The School of Film and Animation prepares leaders- the writers, producers, directors and creative specialists capable of advancing the medium via emerging technologies. Students develop a personal vision while developing the skills needed to create their own independent work and fulfill any creative or technical role in the film and animation industry. The school provides a creative community where students have the opportunity to discover their unique creative potential, explore their talents and express their message to the world.

By teaching live action filmmaking and animation in the same department the School of Film and Animation is strategically positioned to prepare our students to exploit the increasingly important interrelationships between film, video, and animation and computer technology. Hands on experience and opportunities for specialization characterize our programs. Live Action specializations include narrative fiction, documentary and experimental film and video production, script writing, performance and stagecraft. Areas of study in Animation include 3-D computer animation, experimental animation, special effects, drawn animation and stop motion animation. Strong emphasis is placed on the content and aesthetics of creative expression in film.

The Learning Community

As the most selective program at RIT, the School of Film and Animation attracts the very best students. You will have the benefit of collaborating with outstanding colleagues. Accomplished faculty, with many years of independent film and studio production experience, provide instruction and mentoring. Through co-op experiences and the visiting artist lectures, you will gain insight and experience in the working world of film and animation. Our students benefit from collaboration with the School of Art, School for American Crafts, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences, the School of Design at RIT and with The Eastman School of Music.

Our newest degree is a Bachelor of Science in Digital Cinema. We have partnered with The Center for Imaging Science at RIT to create a truly unique undergraduate Science curriculum. It is designed for those students interested in the creative challenges of technological development for motion media production.