Department of Cinematic Arts

Mike Fernandez, Dean, College of Entertainment and the Arts
Steve Taylor, Director of Imagine House, Associate Professor of Film

Matt Huesmann, Chair, Assistant Professor of Film

Melissa Forte, Associate Professor of Film

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 or obtain a minor degree. 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 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.

Distinctives of the Department of Cinematic Art

Internships

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

Lipscomb film majors will have the opportunity to attend festivals such as the world famous Sundance Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival.

Lipscomb is committed to bringing in visiting artists with strong professional credentials. Some past guest speakers include Allan Heingburg (WonderWoman), 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 three theatrical releases under his belt, including the most recent internationally released film “Sketch”. Matt Huesmann is an accomplished cinematographer who offers students guidance and mentorship in lighting, cinematography and production. His clients involve narrative and documentary films, corporate and television production. The co-creator of Veggie Tales, Mike Nawrocki is a full time assistant professor and continues to work in the industry as a voice over artist, screenwriter and children’s book author. He teaches courses in both film and animation. All of our faculty value mentorship of students in disc covering their talents, voices and career paths. These relationships continue beyond graduation.

5 Minute Film Festival

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. The festival is celebrated with over 400 in attendance and live-streamed as well. 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. Prizes are also awarded to: Best Animation film, 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 students with production opportunities. These opportunities include working on an animation series in production or a television docu-series. It may mean working on local commercial or music video productions that come through our professional faculty and always the student production sets that run almost year-round. Staying busy with creating content is not a problem for the students in Cinematic Arts.

Career Opportunities

Screenwriter
Cinematographer
Director/Producer
Actor
Gaffer
Grip
Film Editor
Camera Operator
Colorist
Script Supervisor
LED Volume Wall Technician
Independent Filmmaker
Videographer
Press Agent
Photographer
Studio Merchandising
Film Distributor
TV Distributor
Story Editor
Film archivist
Researcher
Casting Director
Film Publicist
Film Critic
Arts Journalist
Television Producer
Digital Imaging Technician
Shader
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.