Clayton State University is positioning itself to be a part of the rapidly growing film industry that is about to take shape in Fayette County. The university announced recently that a Film minor will be offered in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
“In response to the explosion of the film industry in the metro Atlanta area, Clayton State introduces the Department of Visual and Performing Arts’ new Film Minor,” said university relations director John Shiffert. Clayton State’s main campus is in Morrow, but it also has a Peachtree City satellite location.
Clayton State’s timing is tuned to the entry in January of British-based Pinewood Studios’ new U.S. home in north Fayette County. Official groundbreaking for the eventual half-million square feet of studio and workshop space on Sandy Creek Road is expected in the coming weeks.
Commenting on Clayton State’s new offering, associate professor of film and media studies Dr. Virginia Bonner said the undergraduate Film minor develops and strengthens students’ production, performance, critical thinking and writing skills for success in all academic and professional endeavors. It also prepares students for entering the workforce or earning graduate degrees in professional areas such as film performance, film studies, and film production.
Shiffert said any students majoring in other B.A. and B.S. programs may earn a Film minor. The minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours (six courses), which can also apply toward the elective requirements of many other majors. The minor requires two lower division courses; CMS 2100: Introduction to Film, and THEA 1880: Introduction to Acting. The remaining course options to fulfill the last 12 credit hours are a combination of upper level Communication and Media Studies (CMS) and Theater classes.
Graduates earning a Film Minor will receive official recognition of this achievement on their university transcripts. Students wishing to declare a Film minor should complete and submit the change/addition of a minor form to Visual and Performing Arts Department, and the film minor graduation worksheet to the registrar attached to their graduation application, Shiffert said.
Bonner in referencing the burgeoning local film industry also noted that, “Now is the time to get involved in the strong job market in film and visual media, especially in Atlanta. Metro Atlanta houses corporate headquarters for major television networks like CNN, Turner, and The Weather Channel.
“It also holds long-running annual film festivals, such as, the Atlanta Film Festival, Peachtree Village International Film Festival, and Out on Film. Many television programs are filmed in the area, and big-name film studios like Screen Gems are located here.”
