Major in Film (Digital Cinema)
Become a filmmaker • Use the latest technology • Graduate industry-ready
Master the universal cultural expression of our day
Because of its capacity to merge visual, intellectual, and aural experiences together, we depend on film to interpret events in our lives and the world. At JBU, you'll gain the foundational skills and the sensitivity to use those skills to make films that are both entertaining and purposeful. You will graduate both a technician and storyteller.
Discover how JBU equips you with the skills to make your vision come to life
Master the technology
The program prepares students to work with digital as well as conventional photographic, video and motion picture applications. Courses include photography, editing, cinematography, film theory, film production, lighting, script writing and an internship.
Create your film
Beginning the first semester, film students work with upperclassmen to create short films in various key roles informed by their progressive studies. This culminates in the production of a senior film project that becomes the centerpiece of a professional portfolio.
Graduate industry-ready
Receive a foundation in traditional illustration techniques, graphic design fundamentals and practical mass media skills that will prepare you for the convergence of technology, art and electronic media. The program is demanding of students’ time, energy and talent with the end goal of industry-ready graduates prepared for a career in film.
JBU's high-tech facilities and technology give you the tools you need to create something spectacular
Expand your creative capacity and develop the skills you need to make your ideas a reality
Alumni Spotlight
Micheal Bruner '12
For Bruner, pursuing a degree in digital cinema took him out of Arkansas and into an internship in Los Angeles with Warner Brothers Studios. “The experience was amazing and unlike any other challenge I’ve ever had,” he said. “Going from learning about film theory in the classroom to a large production crew really helped me understand the diversity in filmmaking. There is such a variety of personality, talents, visions, and areas of expertise that digital cinema students don’t really have a stereotype,” Michael said. “We learn a lot from each other even though we are all pursuing different things.”
Dustin Solomon '01
Dustin Solomon has always loved movies and escapism. As owner of Mutiny FX, a film post-production and special effects studio, Solomon loves that with imagination and technology you can bring anything to life. He says one of his biggest takeaways from his JBU education was being adaptable and creative problem-solving. Solomon’s company most recently finished special effects and post-production work on Pirate’s Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson.
“The depth of knowledge you want to get is limitless,” Solomon said. “It’s up to you how engaged you want to be. It was a great experience that I would definitely do over again if I had the opportunity.”
What to expect as a film student at JBU
The Latest Technology
Film gadgets are cool, and the JBU Film Program has many of them: BlackMagic Design 4.6K URSAMiniPro as well as Canon C300 and C100 MKII cameras, XEEN and Rokinon Prime Lenses, RedRockMicro Matte Boxes and Wireless Follow-Focus, SteadiCam Scout, DJI Ronin, EZ Jib, Dolly and Track, ARRI Tungsten, KinoFlo Fluorescent, Litepanel Astra LED lighting instruments, SoundDevices Mixers, Sennheiser Booms Mics and Wireless Lavs, and grip carts complete with stands, flags and rigging equipment.
Incredible Facilities
Our three art buildings include two 3-story facilities featuring classrooms, a theater, two galleries, photo and cinema studios, MAC labs and a printmaking workshop. The Studio Project Barn includes additional large spaces for a state-of-the-art photo studio, drawing and painting classrooms, wood shop, ceramics studio and individual artist stations.
An Opportunity to Explore the World
Summer Studies trips provide opportunities for students to visit world-famous art collections in Europe, make documentaries in Berlin, participate in adventure filmmaking classes in Alaska, and more.
A Screening of Your Films
Choose your favorite projects from the year and display them at JBU’s annual Student Works Show, and see your hard work on the big screen when we show senior cinema projects in the Berry Performing Arts Center at the end of each semester.
A Chance to Study in L.A.
Through CCCU Best Semester programs, students can apply to study at the LA Film Studies Center for a semester. Students intern 20-40 hours a week while taking film courses and attending workshops of their choice.
Earn your bachelors & MBA in 5 years
With a bachelor's in digital cinema and master's degree in business, you'll learn how to professionally market your filmmaking skills and create a viable business model. After a thorough undergrad program of foundational cinema courses followed by in-depth work writing and developing your own screenplay and producing a short narrative film ready for film festivals and distribution, you begin your business education with foundational undergrad business courses plus 12 hours of graduate business courses while you are still in your undergrad program. That’s 12 hours of MBA coursework for free and completed by the time you earn your bachelor's! Then you can choose whether you continue in the grad program full-time, or finish your MBA online while working.
What could you do with a Film degree?
Cinematography
The cinematographer tells stories through the visual arts with creativity in organizing camera angles and shots.
Film/Commercial Editor
Editors are a part of the post production of digital media art. Editors assemble the footage into a sequence that tells a story. Editors are employed to construct commercials, promotional videos, full-length movies and many other video projects in between.
Screenwriter
A screenwriter constructs an entire screenplay on paper before a camera is even set up to capture it. This position requires a creative and strategic mind in order to communicate to the director what shots to arrange and how to creatively tell a story.
Television Production
In the world of TV production, the opportunities range from being a news camera operator to writing a TV series script to working in the post-production of sports games. If you’re interested in a fast-paced work environment, TV production is full of opportunities to apply your skill set.
Animation Studios
Animators are constantly constructing images for film, television, video games, and the internet for diverse clients and needs. Animators must be flexible, skilled, and creative in order to meet a variety of needs while maintaining originality in their work.
Advertising Agencies
Countless businesses are anxious to get the word out about their products and services, and each one of those businesses is different. There are plenty of opportunities to develop brands and labels at advertising agencies for increases in consumer awareness and sale
Meet the Film Program Faculty
