Frequently Asked Questions

Our major offers an integrated curriculum involving theory, criticism, cultural analysis, and critical practice that study the aesthetics and techniques of film and digital media.  Students in our major develop an understanding of major movements in world cinema and different aesthetic approaches to the medium, while also studying the cultural impact of television and the rise of video and digital art in recent decades. Students who are declared the major are allowed and encouraged to take up to two production-related courses, offering all FDM majors the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of screenwriting, digital media, and/or film production skills. While most programs focus only on media history or teaching production skills, our program aims to combine historical and cultural research with artistic practice.  

No. Our major is a non-screening major, therefore no portfolio is required when applying for admission to UCSC. Students interested in pursuing the FDM major can “propose” it on their application or during their first year at UCSC. Students become eligible to declare the major after they have completed major qualification courses. 

Production equipment, such as cameras, lighting, microphones, etc., and access to production spaces, including editing rooms and the motion capture space, are available to students that are currently enrolled in a production course. Please refer to our facilities page for a complete listing of equipment available to our students.

Non-majors and declared majors that are not enrolled in a production course have the opportunity to access equipment through other resources on campus:

• University Library – Equipment for Checkout
• Information Technology Services – Audio/Visual Checkout
• Student Media – Equipment Resources and Training

Our curriculum currently includes a small number of digital animation courses and will continue to grow in that area.  Course descriptions for these courses can be found on the UCSC General Catalog. Students may also augment their academic plan with animation courses offered through the Art Department. Some of these courses serve as course substitutions and can satisfy FDM major requirements. 

Participating in an internship in not a requirement for our major, but is highly encouraged.  Many FDM undergraduates complete internships during the academic year or over the summer while enrolled at UCSC.  Internship opportunities for students are available through the Office for Art Student Success and through the UCSC Career Success Office. The department also sends out a bi-weekly newsletter for undergraduates that advertises various opportunities, including film festivals, scholarships, workshops, volunteer opportunities and internships.  

If a student would like to receive academic credit for an internship, the department provides guidelines that explain the policy and procedure for an independent field study.  

Graduates of the Film and Digital Media program have established careers as professionals in the fields of film, video, television, and digital media, working as filmmakers, editors, digital media artists, film archivists, media educators, film festival curators, script analysts, cinematographers, television producers, computer programmers, and studio executives. All FDM graduates gain valuable critical analysis/thinking, research and writing skills that provide a solid foundation for a variety of careers and graduate programs. FDM graduates have a strong track record of gaining admission to the top graduate programs for M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees, including USC, UCLA, NYU, Columbia, Chapman, the American Film Institute, Cal Arts, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.