School of Film and Animation
School of
Film and Animation
Overview
The School of Film and Animation is where the timeless art of filmmaking meets cutting-edge technology. It’s a creative community that allows students to explore their talents in the art of filmmaking or the science and technologies used in the motion picture industry. Students discover their unique potential, experiment with ideas, and express them to the world. Guided by award-winning faculty who exhibit their work around the world, students are prepared to pursue successful careers across a wide spectrum of industries upon graduation: motion picture, television, and non-broadcast. Alumni have gone on to hold research engineering roles at places like Sony and Dolby and have positions in filmmaking and animation at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, and myriad other reputable companies.
960
The school’s equipment cage has 960 video- and audio-related items available for students to check out in support of projects and other coursework.
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Combined, the School of Film and Animation and MAGIC Spell Studios — which expands the capacity of the school while supporting research and entrepreneurial activities in the area — provides 77,000 square feet of facility space.
100s
Alumni have earned hundreds of screen credits for their work on major motion pictures and popular TV shows — from Frozen to Rogue One to The Simpsons and much more.
Latest News
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November 16, 2020
![An animated alien dressed in a Santa suit.]()
Holiday animation special by alumnus set for Netflix premiere
"Alien Xmas," a 40-minute stop-motion animation special directed by Stephen Chiodo '76 (Professional Photographic Illustration), premieres Nov. 20 on Netflix.
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November 13, 2020
![professor speaking to students in a studio.]()
RIT faculty, alumnus, and esports team recognized at annual SMPTE awards
RIT enjoyed yet another strong performance this week at the 2020 SMPTE awards, an annual celebration recognizing business, technical, and creative leaders and students who have made substantial contributions to the ongoing advancement of media and entertainment technology.
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October 23, 2020
![An image of people harvesting wild blueberries in a field.]()
Faculty, alumni collaborate on industry-recognized film
Many faculty and alumni of RIT's School of Film and Animation were part of the creative team for a documentary selected for a handful of festivals.
Featured Work
Video Game Development
“That Damn Goat!” is a party game where chaos reigns, frustrations mount and everything you think you know about your situation is instantly thrown out of whack by a head-butting goat with magical...
Documentary Film
Annika Servin
Annika Servin '18 (Film and Animation; Photojournalism) was a co-winner in the Documentary category of the 2019 CILECT North America Best Film Award competition for her thesis documentary film, ...
The Future of Filmmaking
RIT Motion Picture Science students drive engineering through their artistry, and expand their creativity through engineering. This unique program utilizes research, critical thinking,...
Featured Profiles
Emmy Award-winning Sound Editor
Matt Taylor ’02 Production option (Film and Animation BFA) is an Emmy Award-winning sound editor, known for his work on popular TV shows.
Virtual Reality Film
In making a virtual reality film for their thesis, Emily Haldeman and Tim Stringer — 2019 alumni of the Animation option in the Film and Animation BFA — used...
Technical Superhero
Victoria McGowen ’16
Alumna Victoria McGowen contributed work to a Spider-Man film that won an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Undergraduate Programs
The film and animation (BFA) degree offers options in animation and film production, with the curriculum supplying an experience unlike any other that spans the entire creative spectrum. The unique motion picture science (BS) program produces graduates who may not be artists directly involved in the motion picture industry but support the field with the science- and engineering-based education they receive. In the program, students learn how to address complex motion imaging workflow issues.
Graduate Programs
The film and animation (MFA) program is designed to educate complete filmmakers. With four options within the program — 2D animation, 3D animation, production, and screenwriting — students obtain the advanced training required to create remarkable live-action production, scripts, and animations that facilitate career success.
Student Resources
For internal College of Art and Design resources such as academic information, forms, FAQs and more, visit inside.cad.rit.edu. For information about academic advising, visit here.
The 2020-21 School of Film and Animation faculty/staff directory can be found here.