Film is the most culturally influential artistic medium in our era. The film major
equips students both to understand film as a culture-shaping force and to pursue diverse
careers in the entertainment industry.
In a world that increasingly relies on visual information, a comprehension of how
meaning grows out of the moving image is indispensable to a deeper social and cultural
understanding. CBU film majors develop valuable technical knowledge and experience
as well as sharp critical thinking skills and significant audio-visual literacy.
*13-18 required major courses, depending on chosen concentration
Why Study Film at CBU?
Gain Hands-On Experience Near Hollywood
CBU film majors have the opportunity to learn how to apply knowledge to filmmaking
by creating high quality films on state-of-the-art equipment, writing screenplays
and teleplays, and exploring the best of global cinema, all within reach of Hollywood.
Choose From Four Concentrations
CBU Film offers four concentrations, allowing students to specialize and distinguish
themselves as film professionals who demonstrate professional excellence and personal
integrity, are servant leaders in their communities, and who live biblically based,
missional lives within the profession.
Program Details
FLM 370: Writing for Streaming Media
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of writing for streaming media.
FLM 470: Adaptation and Intertextuality
This advanced course focuses on diverse texts and theories regarding adaptation and
intertextuality as they impact film and other media.
FLM 320: Sundance Film Festival with Windrider Forum
This is a course centers on the legendary Sundance Film Festival, including attendance
of the festival in Park City, Utah, in conjunction with Fuller Seminary’s Windrider
Forum, which brings together students from Christian universities all over the US
for a colloquium on the relationship between Christianity (and spirituality more generally)
and cinema.
Office Phone: 951-552-8789 E-mail: meaton@calbaptist.edu Office Location: James 357
Communication Competency: Graduating Film majors will explain the cultural, social,
and spiritual relevance of film through written, discursive, and multi-media communication.
Critical Analysis: Graduating Film majors will produce researched critical analyses
that reflect the broader historical, cultural, and religious contexts of cinematic
artifacts.
Diversity: Graduating Film majors will produce critical analyses, screenplays, and/or
film projects that communicate an understanding of and respect for diverse perspectives,
including those related to religion, race, gender, and social class.
Theoretical Approach & Methodology: Graduating Film majors will demonstrate the application
of theory to filmic texts through oral, written, and visual forms of communication.
Professional and Graduate Preparation: Graduating Film majors will be equipped to
pursue professional film-related occupations and graduate studies.
CBU ultimately taught me to overcome my self-doubt and go for it, that this was the
only way to make progress, with anything for that matter. It's a lesson I wish I'd
learned earlier, but I’m grateful to know it now.
CBU really helped me build my confidence and made me a much more well-rounded filmmaker.
My professors helped set the foundation for me, and I was so supported and encouraged
while making films at CBU.
My day can vary from working with directors to pulling materials for their pieces,
looking over the script for music pieces, approving videos of music interviews and
working with my supervisor to prepare for future guests.
Kiani Margolis '20
Music Assistant, "Entertainment Tonight"
The CBU annual film festival draws new student filmmakers and motivates returning
students to try new ideas. The film festival serves as a forum for students to showcase
their work in front of a public audience. Since 2011, the CBU film festival has successfully
brought together members of the public, CBU film students, and film critics into a
common space.
Student Opportunities: Riverside International Film Festival
Since 2002, the Riverside International Film Festival has brought the best in contemporary
international and independent film to the Inland Empire Region of Southern California,
the fastest growing area in America. The CBU Film program regularly partners with
and showcases student films in conjunction with the Riverside International Film Festival.
Student Opportunities: Los Angeles Film Studies Center
As a participant in the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities and a “sending
institution” for the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC), CBU gives students the
opportunity to study for one semester through the Center in Los Angeles, California.
Completion of this concentration is contingent upon admittance to the Los Angeles
Film Studies Center (LAFSC) program.
Film is one of the fastest growing disciplines at universities and colleges in the
U.S. Interdisciplinary in nature, film incorporates other fields such as history,
art, popular culture, and communications. Film majors practice the vital activities
of analysis, synthesis, and multitasking that many employers seek. As a result, many
film graduates find positions with film production companies, film archives, and festivals,
or work as art managers, critics, journalists, independent artists, and teachers.
Film majors have been competitive in job searches nationally in the following areas:
Independent or Industrial Filmmaker
Film Editor
Critic or Arts Journalist
Press Agent
Photographer
Actor, Actress or Performer
Studio Merchandising Specialist or Distribution Company Work
