Film, Television, & Media Arts

Degree

Bachelor of Arts, Major, Minor

Film students setting up lighting and camera angles during a shooting segment in Fairfield University's Media Center.

With a curriculum that focuses on merging traditional media with new media, Fairfield University's Film, Television, and Media Arts (FTMA) program takes a dynamic approach to the study of narrative media that opens a world of exploration and creative possibilities.

What You'll Learn and Do

Develop necessary skills and habits.

FTMA majors and minors build skills in both critical analysis and hands-on production while acquiring a solid foundation in creating and reflecting on multimedia storytelling forms. Throughout their studies, students develop the skills and habits needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.

Learn through a balanced curriculum.

Since the FTMA program exists within a comprehensive, liberal arts University, its curriculum strikes an appropriate balance between professional-quality film and television production, film and media history and theory, and analytic research and writing. Students learn the theory, analysis, and collaborative practice of all aspects of visual storytelling, including writing, moving-image design, producing, directing, cinematography, sound design, digital imaging, and editing.

Be guided by professionals.

Benefiting from the personal attention of a faculty comprised of scholars, artists, and industry professionals, students learn practices and skills at the cutting edge of the field and are mentored to understand the expressive power of media while discovering their own creative voice. After graduation, most FTMA students acquire solid, entry-level jobs in a variety of media fields or continue to develop their interest through graduate studies.

Network with industry alumni.

By joining FTMA, you’re also joining an alumni network of working media professionals in NYC, Los Angeles and beyond. Annually, FTMA hosts events where students can meet FTMA alums face-to-face, learning about pathways through the media industry and making meaningful connections. In recent years, FTMA alumni have visited from Marvel Studios, the Jimmy Fallon Show, Oscilloscope Pictures, Amazon and Sesame Street.

Video Poster

Cinefest Student Film Fest

The annual Cinefest student film festival highlights original short films created by undergraduate filmmakers from the FTMA program. Selected by a jury of industry professionals, the films span a variety of genres, with strong characters and powerful visuals. The event, free and open to the public, includes an industry panel and concludes with an awards ceremony.

Join a Creative Community

Student Productions

The FTMA program fosters a collaborative environment, where students feel confident
in expressing themselves as creative individuals, supported by their peers and faculty. With dozens of majors productions shooting each academic year, the FTMA community comes to together to workshop screenplays, crew on each others films and share editing notes.

Find Out More

Contact Us

Undergraduate Admission
admis@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4100

Program Highlights

Creative Student Community

State-of-the-Art Media Center and Equipment

Hands-on Production Experience

Independent Projects Encouraged

Dynamic Internship Opportunities

Strong Alumni Network

Resources for Student Success

In Fall 2020, the Media Center (an 18,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility) became the new home of the Film, Television, and Media Arts program, as well as programs in broadcast communication, digital journalism, and sports media.

The newly renovated facility offers students and faculty a variety of professional studio spaces and production equipment, including:

  • Large production studio, with a permanent set, LED lighting, control room
  • A state-of-the-art podcast and TV studio
  • Post-production suites for editing, coloring, and sound mixing
  • Screening room
  • Multiple computers labs (Premiere Pro, After Effects, ProTools, Resolve, etc.)
  • Top-of-the-line camera equipment, including HD (C100), 4K (C300 Mk III), and 6K (RED Gemini, Canon R5C, Blackmagic Cinema) cameras; LED (Arri, Kino-Flo, Aperture), HMI and Arri lighting packages; full range of audio mics and mixing equipment; dollies, steadicam and jib arms; studio grip equipment.
  • Large mobile satellite uplink production truck.

As students proceed through their academic journey, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of Career and Professional Development offers advising, counseling, programming, and experiential opportunities to help students discover their strengths, explore career paths, and build essential skills needed to succeed in their professional career.

Learn More

Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

Learn More

Students pursuing an FTM major or minor are encouraged to seek out internship opportunities in the area of their concentration. Due to Fairfield's outstanding reputation and proximity to the greater New York area, dynamic options for student internships are available with a wide range of media production companies and television stations, as well as the University's own award-winning Media Center.

In recent years, Fairfield students have held internships at NBCUniversal, ABC, ESPN, The Daily Show, MSG, Speedvision Network, Outdoor Life, CNN, Comedy Central, The Conan O'Brien Show, WFAN, ESPN, WEBE 108, National Geographic Film and Television, and numerous independent film production companies.

Internship Qualifications

Credit-bearing internships in film, television and media arts are only available to declared junior and senior major and minor students, who have taken FTMA 1010, FTMA 1011, at least one history/theory course, and two applied production courses in their respective media track. Exceptions to these requirements can be appealed to the director of the Film, Television and Media Arts program. The internship counts as an elective course within the major and minor program.

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Get started at Fairfield.