Areas of Study: Cinema
VCU’s Cinema Program prepares young filmmakers for careers in the industry and graduate study in the field through a bachelor of arts (Film BA) degree with a liberal arts emphasis.
Workshops and Summer Production Intensives focus on the creation of short digital films in a professional and collaborative production environment. Students are taught by working filmmakers and use high-end digital and motion picture equipment.
BA Film students focus on narrative film and combine the use of new digital technologies (becoming the standard for independent filmmakers) with classical cinema production techniques learned through close examination of the best in U.S Independent, European and World Cinema.
BA Film majors can graduate after three years of full-time study as a result of credits earned in the Summer Production Intensives.
The program is designed to easily accommodate a second major in a non-arts field. Students are encouraged to choose a second major that will provide them with a well-rounded education and enrich their work in film.
Internships with film organizations and production companies in the region and international opportunities are available for students as they advance within the program.
What's the difference in the Cinema major and the film focus of the Photography and Film major?
Cinema offers a BA degree. Students learn to create narrative films and work in teams. Emphasis on writing, casting, directing, camera work, editing, etc.
Photography and Film offers a BFA degree. Students work individually to create experimental films and documentaries.
A BA is a liberal-arts based, general arts degree; 1/3 focus on major, 2/3 focus on liberal arts and sciences
A BFA is a professional studio-based degree, 2/3 focus on major, 1/3 focus on liberal arts and sciences
Note: For animation and experimental video BFA, see Kinetic Imaging.
How to Apply: BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Cinema
If you are a prospective freshman or transfer applicant, please see vcu.edu/arts/apply for required application materials and directions on how to apply.
Optional Supplemental Materials:
• If you have written a screenplay, we ask that you send the first 10 pages and title page as an additional writing sample.
• Extra Undergraduate Reference Forms (up to 3 in total) may be submitted but only one is required.
Apply Now
If you are a current VCU student interested in applying to Cinema, you will need to submit the following materials to the Cinema Office. Deadline information may be found at http://www.vcu.edu/arts/prospective_students/transfers/
Change of Major Requirements:
• Unofficial VCU transcript
• Transcripts from any other College attended
• High School transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. (Copies of these, from your original application file, can be obtained from current department.)
• A résumé
• Personal Statement outlining your interest in and experience with film, and a brief discussion of your intended second major.
• A second essay describing a story you would like to tell on film. (200 words or less.)
• Optional - If you have written a screenplay, we ask that you send the first 10 pages and title page as an additional writing sample.
• Optional - Extra Undergraduate Reference Forms (up to 3 in total) may be submitted but only one is required.
Send all Change of Major/Transfer student materials to:
Mary Beth Reed, 325 N. Harrison Street Richmond, VA 23284-2519
Visit our program's site:
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/cinema/dept/
