Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies
“Film School “at Carson-Newman
For over thirty years, Carson-Newman has been teaching students about films and filmmaking. An interdisciplinary Film major now blends coursework in film production and writing with the academic study of motion pictures in a Christian context. Film students hone their craft as filmmakers while studying the aesthetics of cinema and the business of the motion pictures industry.
The Mossy Creek Documentary Arts Festival is just one of many ways Carson-Newman Film students connect to the profession. The festival offers the opportunity for students and professional documentary filmmakers to share their stories with the campus and community.
Description of the Film Program
Film students will study the aesthetics of motion pictures, learn the tools of production, and prepare for careers in the film industry. Students majoring in Film will select from classes on film in the areas ranging from Communication to English, from History to Religion.
Specialized courses like Film Authors or American Film Genres provide students with a clear understanding of the medium. Classes like World Cinema offer an intercultural perspective on film. Film students also have access to a production studio, editing equipment, cameras, lighting and other tools of the trade, and internships play a crucial role in providing students with real-world skills in and knowledge of the film industry.
Students have the opportunity to interact with professional filmmakers as they visit the campus and serve as guest lectures in classes. Each year, Carson-Newman also hosts the Mossy Creek Documentary Arts Festival showcasing the documentary films of both students and professionals and bringing filmmakers to campus. In addition, Tennessee Filmmaker, a PBS series, is sometimes shot on the campus.
By the senior year, students work individually with professors to create Senor Film Projects. This capstone experience demonstrates the knowledge and skills that the student has developed throughout the program.
While at Carson-Newman, students also can apply to be involved in film internships, including opportunities in Hollywood.