Department of Cinematic Arts

Mike Fernandez, Dean, College of Entertainment and the Arts
Steve Taylor, Director, School of Theatre & Cinematic Arts

Melissa Forte, Chair, Associate Professor of Film

Dave Deborde, Associate Professor, Film
Tom Bancroft, Assistant Professor & Animation Program Lead

Eric Stars, Assistant Professor, Animation

Mike Nawrocki, Assistant Professor, Film
Larry Brown, Professor of Theatre

The mission of the Department of Cinematic Arts is to educate the next generation of artists to be independent, entrepreneurial filmmakers and animators who graduate ready to create uplifting content for the digital entertainment marketplace.

B.A. in Film Production

This pre-professional degree allows the dedicated film student an opportunity to take classes across the broad spectrum of film production and film studies. The B.A. concentration allows students more flexible elective hours to study other areas of interest related to film. The degree is appropriate for those who upon graduation wish to go directly into the field of professional filmmaking. It is also designed for those who wish to go to graduate school for an M.F.A.

B.F.A. in Film Production

This track requires admission through a portfolio review during the second week of the Sophomore spring semester, or during the semester of admission for transfer students.

This pre-professional degree allows the dedicated film student an opportunity to take classes geared toward a specific interest in film. Students will drill down deeper into specific areas of film production such as cinematography & lighting, writing and directing or post production. This degree is appropriate for those who upon graduation wish to go directly into the field of professional filmmaking. It is also designed for those who wish to go to graduate school for an M.F.A.

B.A. in Animation

This pre-professional degree allows the dedicated animation student an opportunity to take classes across the broad spectrum of animation production and art courses. The B.A. concentration gives students a good overview of the entire animation process with the intent that students would begin to discover their sub-interests within the field. The degree is appropriate for those who upon graduation wish to go directly into the field of professional animation filmmaking.

B.F.A. in Animation

This pre-professional degree allows the dedicated film student an opportunity to take classes geared toward a specific interest in animation. Students will drill down deeper into specific areas of animation production and will choose a learning track with a higher concentration on 2D drawing related classes (concept art and storyboarding) or CG animation track (modeling and animation). In the B.F.A., students will make their own senior thesis short animated film for their portfolio. This degree is appropriate for those who upon graduation wish to go directly into the field of professional animation filmmaking.

Distinctives of the Department of Cinematic Art

Internships

Students are encouraged each summer to participate in internships throughout the city and the country.

Los Angeles Trip

Film and Animation students have a unique opportunity to spend a week in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Tours of studios and famous landmarks will be arranged, with the week culminating in an internship with the Academy Awards® sponsored Sunscreen Film Festival in beautiful Hermosa Beach. Sunscreen provides numerous workshops and panels featuring industry professionals and celebrities, as well as opportunities to network.

Sundance Film Festival

Lipscomb film and animation majors will have the opportunity to attend the world famous Sundance Film Festival. As part of this special group, film students will be privy to premiere tickets and private lectures with festival filmmakers and actors. After many of the screenings, there will be private talk backs with the group in order to discuss ideas and issues raised.

Strong Professional Connections

Lipscomb is committed to bringing in visiting artists with strong professional credentials. Some past guest speakers include Sean Covell (producer, Napoleon Dynamite), John Jackson (casting director, The Descendants, Sideways), Dean Batali (TV Writer/Producer, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, That 70’s Show), Scott Derrikson director (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Dr. Strange) and many more.

Faculty Are Working Professionals

Our faculty don’t just teach, they do! Steve Taylor is an internationally known musician as well as an accomplished filmmaker with two theatrical releases under his belt. Dave DeBorde is an accomplished filmmaker in his own right and produced a theatrically released film nationwide in 2015, Old Fashioned. Tom Bancroft leads our animation program. As a former animator for Disney films, Tom continues to be sought after for his work. He also runs a popular podcast about animation with his twin brother who is also a former Disney animator. In Fall of 2019 we add to our stellar faculty the co-creator of Veggie Tales, Mike Nawrocki. Mike, a full time assistant professor, continues to work in the industry as a voice over artist, screenwriter and childrens book author.

5 Minute Film Festival

Now in its sixth year, Lipscomb’s 5 Minute Film Festival was created by the Cinematic Arts department as a way to encourage students from all across campus to use their God-given creativity and make a short film. A panel of entertainment industry professionals will review the submissions and award cash prizes and trophies to outstanding films from narrative (fiction) and documentary, as well as Music Videos and Screenplay - and the Grand Prize winner will be screened at the Nashville Film Festival, which will make it eligible for Academy Awards® consideration. Prizes will also be awarded for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Music, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Design and Best Poster Design.

Film Screening Series

Throughout the year the Department of Cinematic Arts hosts a campus screening series that has included numerous sneak previews of movies prior to their theatrical release. These screenings are often followed by Q&As with the filmmaker.

Production Opportunities

Lipscomb’s Department of Cinematic Arts is committed to providing production opportunities for our students. In addition to film crew internships on Nashville-based productions, we also produce award-winning promos and will soon start work on a web series in partnership with the Theater Department.

Career Opportunities

• Actor

• Film Critic

• Arts Journalist

• Independent Filmmaker

• Videographer

• Press Agent

• Photographer

• Film Editor

• Studio Merchandising

• Film Distributor

• TV Distributor

• Story Editor

• Film archivist

• Researcher

• Casting Director

• Film Publicist

• Television Producer

• Camera Operator

• Digital Imaging Technician

• Colorist

• Shader

• Screenwriter

• Animator

• Script Supervisor

• Professional Personal Assistant to a Film Professional

• Talent Agent

• Talent Manager

• Film Professor

• Technicians

In addition to the fields listed above, there are other less obvious applications of the Film degree. Law schools, medical schools and the like are beginning to understand how powerfully the following skills, all integral to Film training, can equip one for “real life” working within a deadline, collaborative effort, stamina, conceptual skills, analytical thinking, fiscal responsibility, creativity, working successfully with people, communication skills, management skills, organizational ability, making an idea become tangible, creative research, taking direction, problem-solving and the confidence to embrace new ideas.

Program of Study Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Non-Degree

Courses

Animation Courses

Film and Creative Media Courses

Special Topics/Independent Research/Variable Credit in Film and Creative Media Courses