8 Best Film Schools in Florida

Are you aspiring to become a well-known movie actor, filmmaker or director? But is confused about how to go about getting the required knowledge to give your career a head start. Ease your mind, because Film Schools in Florida will give you the answers you are looking for!

Florida is known to have one of the largest Film industries in the United States. Based on the revenue her film industry has generated, it is ranked third in the US for film production after California and New York. Production activities are mostly done in two regions, namely South Florida and Central Florida (Orlando and Tampa).

The South Florida region is famous for large projects like Jerry Bruckheimer’s Bad Boys film series and Neal Moritz’s 2 Fast 2 Furious. The Central Florida area has been featured in The Punisher, starring John Travolta, and Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy.

Recently  Florida’s  film and entertainment industry is featuring a series called ” RapSh!t”  on HBO Max  which is a streaming platform for popular series like “Game of Thrones” and an ongoing series called “House of the Dragon”

All these show the popularity of Florida as a location for film production and the success rate of her film and entertainment industry.

As someone that has a passion for engaging in film production, whether as a movie actor, filmmaker, or film director, this article on movie schools found in Florida will give you the necessary skills you need both theoretical and practical to turn that dream career into reality.

You will learn first-hand from professionals in the industry, be exposed to both modern and ancient filming techniques, make use of labs, facilities, and equipment to practice, and gradually begin to make a name for yourself.

Learning online is not left out as some schools offer filmmaking courses online that you can take from the comfort of your home.

Before we get into the movie schools located in Florida State, you might as well check other interesting articles we have on our site. Like the one on high-paying easy college majors to help you decide on a degree to pursue and fashion design schools if you are looking to pursue a career as a fashion designer. If you want to become a business leader, we have a wide range of articles that can guide you to get an MBA degree whether online or on-campus.

Is Florida a good place to study filmmaking?

Yes, Florida is a good place to study filmmaking. It was listed as one of the top countries that one can go to for Film Studies

Cost of Film Schools in Florida

The cost of movie schools in Florida ranges from $10,000 to $50,000. The cost depends on the school, program, and whether you’re in-state, out-of-state, or an international student. Out-of-state and international film students typically have to pay more than in-state students.

How to get into Film Schools in Florida

Here are the steps by which you can enroll in any film school in Florida State.

  • You must fill out the application form and submit it.
  • You must pay the application fee if required.
  • You must have completed your high school education from an accredited institution.
  • You must present your transcripts and documents from past institutions attended.
  • You may be required to take an English proficiency test if the English language is not your native language.
  • You must have your recommendations and a well-written essay.

Without further ado, let’s delve properly into the best film schools found in Florida.

Film Schools in Florida

Film Schools in Florida

There are numerous film schools and colleges in Florida, but for the sake of emphasis in this article, I  will be listing and giving details on the top best film schools in Florida. They are listed as follows;

  • University of Miami
  • Florida State University
  • Ringling College of Art and Design
  • University of Florida
  • Valencia College of Arts and Entertainment
  • Full Sail University
  • University of Tampa

1.       University of Miami

The University of Miami is the most famous film school in Florida, and it is the first on our list of Film Schools in Florida. Film studies in the school fall under the School of Communication in the department of Cinematic Arts. The school offers Undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Department of Cinematic Arts (CCA) prepares a new generation of innovators, storytellers, and leaders to succeed in film, television, and digital emergent technologies.

Undergraduates earning the Bachelor of Science in Communication (B.S.C) in Motion Pictures may select from the following tracks: General, Production, Screenwriting, Business, or Critical Studies. A Motion Pictures minor is available.

The Motion Picture curriculum is designed to enable independent thinking, within a learning environment that is collaborative and conducive to the pursuit, development, and exchange of ideas and information.

Students gain the training to succeed in a range of careers defined by a rapidly changing media landscape and equip themselves to best leverage innovations in the field.

Students in the Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program concentrate on production, screenwriting or producing.

The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures program offers a comprehensive curriculum in the creative uses of technology for narrative and documentary creation, positioning students with the business practices needed to bring their work to the expanding marketplace.

