Media Arts Program Listed as a Top Film School

The BYU Media Arts Program was recently recognized as one of 40 top film schools in North America by MovieMaker Magazine. MovieMaker calls the BA in Media Arts Studies a top pick for the programs in North America. It also highlights BYU for its international focus and a “worldview extends to its approach to film theory.” “We are pleased to have been recognized for the strengths of our film program,” said Professor Darl Larsen, an associate chair in TMA. “We offer a robust series of critical studies courses designed to complement production experiences, the goal being rounded, thoughtful, and motivated graduates who can excel in the industry and/or in academia.”

The listing is intended for prospective students who are interested in film school but need direction on the most compatible institution. Out of the hundreds of bachelors and masters degree programs, the schools chosen for the list represent “the best of what higher education has to offer the film world.” MovieMaker Magazine is known as the nation’s leading resource on the art and business of making movies and the world’s most widely read independent film magazine. The 40 film schools are organized by region and highlight each school’s particular strengths. BYU is listed under the U.S. Southwest region for outstanding theory and criticism training, including four courses: History of Animation, History of Documentary and Nonfiction Film, Children’s Media and Transcendence: Religion and Film. Larsen said, “Our program offers many production opportunities in many types of media; a firm grounding in our discipline’s letters—film history, theory and criticism—broadens and deepens our students’ perspectives, and they can then create better media.” TMA Professor Kelly Loosli said the 'History of Animation' course has been critical to the animation program. “Not only does it give our students a broad overview of the history of animation and the way it was developed, it also opens their eyes to the many varied uses for animation. “Because the animation program is so professionally focused it is one of the ‘real’ writing and critical studies classes our students have to take and many find it refreshing and mind expanding to deal with the animation subject matter in a more traditionally academic way,” said Loosli. Cameron Babcock, a recent TMA graduate, said his media arts professors made a direct impact on his education. 'The faculty in the film program are my mentors and friends. They have taught me not only about the history, theories, and practices of film but also what it means to be a hard working, supportive person in life.' MovieMaker also recognizes BYU's International Cinema in the College of Humanities for “play more than 80 films each year, highlighting language diversity, aesthetic specificity and human interconnection.”