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Moving-Image Production

Degree: BA

Campus: Columbus

College: Arts and Sciences

Students in the moving-image production major study the increasingly interdisciplinary professional field of moving-image production and develop a deep understanding of film production in the areas of animation, documentary, experimental and narrative cinema. The program emphasizes specialized studio practice, the development of critical storytelling skills and proficiency in visual literacy.

By integrating theory and practice, the moving-image production program produces filmmakers with critical-thinking skills and independent voices who will bring new vision to the film industry, independent cinema, and visual culture.

Upon acceptance to the university, students enroll as a pre-major. After completing nine credits of pre-major foundations courses on the fundamentals of filmmaking, students submit work for a portfolio review at the end of spring semester. The portfolio review at the end of spring semester, plus successful completion of pre-major courses with a minimum average grade of B- or better, is required to be eligible for application to the MIP major. 

Admission to the moving-image production major is competitive. 30 to 35 students are accepted annually. Students who are not accepted are encouraged to explore the film studies major and its corresponding minors, where they will be able to continue their pursuits in the study of film theory, history and production.

Students accepted to the moving-image production major complete 38 credits in the major, plus 15 credits in the required film studies minor.

Required courses for the major include: Production Studio courses in animation, experimental, documentary and narrative film-making; two credits of Cinema Today screening practices course work; Senior Project I and II; and six credits of electives at the 2000-level or above, which may include credit for pre-approved study abroad or film/media internships.

Students can take a wide variety of courses in fields such as art, languages and cultures, comparative studies, history of art, dance, design, film studies, comparative studies, film studies, theatre, and women’s, gender and sexuality, as well as offerings from the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) and the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Internships are an important part of the academic experience and can add important development opportunities for students pursuing careers in any aspect of film production and film studies.

Ohio State film studies and moving-image production students have found internships and careers within a variety of companies and on specific motion picture and television productions, including at companies such as: 3 Arts Entertainment, 4th Row Films, Bungalow Media, Broadway Video, CBS, Cohen Media, Groundswell Pictures, Myriad Pictures, Netflix, Youtube, Paradigm, Sundance, Starz, Ohio HD, Paradigm and Silver Pictures, and WOSU Public Media.

Students in this major have also found work on productions like: Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Carol; Fast and Furious 8; "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," and more. 

Generous scholarships are awarded twice annually to support costs associated with student participation in film industry internships.

From writing to production to animation, Ohio State has student organizations focused on every part of the film process. These groups offer film screenings, trivia nights, production opportunities, trips to film festivals and more.

  • The Animation Club provides a community for those interested in viewing, discussing and making animated shorts.
  • The Film and Video Society is committed to fostering cooperation and creativity among Ohio State students in the disciplines of film and video. By offering an open and rewarding environment for the study and appreciation of film and video, they strive to prepare students for future explorations in these media.
  • The Mad Royal Film Society is a movie group for students interested in all aspects of film production. The group collaborates to make one polished short film per school year. They do pre-production in the fall, and filming in the spring.
  • Scarlet and Gray Anime fosters an appreciation of Japanese popular culture through showings of Japanese animated films ("anime") and related popular media.
  • The Video Essay Club (or VEC) hosts discussions, workshops and screenings for all students to creatively explore their personal/academic interests through the audiovisual medium of video essays.

Many graduates of film studies and moving-image production find positions with film companies, film archives and festivals. Others work as media creators, visual artists, art managers, critics and journalists, creators, and teachers at a variety of levels. Graduates in film have pursued higher education in related fields, and have been competitive in graduate school applications in education, film studies and production, fine art, and law, among other areas. Our graduates are also prepared for positions in government, not-for-profit organizations and industry fields that are open to those majoring in the humanities. Other types of possibilities reside in the communications job market—public relations, technical writing, advertising and educational media are just a few of the exciting career avenues that majors might take.