NATCHITOCHES – Budding filmmakers will now have an option of adding a film minor to their studies at Northwestern State University. The new minor, which begins in the Fall 2023 semester, is a combination of production and theoretical courses in three departments: English, Language and Cultural Studies, Fine + Graphic Arts, and the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts. A variety of existing courses will count toward the minor, including film history, new media design and documentary production.
Dr. Francene Lemoine, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the new undergraduate minor showcases the expertise of our faculty and will help our students pursue careers in the film and production business.
“Students who complete this minor will be uniquely poised to work in Louisiana’s growing film industry,” she said. “We are incredibly excited by the impact this new minor will have on our students, our community, and our region.”
Associate Professor of Film Studies and Southern Literature Allison Rittmayer has seen an increase of NSU students wanting to study film and submitted the proposal to create the minor.
“The minor also serves students who are interested in pairing filmmaking and analysis with another major,” she said. “We are excited to contribute courses such as film theory, experimental filmmaking, and screenwriting to the film minor.”
Associate Professor of Communication Melody Gilbert, an Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker, said there is great interest in filmmaking at NSU and she is “beyond thrilled to see this new film minor that can serve our students and help them explore their passion for the film and production world.” Gilbert’s courses that will count toward the minor include several hands-on classes such as video production, promotional video production, documentary production and advanced video production.
Professor of Art L. Collier Hyams agreed there is a great deal of interest in the new minor
“We have a number of recent graduates working in the field on film and television productions,” said Hyams. “The new minor will add a next layer of preparation as well as an intensive understanding for students who want to concentrate on film and the related industries.”
Additional courses in psychology, French, Spanish, and music are also options for the minor, which will require a total of 18 credits. Students will be able to declare the minor starting in Fall 2023. The minor will be listed under the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts degree in the 2023-2024 NSU course catalogue. Contact Rittmayer at rittmayera@nsula.edu with any questions, or for a full list of courses that apply toward the minor.
