Film and Media Production

The film and media production major is designed for students who have a desire to focus on film, television and digital media as art forms with social, political, cultural and economic significance. As media outlets continue to grow within both traditional fields and new streaming platforms, the ability to create original content to fill these outlets is in high demand.

The film concentration is more targeted as students move from story concept through scripting, casting, budgeting, location scouting, scheduling and filming to editing, marketing and screening. The media production concentration is broader, allowing students to study video, audio, radio, journalism and media in culture.

In both concentrations, students work with colleagues and instructors to enhance their skills in filmmaking and media production by learning the various stages of production. The majority of the classes in our program are conducted like real-world production studios - creative, fast-paced and intense.

Film and Media Production program
Learning Objectives

All mass communication majors in the Department of Communication, including the Film program, use ACEJMC (Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications) curriculum standards as their learning outcomes:

  • understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
  • demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society;
  • understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
  • demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
  • think critically, creatively and independently;
  • conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
  • write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
  • critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
  • apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
  • apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world.
Jobs, publications and on-campus work opportunities

HU16: HU16 is Harding University's 24/7 television station that telecasts on campus, over the internet and on the local White County Cable station, Channel 16. We are one of the few Universities in the country to televise to the community outside of the campus. Positions are available for our weekday live student media newscast and other TV programming outlets, including Harding sports and other student-produced specials. Positions include producers, assistant producers, directors, technical directors, videographers, video editors, TV hosts, news anchors, weather anchors, sports anchors and reporters. Scholarships range from $200 to $1,000 per semester. Applications are available at the beginning of each semester, and auditions are held for all on-air positions. For more information, contact Mr. Noah Darnell (ndarnell@harding.edu).

VideoWorks: An auxiliary arm of the Department of Communication, VideoWorks records, produces and distributes video content for the University. Established in 2003, VideoWorks regularly films and produces creative packages of conferences, shows and performances, graduations, sporting events and athletic team-highlight videos. Paid student positions are available with VideoWorks at the beginning of each semester. For more information contact Mark Prior (mprior@harding.edu).

Other student media opportunities: In addition to these outlets, other student media outlets like Audio Works, KVHU Radio, the Bison newspaper and the Petit Jean yearbook are available to students. Learn more about other student media programs.

Learning opportunities outside the classroom

Windrider Forum at the Sundance Film Festival: Windrider was founded in 2005 by John and Ed Priddy in collaboration with Will Stoller-Lee of the Fuller Theological Seminary and former Pepperdine University professor Dr. Craig Detweiler to “explore the possibilities of an immersive educational experience at the Sundance Film Festival with the idea that the Sundance Film Festival could provide a dynamic learning laboratory for students, as Christians, to engage in a cultural dialogue as it takes shape.” In January 2019, Harding University became a partner institution when Dr. Charles Bane traveled with six students to Park City, Utah, for the Forum and Festival. This is now an annual trip reserved for seniors. For more information, contact Dr. Bane (cbane@harding.edu) or see the Windrider Info Sheet pdf.

The Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC): LAFSC is a non-accredited, faith-based semester program designed for students interested in film affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), of which Harding is a member. Students who enroll at LAFSC take four courses, three required plus one elective. Required courses are: Hollywood Production Workshop, Faith & Artistic Development in Film, and Internship: Inside Hollywood (Harding equivalents are COMM 3720, 4090, 3670, & 4550). The elective is chosen from Narrative Storytelling, Professional Acting for the Camera, Professional Screenwriting, and Independent Study (Harding equivalents are COMM 3350, THEA 1900, ENG 3550, & COMM 4500). Harding students who want to study for a semester at LAFSC should talk to their academic advisor and chair of their department before applying. For more information, contact Dr. Bane (cbane@harding.edu) or see the LAFSC Info Sheet pdf.

NYDC: Other department-wide opportunities include the annual trip to New York and Washington D.C. in January. More information on that trip will be distributed as the trip approaches each year.

Awards & honors earned by film students

Caleb Smiley for “Can't Catch a Break
Grand Prize Winner, Short Film
South Central Broadcasting Society Competition

Bronson Crabtree for “The Bench
Award of Excellence, Narrative Film
BEA's Festival of Media Arts

Shannon Keirce for “Jeannie
Best Editing
NATAS Mid-America College Student Award

Campus Resources

Watch all of the 2018 HU Five Minute Film Festival videos or learn more about participating in the Five Minute Film Festival.

Our students can stream an archive of film resources including American Film Institute top 100 films through the Brackett Library website.

Check out this list of 101 films for filmmakers!

Contact Information


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