BFA in Cinematic Arts

Houston Christian University’s (HCU) Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Cinematic Arts degree program is a comprehensive crash course in filmmaking and video production skills that fuels various careers in film and entertainment.

Our Cinematic Arts and film program is generated from understanding God’s gift of great art as the foundation of creating film, looking to Shakespeare and Michelangelo as much as we do Hitchcock and Bergman to guide courses and hands-on experiences.

From producing faculty- and student-directed films to the opportunity to specialize in screenwriting, directing, editing, or cinematography, transform a love of film and television history and theory into practical cinematic skills with HCU’s BFA in Cinematic Arts program.

Cinematic Arts Major Overview and Requirements

Crossing the bounds of a traditional film degree with upskilling in technical media production, students in the Cinematic Arts degree program become exposed to styles of and approaches to creating art, journalism, or commercial video that tell today’s stories in mediums that inspire a desired effect on various audiences.

As a Cinematic Arts major, you periodically update your professional portfolio with actual production experience. Across 125 undergraduate credits, program requirements explore a combination of general education, narrative arts core courses, fine arts courses exposing you to different mediums, and advanced specialization coursework in screenwriting, editing, video production, and directing.

Degree Plan

Review the BFA in Cinematic Arts degree plan and major requirements.

Cinematography and Film Studies Courses

In addition to having the flexibility to specialize in film career areas like directing, screenwriting, and cinematography, as a Cinematic Arts major, you take courses that ground your techniques in media studies, film theory, faith and culture, and front-to-end knowledge of pre- and post-production.

Courses in the Cinematic Arts degree program include:

• Advanced Post-Production
• Art of Storytelling
• Introduction to Media Production
• Portfolio, Pitching, and Networking
• Storytelling in Cinema

Cinema Production Minor

By taking the Cinema Production minor alongside a different HCU major, you can access tech used in real production houses and our community of cinematic storytellers.
Review the Cinema Production minor program requirements.

What Can I Do With a BFA in Cinematic Arts From HCU?

By crafting student films and media pieces and undergoing feedback and direction from peers and mentors in collaborative workshops, graduates of the Cinematic Arts degree program are ready to produce beautiful and successful cinematic work in the multimedia settings ubiquitous in today’s world.

From learning how to create film pieces for marketing purposes to experiencing the Hollywood studio system firsthand, enter the video production industry with the knowledge and resources to join any team or career opportunity creating visual stories. Discover your entrepreneurial side to pursue independent filmmaking and develop the professional communication and pitching skills to thrive in creative environments in all industries.

Career and Salary Outcomes

A hands-on approach to learning video production prepares you for the multifaceted nature of the entertainment industry, film world, and creative careers. Graduating with a degree in film, cinema, and media equips you with a versatile skill set, opening doors to a wide array of career paths where creativity meets technology. Careers in this field include:

• Cinematographer
• Film Director
• Film Editor
• Media Producer
• Production Designer
• Screenwriter

These roles allow you to apply your creative vision and technical skills, from storytelling and directing to editing and production management. The entertainment industry values diverse talents, offering opportunities to contribute to various stages of film and media production.

In the film industry, salaries are often project-based and can vary by location, employer size and type, experience, and your portfolio. Salary expectations can grow if you pursue graduate studies in film editing or another related field. Producers and directors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earn an average annual salary of $85,320, and film and video editors can earn an average yearly salary of $63,520.

Opportunities for Cinematic Arts Majors

Practical Media Production Experience

More than a third of the coursework in the BFA in Cinematic Arts program is made up of practical, hands-on media production projects. You will have the chance to develop and produce your own ideas while also supporting your classmates on their productions. Moreover, our highly experienced faculty members supervise and guide you throughout the process, ensuring you receive the best possible training and education in this exciting field.

Internships and Exchange Semesters in Hollywood

Each Cinematic Arts major completes at least one internship for three course credits. If you’re enthralled with the thriving surroundings of Houston’s art scene, the independent film hub of Austin, or even the studios in Hollywood, our partnerships with various universities and programs in Texas, California, and beyond empower you to explore creating in a new cultural environment.

Connect With Filmmakers and Producers

Our Cinema and New Media Arts faculty actively create films, web series, video games, and other stories, allowing you to take on apprenticeship opportunities and learn from their past experiences on working film sets while earning your bachelor’s degree.

Beyond your professors, our partnerships and relationships with creative agencies and film production companies introduce immersive opportunities to connect with active filmmakers, media producers, and industry professionals.

Related Programs

Through a variety of bachelor’s degree programs, the Department of Narrative Arts reflects a dedication to storytelling and conveying messages through human connection. Find a pathway to focusing on writing, digital media, design, and more:

• Bachelor of Arts in Narrative Arts: Focus on creative writing, digital media, or video production through a lens of leadership in storytelling across multiple mediums.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation: Produce and pitch real 3D animation projects by gaining foundations in design, animation production, and media studies.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Immerse yourself in a rigorous writing practice, whether interested in a specific genre or the breadth of language.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Video Game Design: Build a portfolio of video game design and production experience through internships and coursework in games’ technical and storytelling aspects.

You can even continue on to HCU’s master’s degree program in cinematic arts, deepening relationships with your network in Houston and furthering your technical and storytelling capabilities for advanced career pathways.

Admissions and Aid

Join a vibrant community of creators, thinkers, and storytellers. With mentorship from industry veterans, collaborative workshops, and a supportive network of peers, find your place among tomorrow’s film industry stars.

• Take the next step with undergraduate admissions: Fill out a free application.
• Start learning about tuition and aid at HCU: Financial aid options tailored to you.
• Get to know HCU: What motivates us and who we are.

Become a Cinematic Arts Major at Houston Christian University

HCU’s BFA in Cinematic Arts degree offers access to professional-grade equipment, on-campus studios, and a network of industry insiders. Here, your ideas flourish from script to screen to real career opportunities.

Ready to bring your stories to life with impactful film techniques? Start your journey and create the future of film. Apply now.