Film At HSU

The Film program at HSU could be the best-kept secret in the world!

Steeped within the tradition of independent film, The Film Program at Humboldt State University gives students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of filmmaking through an interdisciplinary program that parallels traditional motion picture production with creative avenues made available by evolving technologies. Our curriculum integrates hands-on production and film studies within a liberal arts education to foster storytellers who can artfully express well-developed and substantive ideas. All aspects of the program stress professionalism with an emphasis on quality shared between collaborative and creative processes.

Our program is supported by traditional filmmaking packages in Super-8 and 16mm. We have re-photography facilities, a sound studio, on-site 16mm and Super-8 telecine capabilities, and digital post-production studios with film matchback capabilities. Although the focus of our Cinematography classes is filmmaking specifically, we have a modest collection of digital video equipment available. Basic pre-production, production and post-production skills are taught with emphasis on experimental, documentary and narrative forms. Collaborative efforts with other areas of the department are integral to the undergraduate program.

Students fund their own films though there is often a small budget available for some class projects. During the fall and spring semesters students can compete for Answer Print Funds. These funds are used for bringing 16mm films to completion and are based on the overall integrity and quality of the film and the grant proposal.

A major offering of the Department is the Annual Humboldt Film Festival, produced and organized by students. The festival is the oldest student-run film festival in the world. Started in 1967, this annual spring showcase brings to the University and Humboldt County a week of exciting activities. There are workshops with professional filmmakers, screenings of international filmmaker's recent works, and opportunities for individual sessions with visiting artists. The festival is a juried competition attracting film entries from all over the world. There are many opportunities for student involvement in the festival, including several paid positions as festival co-directors.

Our production curriculum includes a three semester Cinematography series, a two semester Audio Production sequence, an advanced filmmaking workshop, and specialized electives as funding permits including: film directing, screenwriting, optical printing, experimental film, documentary film, lighting for film and film acting. The two-semester film history sequence screens films weekly at the local historic Minor Theater, for a "real movie going experience." We offer one to two specialized film studies courses annually. Academic credit is available for working on the Humboldt Film Festival and on graduate student productions as the opportunities present themselves. In addition, students may have the opportunity to work alongside and/or in collaboration with faculty on special film productions.