Department of Motion Pictures

William M. Akers, Chair

Vision:

Story is the basis for all filmmaking, either documentary or narrative. Belmont Motion Pictures majors will leave Belmont with a solid grasp of writing, editing, directing, sound, producing, and cinematography – and the ability to tell stories that matter – to them and to the world.

Purpose:

Belmont Motion Pictures will graduate career-ready filmmakers with a wide range of filmmaking knowledge and a clear plan of what they want to pursue next.

Goals:

Students will have an in-depth knowledge of story structure, character, dialogue and screenplay format. They will be adept at creating the building blocks for telling a visual story.

Majors will have a clear understanding of producing – putting the elements together from script through production, to distribution.

Editing is a linchpin of writing and filmmaking. Students will understand the importance of rewriting – both in words and pictures.

Actors are critical to the filmmaking process. Motion Pictures students will leave Belmont comfortable casting, rehearsing, and directing actors.

Our students will be able to get clean production sound and will know how design post sound to tell their story at a professional level.

Every student will get a from-the-ground-up cinematography education in storytelling with image: lighting, camera, and movement of actors and camera.