College: Motion Picture Arts
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Specialized Admission: Yes
Address: A5100 University Center, FSU Tallahassee, FL 32306
Phone: (850) 644-4927
Email: mcorreia@fsu.edu
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
The program of study leading to a bachelor of fine arts degree (BFA) in Animation and Digital Arts combines schooling in digital motion picture production with solid grounding in liberal studies. The curriculum directs students through the program in such a way that they will begin learning the special language of digital motion picture production by making short films, culminating with a senior thesis film. Curriculum is centered on digital motion picture production, with an emphasis on story development, previsualization, directing, 3D modeling, layout, computer animation, texturing, lighting, editing, sound, film history and film theory as well as elements of live action production.
The goal of the program is to produce educated, literate, creative digital filmmakers. The BFA program will provide the curricular leadership in developing students' expertise in the art and craft of digital motion picture storytelling, as well as offer training in the specialized technical skills needed to operate industry-standard computer animation platforms.
Students entering as freshmen will spend the first year working on general education requirements and then are immersed, sophomore through senior years, in Animation and Digital Arts courses. Transfer students will enter the program as sophomores and complete their degree in eight semesters, which includes two summers. Transfer applicants should complete all general education requirements before starting the program and are encouraged to consult with the academic advisor for course planning when applying.
Prerequisite Coursework: None
There are no common prerequisites to the FSU program in Animation and Digital Arts.
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.
Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies:
The Animation and Digital Arts program in the College of Motion Picture Arts is a Specialized Admission program. Admission is highly selective. Each class is comprised of no more than ten (10) students. Separate applications must be made to The Florida State University Office of Admissions and to The College of Motion Picture Arts. All program applicants must apply to FSU by the fall early admission deadline. An applicant seeking to enter the College of Motion Picture Arts must meet the grade point average and test score requirements described by the University’s Office of Admissions, see http://admissions.fsu.edu/ .
The Motion Picture Arts application package consists of the following items: the on-line application, résumé, a writing sample, creative portfolio, three letters of recommendation on letterhead, and a personal statement (a 500 to 1,000 word essay describing your background, artistic experiences, creative influences, personal objectives, and future career goals). The College of Motion Picture Arts application deadline is posted on our website https://film.fsu.edu/admissions .
The College of Motion Picture Arts accepts all students into the program beginning in the fall semester only. Students must maintain a “B” average in all major requirements. Continuation in the major will depend on the development of each student’s talents, skills, professional discipline and academic record, including a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. A student’s work and commitment are under continuous review, and any candidate who fails to maintain high standards may be dismissed from the program.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: (91 hours)
This information is subject to change; contact department.
Program Core Requirements
FIL2043 - History and Practice of Visual Effects and Animation
FIL2090 - Professional Communication
FIL2110 - Story Development and Screenwriting I
FIL2113L - Screenwriting Workshop
FIL2423 - Filmmaking I
FIL2533 - Motion Picture Sound
FIL2557 - Motion Picture Editing
FIL2710 - Visualization I
FIL2730 - Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics
FIL2731 - Introduction to 3D Computer Animation
FIL2XXX – Intro to Rigging
FIL3702L - Lighting, Texturing & Rendering I
FIL3736 - Character Animation I
FIL3833 - Film Styles
FIL4713 - Character Art
FIL3641 - Motion Picture Production Management
FIL3132 - Screenwriting II
FIL3971 - Thesis Film Support
FIL3XXX - Lighting, Texturing & Rendering II
FIL4135 - Thesis Development
FIL4434 - Advanced Filmmaking
FIL4923 - Undergraduate Film Seminar
FIL4952 - Portfolio Production
FIL4970 - Thesis Defense
FIL4973 - BFA Thesis Production
FIL4933 - Professional Development
IDS2453 - Reality & Illusion in World Cinema
Electives:
FIL 2481L - Acting for Filmmakers
FIL 2727r - Compositing II
FIL 3690r - Digital Studio Department Leadership
FIL 3711 - Visualization II
FIL 3932r - Special Topics
FIL 4613 - Marketing and Exhibition
FIL 4712r - Visualization III
FIL 4713 - Character Art
FIL 4737r - Character Animation II
FIL 4905r - Directed Individual Study
FIL 4910r - Application of Research and Creative Methods
FIL 4940r - Application of Instruction Methods
FIL4945r - Professional Internship
FIL4952 - Portfolio Production
FIL 4975r - Undergraduate Honors Thesis
Completion of the program should be planned with an academic advisor, with regard to the student’s background and goals
The following required courses in the major fulfill Liberal Studies for the 21st Century General Education and University-Wide Requirements:
FIL 2043 History & Practice of Visual Effects and Animation fulfills:
o Digital Literacy
o Scholarship in Practice
FIL 2090 Professional Communication fulfills:
o Oral Communication Competency
FIL 3833 Film Styles fulfills:
o GE Humanities
IDS 2453 Reality & Illusion in World Cinema fulfills:
o GE Humanities
o “W’ (Writing)
o Diversity
FIL 4135 Thesis Development fulfills:
o Upper Division Writing
FIL 4973 BFA Thesis Production fulfills:
o Formative Experience
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hours Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 91
Minor Coursework 0
Digital Literacy 0 beyond major
Oral Competency 0-3
Other Required Coursework 0
Electives to bring total number of credit hours to 120
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each fall and spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of General Education courses before beginning major coursework.
