Filmmaking Major
Master the production of motion pictures and understand the global business of filmmaking. Use the latest tools, work on real projects, and turn your vision into reality through observation, imagination, storytelling and technical skill.
Paint the World in Motion Pictures.
Master motion picture production from screenwriting to editing, and develop a deep understanding of the business of filmmaking. Our filmmaking program puts professional tools in your hands, right away, through our labs, soundstages, and studios. You’ll learn to create films from start to finish, exploring different production roles including director, cinematographer, sound designer, and editor. Then, you’ll share your films through numerous contests, film festivals, regional television segments, and more, all with the support of faculty and career counselors to help guide your path.
If you want to master the craft of great films, the kind that inspire action, provoke thought, and draw out emotions—you know the kind—this program is for you. Here, you’ll develop your personal voice in narrative, experimental, and documentary films, and even in corporate marketing. You’ll use state-of-the-art software, technologies, and cameras while you build a knowledge base in film history, aesthetics, criticism, and film business. This program for complete filmmakers to-be.
What Is Filmmaking?
Filmmaking studies investigate the elements of visual narratives and examine moving pictures as a medium and an art form. From social media stories and TV series, to memes and big-budget movies, these visuals tell the story of today’s world. If you’re ready to build your filmmaking toolkit and turn your imagination into films shared with real audiences, we invite you to produce with us at Champlain.
Why Study it at Champlain?
Like all of Champlain’s academic programs, Filmmaking is grounded in hands-on learning that puts you at the center of your studies. Here, you’ll polish your signature style and to prepare for a variety of creative opportunities in the industry well before you graduate. Once you’ve explored the many opportunities in film production, you’ll choose a concentration and focus on the aspects that interest you most.
Recognizing the breadth and depth of the filmmaking field, the program includes your choice from one of six concentrations to begin narrowing your area of study. They are:
- Cinematography: Dive deep into camera work and create the video images you want, from the pre-visualization of the image to the final color grade.
- Directing: Explore directing for different types of projects, learn the inner workings and logistics of filmmaking, from inception to screening.
- Motion Graphics: Bring visual concepts and still images to life in innovative ways through typography, audio, video, photography, illustration, animation, and cinematic techniques.
- Producing: Develop the skills of a successful film producer, like script development, pitching, budgeting, marketing, and distribution.
- Screenwriting: Combine your screenwriting toolkit and inspiration to create engaging, powerful scripts through the study of compelling characterization, dialogue, and story structure in multiple genres.
- Sonic Arts: Create original music by mastering the basics of music creation and sound design, learn the specifics of film scoring.
Different by Design
Get Rolling
Develop your skills and put them to work. Gain experience by participating in workshops, competitions, festivals, and retreats – like our Montreal Filmmaking Summer Program.
The Tools You Need
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art software and camera equipment – like RED cameras – in and out of class.
Get Global Experience
Take your filmmaking classes abroad by participating in film trips to countries such as Italy, Saudi Arabia, The Gambia, and Sweden.
Get Hired Early
Our talented film majors are frequently hired within the community, often after their first year.
Facts & Stats
of Filmmaking majors in the Class of 2023 achieved career success within six months after graduation. That’s success you can see.
According to Glassdoor.com, filmmakers earn competitive salaries, reflecting the high demand for their specialized skills.
Projected employment growth of producers and directors from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Sample Courses in the Filmmaking Major
Our Filmmaking curriculum is designed for students who are passionate, creative, and excited master the technical skills of filmmaking. You’ll be equipped with a strong foundation in film history, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge production software and cameras, and study of the business side of film. Check out some of the engaging and hands-on courses in our program, and learn more about our Upside-Down Curriculum, which puts you in your major right away.
Concentrations
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Cinematography Concentration
Tailor your Filmmaking degree with a Cinematography concentration and dive deep into camera work and creating video images at Champlain College.
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Directing Concentration
Tailor your degree with a Directing concentration and develop the on-set skills necessary for a successful career in directing at Champlain College.
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Motion Graphics Concentration (Filmmaking)
Tailor your Filmmaking degree with a Editing (Motion Graphics) concentration and dive deep into bringing visual concepts to life in innovative ways at Champlain College.
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Producing Concentration
Tailor your degree with a Producing concentration and explore the production process of filmmaking from start to finish at Champlain College.
