A strong hands-on emphasis characterizes the Film and Video Production major. Courses of study include animation, cinema studies, documentary and nonfiction, fiction filmmaking, new media, and sound design. The curriculum integrates production experience with the insights offered by media history, theory, and criticism.

If you need a letter of recommendation from any of the Film and Video faculty, please read the Guidelines below.

Requesting a letter of Recommendation

The Film and Video Area offers $100-$1,000 to support production of film, video, audio, computer-generated media, or any combination of these. Must be for credit, as part of class.

Production Grant Information

The Chuck Peterson Memorial Film & Video Fellowship is intended to assist upper level students in the Film and Video Production program at GVSU who are working on creative projects that support the nonprofit sector.

Peterson Fellowship Guidelines
Peterson Fellowship Application

Scholarship moneys from this fund are awarded on a competitive basis to upper level* Film and Video Production majors who have made or intend to make media that contributes to the improvement of society. Individual scholarships, in the $1,000 range, are not automatically renewable, but students may re-apply. Scholarship awards begin fall of the following academic year.

Koning Scholarship Guidelines
Koning Scholarship Application

Students interested in the Film and Video Production major are urged to declare their major promptly upon admission to GVSU (do not wait for secondary admission to the Film/Video major) and to maintain regular contact with their advisor to ensure proper course enrollment and steady progress toward full acceptance.

In order to maintain high-quality instruction, the Film and Video Production major limits the number of students accepted each year into the major.  Students who have been accepted into the major through the Secondary Admission process are then allowed to take FVP 226 and FVP 227 as pre-requisites for all 300- and 400- level film/video production courses.

 Admission Guidelines

An Internship provides the opportunity to connect with people in the industry and to observe an organization first hand.  This is a good choice for those who are ready to network and begin applying their skills in a professional environment.

Internship Guidelines

Senior Thesis/Projects offers the opportunity to strengthen your reel of personal work, or to finally write that research paper or script that you've been contemplating.  This is a good choice for those who want to take full advantage of being in college as making personal films becomes much more challenging once you have graduated.

Senior Thesis/ Project Guidelines

Embark on a journey to explore film and video in a different cultural context. Whether you are looking to pursue opportunities focusing on the theoretical or through practice, studying abroad can instill a sense of independence and self-awareness that is critical to anyone in the film industry. You will find many exciting opportunities to take film and video coursework abroad and expand your overall skill set as a professional.

Many of our students have benefited greatly from the opportunity for foreign travel by choosing to study abroad. In most cases, your study abroad program will fulfill your two ISSUES requirements. Visit the Padnos International Center at 130 LOH.

Study Abroad Information and Application

These two documents are general guides for students interested in pursuing a BA or a BS degree in Film and Video Production. They should not be used as a replacement for meeting with your advisor.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree requires a three-semester proficiency in a foreign language. This is a good choice if you plan to continue your studies to attain a Graduate or PhD degree.
 
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requires that you complete the following the following three courses:

• CIS 160 - Learn to Code in Python (3 credits)
• CIS 162 - Computer Science I (4 credits)
• CIS 238 - Internet Media and Programming (3 credits)

This is a comprehensive list of recommended titles for students to see.

Core Film List

• University Libraries' Subject Guide for Film & Video Production