Film & Video

Using media to tell compelling stories with images and words is the cornerstone of the film and video program. The program encourages interdepartmental explorations in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Instruction emphasizes helping students to find their own creative voice through challenging classes and hands-on experiences. Course work often involves creative projects using many of the same tools found in industry, such as high-definition cameras and digital editing and sound design. Students work on all levels of film projects: They study and create narratives from scripts to production, documentaries, animation, experimental film and social activism pieces. The program also attempts to stay in constant dialogue with the local independent filmmaking community.

Program Highlights

  • Emphasis in studies and practice
  • Emphasis in encouraging students to develop individual style and opinions
  • Projects in collaboration with the community
  • High-definition cameras
  • A digital media lab that includes graphic design, illustration, web design, digital audio and video production hardware and software
  • Intensive year-long, self-designed senior capstone project
  • Courses in documentary, experimental, animation and narrative production and studies
  • Study abroad opportunity in media production and studies with York St. John University in York, England

Internships

Internships with local media and communications outlets also are a key component of study. Examples include KATU-TV in Portland, Portland independent filmmakers, a National Guard newspaper and Voltage Pictures in Hollywood, producers of the academy award-winning film "The Hurt Locker." This broad-based approach allows graduates to gravitate to a variety of fields from television and newspapers to web design and marketing.

Boxer Tales are a collection of stories highlighting the individuals that create our Pacific University community. Experience Boxer life through the voices of students, faculty, alumni, staff and supporters. Check out faculty member Enie Vaisburd.

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Courses

The program emphasizes theoretical and social aspects of the media as well as the creative and technical components. The Department of Media Arts enables students to become creative media makers and critical thinkers. Students are encouraged to create media as self-expression to engage with the world around them, to foster inter-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue, and to reflect on social issues.

Career-Building Experiences

The film and video curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking and creative problem solving. Students in the film and video program experience every aspect of the filmmaking process, and thus are better prepared to make informed decisions about which area they would like to pursue for their careers. Students benefit from many opportunities to interact with working filmmakers, craftspeople and other film/video artists.

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Fact Sheet