Film and Media Studies

Shape the visual media that shapes the world.

Oglethorpe’s interdisciplinary Film and Media Studies program explores film, television and new media through a curriculum combining theory and practice. Graduates acquire both the intellectual framework to analyze media in context and the technical skills to excel at craft and creation, giving them the strongest foundation for success in the field.

Media plays a crucial role in our culture and our lives. It helps us construct our own identities, and our understanding of the world around us. And just as media influences culture, culture influences media, too. Understanding and analyzing this reciprocal exchange will help you better understand the media you consume and also become better at making your own.

The Film and Media Studies program highlights hands-on learning. Oglethorpe students benefit from a lot more practice opportunities than you’d find at the typical big state school. Take the intro level multimedia production course (no prerequisites!) and begin honing your technical skills from day one. Two cutting-edge digital media labs are equipped with all the creative tools you’ll need.

As a Film and Media Studies major at Oglethorpe, you’ll:

Learn to think critically about the media texts you consume.
Gain a broad historical perspective on the aesthetic, cultural, economic, political and technological trends that have made an impact on the media industry from the 19th century to the present day.
Acquire the basic language, tools and techniques of media production.
Develop skills in production techniques such as cinematography, lighting and audio recording, and postproduction techniques like audio and video editing and special effects.

Real-World Experience
Life After Oglethorpe
Degree Requirements & Courses

- Atlanta is now one of the top cities in the world for the film and television industry, giving Hollywood a run for its money. The city is home to major production studios such as Turner, Tyler Perry, Pinewood, Third Rail, and EUE/Screen Gems. Oglethorpe students have interned at Cartoon Network, CNN, People Store Atlanta Talent Agency, Sim Digital, TBS, Third Rail Studios, Viacom and more.
- Many major motion pictures and television shows now film in Atlanta, and Oglethorpe has gotten in on the action. The historic and picturesque campus has proved the perfect setting for scenes from upcoming films such as Clint Eastwood’s The Ballad of Richard Jewell and Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy, plus 2018’s breakout rom-com Love, Simon. Popular shows on the CW, NBC and Fox have filmed here, too. These opportunities allow students a front-row look at what making movies is really like.
- Oglethorpe’s two brand-new digital media labs are outfitted with top-of-the-line creative tools: 27-inch iMacs equipped with Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X and more; production equipment like Panasonic GH4 DSLR cameras, studio lighting kits and microphones. You’ll have everything you need to execute your vision.

Because the program focuses equally on both theory and practice, you’ll have career options aplenty. You’ll have the theoretical framework to continue your education and pursue a graduate degree in film and media. And you’ll also have the technical skills to get right to work in the field, doing whatever aspect of media making interests you most.

Your potential career paths include: camera operator, cinematographer, director, media planner, production assistant, producer, social media manager, video editor, web content manager and more.
Recent graduates are currently employed at Moonshine Post Production, People Store Atlanta Talent Agency and Turner/CNN, or continuing their studies at Georgia State University. Read about a 2019 graduate who is breaking into the film industry now.
Caleb Smith ’22 used what he learned in the classroom as a film major and theatre minor to build his own videography business while at Oglethorpe.

See degree requirements and course descriptions in the University Bulletin.