Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the emphasis of your program?
A. Whether you focus in theatre, film or video, all students are grounded in a foundation of all three areas. One of our goals is teach students how to become producers and directors. In this unique program, you will gain valuable skills, like non-linear video editing or set building, that will allow you to compete in the job marketplace, to be a successful freelancer or to start your own business. Wherever your interests lie, our faculty and staff will help guide you to professionals working in that field.
Q. Speaking of success, how do I get a film, video or theatre job?
A. This may be the toughest question to answer since there is no right way to land an exciting, stimulating job in these fields. Many of these types of jobs will not appear in a classified ad. People are hired by word of mouth, by who they know and a little luck. Our best advice is to get involved in the department and in the local community. By doing this, you build up your reputation, your resume and your name. In this business, your name and your work are everything. Once you are known around town, the jobs will be pouring in. It is not an easy process, it takes persistence and patience. Doing an internship, even after graduation, can lead to a job. There have been many cases of alumni getting involved as an intern or volunteer, then landing that job a short time later.
Q. How do I get involved?
A. There are many opportunities to get involved with film, video and theatre in the department and the area. We produce four plays every year and are in constant need of cast and crew members. Look for audition notices and crew calls on our News page and flyers around campus. You can always volunteer, just ask Bush Greenbeck. For film and video, there are works being produced every semester. Upper-class students need reliable and competent crew every semester. Ask around, look at the News page, you'll see the need.
In the community, there are dozens of theatres always producing plays, get involved, audition, be a technician, just do it. There are also organizations like the Baltimore Theatre Alliance that help network members. Media minded students have the same opportunities, join organizations like Women in Film and Video (yes, guys can join) and CAmm (Creative Alliance movie makers). And don't forget the golden rule: network, network, network.
Q. Do I have to be a film, video or theatre major to get involved in a play or movie?
A. No, you can be majoring in any field. We welcome all students, staff and faculty to get involved with our creative enterprises.
Q. What is the difference between film and video?
A. Well, a lot. For starters, film is a chemical process and video is an electronic process. Images are acquired by different technologies and the aesthetics and resolution are far greater in film than in video. To use the correct terminology, when you are using video, you tape or record images, you do not film them. Film is also much more expensive than video. An hour tape of video may cost $10, whereas an hour of film would cost close to $400 just for the raw stock, not including processing or a work-print. There are different aspect ratios, meaning the relationship between the height and width of your viewing surface. Film is much wider than video, which tends to be square. Most theatrical movies and episodic dramas on television are shot on film, whereas most reality shows, newer documentaries and sitcoms are shot on video. Now, almost all productions are editing digitally on computers. They are then matched back for film prints or mastered onto tape for video.
1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, MD, 21153-0641 • 1-877-468-6852