Film and Television
Bring your stories to the screen.
A high demand for video content has opened up new career opportunities in streaming, digital, and social media. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this is an industry with higher than average job growth and median salaries.
Gain real-life skills for the entertainment industry
When you tell stories through film and television, you can shape opinions, warm hearts, document injustice, capture important moments in history, and celebrate the human experience.
Our curriculum will give you hands-on training in Cal Lutheran’s television studio and on-location from faculty who have industry experience. You’ll use equipment with the same high-quality production value as used by those in the industry.
Build your network — right next to Hollywood
Cal Lutheran’s proximity to Hollywood will provide you with year-round access to apply what you learn in the classroom by pursuing internships, participating in film festivals, attending industry conferences, and making connections for jobs.
Customize your studies to your creative interests
As a film and television major, you’ll learn the fundamentals of modern media production, and you’ll have the opportunity choose the elective courses that interest you most — covering subjects such as: television/cinema production, screenwriting, storyboarding, animation, motion graphics, and sound for film.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Film and Television
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the film and television program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Degree requirements
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in film and television and explore the courses.
Emphasis Areas
Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:
Production
Build advanced skills in film and television production, including camera operations, editing, lighting, writing, directing, and producing from experienced faculty.
Film Studies
Learn how to study film as an art form and a mass medium. The curriculum focuses on the critical, historical, and theoretical aspects of motion pictures.
Highlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
FILM 304: Lighting and Cinematography for Film and TV
Intermediate hands-on training in lighting and cinematography for narrative films, television programs, and other media productions. Students will learn how to communicate content and convey emotion through light, exposure, angle, focus, and composition.
See descriptionFILM 305: Sound Design for Film and TV
Beginning training in audio mixing, processing, and sound design for narrative films, television programs, and other types of media projects. Introduction to industry standard audio software and sound techniques and practices such as Foley and ADR.
See descriptionFILM 306: Screenwriting
An introductory course on the craft of writing for television or film. Emphasis is on narrative storytelling for the screen, understanding film grammar and the tools of the screenwriter from basic three-act structure to characterization. In a workshop approach, students will develop their own story premise, treatment, outline and draft script, plus revisions.
See descriptionFILM 307: Advanced TV Production
Produce a bi-monthly soap/sitcom for web distribution in short formats (5 - 8 minutes). Students will write the scripts and then participate in the pre-production, production and post production. Class members will design and build the sets, act, direct, work as crew and as editors on this bi-monthly web series.
See descriptionFILM 308: Advanced Cinema Production
Students will write, produce, direct and edit a 10-20 minute short narrative or documentary film with the purpose of submitting it to student film festivals across the country. Students will attend advanced workshops in editing and lighting.
See descriptionFILM 310: Producing and Directing For Film and TV
Students study the art and practice of producing and directing for film, including production coordination and supervision, working with actors, fundraising, managing crews and locations, and addressing legal issues. Students receive hands-on instruction via labs and work on student film productions.
See descriptionRecommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
Check out the spaces and tools you'll have access to in this major. Explore the entire Cal Lutheran campus with our virtual tour
The Rolland Broadcast Center is our main sports broadcasting facility equipped with the latest digital HD systems. A variety of NCAA SCIAC sports are streamed with this facility including football, soccer, men's baseball and women's softball.
Our main TV studio is a full featured high definition production facility that can accommodate a wide range of production needs from news programming, interviews and dramas.
The TV studio features an HD digital production switcher with 2 ME's Broadcast graphics system, live HD streaming capability, three professional Hitachi HD broadcast cameras with Fujinon lenses, teleprompters, green screen keying, and a real news set from KTLA.
Spies-Bornemann Center Mac Lab
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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High-Quality Facilities and Equipment
Your classes will provide hands-on training in Cal Lutheran’s television studio and on-location from faculty who have industry experience.
You’ll also have access to equipment with the same high-quality production value as used by those in the industry.
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Internships
Cal Lutheran’s proximity to Hollywood means you’ll have year-round access to internships to gain experience and make connections.
Employers include:
- ABC
- Bravo
- Bunim-Murray Productions
- CBS
- Creative Artists Agency
- Disney
- Fox Sports
- NBC
- Netflix
- NFL Network
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Special Events and Speakers
Your classes will have guest visits from professional writers, producers, and production experts working in the industry.
You’ll also be able to attend numerous film summits and other special events throughout the year to get broad perspectives on film and television.
Being able to go from theorizing film to creating it is a really good way to get hands-on experience, and it’s super fun. Every day is jam-packed with endless opportunities.
Katie Romanovich '20
Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Studios have increased demand for original content. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, film/video editors, producers and directors have forecasted higher than average growth over the next decade, with higher than average median salaries. Other industries also require video content for use in marketing, advertising, public relations, and corporate training and education programs.
Potential Careers
Producers and Directors
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.
See descriptionMedia Programming Directors
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
See descriptionTalent Directors
Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.
See descriptionMedia Technical Directors/Managers
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
See descriptionNews Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
See descriptionAudio and Video Technicians
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
See descriptionLighting Technicians
Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories.
See descriptionFilm and Video Editors
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
See descriptionLooking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.
Employers
Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:
- ABC
- Bravo
- Bunim-Murray Productions
- CBS
- Central Casting
- Creative Artists Agency
- Disney
- ESPN
- Fox Sports
- KTLA
- NBC
- Netflix
- NFL Network
- STARZ
- TwoFour Media
The Portfolio Creation class allowed me to showcase my best work on a website, prepare for interviews, and have a presentable resume. This experience has significantly contributed to my preparation for success in my career. Cal Lutheran has allowed me to expand my network, learn new workflows in my career, and truly grasp the fundamentals of filmmaking.
Raymond Lerma '23
Read their storyThis page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
How We Prepare You for Success
We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.
Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.
After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
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