Program Description

There has never been a better time to prepare for a career in film. New York State tax incentives for the film and television industry have led to a boom in New York film and television productions in recent years, and demand for video on social media platforms has been growing exponentially. 

The Associate of Science Degree in Digital Filmmaking prepares students to take advantage of the opportunities available in this rapidly changing, multi-disciplinary field by providing them with foundational knowledge and skills in four key areas: film studies, cinematic storytelling, digital video production, and postproduction.

The A.S. Degree is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the film and television industry or to transfer to a four-year B.A. or B.F.A. program in film production or cinema studies.
 
Students enrolled in the program acquire a solid basis in cinema history and theory, film aesthetics, screenwriting, camera operation, lighting, digital editing, and acting. In addition to these core courses, students may choose from a wide range of electives, including courses in television production, visual effects, animation, and sound design. Production and postproduction courses are taught by practicing film professionals on advanced equipment. An optional internship offers students the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in the industry.

The program offers courses at the main campus in Valhalla and at several extension locations. Film production students have access to camera, lighting and audio equipment to work on their projects, and can take advantage of open lab hours to edit in our post-production facilities. The department sponsors an active Film Club, which is open to students of all majors. In addition, the Film Program holds its annual WCC Film Festival every April. Visit the WCC Film Festival website to watch trailers and full reels from previous years.

Program Requirements

60 credits are required for the degree:

• General Education - 30 credits
• Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

General Education Requirements - 30 Credits

• Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research  
   
• Humanities (6 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature  and FILM 102 - Film 1945 to Present   
   
• Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses  
   
• Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses  
   
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; and Social Sciences (3 credits): ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology  OR SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology  OR SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology - Honors  OR SOC 102 - Sociology of Families  
   
• The Arts (9 credits): FILM 100 - Introduction to Film  and FILM 101 - Film 1895 to 1945  and FILM 130 - Digital Storytelling 
   
• US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): HIS 110 - U.S. History Colonial-1800  OR HIS 111 - 19th Century U.S. History  OR HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History  OR HIS 133 - African American History to 1865  OR HIS 134 - African American History from 1865 to Present  

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses . 

Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

• FILM 125 - Writing for Film  
• FILM 140 - Video Production  
• FILM 142 - Video Editing  
• FILM 145 - Documentary Video  
• FILM 150 - Film Internship  or FILM elective
• THEAT 111 - Acting 1  
   
• Film Elective (9 credits): select THREE from the following courses
  • ART 129 - Digital Photography  
  • ART 147 - Digital Animation 1   
  • COMM 101 - Understanding Mass Media  
  • COMM 114 - Sports Media  
  • COMM 116 - Audio Production  
  • COMM 121 - Television Studio Production  
  • FILM 103 - The Great Directors  
  • FILM 109 - Film – American Cinema  
  • FILM 110H - Cinema Studies - Honors  
  • FILM 113 - Film Study: World Cinema  
  • FILM 143 - Advanced Video Editing  
  • FILM 160 - Visual Effects  
  • FILM 220 - Fiction Into Film  
  • ITECH 200 - Game Design and Interactive Media  
  • MUSIC 160 - Introduction to Audio 1  
  • MUSIC 163 - Electronic Music Composition  
  • MUSIC 165 - Recording Engineering 1  
  • THEAT 113 - Acting 2  
     
• Cinema Studies Elective (3 credits): select ONE from the following courses
  • FILM 103 - The Great Directors  
  • FILM 109 - Film – American Cinema  
  • FILM 113 - Film Study: World Cinema  
  • FILM 220 - Fiction Into Film  

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Minimum Total Credits: 60

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

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