Film/Video Production Concentration, Communications Media, BS

Major
On Campus, Day
Communications Media
3 Film students working in the studio filming from different levels and angles

In Short

The Communications Media Film/Video Production Concentration puts you in a hands-on environment to learn all aspects of media creation both technical and aesthetic for film and digital media.

What we're working on

Autumn Olson directs the script she wrote “Mom’s Coming Home.” This short comedy won “Best New England Short” in the Shawna Shea Film Festival in 2020
Autumn Olson directs the script she wrote, “Mom’s Coming Home.” This short comedy won “Best New England Short” in the Shawna Shea Film Festival in 2020.
My Friend the Collector student production
“My Friend the Collector” is an advanced video project directed by Sophia Ciampaglia, Alex O’Donnell, and Kat Doyle. Production was delayed and encountered obstacles because of COVID-19, but the student cast and crew took careful on-set precautions and pursued their goal of producing this short film set during World War II. Photograph by Megan Ptak. To watch videos about this film and follow their production progress, then please check out the page: https://www.facebook.com/myfriendthecollector.
Edgar Mutebi directs a scene for his short horror film “Crickets.”
Edgar Mutebi directs a scene for his short horror film “Crickets.”
Scene from documentary Irene Clark: Master Navajo Weaver
A still from the documentary “Irene H. Clark: Master Navajo Weaver” directed by Dan Harris. The student production team raised funds and applied for grants in order to film on location in New Mexico. This was featured in the 2020 Online New England Film Festival.
Still of student doing interview for documentary on DACA
Eduardo Freitas interviews Tereza Lee for the documentary he directed, “DACA: The Story of Dreamers.”

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The job growth outlook for film and video editors through 2030 is 33%, with 18,300 new jobs in the field. This comes with a median annual wage of $76,000.*

Program Overview

The Film and Video Production concentration allows students to work in both film and digital media, as well as study both narrative fiction and documentary filmmaking. Beginning in their first year, students are given hands-on instruction in a deeply immersive environment that stresses both the technical and aesthetic aspects of media creation.

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All students have access to a wide range of industry standard cameras, lights, audio gear and post-production facilities. Within the concentration, students work both collaboratively and individually on a multitude of projects. In their final semester, all eligible students gain professional industry experience in a full-time internship either locally, in Los Angeles, New York or elsewhere.

Check out this documentary made by TJ Saccoccio '22 as an emotional call to action from Generation Z pleading for those in power to act on Climate Change. It received an Outstanding Achievement award for “Best Web/New Media Short” from Indie Short Fest, a film festival based in Los Angeles. 

Watch a TikTok video from Isaiah Manual an undergraduate sophomore student in our Film/Video program and a student in Kyle Moody's social media class.

Check out the Burg Blog to see more from our department.

*View the Bureau of Labor Statistics,U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Film and Video Editors(visited May 20, 2022).

The film equipment and editing labs at Fitchburg State were very easily accessible to students, which wasn’t the case at the first university I attended and was a major factor in my decision to transfer. Also, smaller class sizes allowed me to have better relationships with my professors, which is extremely important in something like film/video.

Michael Labrecque, '22

Experiential Opportunities

Film students with teacher in the studio
Communications Media Internships

Internships

Internships are a great opportunity to get valuable, real-world experiences before entering a competitive job market.
Read more about: Internships
Three photos of a woman's face behind a sheer fabric

Visions

Each year students are given the opportunity to submit original work to be juried and possibly selected for our honors art exhibition, VISIONS. This is a showcase of the year's best student work. VISIONS involves a gallery exhibition and a film/video screening.
Read more about: Visions
Game Design students in Japan

Study Abroad

Take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad and you can do this in one of three ways: short-term faculty-led programs, exchange/direct enroll programs, and outside provider-led programs.
Read more about: Study Abroad

Curriculum and Other Information

B.S. in Communications Media

  • Students should demonstrate proficiency in the core tools and skills of their discipline.
  • Students should be able to apply aesthetic principles to their work by developing and defending a portfolio that demonstrates craftship and meets professional standards for their discipline.
  • Students should be able to explain how their work fits in the historical and theoretical context of their discipline.
  • Students should apply core theoretical principles to the analysis and critique of media.
  • Students should recognize and apply ethical perspectives to their work.
  • Cinematographer
  • Director
  • Editor
  • Film/Video Critic
  • Grip
  • Lighting Director
  • Producer
  • Videographer

Undergraduate Day Tuition and Fees