Film Production Oakland University

Overview

The Film Production programme at Oakland University provides a robust liberal arts foundation alongside specialised technical training. Students engage with a curriculum that balances theoretical analysis of cinema with practical, hands-on experience in various filmmaking modes.

This degree is designed to give students comprehensive exposure to every stage of the creative process. From initial scriptwriting and directing to cinematography and post-production effects, the curriculum ensures graduates possess a versatile skill set suitable for the modern media landscape.

The learning environment encourages exploration across narrative, documentary, and experimental forms.

Why Film Production at Oakland University?

The programme is distinguished by its integration of cinema studies and practical filmmaking. Based within the College of Arts and Sciences, it offers students access to a broad academic community and resources dedicated to the visual arts and media criticism.

A key feature of the department is the intensive capstone experience. This final project allows students to apply their accumulated knowledge to produce a high-quality thesis film, providing a professional portfolio piece that demonstrates their creative and technical capabilities to future employers.

The faculty focuses on a liberal arts approach, ensuring that students are not just technicians but also critical thinkers. This distinctive teaching method prepares graduates to navigate the evolving aesthetic and technological demands of the international film and television industries.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 23867 per year
• National fee: USD 23867 per year
• Local fee: USD 16772 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of core subjects, history electives, and specialised filmmaking modules. Modules may include:

• Film
• Film and Formal Analysis
• Filmmaking
• Methods of Cinema Studies
• Form and Meaning in Filmmaking
• Film Theory and Criticism

History of Film modules may include:

• The Silent Era
• The Sound Era to 1958
• The New Wave and Beyond
• Into the 21st Century

Filmmaking electives and advanced topics may include:

• Documentary Filmmaking
• Narrative Filmmaking
• Experimental Filmmaking
• Essay Filmmaking
• Short Form Filmmaking
• Screenwriting
• Film and the Visual Arts
• Culture and Society Through Film
• Masterpieces of World Cinema
• Media, Gender and Sexuality
• Rise of Electronic Media
• Adaptation: Fiction, Drama, Film
• Studies in Foreign Film
• Politics Through Film
• Filmmaking Thesis

Careers with Film Production

Graduates are prepared for a variety of roles within the creative industries, focusing on production and post-production environments. The programme equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers as directors, cinematographers, editors, and scriptwriters.

Beyond traditional film sets, the expertise gained in short-form and documentary filmmaking is highly applicable to digital marketing, corporate communications, and independent media production. The focus on critical analysis also opens pathways into film journalism, curation, and media research.