Film Studies
Mission
The Film program provides rigorous training in a liberal arts setting for future film professionals – writers, directors, producers, designers, teachers and related film practitioners. The hands-on Film program emphasizes the holistic combination of film studies and film production, including strong writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. Scholarly and creative context are offered for the liberal arts student, as well as the student seeking intensive preparation for advanced study in film. Students have the opportunity to work on Hollywood studio features, large independent film productions and create their own award-winning short films. Students are prepared for graduate school opportunities in areas such as writing, directing, producing, design/technology, production management and education.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Prepare for careers in the entertainment industry based on knowledge acquired through participation in performances, workshops, guest artist residencies and national film competitions.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the arts through exposure to various research perspectives – historical, critical and behavioral.
- Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of African American heritage through the study of classic and modern film.
Experience the magic of filmmaking at Dillard University’s Film Studies program, where students collaborate with industry icons like Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, and Forest Whitaker, mastering pre-production skills, storyboarding, and budgeting to prepare for successful careers in film and television, participating in the creation of acclaimed features such as “The Butler,” “Mr. Right,” “Elvis and Nixon,” “Oldboy,” and “The Magnificent Seven,” while also opening doors in the music industry, media companies, and marketing agencies through the production of branded content and commercials.
What Makes Dillard Film Unique?
MAKING FEATURE FILMS IS BUILT INTO THE PROGRAM
Dillard Film supports movies big and small. Whether it’s putting 43 Dillard students as interns on Spike Lee’s “Oldboy” or five students on Lee Daniel’s “The Butler,” Dillard Film helps filmmakers make films.
WHY DILLARD FILM?
- Work on real feature film sets.
- Learn holistic filmmaking.
- Learn filmmaking by working with professionals in small class sizes.
View the courses in film studies and requirements to earn your degree
Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Film
Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 33 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 48 credit hours
Major Requirements
- FLM 101 – Introduction to the Study of Film3 cr.
- FLM 200 – Film History & Theory3 cr.
- FLM 220 – Film Production3 cr.
- FLM 240 – Special Topics3 cr.
- FLM 300 – Cinematography & Directing3 cr.
- FLM 310 – Sound Design for Film3 cr.
- FLM 320 – Documentary Film Production3 cr.
- FLM 340 – Special Topics3 cr.
- FLM 400 – Advanced Project in Film Production3 cr.
- FLM 440 – Internship3 cr.
- Film (FLM) Elective: 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
Includes a minor in another discipline.
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics3 cr. or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics3 cr.
- SPT 204 – Public Speaking3 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting3 cr. or
- SPT 211 – Acting I3 cr.
- POL 201 – American National Government3 cr. or
- POL 202 – State and Local Government3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective: 27 cr.
- Philosophy (PHI) Elective: 3 cr.
- Screenwriting (ENG) Elective: 3 cr.
- Theatre (SPT) Elective: 3 cr.
Film Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- BIO 101 – Biological Sciences I3 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101 – Physical Sciences I3 cr. ♦
- BIO 101L – Biology Sciences I Laboratory1 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101L – Physical Sciences I Laboratory1 cr. ♦
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I3 cr. ♦
- FLM 101 – Introduction to the Study of Film3 cr.
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I0 cr. ♦
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Second Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S.3 cr. ♦
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra3 cr. ♦
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II0 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Second Year
First Semester
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II3 cr. ♦
- FLM 200 – Film History & Theory3 cr.
- FLM 220 – Film Production3 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting3 cr. or
- SPT 211 – Acting I3 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 15
Second Semester
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics3 cr. ♦
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination0 cr. ***
- FLM 240 – Special Topics3 cr.
- FLM 320 – Documentary Film Production3 cr.
- Humanities Elective 3 cr. ♦
- Screenwriting (ENG) Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Third Year
First Semester
- FLM 310 – Sound Design for Film3 cr.
- FLM 300 – Cinematography & Directing3 cr.
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics3 cr. or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics3 cr.
- POL 201 – American National Government3 cr. or
- POL 202 – State and Local Government3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- FLM 340 – Special Topics3 cr.
- SPT 204 – Public Speaking3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Philosophy (PHI) Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Fourth Year
First Semester
- FLM 440 – Internship3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- FLM 400 – Advanced Project in Film Production3 cr.
- Film (FLM) Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Theatre (SPT) Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Total Required Hours: 122
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102 .
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
Note
Dillard Film History
In recent years, tax incentives offered by the State of Louisiana have made New Orleans a magnet for film production projects. Dillard has taken advantage of the booming business to create training opportunities for its film students. The University has designated film as a signature program in its College of Arts and Sciences.
In addition to coursework, undergraduate majors work with professional filmmakers as crew members on location. Dillard students have participated in the making of five big budget features originating in Hollywood and New York, including “The Butler” starring Forrest Whitaker, “Mr. Right” starring Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick, “Elvis and Nixon” with Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon, Spike Lee’s “Old Boy” and a remake of “The Magnificent Seven” with Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke.
The Dillard University film program is helping to further enrich culture and the arts in one of the nation’s most distinctive cities, and to provide students with exciting opportunities to learn from the best. As a result of our hard work, Dillard Film was ranked #13 Best Bachelor’s in Film Programs by Study.com.
CREW
The average Film student works on 4 to 10 Hollywood features before they graduate.
PRODUCED
Our branded, target-marketed, concept-to-delivery approach ensures that the student not only makes good work but thinks like an entrepreneurial producer.
LIVE IT
All classes are taught by working filmmakers, ensuring the student gets the best up-to-date info in today’s ever-changing landscape.
LEARN IT
Classes frequently have working pros as guest lecturers teach in person or virtually directly from Hollywood.
Keith Alan Morris
Cook 127
Office: (504) 816-4548
Fax: (504) 816-4035
kmorris@dillard.edu
