Department of Visual & Media Arts
Film (BA, BFA)
Alex Fierro-Clarke Started Working in Film in His First Year
Film major Alex Fierro-Clarke works on EVVY Awards and is in the film group Frames Per Second. (Filmed and edited by Emerson students.)
This specialization is designed to explore in depth the use of film as a media production format. Students will be required to develop a comprehensive technical, theoretical, and artistic familiarity with film as a creative endeavor.
Credits: 44 for BA, 60 for BFA (both degrees also include 8 additional upper-level liberal arts credits)
I. Visual and Media Arts Foundations (12 credits)
The Visual and Media Arts Foundations offer students a broad theoretical, historical, and practical introduction to the visual and media arts.
Required Courses
| VM 100 | History of Media Arts I |
| VM 101 | History of Media Arts II |
one of the Following:
| VM 102 | Dimensions of Creativity |
| VM 120 | Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production |
II. Introduction to Disciplines (16 credits minimum)
At the Introduction to Disciplines level, students explore one or more of the department’s main discipline areas.
Required Courses
| VM 200 | Media Criticism and Theory |
| VM 230 | Introduction to Film Production |
| VM 231 | Intermediate Film Production |
At least one of the following:
| VM 220 | Writing the Short Subject |
| VM 221 | Writing the Feature Film |
| VM 222 | Writing for Television |
III. Specializations
At least two of the following:
| VM 220 | Writing the Short Subject |
| VM 221 | Writing the Feature Film |
| VM 324 | Topics in Screenplay Genres |
| VM 332 | Production Management |
| VM 350 | Sound Design |
| VM 360 | Film Animation |
| VM 370 | Business Concepts for Modern Media |
| VM 372 | Directing Image and Sound |
| VM 373 | Directing Actors for the Screen |
| VM 376 | Editing for Film and Video |
| VM 378 | Basic Cinematography and Videography |
| VM 428 | Feature Writing Workshop |
| VM 476 | Editing for Advanced Film and Video Projects |
| VM 478 | Advanced Cinematography and Videography |
At least one of the following:
| VM 402 | Seminar in Media Arts Topics |
| VM 409 | Seminar in Western Art |
| VM 410 | Seminar in Non-Western Art |
Required Courses
| One additional advanced visual and media studies course numbered VM 300-315, 400-418, or 500-519. |
In addition to the General Education and major requirements, all students are required to complete at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level from the following Liberal Arts areas:
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Recommended Electives
| VM 332 | Production Management |
| VM 450 | Advanced Sound Design |
Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop
Students may apply to take the Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop. Two semesters are mandatory for BFA. Optional for BA.
For specific course prerequisites, please consult the Undergraduate Catalogue.
It was the culmination of their college experience. For their BFA film project, Joseph Rechtman (Dec) ’11, Daniel Gamache ’11, and Jared Kowalczyk ’11 created Gem of the West, an atypical Western flick.
Watch their interview »
Martin Zaharinov
Directing major Martin Zaharinov explains the amount of hands-on opportunities that are available to you—even as soon as your first semester on campus.
VM 120 Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production Project
Student Manny Jaquez created a five minute film for class over two weekends around Boston. Watch the video »
The Emerson Channel learns about stop motion video from two Visual and Media Arts students in VM 120: Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production. Watch video »