2.       Florida State University

This is the next on the list of schools offering Film Studies in Florida. Film studies fall under the College of Motion Picture Arts.

The School offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Motion Picture Arts and Graduate Programs.

The programs that fall under a BFA degree are Production and Animation and Digital Art, while the MFA Degree programs are Production and Writing

Each student is guaranteed funding for each of their films and equal access to a full range of industry-standard production equipment and facilities.

The school teaches the fundamental skills of filmmaking, but more importantly, the scalable skills to tell stories effectively, artfully, and authentically – regardless of background, capital, or circumstances.

3.       Ringling College of Art and Design

This is the ext on the list of movieschools in Florida. The school entails everything about Art and Design. It offers numerous programs such as;

  • Business of Art and Design
  • Computer Animation
  • Creative Writing
  • Entertainment Design
  • Film
  • Fine Arts
  • Game Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Motion Design
  • Photography and Imaging
  • Virtual Reality Development
  • Visual Studies
  • Minors

Film studies in the school entail students becoming Filmmakers, Content creators, and Visual Storytellers.  Students get immersed in all aspects of the industry including cinematography, editing, sound design, screenwriting, post-production, directing, and producing all on their  8,400 sq. ft. soundstage. Students can focus on the following;

Narrative film: The Narrative emphasis teaches students that the story leads the process and dictates the visual evolution of a film. Students will learn all the elements of the film production process and components of successful film endeavors, including the ability to demonstrate compelling screenwriting, cinematography, directing, editing, production design, and producing.

Branded entertainment: The Branded Entertainment emphasis teaches students to create dynamic film and video content with a highly branded quality that cuts through the clutter, taps into consumers’ passion points, and engages them through entertainment. Students will be prepared to work in creative fields that demand knowledge of storytelling, branding, strategic thinking, concept development, script writing, content development, and film and video production.

4.       University of Florida

This is the next on the list of film schools in Florida. Film and Media Studies fall under the College of Liberal Arts.

The interdisciplinary studies major in film and media studies provide students with knowledge of film in its diversity and its techniques.

Students will learn film theory and criticism and implement these ideas in the practice of viewing and/or making films. Students will also present ideas clearly and effectively in writing and/or in film/video format as an optional ability.

It also enables students to pursue a liberal arts approach to audio-visual studies. The courses offered to provide a range of training from professional and applied (anthropology, architecture, education, and theatre) to historical and experimental (art, English, Germanic, Slavic, and Romance languages).

The film and media studies major encourage students to integrate these offerings by working in both theory and production. For the senior thesis, a student may choose an essay, a film script, a short film or video, or work in a related medium.

5.       Valencia College of Arts and Entertainment

This College is the next on the list of film schools in Florida. She offers numerous programs related to Arts and Entertainment. The programs are as follows;

  • Art Studio/Fine Art
  • Dance Performance
  • Digital Media Technology
  • Live Entertainment Design and Production
  • Film Production Technology
  • Graphic and Interactive Design
  • Music Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Audio Technology and Sound Production
  • Theatre/Dramatic Arts
  • Performing Arts Center
  • Anita S. Wooten Gallery

The Film Production Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career in the film industry.

The program at Valencia offers an intensive curriculum of experiential learning that immerses students in the entire filmmaking process. They nurture passionate storytellers while training their students in the technical aspects of film production – from pre-production through post-production.

Some of the major areas of study include Cinematography, Grip & Lighting, Editing, Production Sound, Set Construction, Production Management & Set Protocol. Courses are hands-on and are taught by professional filmmakers.

6.       Full Sail University

This school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in  Film and Television Studies.  It is the next on the list of movie schools in Florida. The undergraduate programs are as follows;

  • Digital Cinematography
  • Film
  • Computer Animation
  • Creative Writing
  • Show Production

If you have a passion for filmmaking, Full Sail’s Film bachelor’s program provides you with a comprehensive overview of the industry, while allowing you to discover your unique place within it.

You’ll start by sampling the varied skills and technologies a professional film studio has to offer,  from writing to set decoration and makeup. Later, you’ll pick an industry-focused specialization based on your interests.

