- Department of English
- Academic Programs
- Film Studies and Production
Department of English
O'Dowd Hall, Room 544
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2250
fax: (248) 370-4429

Film Studies and Production
UPDATES ON REOPENING OF CAMPUS: OU Info on Reopening Campus
Faculty will be contacting students with any additional information specific to your film courses as it become available. If you have questions, you can email your faculty or Andrea Eis, Director of Film Studies and Production. We look forward to the fall semester!
THE FILM STUDIES AND PRODUCTION PROGRAM
Film Studies and Production (formerly the Cinema Studies program) at Oakland University is dedicated to interdisciplinary and creative investigations of the ways in which moving image works are produced, experienced, valued, and assigned meaning in our culture and around the world. Cinema Studies students work closely with OU faculty to gain a thorough understanding of film history, critical approaches to film and filmmaking. Students choose either the B.A. in film, with its focus on a critical studies perspective, or the B.A. in film production, with its focus on hands-on digital film production. Students enrolled at OU prior to fall 2020 will still be in the B.A. in Cinema Studies or B.A. in Cinema Studies with a Specialization in Filmmaking.
This wide-ranging and intensive program provides Film Studies and Production majors and minors with the critical-thinking, communication and production skills to enter careers within the film industry and a variety of other professions. In addition, students will be well-prepared to pursue film or other academic disciplines at the graduate level. For more information about OU Film Studies and Production, please contact Professor Andrea Eis at eis@oakland.edu. For academic advising, please contact Professor Bridget Kies at bkies@oakland.edu.
B.A. Programs
B.A. in Film
The B.A. in Film is a liberal arts-based program in film history, theory and criticism, including coursework in film genres, aesthetics, industry and technology, filmmaking and screenwriting, as well as advanced seminars. It culminates in a capstone course in which students do substantive research and writing on topics ranging from eco-cinema to Hollywood stardom, from Detroit media to audience and reception theory.
B.A. in Film Production
The B.A. in Film Production is a liberal arts-based B.A. with a solid base in film history and theory joined by a specialized sequence of filmmaking courses. The broad-based approach gives students hands-on experience with every aspect of narrative, documentary, essay, short-form and experimental filmmaking, from writing scripts, directing and cinematography to editing and post-production effects work. It culminates in an intensive capstone course that enables students to graduate having produced a substantive thesis film project.
Resources
- Film Studies and Production Advising Program
The OU Film Studies and Production program offers active, one-on-one advising and mentoring. Majors meet periodically with the film Academic Adviser to discuss their academic and professional goals and their progress toward graduation. Students are also encouraged to contact the program Academic Adviser, Professor Bridget Kies, bkies@oakland.edu, or Coordinator of Film Production, Professor Justin Reifert, reifert@oakland.edu, with specific questions.
- Kresge Library Resources
The OU Library features an extensive collection of books, academic journals, DVDs, and microfilm collections, as well as online access to film and media studies databases of use for Film research projects. Visit this page for more information on library resources of relevance to Film Studies and Production students.
- Internships
Film majors are encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities. Junior and senior majors can receive credit for certain internships by enrolling in CIN 4930 Field Internship in Cinema Studies. Contact: Professor Justin Reifert, reifert@oakland.edu).
- Career Resources
The job market for graduates of the OU Film program is quite broad due to students’ acquired skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and creative practices.
In addition to the wide array of jobs in film production and distribution, Film Studies and Production graduates pursue careers in film festival programming, media criticism, secondary education and other fields. They are also well-prepared for graduate course work in film studies, library and information science, film archiving and preservation, law and business. Interested students should speak with a Film faculty member, College of Arts & Sciences adviser or an OU Career Services consultant for additional information. The Career Services website is also a valuable source of information on internships and career preparation such as writing resumes and cover letters, as well as interview preparation. The Cinema Studies Professionalization Workshop is another source for information and networking on professional opportunities.
- Professional Film Production Partner and Resident Filmmakers
OU Film Studies and Production has a professional film production partner, Michael Manasseri of Flux Capacitor Studies. Manasseri, a producer, director and actor, works closely with the program and our students to offer professional opportunities on the sets of his feature films, as well as on commercials and short films, and music video and book trailer shoots.
Film Studies and Production has two Resident Filmmakers, the Deka Brothers: Julien Deka and Benoit Deka, who are both directors, cinematographers and VFX artists. Manasseri, with our Resident Filmmakers, make classroom visits and supervise workshops to bring additional professional knowledge and experience to students.
Engagement
OU Film Studies and Production offers a number of venues through which students may share their creative work and film criticism with a broader audience. These include the Screen Culture Journal, Film Studies and Production Creative Showcase and the Golden Grizzly 24-Hour Film Challenge.
This is a biannual publication showcasing the film criticism of Oakland University undergraduate students. Screen Culture editorial board members review, select and edit the articles that appear in each issue. http://www.screenculturejournal.com/. Contact: Professor Bridget Kies, bkies@oakland.edu.
OU Filmmakers Guild
This group develops, produces, edits and exhibits original films throughout the academic year. All levels of experience are welcome. Contact: Professor Justin Reifert, reifert@oakland.edu.
OU Screenwriters’ Guild
Venue for screenwriters to pitch, develop and workshop short and feature-length screenplays. Contact: Professor David Shaerf, shaerf@oakland.edu.
OU Film Studies and Production arranges an annual trip to TIFF, North America’s most important film festival. Students experience the festival at ground level, attending screenings, industry panel discussions and networking events. The trip provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to experience the contemporary world of cinema in an up-close and intimate way. Contacts: Professor Brendan Kredell, kredell@oakland.edu and Professor Kyle Edwards, edwards2@oakland.edu.
Film Studies and Production Professionalization Workshop
This fall event offers the opportunity for Film Studies and Production majors and minors to learn about the broad array of professional opportunities available through the Film Studies and Production B.A. degrees, as well as the key skills and training needed to excel in these fields. The evening includes guest speakers and a networking mixer. Contact: Professor Justin Reifert, reifert@oakland.edu).
Film Production Filmmaking Workshops
These workshops give attendees a chance to gain valuable experience in specialized areas of digital film production and post-production through close interaction with faculty and industry professionals. Participants direct and film a student-written screenplay using RED cameras and professional lighting, sound, track and dolly, and boom equipment. Contact: Professor Andrea Eis, eis@oakland.edu).
Film Studies and Production Creative Showcase
This is a celebration at the end of the academic year that showcases the creative work of Film Studies and Production students and honors graduating seniors and recent alumni. Contact: Professor Justin Reifert , reifert@oakland.edu .
Golden Grizzly 24-Hour Film Challenge
This showcase of creative skills and test of endurance in an around-the-clock filmmaking project has teams of students and alumni, write, shoot and edit an original short film in 24 hours. The event, timed to coincide with OU homecoming weekend each fall, concludes with film showcase and awards ceremony. Contact: Professor Kyle Edwards, edwards2@oakland.edu.
Search “Film Studies and Production News” for more about Film events and news.
- Jon Goldstein (The Maple Theater)
- Paula Guthat (Cinema Detroit)
- Mark Horowitz (Producer, H2O Motion Pictures)
- Kris Kelly (CBS Detroit)
- Barry Levy (Screenwriter)
- Katharine Mahalic (Documentary Filmmaker)
- Alex Craig Mann (Director, Actor)
- Louie Psihoyos (Documentary Filmmaker)
- Christina Varotsis (Producer)
- Jerry White Jr (Director, Actor)