Filmmaking
Exploration + expression
through a lens
Image-making as a contemporary, evocative and evolving process draws students to the innovative program of study the Filmmaking major in KCAI’s Department of Converging Media. Aspiring filmmakers are taught by an internationally recognized faculty of practicing artists and imaging professionals that possess an inclusive breadth of expertise and experience in the fields of traditional and contemporary lens-based imaging media.
Filmmaking students develop a personal body of knowledge and applied skills as creatively innovative, technically accomplished and culturally aware participants in emerging fields of contemporary art and professional photographic and filmmaking practice.
The Filmmaking major’s strong sense of community and mentorship contribute to the development of an invigorating work ethic and the high quality of critical dialogs that take place in workshops and seminars. It also provides the potential for developing collaborative projects and many opportunities to exhibit work inboth group and solo exhibitions in departmental and regional venues. Students receive critical guidance and exposure to a broad range of aesthetic perspectives and professional experiences from the faculty, visiting artists and critics, as well as from an excellent internship program that emphasize the development of personal visions grounded in strong professional development and a solid foundation in the fundamental processes of photography, filmmaking, and installation art. The program challenges student artists to search for their own aesthetic concepts and creative resolutions. The student artist’s growth is encouraged through experimentation, elective courses and exchange with other media and disciplines such as music, popular culture, science, literature, aesthetics, ecology and diverse cultural perspectives.
At the Kansas City Art Institute, the study and practice of Filmmaking takes place within a progressive multidisciplinary program of study that incorporates technical, critical, historical and cultural contexts of image-making, distribution and professional practice. Students are strongly encouraged to take electives in Animation, Interactive Arts, and Photography, according to each student’s individual interests.
When students enter the Filmmaking major they work for three semesters through an immersive experience. In their fourth semester, students enter the advanced workshops and begin an intensive critical dialog between these fields of study in accordance with the general tendency of contemporary art practice and emerging fields of professional development incorporating art and technology. Although most students will continue to produce work that is grounded in their major discipline, students become involved in a dialog with artists from Animation, Interactive Arts, Photography and other related disciplines.
During their senior year, all students produce a major thesis project that is presented in an off-campus professional art venue. Students in the Filmmaking program learn about technical, conceptual, and visual issues relating to traditional and digital photography, filmmaking, sound, performance, interactivity, installation and net art.
Take a look at some of our work.
Classes
Once you declare your major, filmmaking students take the following core courses as they progress from sophomore to senior year. For additional electives and liberal arts courses, download the complete Course Catalog.
Double Major Art History & Filmmaking Requirements
Double Major Creative Writing & Filmmaking Requirements
Sophomore
- Intro to Filmmaking
- History of the Moving Image
- Intermediate Filmmaking
Junior
- Junior Filmmaking Workshop & II
Senior
- Senior Filmmaking Workshop I & II
- Filmmaking Senior Thesis& Professional Pratice
Student Work
See more of our students’ work on Vimeo.
Professional Practice
Each major at KCAI has a dedicated three-credit hour professional practice course offered during the junior or senior year. This course is taught by qualified professionals from the specific discipline, and it is designed to give students the information they need to successfully enter their chosen career path upon graduation. Professional practice topics include how to prepare job search materials, including a resume and artist statement, how to seek freelance opportunities, how to work with a gallery, and how to propose an exhibition or collaborative project. Students learn about residencies and graduate schools, and they practice their written and oral communication skills by writing proposals and applications and making presentations. In addition, students have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and financial matters for the artist and designer. This required course is complemented by workshops offered by the Academic Advising and Career Services office.
Jobs + Internships
KCAI filmmaking majors have worked or interned for Take Two Productions, Hint, Outpost Worldwide, Rush Wade, BranitFX, Liquid9, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Visiting Artists
Many artists visit the filmmaking and photography studios each year to share their knowledge and inspiration with KCAI students. Here are a few that have recently stopped by:
Jerry Spagnoli (in partnership with NAMA), Adam Long, Ross Sawyers, Priya Kambli, Mathew Higgs, Frederic Brenner ( in partnership with the Jewish Community Center), Patty Carroll, Kelly Richardson, David Shannon-Lier, Elijah Gowin, and Steve Rowell (in partnership with the Spencer Art Musuem).