Several alums and faculty are screening films this spring as part of the 2025 edition of the Milwaukee Film Festival. The Peck School of the Arts is excited to highlight the incredible work that our filmmakers and artists are bringing to the Milwaukee community. We've rounded up some PSOA connections among …
Film, Video, Animation & New Genres Minor
Level up your major with a film program designed to provide you with skills in video and audio production, creative concept development and media project management – skills that are increasingly in demand across multiple fields.
Our film minor leverages the expertise of the award-winning Film, Video, Animation & New Genres Department, consistently named a “Best Film School” by Variety. We’re experts at helping you develop your creative, conceptual and technical abilities. Our program is the perfect fit for those who are passionate about storytelling and want to reach audiences through digital media. With access to professional equipment and technology, you will receive a succinct and hands-on education that prepares you for the ever-evolving world of content creation.
Program Type
Minor
Program Format
On Campus
The arts are for everyone
A minor or certificate in the arts provides a well-rounded education. That’s because the arts foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They enhance communication and presentation skills, which are valuable in any professional setting. Engaging in the arts also increases empathy and understanding of diverse people and perspectives. Plus, they bring a unique selling point to your resume by demonstrating a versatile skill set.
And let’s be honest: The arts are also a lot of fun, adding stress relief and variety to your college experience.
89%Executives agree that creativity is a top skill
91%Americans agree the arts are vital to education
73%Americans say the arts help them understand others
45Minutes of art making can reduce stress levels
Film Minor Program Details
The film minor program introduces you to the art of cinema through screenings, critical viewing, production projects and writing assignments arranged under a chosen theme. You’ll explore fiction or nonfiction strategies to develop technical and creative skills, then you’ll take your digital production and editing skills to the next level with guidance from expert faculty.
To round out your minor, you’ll choose courses that span various aspects of production, portfolio development, contextual studies and professional practice. Topics cover a wide range, including writing, storyboarding, visual effects, directing, producing, sound design, indie cinema, horror film and more. You also have the opportunity to participate in film festivals, documentary projects and media internships.
Explore the Film, Video, Animation & New Genres Minor requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Equipment Room
We believe that a solid foundation in technical expertise, coupled with your unique artistic vision, will pave the way for success in your creative endeavors. Our equipment room provides you with the tools necessary to bring your ideas to life.
Film Archives & Collections
You’ll have access to unique film archives like the Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Archive & Research Center, which honors the legacy of internationally celebrated filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Or the UWM Libraries Cinema Arts Archive, which contains over 200 essential works from the history of experimental cinema. Learn more and explore the Film Archive Library.
Cinemas, Film Festivals & Screenings
Film and video screenings, festivals and exhibitions offer students the opportunity to see and experience both contemporary and historical works by American independent filmmakers as well as by international artists. Learn more about our cinemas, festivals and screenings.
Documentary Media
Documentary films preserve culture and tradition and help create the social, political and economic realities we would like to see in the world and in our communities. Explore how you can express your voice through documentary media.
Film Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with big and small production companies, film festivals and creative agencies throughout Milwaukee, Chicago and beyond. See where your education can take you. Learn more about film internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Film & Animation Alumni Stories
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docUWM documentary among the many PSOA connections to Milwaukee Film Festival lineup
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MKE Film Black Lens returns with PSOA alum curating lineupMilwaukee Film’s Black Lens series is programmed this year by Peck School of the Arts alum Ty Williams (BFA 2020, Film). Williams, who is also an assistant cinema manager, has worked with MKE Film since 2019 while he was a student at UWM. Prior to that, Williams worked at UWM’s …
Film & Animation Careers
- 3D Modeler
- ADR Editor
- Advertising Producer
- Aerial Cinematographer
- Animator / Stop-motion Animator
- Art Director
- Artist
- Assistant Director
- Best Boy
- Boom Operator
- Camera Operator
- Casting Director
- Character Rigger
- Cinematographer
- Colorist
- Compositing Artist
- Copywriter / Content Developer
- Creature Designer
- Curator / Programmer
- Development Executive
- Digital Imaging Technician
- Digital Media Product Developer
- Director
- Distributor
- Dolly Grip
- Drone Operator
- Dubbing Mixer
- Editor
- Educational Video Director / Producer
- Educator / University Administrator
- Electrician
- Electronics & Sensor Designer
- Entertainment / Studio Executive
- Festival Director / Programmer
- Film Archivist / Processor / Writer
- Filmmaker
- Fixer
- Foley Specialist
- Forensic Animator
- Gaffer
- Image Librarian / Archivist
- Interaction Designer
- Jimmy Jib Operator
- Key Grip
- Lighting Designer / Technician
- Line Producer
- Location Manager / Scout
- Marketing Executive
- Medical Animator
- Motion Capture Engineer
- Motion Graphics Designer / Producer
- Multimedia Artist / Journalist / Producer
- Photo Asset Manager / Instructor / Editor
- Photographic Labs / Image Producer
- Photojournalist
- Post-Production Supervisor
- Press Agent
- Producer (Film, TV, Web)
- Production Designer / Manager
- Prop Maker / Producer
- Public Relations / Publicist / Publisher
- Puppet Fabricator
- Recording & Mastering Engineer
- Researcher
- Rights & Clearances Manager
- Rotoscope Artist
- Screenwriter
- Script Editor / Supervisor / Writer
- Set Constructor / Designer / Director
- Sound Designer / Editor / Mixer
- Steadicam Operator
- Still Photographer
- Storyboard Artist
- Talent Producer
- Visual Effects Specialist / Supervisor
- Wardrobe Supervisor
Film Minor Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Film, Video, Animation & New Genres faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Graduate Program Representative, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Chair, Graduate Faculty Committee
- brbalcom@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 473
- Lecturer, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- ballar23@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 449
- Lecturer, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Technical Assistant, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- ibrooks@uwm.edu
- 414-229-3905
- Mitchell Hall B57
- Teaching Faculty I, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Director, Zen Film Festival
- tateb@uwm.edu
- 414-324-2333
- Kenilworth Square East 408
- Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Director, Community Media Project
- pcobb@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B73A
- Associate Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Co-Chair, Tech and Facilities Committee
- gibisser@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B83A
- Teaching Faculty II, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Program Director, docUWM
- skafer@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 445
- Associate Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Director, Undergraduate Studies
- Co-Chair, Curriculum Committee
- kirshtne@uwm.edu
- 414-688-5200
- Mitchell Hall B73B
- Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Chair, Programming Committee
- jmalmed@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B83A
- Assistant Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- maysm@uwm.edu
- 414-510-3902
- Kenilworth Square East 471
- Associate Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Chair, Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- mcleanj@uwm.edu
- 414-251-6302
- Mitchell Hall B83B
- Teaching Faculty II, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Outreach Coordinator, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Living Learning Community Coordinator, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- atorinus@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B69A
- Teaching Faculty I, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- rumali@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B83A
- Teaching Faculty II, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Outreach Coordinator, Undergraduate Advisor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- Chair, Scholarship Committee
- Co-Chair, Curriculum Committee
- lillyjc2@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B69
- Head of School, Peck School of the Arts
- Associate Professor, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- swetzel@uwm.edu
- 414-391-2955
- Mitchell Hall B83C
- Teaching Faculty I, Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
- davidrw3@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B55
