About

Create

Our undergraduate program of study is committed to helping students develop their creative, conceptual and technical abilities through media: film, video, audio, installation, and new genres. Our goal is for you to become a creative thinker, an informed viewer and an art maker — someone whose imaginative skills are matched by an ability to learn and use the technologies to say something important.

Our students participate in every aspect of the filmmaking process to better understand how every role works together. This holistic approach prepares our graduates to enter the film industry with a high level of professionalism and employability.

Collaborate

Our students benefit from dedicated attention by internationally-recognized faculty, and access to resources at one of the nation’s top 115 research universities. Our program maintains artistic and intellectual connections within the university and the community, including partnerships with the Milwaukee Film Festival, Wisconsin Film Festival, Milwaukee Art Museum, UWM Union Cinema, and beyond.

UWM’s Union Cinema is one of 23 theaters nationally recognized as a local community based independent theater by the Sundance Film Institute Art House Project. “These theaters meet high standards including: quality programming, deep involvement with their local communities, strong financial standing and recognition from their peers.” According to the project: “Since 1972 the Union Cinema has been providing UWM and the local community with a diverse, entertaining, and intellectually engaging film and video program.”

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Degrees

Curriculum below is approved for students currently enrolled in the respective program, depending upon original date of declaration. Future adjustments for new/incoming students will be posted by Fall Semester. After reviewing, please connect with our advising office to start planning your degree path today!

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - Film

A successful Foundation Review is required after completion of the Film core coursework in order to proceed with the degree curriculum. See Film Course Descriptions for more detailed information on courses offered.

University Core	45 Credits
*Competencies* (more info)
English Parts A & B	*
Math Parts A & B	*
Foreign Language	*
*General Education Requirements* (more info)
ARTHIST 205 History of Film I (Humanities)	3
Humanities	3
Social Science	6
Natural Science (1 course with lab)	6
Cultural Diversity	*
Electives
Peck School of the Arts (3 arts areas outside department)	12
General (outside Peck School of the Arts)	12
General (outside department)	3
*credit may be utilized in required curriculum areas

Film Core	24 Credits
*Foundation*
FILM 114 Film & Experience: The Filmmaker & the Viewer	3
FILM 116 Listening & Recording	3
FILM 117 Filmmaking Technologies & Techniques	3
FILM 118 Image & Sound	3
FILM 201 Introduction to Experimental Media Arts	3
FILM 222 Intro to Digital Filmmaking	3
FILM 231 Concept Development & Film Practice	3
*Foundation Electives*
(Choose from below)	3
FILM 220 Basic Elements of Filmmaking
FILM 232 Animation I
FILM 255 Introduction to Digital Arts

Degree Curriculum	51 Credits
*Required*
FILM 303 Current Topics	3
FILM 509 Senior Project I	3
FILM 510 Senior Project II	6
Electives
(In consultation with advisor to identify approved topics – see Schedule of Classes for repeatability limits)
FILM 380, 420, or 460 Production Courses	15
FILM 380, 420, or 460 Portfolio Courses	6
FILM 250/450, 341, or 420 Professional Practice/Internship	3
(Choose from below)	6
FILM 316 Filmmaker as Theorist/Practitioner
FILM 318 Film and the Visual and Performing Arts
FILM 319 Film Genres
FILM 434 Film Aesthetics
Film Electives (Choose from class listings in consultation with advisor)	6
General Electives (outside of department)	3

Minor - Film Production

This program is open to all students seeking to complement their major studies by developing skills in moving image/audio production, creative concept development, and media project management skills–skills that are increasingly in demand across multiple fields.

For questions, or to declare a minor/certificate, contact the Peck School of the Arts Advising Office at (414) 229-4763 or psoa-advising@uwm.edu

Degree curriculum	21 Credits
*Required*
FILM 114 Film & Experience	3
FILM 116 Listening & Recording	3
FILM 118 Image & Sound	3
FILM 222 Intro to Digital Filmaking	3
FILM 231 Concept Development & Film Practice	3
*Film Electives*
FILM (300+ level)	6

Careers+Alumni

Caroline Kastelic

BFA, Film, Animation, and New Genres | 2006

"I enjoyed that I could create my own world and do things on my own schedule. And I liked the isolation and control you can get by not using actors." Caroline Kastelic on working with puppets and stop motion animation.

Careers in Film

3D Modeler
Adr Editor
Advertising & Sales
Aerial Cinematographer
Animator
Art Director
Artist
Arts Administration
Assistant Director
Best Boy
Boom Operator
Broadcast Producer
Camera Operator
Casting Director
Character Rigger
Cinematographer
Client Services Supervisor
Colorist
Compositing Artist
Copywriter
Creature Designer
Curator/Programmer
Development Executive
Digital Account Executive
Digital Imaging Technician
Digital Media Product Developer
Director
Distributor
Dolly Grip
Drone Operator
Dubbing Mixer
Editor
Educational Video Director/Producer
Electrician
Electronics & Sensor Designer
Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
Entertainment/Studio Executive
Exhibitor
Festival Director/Programmer
Field Segment Producer
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
Medical Animator
Motion Capture Engineer
Motion Graphics Designer/Producer
Multimedia Artist/Journalist/Producer
News Producer
Photo Asset Manager/Instructor/Editor
Photographic Labs/Image Producer
Photojournalist
Post-Production Supervisor
Press Agent
Producer (Television & Film)
Production Designer/Manager
Programming & Software Designer
Prop Maker
Properties Producer
Public Relations/Publicist
Publisher
Puppet Fabricator
Reality Programming Director
Recording & Mastering Engineer
Researcher
Rights & Clearances
Rotoscope Artist
Screenwriter
Script Editor/Supervisor/Writer
Set Constructor/Designer/Director
Social Media Specialist
Sound Designer/Editor/Mixer
Steadicam Operator
Still Photography
Stop Motion Animator
Storyboard Artist
Studio Merchandiser
Talent Producer
Technical Illustrator/Writer
Texture Artist
University Administration
University Faculty
Videographer
Visual Effect Specialist/Supervisor
Wardrobe Supervisor
Web Producer
Webisode Writer/Researcher