Study the history, theory and production of moving images
Except for real life, few things pack the emotional punch of movies to convey ideas about the world around us. Eckerd’s Film Studies degree teaches you the history and techniques of film in the classroom; we combine this with our International Cinema Series and Environmental Film Festival, which bring first-run films and filmmakers from around the world to our campus theater, and Winter Term trips to the Sundance Film Festival so you can learn how film expresses culture and ideas.
Graduates of our program get jobs in the production, distribution, and exhibition of film and television, radio, online marketing and media and beyond.
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Put your ideas into production
Students take a range of classes in filmmaking with access to camera, sound, and editing equipment and software in the state-of-the-art Nielsen Center for Visual Arts. Students pay no extra fees for film production courses and can check out Canon, Panasonic, GoPro, and Blackmagic cameras for projects along with professional audio equipment, gimbals, underwater camera kits, and much more.
Study the natural world through film
For 25 years, we’ve held our own Environmental Film Festival right here on our Florida campus! Explore themes introduced in our popular Environmental Film Colloquium and continue your studies with critical studies and production classes that explore the representation of nature in film.
Broaden your studies
Set on a career in film production? Combine your Film Studies major with a minor in Creative Writing, Interdisciplinary Arts, Management, Theatre, or Visual Arts. More interested in writing about film and media? Choose a Journalism or Marketing minor.
In Their Own Words
“Studying Film Studies at Eckerd College was made special due greatly to the faculty and mentors. I was able to learn from tremendously insightful and engaging professors who continue to offer support and mentorship even after graduation. I gained knowledge in film theory and history from them, while being challenged to constantly improve on my critical analysis skills. Film Studies at Eckerd College offered me an unparalleled experience that has now allowed me to produce a thesis that is being published in an online journal–something I had not anticipated so early in my studies.”
–Shannon Shikles ’16
Media Specialist
Beyond the Classroom
Spend a semester at the Prague Film School, Otago University in New Zealand or our Study Centres in London or Seville, Spain. Or join your classmates for three exciting weeks at the Sundance Film Festival, offered in January every other year. Or attend the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival with your professors and colleagues and immerse yourself in the world of nonfiction film.
Study Abroad Pics on FlickrFilm Studies students have refined their career goals by interning at Blue Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit, Sacramento Theatre Company, Sunscreen Film Festival, Pitch Her Productions and DiGa Productions.
Scratch the itch with an independent study you design with a professor. Our majors have explored everything from video games to comedy and film production.
Volunteer at the Friends of Strays Animal Shelter right here in Florida or the Education and Health Nepal Volunteer Service in Nepal. Our students have also made marketing videos for local nonprofits and produced a documentary of an Eckerd College spring break service trip to Cat Island, Bahamas.
Service Pics on FlickrFilm Studies students have access to exclusive and competitive scholarships available that support tuition, fees, and study abroad. All students enrolled in Film Studies courses are eligible to apply for generous Nielsen Film and Media Production grants to support film and media production projects, including submission to film festivals.
Popular classes
Introduction to Filmmaking
Learn the foundations of film and media production with an introduction to different types of moving image media – narrative, documentary, experimental – and production equipment and software.
The Horror Film
Learn about the mythological and literary roots of horror films by watching and discussing them. Analyze the historical and psychological angles of various sub-genres, from paranormal to zombie.
Outcomes
What can I do with a Film Studies degree?
- Cinematographer
- Casting director
- Editorial assistant
- Film archivist
- Key grip
- Location scout
- Movie critic
- Press agent
- Producer
- Screenwriter
Where our Film Studies students go to graduate school
- American University
- Boston University
- Fordham University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Mercer County Community College
- Miami University
- Sacred Heart University
- University of Rochester
- Wake Technical Community College
Where our Film Studies students go to work
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