting. These Practicum courses are taken seven of the eight semesters of the program, enabling students to put into practice their growing areas of expertise on student-generated film productions.
Junior Collaboration
Students who are juniors in both film production and acting collaborate on a year-long project with roles assigned to everyone based on their developing strengths and interests. This is a more unique feature of our UM program and it further teaches students key collaboration skills.
Senior Capstone Project
In their senior year students pitch a major independent film project to the faculty and students. Several projects are selected for department funding and production assistance. All students must participate in a significant role for these productions such as director, producer, cinematographer, etc. The two-semester film project is entirely created by the students as they collaborate with acting and design students to create professional-quality short film that may be submitted to film festivals. Students learn how to market their film and themselves.
Why study filmmaking at UM?
In looking at various schools the University of Mississippi offered everything I wanted. At an academic level, the film production program and Honors College, especially, have offered me a wide array of great opportunities. At a cultural level, the University and greater Oxford area are a wonderful place to live and explore. To attend a great institution with like-minded people who share that sense of enthusiasm has been, like I suspected it would be, a dream come true.
The world always needs more artists, and filmmaking serves as one of the exemplary arts, combining painting, literature, music, poetry, and more. The work is truly the reward, and I love the major because there is never a dead end; there are always new creative avenues to explore and expand your knowledge/craft.
Will Jones
B.F.A. in Film Production ('25)
Film Screenings and Festivals
The Department of Theatre & Film has a production season for live stage productions as well as film screenings. Student film screenings are held at both the film production complex and the local movie theatre (Malco).
Oxford Film Festival was founded in 2003 by the local Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and became an independent nonprofit organization in 2008. It exhibits more than 100 films from across the globe, and the schedule includes many opportunities for students to interact with filmmakers.
Department faculty are part of the board of the Oxford Film Festival and the department has a dedicated slot during the schedule for student projects. Some students succeed in having their films accepted to the regular film festival slots as well.
Students submit their films to film festivals around the country. The department provides financial support and advice for submissions through an application process to help encourage this professionalization.
Film Production Complex
With a $2,000,000 investment, the Department of Theatre & Film opened the renovated 9,500 sq ft film production facility in August 2020 at the UM South Oxford Center. The SOC, which is located about 2 miles from the main campus, also houses the department's costume studio. The facility supports all of the film production classes in addition to the film acting classes.
Sound Stage 1
Sound Stage 1 is primarily a large classroom with a Dobly Atmos surround sound system to replicate a movie theatre experience. In this Cinematography I course taught by Juli Jackson, Assistant Professor of Film Production, students are presenting their projects to the class.
Sound Stage 2
Sound Stage 2 is primarily for production projects and includes an infinity wall that allows students to get experience using chroma key (green screen), thus broadening the kinds of stories they can tell. It also includes a lighting grid and dimming system that prepares students to step into crew positions as interns or first job placements. In this photo, high school students take part in a summer film program through Summer College with extensive funding provided by a UM Institute for the Arts donor, making the experience free for Mississippians.
Editing Lab
The editing classroom recreates a production house environment with a shared server room that is connected with the sound stages, advanced editing suites, and foley studio.
Editing Lab
Like other spaces, the editing suite is available 24/7 for students to use industry-standard software and is linked to the integrated servers that house their projects.
Advanced Editing Suites
The two editing suites have industry-standard tools for coloring and post-production, including color accurate monitors, DaVinci Resolve control interfaces, and sound proof walls. They are available 24/7 and have enough room for small groups to observe and provide feedback.
Foley and Sound Recording Studio
The Foley/Advanced Dialogue Replacement (ADR) studio and control room provide a sound-proofed space where students can practice foley skills (sound effects). Both film and acting students can get experience with ADR techniques.
Greenroom/Student Lounge and Conference Room
Additional spaces that are available 24/7, the green room/student lounge and conference room allow students to prepare for film shoots, work on projects, screen films, watch movies, and hang out between classes.
Equipment Cage
Students can check out kits of equipment for class and personal projects. The department's annual budget includes funding for maintenance of existing equipment and purchase of new equipment. Both faculty and students give input on equipment to purchase.
Beyond the Studio
Student Clubs
Students from across campus can come together with two clubs to explore film.
The UM Film Club is a film appreciation club with members getting together to watch and discuss movies twice a month. Oxford Reels is a student-run film organization to provide a creative space to produce film.
Stamps Impact Prize
Film Production major Autumn Payne received a prestigious grant through the Stamps Impact Prize to support student-led research and creative projects. With mentorship by Sarah Hennigan, Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Film Production, Autumn's documentary short film sheds light on the nuanced experiences of autistic women. The project for which she served as director will complete her senior capstone film as well as Honors College thesis. She was able to use the funds to support the production expenses and to hire recent alumni for post-production work.
Travel Courses
Have an immersive learning experience and earn credit for general education courses or electives by enrolling in a Study USA or Study Abroad program. Travel with a professor for a 2-week course with scholarship support from the College of Liberal Arts.
One film-related opportunity is a trip to Cannes Film Festival with a French professor.
Preparing for the Film Profession
Students learn skills and industry standards throughout the program and apply those skills in a professional environment. Knowing how to prepare and present a professional portfolio is built into many courses and into portfolio reviews conducted with faculty at the end of every semester.
One of the most important ways students can prepare for a career after graduation is to build professional-grade portfolio reels. Students build their projects through multiple ways:
- Student film projects from courses build their professional portfolio of work.
- Faculty hire students to work on projects with them.
- UM Athletics Department has an extensive PR team with film needs. Some of our students have worked with them while at the university then gone to work at SEC Network.
- Summer jobs/internships. Students make connections through internships that also provide opportunities to produce more work.
Building Connections, Creating Opportunities
"One of the reasons we educate students in small groups and have them move through our program together is so they can form tight-knit communities of support while they are here but also after graduation. This has already begun to happen in cities like Atlanta, for instance. Three or four students at a time have decided to move there together to help each other break into the film industry. They keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities and share them with each other. This kind of support leads to success."
Alan Arrivée
Associate Professor of Film Production
Meet an Alum from Film Production
Tony King
Hear about Tony's time at UM and learn about his current career path.
Meet Tony