Celebrating 10 Years of Film & Media Studies
Reaching a milestone 10 years as an Arts & Sciences program, Film and Media Studies continues to be a draw for students to major, double major, or minor in. Program Administrator Gina O’Connor emphasizes that students come to FMS from a variety of areas including English, Chemistry, Political Science, Computer Science, and Child Studies & Human Development.
“FMS is a prime example of the interdisciplinary possibilities of a liberal arts education,” said O’Connor. She explains for example that a student studying Environmental Studies may also be passionate about how to share compelling stories about sustainability efforts or climate impact.
FMS teaches filmmaking and media literacy skills that are transferable across industries and businesses. Students learn film production, screenwriting, editing, and directing through hands-on projects—developing leadership, writing, marketing, public relations, and storytelling experience.
With the continually changing media landscape and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), FMS offers courses that keep up with the current trends: AI In Motion, Online Video Platforms, Creating Business Media Campaigns, and a new major core course, A Cultural History of the Internet.
Beyond theory- and project-focused courses, FMS offers annual Winternships for approximately 12 students; these are intensive one- to two-week internships, and most are remote opportunities so students work online. Applications open on October 29 and students typically learn by late November if they’ve secured a spot at one of the partner film/media-related businesses such as United Talent Agency.
The CJ Saraceno Memorial Scholarship and Bona Fide Productions Internship is also application-based. Each February, one student is selected for an immersive six- to eight-week summer internship, which includes a stipend to cover living expenses in Los Angeles while working at Bona Fide Productions.
FMS also regularly offers events and film screenings with alumni, faculty, or guest filmmakers. On November 21, FMS will host a Q&A industry talk and luncheon with alum Georgia Ranes (Netflix).
FMS program Founding Director (2015-2021), Director (2025-2028), and Sol Gittleman Professor in the Department of the History of Art & Architecture, Malcolm Turvey reflects on the program: "When we launched Film & Media Studies in the fall of 2015, we had one full-time faculty member (myself), 6 majors, and two offices! It's gratifying to see how the program has grown and flourished in the ten years since. We now typically graduate around 40 majors per year, and we have five full-time faculty with offices, classrooms, studios, and screening rooms in Barnum. Our faculty consist of award-winning film and media-makers as well as prolific scholars of film, TV, and digital media, and our students' films are winning prizes at festivals. We look forward to the years ahead as we continue to grow and broaden our curriculum."
If your student is interested in FMS, O’Connor recommends they take a class or attend one of the program’s screening events. They can also volunteer to help on a Senior Honors Thesis film production. The FMS Production Pitch Party at the end of October gives seniors an allotted time to briefly present their film idea and share where they need help with the production. “Any Tufts student can come and learn about the productions and get involved,” said O’Connor, emphasizing that “Students always need crews for their film production so it’s a good way to engage with FMS!”