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Screenwriting Concentration
Tailor your degree with a Screenwriting concentration and master the art of crafting scripts for a variety of media types at Champlain College.
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Sonic Arts Concentration (Filmmaking)
Tailor your Filmmaking degree with a Sonic Arts concentration and dive deep into the technical art of sound design at Champlain College.
You might also be interested in these…
Based on your interest in the Filmmaking major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.
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Majors
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Creative Media Major
Develop your self-expression in our Creative Media major, and learn the business side of interdisciplinary production, digital creation, and entrepreneurship.
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Animation Major
Imagine manifesting your colorful childhood imagination on screens large and small. Now imagine getting paid to do it all day.
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Game Art Major
Champlain College is a gaming industry hub, and the Game Art program builds your creative vision and your technical skills to make you job-ready.
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Digital Humanities Major
Be a digital pioneer. Bring the fullness of your human self to the study of emerging technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and make sure the digital future is humane as well as human.
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Minors
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Interactive Narrative Minor
Discover different types of narratives that are immersive, non-linear, and engage our audience in a wholly new and unique way. Learn to design these narratives and create all new experiences.
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Graphic Design Minor
Perfect your technical skills while learning how design impacts messaging and vice versa. Explore the latest digital-image software and learn how to create professional communication materials.
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Real-Time 3-D Animation Minor
Discover the applications of real-time 3-D animation within media such as games, virtual reality, and virtual film production. Hone the artistic and technical skills needed to succeed in the field.
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Real-Time 3-D Modeling Minor
Study the creation of 3-D art for real-time media like games, virtual reality, and film production. Develop the artistic and technical skills needed to create high-quality 3-D models and textures.
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Areas of Study
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Creative Arts & Communication
With many majors to choose from, you decide how to bring your ideas to life and communicate them to the world.
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Education, Humanities & the Sciences
The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate. Which of these human-centered majors fits you career goals?
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Individualized Studies & Undeclared
Learn what you love, and love what you learn with one of these professional pathways.
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Filmmaking Admissions Requirements
Prepare your application as a Filmmaking student.
The Filmmaking major at Champlain College is a visual art program focused on the creation of 2-D and 3-D art assets and animation for games. To be successful, students must enter the program with a strong aesthetic ability and a passion for creating visual art using both traditional and digital media.
As a Filmmaking applicant, you have the option to submit a portfolio consisting of 1 video or movie sample (up to 5 min) OR 1 script (3-5 pages) and photos to supplement your application.
Career Success
Champlain’s filmmaking program grants hands-on learning experiences to ensure you are industry ready. 100% of Film majors in the Class of 2023 achieved career success within six months of graduation.
Your Career Outlook
By the time you graduate, you will…
- Analyze the historical and theoretical foundations of filmmaking
- Create film work that manifests the filmmaker’s unique voice
- Analyze story structure and the screenwriting process for use in the critique and creation of film
- Apply current best practices in cinematography
- Apply current best practices in editing language and visual effects
- Effectively manage the resources and logistics required to produce a film
- Collaborate as a member or leader of a filmmaking team
- Evaluate the ethical implications inherent in filmmaking practices;
- Analyze one’s own interests and skills in the context of filmmaking industry challenges and opportunities in order to help formulate career goals
- Analyze the relationship between film and other art forms and intellectual disciplines.
You’ll Find a Career In…
- Script coverage
- Directing
- Producing
- Editing
- Programming
- Screenwriting
- Production management
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Pre-College Summer Program: Filmmaking & Media Production Exploration AcademyThe Filmmaking & Media Production Exploration Academy offers students the opportunity to learn about many of the different jobs available in creating content for film, television, and streaming – including movies, web series, documentaries, commercials, social media, drama, comedy and more. By the end of the Academy, students will have a greater understanding of what it means to work in film and where their passions lie within the filmmaking process.
This program is designed for students entering grades 10-12 and recent high school graduates.
Learn More on the Pre-College Summer Program Website
More Inside Filmmaking Major
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Overview
Master the production of motion pictures and understand the global business of filmmaking. Use the latest tools, work on real projects, and turn your vision into reality through observation, imagination, storytelling and technical skill.
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Curriculum
Your career in filmmaking begins now with Champlain’s Upside-Down Curriculum. Discover the difference that doing on day one has on your success.
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Faculty
Learn more about the experienced professionals leading Champlain College's broadcast media production program who are dedicated to teaching and mentoring you.