Department of

CINEMATIC ARTS

ABOUT

The Department of Cinematic Arts (CCA) prepares a new generation of innovators, storytellers, and leaders to succeed in film, television, and digital emergent technologies. We are proud to be ranked by The Wrap as a top 25 film school in the country.

Undergraduate Degree:

Undergraduates earning the Bachelor of Science in Communication (B.S.C) in Motion Pictures may select from the following tracks: General, Production, Screenwriting, Television Writing, Business, or Critical Studies. A Motion Pictures minor is available.

Graduate Degrees:

Graduate students in the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Motion Pictures Program specialize in production, screenwriting, or producing with the goal of mastering innovative work rooted in collaboration. The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Documentary Program offers a unique curriculum with combined focus on cinematic arts and journalism and provides students with immersive learning opportunities in international documentary production.

State-of-the-Art Facilities:

Our campus boasts cutting-edge facilities that mirror the professional environments our students will encounter in their future careers. The School of Communication equipment room is fully stocked with mics, lights, tripods, VR headsets, and top-of-the-line of cameras including R3D, Blackmagic and Arri Alexa. With a 40’ x 40’ film studio, foley rooms, post-production and editing suites to media labs, you’ll have access to the tools and resources you need to bring your vision to life.

Global Connections:

Cinema is a universal language, and we encourage our students to explore its nuances around the world. Through study abroad programs in Guatemala, Japan, Czech Republic, and Greece, you can gain a global perspective of motion pictures under the guidance of film professionals.

Distinguished Faculty:

Our faculty includes award-winning filmmakers, screenwriters, and scholars who are passionate about nurturing the next generation of cinematic talent. They are not just instructors; they’re mentors and collaborators.

Trailblazing Graduates:

Our alumni have found success across the motion picture industry working for companies such as Apple, Warner Bros, Amazon Studios, Disney, Paramount, Netflix, Lightstorm Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, HBO, CNN Films, 20th Century Fox, NBCUniversal, ABC, PBS, NPR, UTA, CCA, WME as well as for several leading independent media companies around the world.

The Miami Advantage:

Study in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and culturally diverse cities. Here, you’ll find inspiration at every corner – from the vibrant Art Deco architecture of South Beach to the rich cultural heritage of Little Havana. Miami’s unique blend of cultures and influences provides an unmatched backdrop for cinematic exploration.

SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES

Please consider the following Special Topics course offerings from the Department of Cinematic Arts. Consult Canelink, the instructor of record, and/or your academic advisor for more information.

Special Topics in Cinematic Arts (CCA)

Summer 2024 Special Topics

Summer B: CCA 494/795 section B11 – Comprehensive Mixing/Music Technology

Summer B: CCA 494/795 section B12 – Film Sound Aesthetics: The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s understanding and appreciation of film sound aesthetics. The course explores the tools/practices that are necessary to develop a filmmaker’s sonic identity and style.

Fall 2024 Special Topics

CCA 394 section 5U – Forgotten Classics: The Best Hollywood Films from the 1970s-2000s You Haven’t Seen: This course will explore a selection of Hollywood films released between the 1970s-2000s that were initially overlooked or underappreciated but have since gained recognition as modest/major masterpieces. Through in-depth analysis and contextualization within the social, cultural, and economic landscapes of their respective time periods, students will gain a deeper understanding of why these films failed to resonate with audiences initially and why they are now celebrated as cinematic treasures.

CCA 494/795 section 1J – Afrofuturism: This course explores Afrofuturism, an international movement in cinema, music, art, literature and more featuring futuristic themes and speculative fiction that intersect with elements of African and Black diasporic history and culture. Examples include Sun Ra’s Space is the Place (1974), Marvel’s Black Panther (2018 and 2022) and Wanuri Kahiu’s Pumzi (2009).

CCA 494/795 section 4J – Global Black Film: This course explores the international history of cinema and media, with a particular focus on the pioneering cinematic innovations by people of African descent from the late nineteenth century to the present. In the course, we approach the practice of Black film, including the production and conceptual work of directors, performers, writers, and more, as part of a global, multi-locational system of circulation, citation, imagination, and exchange.

CCA 494/795 + JMM 356/656 section 5R – Podcasting: Podcast Storytelling affords students the opportunity to develop a new wave of audio content, create virtual gathering spaces and has the potential to create new audiences. Students will produce projects as either stand-alone or episodic and will publish their projects on a hosting site.