Penn State named among nation’s Top 50 Film Schools

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has been named one of the nation’s Top 50 Film Schools, according to a competitive and prestigious list compiled by TheWrap, a leading, authoritative digital news organization covering the business of entertainment and media. Penn State came in at No. 45 on the list.

The rankings emerge as the result of a multifaceted survey focused on acceptance, graduation and retention rates, along with the student-faculty ratio and the quality of faculty at schools across the country. In addition, the rankings consider student access to equipment, the number of films students make, and real-world experience — in the form of internships, mentoring and networking.

The rankings also value career-related support available to students, along with alumni and related awards, as well as the availability of on- and off-campus career development sessions, including guests and workshops.

“Our students have the opportunity to make multiple films while at Penn State, collaborating with their peers both in class and through extracurricular opportunities,” said Maura Shea, an associate teaching professor and associate head of the Department of Film Production and Media Studies. “We pride ourselves on building a close-knit community of creatives.”

Penn State’s history with film and impact in Hollywood date to the early 1930s when twin brothers Julius and Philip Epstein cowrote the screenplay of “Casablanca.” They also cowrote the screenplay for “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

Nearly 95 years later, the film production major in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications enrolls about 150 students each year — and those students benefit from a powerful combination of academic offerings, a big alumni network, ample hands-on opportunities and a support system that helps ensure students success.

Specifically, the Bellisario College has its own soundstage and students have access to state-of-the-art equipment. Class assignments and many individual projects offer opportunities to create documentary or narrative films.

“Of all our majors in the Bellisario College, the film production major may best exemplify the power of our big-school resources and small-school feel,” said Denise Bortree, interim dean of the Bellisario College. “Our students have so many opportunities, including a soundstage in the Bellisario Media Center, and access to a variety of events, visitors and state-of-the-art equipment. At the same time, small class sizes and faculty members committed to supporting student success combine to make a powerful program.”

The Penn State curriculum includes courses on foundational matters, including history, writing and basic production, as well as classes that showcase the breadth and depth of faculty expertise. Along with capstone production opportunities, there are advanced workshops on topics such as directing, cinematography and screenwriting.

Along with the classroom work, and in part because of it, the Student Film Organization conducts a film festival at the State Theatre in downtown State College each spring highlighting the best student films from the academic year.

Students also travel to New York City each spring for the daylong Films & Friends networking and screening event with alumni.

In addition, the growing and respected Centre Film Festival brings filmmakers from all over the world to campus and the community each fall. This year’s event is scheduled Nov. 10-16.

The Penn State Hollywood Program, built because of student interest and bolstered because of alumni engagement, allows students to spend a semester in Los Angeles while completing classes and working at internships in the film industry and related fields.

Award-winning faculty members who consistently work on their own projects also strengthen the program.