B.F.A. Program Prepares Students to Become Professional Filmmakers
The B.F.A. in cinema production offers an immersive and intensive hands-on education in filmmaking, with storytelling and collaboration at its core. Students begin making films their first year and continue to make work each year as a cinema production major. Students can concentrate in: producing, directing, cinematography, editing or sound design.
Production courses are designed to model real-world production environments, with students from a variety of disciplines collaborating. Students are taught and mentored by industry professionals and artists that prepare them to be successful filmmakers.
After graduation, students can move seamlessly from student film productions to professional productions, whether that be film, TV, commercial, online marketing and more.
Andrew Halasz, professor, director of cinema production
"All that we teach, the training we give, the projects we assign, have the end goal of engaging students in the experiential process of making work. This is what best prepares students to succeed in the industry."
"I place a strong emphasis on storytelling, as I believe it’s the heart of filmmaking ... In addition to storytelling, I focus on technical proficiency, ensuring that students are well-versed in the tools and technologies of the trade."
Kyu Park, born and raised in South Korea, is a transnational filmmaker and educator with a passion for stories that explore the impact of sociocultural factors on human behavior and relationships.
"I’ve been fortunate to have many real-world experiences in my career as an editor and as a teacher, all of which inform my teaching today. I create my lectures with the industry in mind so that the students will have the necessary skills when they graduate."
"While the screenwriting program equips students with the necessary skills they need to find success as storytellers, we also help them gain what is needed for success in life, which is a foundational understanding of human nature and how their voices fit into the world."
"My experience managing national and international productions — both from the home office of National Geographic or while traveling and working in the field — informs everything I teach ... Filmmaking is hard work, but the rewards and opportunities make every minute worth it."
"I like teaching at Point Park because I learn so much from our students. The questions they ask, their insightful perspectives, and the creative challenges they encounter in their own work, all help me to keep learning and growing creatively as a filmmaker."
"Point Park's cinema arts program offers hands-on filmmaking experience. You will have the opportunities to direct, write, produce, shoot, edit and sound design a film. The courses will help you to find your talent and foster the skills to succeed in the real world."
Point Park’s Emphasis on Storytelling Prepares Cinema Production Alumna Milky Tran '20 for Filmmaking Career
"I loved that you began making and experimenting with film your freshman year ... I’m grateful that Point Park had such a heavy focus on storytelling and allowed me to go through the full process of making a film many, many times."
Cinema Grad's Senior Thesis Film Debuts on WQED's Filmmakers Corner
"Point Park accepted my credits easily, which helped with the transferring process. I am a hands-on learner and was excited that Point Park puts a camera in your hands freshman year in this program."
Video Production Internship with Pittsburgh Opera Provides Hands-On Experience for Cinema Student
"My advice to any student considering Point Park is that they should just go for it. Point Park feels like a close-knit community that presents its students with a variety of different opportunities."
Cinema Production Alumna Ashley C. Stokes Receives Four Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards
"Having four regional Emmy’s under my belt after my first year working for PBS is humbling. It inspires me to continue to share stories that make a difference in our communities and eventually around the world."
Cinema Production Major Katt Kersting Interns at PMI Digital
"When you leave Point Park, you take with you a resume/portfolio filled with projects and experiences, a network of industry connections and knowledge on all aspects of filmmaking."
Cinema Production Grad Brianna Wuenschel '20 Lands Job on Netflix's Hustle
"The cinema program's immediate immersion in filmmaking was so different from other schools. From the first year you are already creating your own films and this was very important to me in choosing a school."
Alumna Jennifer Taormina-Lawson is an Associate Attorney for an Entertainment Law Firm in New York City
"The classes and faculty at Point Park still impact my work to this day. I interned at Sony Music Entertainment and SAG-AFTRA while in law school, and I know that I was awarded those opportunities because of my undergraduate education and experience. There is no doubt about that."
Cinema Grad is an Art Department Coordinator on the Oscar-Nominated Film "Judas and the Black Messiah"
"For those trying to get into the industry, it may be difficult at first, but once your foot is in the door, make the most of your opportunity. If you put in the work and stay humble, you will succeed in the industry."
ViacomCBS Hires Cinema Production Alumna Mina Hoffman '18
"The most valuable thing Point Park gave me was a supportive network of people ... Additionally, having the hands-on filmmaking experience was priceless. Knowing set etiquette and general production speak is invaluable even in my role as a marketer."
Cinema Alumna Alyssa Briddes '16 Works on Into the Unknown: Making of Frozen 2, ABC’s 2020, Vice, truTV, Among Others
"Due to the hands-on nature of the program, we all learned on-set etiquette our first year, not just through our professors but through our upperclassmen. Learning how to behave on a set from Point Park has been invaluable during my time here in New York City."
