The Film and Video Studies degree is the first multidisciplinary undergraduate degree in Virginia focusing on cinematic arts production and film theory and history with core courses in ethics, business, writing for the moving image, fiction, documentary, interactive storytelling and episodic television.
Students complete courses in the Film Core. To fine-tune their craft, students select advanced courses of study from four concentrations:
- Directing
- Producing
- Production/Post-Production (Cinematography or Editing/Sound)
- Screenwriting
Each concentration includes a capstone experience wherein students are mentored by faculty on original projects in their senior year that prepare them for work in the cinematic arts.
Admissions
All students are admitted to the Film program separately from their admission to the university and only by portfolio review.
Policies
Major GPA
All Film and Video Studies undergraduate students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses in their major.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies. See College of Visual and Performing Arts for policies specific to the college.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all required Film degree courses.
Mason Core
Film majors may not double-count Literature and Art courses toward both the Film major and Mason Core requirements. The synthesis requirement is part of the Film core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| ENGH 101 | Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| ENGH 302 | Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science 2 | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
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Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) for ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core). Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core), as well as ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core), to fulfill degree requirements.
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including one laboratory science
Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Studies Core Requirements | ||
| FAVS 204 | Ways of Seeing: Perception, Form and Film (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FAVS 225 | Introduction to World Cinema (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FAVS 250 | Business of Film and Television | 3 |
| FAVS 255 | Video Production for Film | 3 |
| FAVS 260 | Video Editing for Film | 3 |
| FAVS 280 | Writing for the Moving Image (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FAVS 304 | Ways of Thinking: Film, TV, and Beyond | 3 |
| FAVS 352 | Ethics of Film and Video (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FAVS 400 | Career Development Seminar | 3 |
| FAVS 450 | Internship in Film and Video Studies | 3 |
| Analysis, History, Theory | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Cyberpunk | ||
| Media Criticism | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Introduction to Documentary (Mason Core) | ||
| Television Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Film (Mason Core) | ||
| RS: Topics in Film/Media History (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Film/Media Theory | ||
| Topics in Film/Media Studies | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| Uncovering the U.S. Past Through Film | ||
| Topics in U.S. History 1 | ||
| Topics in Film and History | ||
| Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film | ||
| Music in Motion Pictures (Mason Core) | ||
| Great Film Directors (Mason Core) | ||
| Great Film Performances (Mason Core) | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | ||
| Gender, Race, and Class in the Media | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Studies 1 | ||
| Global Voices (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Cultural Constructions of Sexualities | ||
| Global Horror Film (Mason Core) | ||
| Afrofuturism and Their Kin (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| French and Francophone Cinema | ||
| Contexts for Global Cinema (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in German Literature and Film | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Italian Film and Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| Gender Representation in Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Japanese Cinema | ||
| Topics in (Post) Soviet Film | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies 1 | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies 1 | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Concentration | ||
| Select one of the following concentrations: | ||
Directing | ||
Producing | ||
Production and Post-Production | ||
Screenwriting | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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Must be approved by Program Director.
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May not be used to fulfill Mason Core.
Concentration in Directing (DIR)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Courses | ||
| FAVS 331 | Cinematography | 3 |
| FAVS 333 | Sound Editing and Recording | 3 |
| Fundamental Electives | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Producing I | ||
| Film Marketing | ||
| Advanced Video Editing | ||
| Advanced Cinematography | ||
| Advanced Sound | ||
| Feature-Length Scriptwriting | ||
| 2D Experimental Animation | ||
| 3D Experimental Animation | ||
| Acting I (Mason Core) | ||
or THR 310 | Acting II | |
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Authoring Courses | ||
| FAVS 365 | Documentary Filmmaking | 3 |
| FAVS 375 | Fiction Film Directing | 3 |
| Authoring Electives | ||
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Film Lab | ||
| Video Production for Social Change | ||
| Interactive Storytelling for Social Change | ||
| Web Series | ||
| TV Writing | ||
or FAVS 483 | Feature-Length Scriptwriting | |
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| Advanced Fiction Directing | ||
| Art as Social Action | ||
| Video Art | ||
| Documentary Photography | ||
| Directing | ||
| Advanced Studies in Directing | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Capstone | ||
| FAVS 498 | Development for Senior Project | 3 |
| FAVS 499 | Senior Project (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
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Must be approved by Program Director.
Concentration in Producing (PRD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Courses | ||
| FAVS 311 | Producing I | 3 |
| FAVS 356 | Film Marketing | 3 |
| Fundamental Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Cinematography | ||
| Introduction to Grant Writing | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Mass Communication and Public Policy | ||
| Media Management | ||
| Digital Advertising and Promotions | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Digital Communication | ||
| Ethics and Leadership | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Principles of Fund Raising | ||
| Leadership in a Changing Environment | ||
| Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing a New Enterprise | ||
| Introduction to International Business (Mason Core) | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Authoring Courses | ||
| FAVS 380 | TV Writing | 3 |
| FAVS 375 | Fiction Film Directing | 3 |
| Authoring Electives | ||
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Documentary Filmmaking | ||
| Video Production for Social Change | ||
| Interactive Storytelling for Social Change | ||
| Web Series | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| Advanced Fiction Directing | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Capstone | ||
| FAVS 497 | Senior Film Practicum (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
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Must be approved by Program Director.
