2010-2011 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Film and Video Production - Program Description
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the School of Communications or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences sections in this catalog.
School of Communications Director: Thompson; Professors Morse, Perrine; Associate Professors Philbin, Roberts, Roos, Schmit.
Website: www.gvsu.edu/filmvideo
A strong hands-on emphasis characterizes the Film and Video Production major. Emphasis areas include animation and new media, cinema studies, documentary and nonfiction, fiction filmmaking, and sound design. The curriculum integrates production experience with the insights offered by media history, theory, and criticism.
Digital video facilities include nonlinear editing suites, a full complement of field gear, television studio classroom, and a digital audio studio. The 16mm film equipment includes single and double camera packages. Students work with a variety of software in Macintosh computer laboratories. Student internship opportunities include regional and national productions, post production houses, and many more.
The Film and Video Production program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Admission
In order to maintain high-quality instruction, the Film and Video Production major limits the number of students accepted each year into CFV 226 and all 300- and 400-level film/video courses.
Students are required to have an overall GPA above 2.5 and complete the three film and video pre-admission courses (with a minimum of 3.0 GPA) in order to apply for admission to CFV 226 and to 300- and 400-level film and video courses. Achievement of these minimum criteria does not guarantee admission (see below).
Having met these requirements, students will submit an admission application. Guidelines for the application are available on request from the School of Communications office, 290 Lake Superior Hall, and on the Film and Video Production web site at www.gvsu.edu/filmvideo. All prospective majors must submit an admission application. Applications are accepted the first Monday of November, April, and August.
Students interested in the Film and Video Production major are encouraged to complete the Film and Video Production Foundation requirements early in their course of study, and to maintain regular contact with their advisor to ensure proper course enrollment and steady progress toward full acceptance.
Students may petition to bypass the three pre-admission courses on the basis of prior coursework for which they have received a 3.0 minimum GPA at another postsecondary institution. The petition should include a syllabus plus one or more projects and/or papers from the prior course(s). On the basis of these materials, the film and video faculty will determine what Grand Valley coursework, if any, is required of the petitioner. Students may not take 200-level or higher CFV courses until they are admitted to the major.
Career Opportunities
Graduates find a wide range of professional employment, both in West Michigan and nationally, including positions in the feature film industry, animation and multimedia, at radio and network and televisions stations, advertising agencies, community media access stations, production and post-production houses, school systems, and corporations. Other students have chosen to continue their education in graduate school.