At Oswego, you can realize your artistic vision while learning filmmaking tactics, techniques, and technology — as well as the strong organizational and collaborative skills that drive success in the field. The program emphasizes critical filmmaking, blending theory and practice so students develop as both creators and scholars of cinema.
Cinema and screen studies focuses on the history, theory and criticism of cinema, as well as of new and pre-cinematic screen media, with a sequence in screenwriting and digital film production. The program incorporates interdisciplinary options that allow you to link studies of moving images to exciting developments in cognitive science, computer and information sciences, and the other humanities, fine arts and social sciences.
Students gain hands-on experience with professional cameras, sound and lighting equipment, editing labs and screening spaces, and start making films from their first semester through a capstone senior thesis project. Along the way, students regularly showcase their work through public screenings and film festivals, building a portfolio that demonstrates both technical and creative skills.
Faculty are active scholars and practitioners who publish and present research across areas such as film history, screenwriting, eco-cinema and global filmmaking. They frequently mentor students on research and creative projects, while alumni stay closely connected to the program, offering guidance on career paths and post-college opportunities.
Use the course learning agreement to focus on your own interests — whether that means acting, design, computer animation, the psychological and social effects of moving images, media literacy and education — or the connections among information science, the natural sciences and visual technologies. Create a public exhibition of a film or video project — or a public reading and discussion of a research project or screenplay — to fulfill your capstone course requirement.
Students from classes in SUNY Oswego's creative writing, chemistry and cinema and screen studies programs work on a recent weekend shoot in the Shineman Center, part of a collaborative effort to develop a series of short films on laboratory safety.
Each course has taught me something different, both about the material and about myself as an artist. Each class is another added piece to the puzzle and the best part is that the improvement and self-actualization never has to end.
My favorite part of my major is how well everyone knows each other. Having worked in the cinema equipment checkout, I've gotten to know a lot of the people in my major. The department atmosphere is one of a tight-knit community where students help each other with film projects.
Step inside. Experience modern classrooms, studios and gathering spaces. This is where stories, ideas and futures are built.
Every semester, faculty sponsor public screenings of films produced in CSS courses. In the spring, CSS partners with a local theater to screen senior thesis films. Students also present their work at regional and national film festivals, including the SUNY-Wide Film Festival, Lake Placid Film Festival and more.
This film community is a place to learn, develop ideas and collaborate. The club also hosts workshops, organizes film festivals, sponsors student screening and supports student productions.
Take classes and participate in internships while immersing yourself in all that region has to offer.
Each year, there are opportunities to show your films across the state, participate at the SUNY Film Festival and Sunset Film Festival.