Full Sail’s Digital Cinematography bachelor’s degree outfits you for this changing landscape by pairing knowledge of the latest technological tools with a strong foundation in storytelling.

You’ll learn to create dynamic content by emulating the workflow of an actual studio beginning with script development, production planning, and art design & location shooting, followed by directing, filming, post-production, and finally, distribution.

The school offers one graduate program which is Film Production. In this master of fine arts program, your education centers on fundamentals such as storytelling, visual aesthetics, and technical roles, as well as the business strategies needed to bring your completed works to audiences.

7.       University of Tampa

This School offers a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in  Film and Media Arts and is the next on our list of movie schools in Florida.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Media Arts is a professional degree program with a focus on hands-on production of the documentary, narrative, and experimental films using state-of-the-art motion picture cameras and post-production facilities.

The robust curriculum includes a broad array of courses in production and post-production, as well as cinema studies, art history, screenwriting, and more, designed to prepare students for roles as directors, producers, editors, special effects artists, sound designers, screenwriters and/or independent filmmakers.

Elective offerings allow students the flexibility to explore coursework in their area of interest. Students create a short format thesis film as a capstone experience. A digital copy of the approved project must be submitted to the UT library’s institutional repository. The BFA in Film and Media Arts is accredited by NASAD.

Students receive training on state-of-the-art digital cameras and post-production facilities.

8.       Miami International University of Art and Design

This is the last on the list of  Schools in Florida that offer Film Studies.  It is one of the well-known Art institutes in Florida. She offers various degree programs. Some of the program areas as follows;

Audio Production

You can learn to record, edit, mix, and master digital audio as you produce life and studio music, and design sound for film, radio, TV, web, and live performances.

The Audio Production curriculum is real-world, hands-on, and focused on helping you develop the skills to produce live and studio music and to design sound for a full range of media, from concerts to film to the web. You’ll study:

  • Audio Technology
  • Remote and Field Recording
  • Music Fundamentals
  • Science of Sound
  • Audio Recording
  • Broadcast Audio
  • Music and Studio Business
  • MIDI Production
  • Professional Communication
  • Digital Audio Workstations
  • Audio Post-Production
  • Audio Electronics
  • Audio Engineering
  • Studio Recording
  • Audio Mixing
  • Audio for Interactive Media
  • Sound Design
  • Streaming Media and Webcast

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production

You’ll have the opportunity to learn hands-on with digital video cameras, editing, and graphics software as you tell stories in media ranging from broadcast news to motion pictures.

The curriculum for Digital Filmmaking & Video Production degree programs will take you from the basics to more advanced courses in an atmosphere every bit as creative and competitive as the real world of filmmaking and video production. Here are some of the areas you’ll study:

  • Video
  • Lighting
  • Audio
  • Digital Imaging
  • Conceptual Storytelling
  • Editing
  • Studio Production
  • Motion Graphics
  • Digital Cinematography
  • Sound Design
  • Scriptwriting

Digital Photography

Students can harness the power of images as they tell stories one frame at a time, filling the world with their ideas, and insights,  making their passion their career.

The Digital Photography curriculum will sharpen your creative edge and technical skills as you study:

  • Digital Photography
  • Color Management
  • Studio Photography
  • Location Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Digital Darkroom
  • Natural & Artificial Light
  • Digital Image Management
  • Editorial Photography
  • Documentary Photography
  • Business of Photography
  • Studio Techniques

Conclusion

These movie schools in Florida mentioned above are so far the best that one can enroll in and pursue your dream of either becoming a movie actor, filmmaker, or film director.

Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about film schools in Florida to finish this article!

Film Schools in Florida – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”How many film schools are in Florida?” answer-0=” There are more than 20 film schools in Florida ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”What is the no.1 film school in Florida?” answer-1=” The University of Miami a private university located in the picturesque Coral Gables part of Miami is the number one film school in Florida as it is home to the best film program in the state. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”How many years is film school in Florida?” answer-2=” Film schools in Florida take one to four years before completion, depending on the degree you are pursuing.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

Recommendations