Top Schools for Cinematography and Film Production
Bachelor's and master's degrees in cinematography and film production can be found in a college's communications or fine arts department. These subjects are often part of a television and film degree program. Read on for more information on the top schools in the U.S. that offer cinematography and film production programs.
Top Cinematography and Film Production Schools
1. New York University (NYU) in New York, NY
New York University is situated in the heart of New York City, a city with a thriving entertainment industry. U.S. News and World Report ranked NYU's graduate fine arts programs in multimedia and visual communications tenth in the nation in 2008.
NYU's Tisch School of the Arts has one of the largest film and video production facilities for student use in the East. Students in the Tisch School can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in film and television production. Film and TV degree programs include courses in every step of film and video production, including using the camera (cinematography), editing and sound production. Student film festivals are held annually, such as the First Run Film Festival, which allow students to showcase their work.
2. University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles
USC is a private school located in the middle of Los Angeles, California, where much of the U.S. film industry is centered. USC was ranked 23rd among national universities in U.S. News and World Report's 2012 rankings.
Programs offered by USC's School of Cinematic Arts prepare students for careers in cinematography and film production. A Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Television Production can be earned through this school. The MFA takes about three years to complete. In the second year of study, MFA students specialize in one area of film production, such as writing, editing, directing and cinematography.
3. University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
The Los Angeles campus of the University of California was ranked the 25th best national university in the 2012 edition of U.S. News and World Report's college rankings. This large school, both in acreage and student population, hosts a School of Theater, Film and Television.
UCLA's School of Theater Film and Television offers a 4-year MFA in Cinematography that includes courses in lighting, directing, digital cinematography and production. Cinematography students collaborate with directing students to complete productions for their thesis.
List of Ten Well-Regarded Film Schools in the U.S.
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| American Film Institute Conservatory | Cinematography and production taught in hands-on conservatory method | Los Angeles, CA |
| California Institute of the Arts | Students present their films at the school's Bijou Theater | Valencia, CA |
| Columbia University | Faculty active in producing major motion pictures | New York, NY |
| Florida State University | Honored by the Director's Guild of America | Tallahassee, FL |
| New York University | Dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Fine Arts degree program for TV and film production students | New York, NY |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Home to the Gene Siskel Film Center | Chicago, IL |
| Temple University | Hosts the Diamond Screen Film Festival for students | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of California - Los Angeles | Only 2-3 MFA in Cinematography students accepted annually | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Southern California | The Peter Stark Producing Program | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Texas - Austin | Master Class guest lecture program | Austin, TX |
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8 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- Master in Film
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production
- Bachelor in Film & Digital Production
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- Bachelor in Sound & Motion Picture Technical Arts
- Bachelor in Entertainment Design
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- Associate in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production
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- Associate in Digital Photography
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- Certificate in Audio Production
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- Certificate in Portrait Photography
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
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Master
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- MA in English and Creative Writing - Screenwriting
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
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- Career Diploma in Artist: Comprehensive
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- New York (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Syracuse University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
- Cinematography and Film Production
- Photography
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Iowa include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
- Cinematography and Film Production
- Film and Cinema Studies