Concentration in Production and Post Production (PROP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Courses | ||
| FAVS 331 | Cinematography | 3 |
| FAVS 333 | Sound Editing and Recording | 3 |
| FAVS 460 | Advanced Video Editing | 3 |
| or FAVS 431 | Advanced Cinematography | |
| or FAVS 433 | Advanced Sound | |
| Fundamental Electives | ||
| Choose four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts (Mason Core) | ||
or ARTH 102 | Symbols and Stories in Art (Mason Core) | |
or ARTH 200 | History of Western Art I (Mason Core) | |
or ARTH 201 | History of Western Art II (Mason Core) | |
or ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | |
or ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | |
or ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | |
| Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core) | ||
| Digital Photography I (Mason Core) | ||
| Graphic Design Methods and Principles | ||
| Mixed Media | ||
| Digital Photography II | ||
| Photo Studio Techniques | ||
| Sound Art I | ||
| 2D Experimental Animation | ||
| 3D Experimental Animation | ||
| Motion Design | ||
| Advanced Studio Lighting | ||
| Sound Art II | ||
| Multi-Camera Studio Production | ||
| Videography | ||
COMM 366 | ||
| Special Topics in Production 1 | ||
| Producing I | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| Advanced Cinematography | ||
or FAVS 433 | Advanced Sound | |
or FAVS 460 | Advanced Video Editing | |
| Three-Dimensional Game Art I | ||
| Music for Film and Video | ||
| Three-Dimensional Game Art II | ||
| Recording Techniques | ||
| Topics in Music Technology 1 | ||
| Fundamentals of Production (Mason Core) | ||
| Event Technical Production | ||
| Lighting Stagecraft | ||
| Sound Engineering | ||
| Scenic Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Principles of Design | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| Costume Technology | ||
| Advanced Sound Engineering | ||
| Advanced Lighting Design | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Authoring Electives | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Film Lab | ||
| Documentary Filmmaking | ||
| Video Production for Social Change | ||
| Fiction Film Directing | ||
| Interactive Storytelling for Social Change | ||
| Web Series | ||
| TV Writing | ||
| Feature-Length Scriptwriting | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
| Art as Social Action | ||
| Video Art | ||
| Documentary Photography | ||
Other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Capstone | ||
| FAVS 497 | Senior Film Practicum (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
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Must be approved by Program Director.
Concentration in Screenwriting (SCWR)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| ENGH 396 | Introduction to Creative Writing (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FAVS 380 | TV Writing | 3 |
| FAVS 483 | Feature-Length Scriptwriting | 3 |
| Elective Course in English | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Digital Creative Writing | ||
| Editing for Audience, Style, and Voice | ||
| Fiction Writing | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction | ||
| Topics in Creative Writing 1 | ||
| Or other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Elective Course in Computer Game Design or Communication | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
COMM 303 | ||
| Special Topics in Production 1 | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| RS: Story Design for Computer Games | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
Or other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Elective Course in Film and Video Studies | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Producing I | ||
| Film Lab | ||
| Documentary Filmmaking | ||
| Video Production for Social Change | ||
| Fiction Film Directing | ||
| Interactive Storytelling for Social Change | ||
| Web Series | ||
| Special Topics in Film and Video Studies 1 | ||
Or other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Elective Courses in Theater | ||
| Choose two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Playwriting I | ||
| Playwriting II | ||
| Advanced Playwriting | ||
| Advanced Screenplay Workshop | ||
| Translation Adaptation for Stage Screen | ||
Or other courses as approved by Program Director | ||
| Capstone | ||
| FAVS 496 | Advanced Visual Storytelling (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
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Must be approved by Program Director.
General Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students must use general electives to complete a minor, a double major or double degree outside their primary major field of study (15-21 credits) or demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language (0-9 credits). After fulfilling one of these options, the remaining general electives may be taken inside or outside of the department. | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Studies
The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FAVS 255 or 280 | 3 | FAVS 255 or 280 | 3 |
| FAVS 250 or 225 | 3 | FAVS 250 or 225 | 3 |
| FAVS 204 or Mason Core | 3 | FAVS 204 or Mason Core | 3 |
| ENGH 100/1 or Oral Communication | 3 | Mason Core | 3 |
| Mason Core | 3 | ENGH 100/1 or Oral Communication | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Film Concentration | 3 | FAVS Analysis, History Theory | 3 |
| FAVS Diversity of Perspective | 3 | Film Concentration | 3 |
| Mason Core (Literature) | 3 | ENGH 302 | 3 |
| FAVS 300 Global Horror or Mason Core (Global Understanding) | 3 | Mason Core | 3 |
| Mason Core (Non-lab Science) | 3 | Mason Core (Lab Science) | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| FAVS 304 or 352 | 3 | FAVS 304 or 352 | 3 |
| Film Concentration | 3 | Film Concentration or FAVS 450 Internship1 | 3 |
| Film Concentration | 3 | Film Concentration | 3 |
| Minor or Film Concentration | 3 | Minor or Film Concentration | 3 |
| Minor or Foreign Language | 3 | Minor or Foreign Language | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Film Concentration or FAVS 450 Internship1 | 3 | FAVS 496 or FAVS 497 or FAVS 499 | 3 |
| FAVS 400 or Film Concentration | 3 | FAVS 400 or Film Concentration | 3 |
| Minor or Foreign Language or Film Concentration | 3 | Minor or General Elective or Film Concentration | 3 |
| Minor or General Elective or Film Concentration | 3 | Minor or General Elective | 3 |
| Minor or General Elective | 3 | Minor or General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 121 | |||
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FAVS 450 is recommended for the summer between Junior and Senior year.
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/.