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: (BFA or MFA): Director, Writer, Producer (Executive, Assistant, Unit), Editor, Modeler, Texture artist, Rigger, CG Lighter, Technical Director, Animator, Animation supervisor, Look development, Compositor, Production designer, Art director, Supervising art director, Production manager, Post-production supervisor, Post-production coordinator, Storyboard artist, Previz artist, Graphic designer, Visual development coordinator, Foley mixer, Sound effects recordist, Supervising sound editor, Sound editor, Dialogue Supervisor, Visual effects coordinator, Visual effects creative supervisor, Marketing coordinator.
ACADEMIC MAP (Effective Fall 2024 and after)
*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*
This map is a term-by-term sample course schedule. After the freshman year, students only take courses in the major and the curriculum is lock-step — i.e., the faculty determines which courses students take each semester and the sample schedule below is subject to change.
The milestones listed to the right of each term are designed to keep you on course to graduate in four years. The Sample Schedule serves as a general guideline to help you build a full schedule each term. The General Education and Elective courses must be selected to satisfy all area and diversity requirements unless your program meets these requirements with major courses. Milestones are courses and special requirements necessary for timely progress to complete a major. Missing milestones will result in one of two types of map registration stops. The first level (Degree Map Off-track) is placed following grade posting if the student has missed a milestone (course and/or GPA) for the first time in the major. If a student is in non-compliance with milestones for two (2) consecutive semesters (excluding summers), a Major Change Required stop is placed on the student's registration.
The Animation and Digital Arts program in the College of Motion Picture Arts is a Specialized Admission program. Admission is highly selective.
Mapping Coordinator: Mary Correia
Email: mcorreia@fsu.edu
Sample Schedule and Required Milestones by Term
| Sample Schedule: Term 1 hrs |
| ENC1101 Freshman Composition3 |
| 1st GE Mathematics3 |
| GE Core Natural Science and Lab4 |
| GE Humanities/Cultural Practice (FIL2001 recommended)3 |
| GE Social Science3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 1 |
| Complete ENC1101 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 1st GE Mathematics course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 2 hrs |
| ENC2135 Research, Genre, and Context 3 |
| 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics3 |
| GE Natural Science3 |
| GE Ethics (PHI2010 recommended)3 |
| GE Core History (AMH2020 recommended)3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 2 |
| Complete ENC2135 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics course ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete GE statewide core courses |
| Complete one Diversity course |
| Complete Natural Science Lab |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 3 hrs |
| FIL2110 Story Development & Screenwriting I1 |
| FIL2113L Screenwriting Workshop1 |
| FIL2423 Filmmaking I3 |
| FIL2557 Motion Picture Editing2 |
| FIL2043 History & Practice of VFX and Animation2 |
| FIL2090 Professional Communication1 |
| FIL3833 Film Styles 3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 3 |
| Complete FIL2090 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete FIL2043 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 4 hrs |
| FIL3702L Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering2 |
| FIL2730 Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics2 |
| FIL2731 Introduction to 3D Computer Animation2 |
| FIL2710 Visualization 13 |
| IDS2453 Reality & Illusion in World Cinema3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 4 |
| Complete IDS2453 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Summer hrs |
| FIL3XXX Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering II2 |
| FIL3736 Character Animation I2 |
| FIL4713 Character Art2 |
| FIL3971 Thesis Film Support 1 |
| Sample Schedule: Term 5 hrs |
| FIL3132 Screenwriting II2 |
| FIL2533 Motion Picture Sound2 |
| FIL2XXX Intro to Rigging2 |
| FIL3971 Thesis Film Support2 |
| FIL3641 Motion Picture Prod Management 1 |
| Elective2 |
| Elective2 |
| Required Milestones: Term 5 |
| Complete a Pre-graduation Check with College |
| Civic Literacy requirement |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 6 hrs |
| FIL4434 Advanced Filmmaking9 |
| FIL 2533 Motion Picture Sound1 |
| FIL3971 Thesis Film Support2 |
| . |
| . |
| Summer: |
| FIL4135 Thesis Development3 |
| FIL4923 Undergrad Film Seminar6 |
| FIL4975 Undergrad Honors Thesis 0-3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 6 |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| . |
| . |
| . |
| . |
| Summer: |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 7 hrs |
| FIL4973 BFA Thesis Production12 |
| OR |
| FIL4973 BFA Thesis Production11 |
| FIL4975 Undergrad Honors Thesis1 |
| Required Milestones: Term 7 |
| Complete Pre-Graduation Check with Registrar |
| Complete Upper Division Writing: FIL4135 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete Formative Experience: FIL4973 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |
| Sample Schedule: Term 8 hrs |
| FIL4973 BFA Thesis Production3-6 |
| FIL4970 Thesis Defense0 |
| FIL4933 Professional Development3 |
| FIL4613 Marketing & Exhibition (required for directors & producers)3 |
| FIL4952 Portfolio Production3 |
| FIL4975 Undergrad Honors Thesis 0-3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 8 |
| Pass FIL4970 |
| Apply for Graduation in 1st 2 weeks of semester |
| Maintain 3.00 or higher GPA |