Why Study Film Studies?
Film shapes the way we view a culture. What our Film Studies Program hopes that students take away from a study of cinema is an understanding of the cultural, artistic and humanistic perspectives that have gone into the creation of the best films in the repertoire since the inception of the artistic form.
The Film Studies Program helps students find their own niches and interests in film. Many students immerse themselves in film production. They learn to make short films early on in Filmmaking I and then move on to more developed story-telling in Filmmaking II. In Filmmaking III, each student writes, shoots, and edits his/her own short film. Then, at the end of the semester, each film is projected for an audience at an on-campus screening. Cinematography courses and Adobe Premiere editing capabilities assist students who wish to become more involved in semi-professional filmmaking.
Students who take film studies courses go on to pursue a number of careers. Some become documentary filmmakers, producers or film editors. Others go into film marketing and advertising. Some work in industries such as television or media production houses. On occasion, a film student works with museum education and outreach staff as a videographer. Some students are accepted into graduate programs such as those at USC, UCLA, NYU, BU, Emerson, etc. Other students study and make films for the sheer passion of doing so while they pursue other disciplines.
Internships are available to help students discern what avenue of the media world they would like to pursue. Here at BC, the Film Studies Program helps students take advantage of the very successful Eagle Internship offerings of stipends for unpaid film internships. The Jacques Salmanowitz grants program has provided a means for students to make international documentaries relating to social justice issues to share with the BC community at the annual Arts Festival.
Why Study Film?
Discover what people are saying about Film Studies.
![Photo of Gautam Chopra](/content/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/art/people/voices/film-studies-voices/gautam-chopra/_jcr_content/profileImage.img.jpg/1627503320004.jpg)
Gautam Chopra
Film Professor
![Photo of Gautam Chopra](/content/dam/bc1/schools/mcas/art/jpg/voices/film-studies/gautam-chopra_350x418px.jpg)
We're all aware that shooting a film requires lots of technology, most important of which is a camera. A filmmaker's job is to determine where to place it. A thoughtfully placed camera can transcend the science that created it, and capture atmosphere, emotion, and ideas. In other words, craft can allow an audience to forget it's watching a movie and disappear into the story and images. So, while the study of film production is certainly technical, it is also an exploration of self and how to communicate with strangers. What could be more exciting and worthwhile?
![Photo of Mary Conroy](/content/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/art/people/voices/film-studies-voices/mary-conroy/_jcr_content/profileImage.img.jpg/1627503311068.jpg)
Mary Conroy
Film Professor
![Photo of Mary Conroy](/content/dam/bc1/schools/mcas/art/jpg/voices/film-studies/no-photo_350x418px.jpg)
To make a fine film, you need three things: a great script, a great script, and a great script." - Alfred Hitchcock. The art and craft of Screenwriting is the most underestimated facet of film making. Whether you are watching a short film, silent film, documentary, or a full-length film of any genre, just know it started on a blank piece of paper. As a screenwriter, it is your job to create amazing characters and engaging stories for a filmmaker to translate onto the big screen. Screenwriting is a craft where you learn structure and formula, where you learn to 'show, don't tell'; where you use dialogue to push a story forward; where your characters come to life. It is a beautiful craft that is meant to take the writer on a journey of a lifetime.
![Photo of John Mohler](/content/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/art/people/voices/film-studies-voices/john-mohler/_jcr_content/profileImage.img.jpg/1639086061601.jpg)
John Mohler
Senior
![Photo of John Mohler](/content/dam/bc1/schools/mcas/art/jpg/voices/film-studies/John-Mohler_350x418.jpg)
My best answer to the question "Why Study Film?" is that it allows students to practice sharing stories that may be otherwise untold. Whether it is narrative or documentary, each film has the power to relate or challenge an audience with a unique narrative. In my work at Boston College, I've found it rewarding to help share unique narratives to inform audiences of new topics. Whether it be the story of an Iraqi religious prisoner, or of a female martyr, it is wonderful learning about new topics and sharing such diverse stories. I believe the narratives shared through the art of film are essential in educating new audiences about otherwise uncovered subjects.
![Photo of Ciarra Duffy](/content/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/art/people/voices/film-studies-voices/ciarra-duffy/_jcr_content/profileImage.img.jpg/1639086061089.jpg)
Ciarra Duffy
2020 Graduate
![Photo of Ciarra Duffy](/content/dam/bc1/schools/mcas/art/jpg/voices/film-studies/Ciarra-Duffy_350x418.jpg)
For me, studying film was a culmination of all of my interests. I started out comp-sci, then ventured into sociology and psychology, and rested on film. In film I was able to explore my artistic interests, while also maintaining my studies in social justice and history. My first film course was Social Justice on the Silver Screen with professors Michalczyk and Lyerly. Through that course I was able to find my voice when it came to film studies, and meet two of the most influential professors I have had the honor to work with. Professor Michalczyk and Professor Lyerly supported me through my trials in film and history, and in the end, film was the choice for me. I love film and chose to study film because I believe film is one of the most powerful storytelling tools ever invented. Film is a way to take history and make it current, to take current social justice issues and spread light on them from a new perspective. Besides being fun to do, film allows me to share my thoughts with the world, and the professors are also a big reason I decided to major in film and not just minor.
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Jacques Salmanowitz Program
The Jacques Salmanowitz Program for Moral Courage in Film is devoted to encouraging the production of film concerned with acts of moral courage, providing role models for youth worldwide. The Salmanowitz Program serves as a resource for student filmmakers across the disciplines who wish to create documentaries that will inspire future generations.