The Department of Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres in the Peck School of the Arts offers an integrated program of study leading to a BFA in Film.

Requirements 

Laptop Requirement

Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.

Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all undergraduates. However, it’s required for the programs below. For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page. 

• Art & Design (BA and BFA Programs)
• Dance (BA and BFA Programs) 
• Film, Video, Animation & New Genres (BA and BFA Programs)
• Music (Composition & Technology Program)
• Theatre (BFA Production and BA Theatre Education Programs)

Credit Overview

 The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film requires 120 credits, and is distributed as follows:

University Core

The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.

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Learn more about the General Education Requirements.

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Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.

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Up to 12 credits inside the Peck School of the Arts (9 required, the remaining 3 may remain inside FVANG as an elective) in at least 3 of the 4 departments outside the student's discipline (Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theater).

Course of Study

The Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres degree program is an integrated course of study in which students create individual projects in film, video, or other media every semester. This is accomplished through an 18-credit Foundation requirement taken during the first year, followed by a series of required and elective courses in the 72-credit major.

Students in Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres are required to have a laptop computer and video editing software.

Major Requirements

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Please refer to the Film Courses in Categories PDF to understand which course topics fulfill each requirement outlined below. 

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Foundation Review for admission to major includes completion of Department Foundation courses (FILM 110 @ 6cr, FILM 180, and FILM 181). Review consists of 2 final projects made in Department Foundation courses and a copy of current academic transcript submitted to department faculty for review by advertised deadline in Fall and Spring semesters. Check your emails for Foundation Review deadlines.

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Production Electives (15 credits required): Technology or skill focused, multiple assignments to learn skill. 

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Portfolio Electives (6 credits required): Theme-based class, focused on creation of work in relation to the specific topic.

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Contextual Electives: Lectures including history, theory, and writing towards a variety of creative projects. Choose from: FILM 303 required, plus 6 credits from eligible Contextual Elective courses.

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Professional Practice Electives (3 credits required): Focused on professionalization, roles and jobs in film, media & art worlds.

Film, Video Animation, and New Genres Electives

Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for electives in the PSOA Core Curriculum and General Education Requirement courses.

Plan of Study

The following outline will serve as a guide in planning for studies in Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres. Students are encouraged to consult regularly with their school and departmental advisors. All course waivers or changes in the requirements of the major should be directed to a department or school academic advisor and must have the written approval of the department chair.

*

Please refer to the Film Courses in Categories PDF to understand which course topics fulfill each requirement outlined below. 

¹

Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for requirements in the University Core Curriculum.

PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement for FVANG is part of the 45-credit Core: University competencies, 18 credits of GER requirements, 12 credits outside Peck School of the Arts, up to 12 credits inside the Peck School of the Arts (9 required, the remaining 3 may remain inside FVANG as an elective) in at least 3 PSOA departments outside the student's discipline (Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theater), and 3 credits outside FVANG.

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Foundation Review for admission to major includes completion of Department Foundation courses (FILM 110 @ 6cr, FILM 180, FILM 181). Review consists of 2 final projects made in Department Foundation courses and a copy of current academic transcript submitted to department faculty for review by advertised deadline in Fall and Spring semesters. Check your emails for Foundation Review deadlines.

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Production Electives: Choose from FILM 234, FILM 379, FILM 380, FILM 382, FILM 385, FILM 386, FILM 390 - 398, and FILM 480 - 486.

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Portfolio Electives: Choose from FILM 360 - 368, FILM 399, and FILM 460 - 466.

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Contextual Electives: Choose from: FILM 303 required, plus 6 credits from FILM 305, FILM 319, FILM 320, FILM 323 - 332, FILM 336, and FILM 419. Refer to approved list of topics & repeat limits (FILM 305 counts as OWCB).

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Professional Practice Electives: Choose from FILM 342 - 346, FILM 442, and FILM 446.

Advance to the Major

Students are admitted to the Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres major upon completion of:

• the UWM Oral and Written Communication (OWC) Part A requirement;
• the Quantitative Literacy (QL) Part A requirement;
• 18 credits of the department Foundation Curriculum: FILM 110 (6 credits), FILM 180 (6 credits) and FILM 181 (6 credits);
• passing Foundation Review.

Advising

Location: Theatre 120
Hours: M–Th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on university holidays)
Contact: 414-229-4763 | Contact Form 

Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.

Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, and more.

For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts advising and student services page. 

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.

High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.

Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.

Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.

College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.