FROM STUDY TO SKILLS
The Department of Film, Television, and Media (FTVM) is uniquely situated to help LSA students explore the intersection of intellectual study and creative practice in the arts. FTVM offers a well-conceived integration of critical studies and creative production that examines American and world film, video art, television, and digital media, as well as the development of particular genres and the careers of individual artists. The program also provides undergraduates with practical experience in filmmaking, video, television, digital media, as well as a challenging merit-based sequence of screenwriting and TV writing courses to qualified students.
FTVM concentrators develop a broad range of skills, including artistic, critical, evaluative, planning, and technical abilities and are encouraged to study abroad. A minor in Global Media is also available.
Related fields include Communication Studies, English Literature and Creative Writing, Theatre, History of Art, Art and Design, Music, Performance Technology (School of Music), Business, and Computer Science.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Organizational / Project Skills
Establishing timelines
Delegating assignments / authority
Maintaining overview of program or project
Motivating groups
Assessing needs
Developing cost analysis
Budgeting for programs /services
Organizing equipment
Establishing priorities
Fundraising
Reviewing new projects
Communication Skills
Writing clearly
Explaining complex ideas
Supervising people
Solving problems
Writing copy / proposals
Comparing / contrasting ideas
Viewing popular culture in its historical context
Using critical analysis
Artistic Skills
Thinking creatively
Creating new approaches /concepts
Giving visual and aural form to ideas
Understanding of the importance of detail
Designing scenery
Setting camera positions
Technical Skills
Operating visual and audio equipment
Lighting productions
Installing and maintaining projecting and receiving systems
Developing computer graphics
Digital animation
BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. Student organizations and campus employment offer valuable opportunities to add to the skills you are developing in your classes. Most concentrations sponsor specific student groups like an undergraduate organization or an honor society. Other options include study abroad, off-campus employment or volunteering in the community. Finally, a summer internship may be the best way of all to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.
FROM SKILLS TO CAREER
The skills you gain as a Film, Television, and Media concentrator will prepare you to succeed in a number of occupations. While the academic program emphasizes the artistic aspects of moving image media, FTVM concentrators have discovered occupational opportunities in a wide range of careers, such as business, non-profit organizations, government, education, and all media. In addition, FTVM concentrators may choose to continue their education in professional or graduate school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by Film, Television, and Media graduates.
Organization / Project Skills
Production assistant / Stage manager
Executive producer / Filmmaker
Film archivist
Arts center administrator
Television or film researcher
Account manager (public relations / marketing)
Communication Skills
Contract / entertainment lawyer 
Talent agent
Casting director
K-12 teacher
Film scholar
Film reviewer / blogger
Audio–visual program officer
Media librarian
Education programming specialist
Public affairs specialist
Artistic and Technical Skills
Graphic artist
Director
Screenwriter’
Cinematographer / videographer
Special effects specialist
Animator / Cartoonist
Editor, film, TV, Internet
Sound engineer
Gaffer
Dubbing editor
Photographic technologist
Audio and video equipment technician
Television broadcast technician
Digital production
= Further Study Required
For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/
CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
The FTVM concentration requires a minimum of 37 credits, including required courses in FTVM and an integrated sequence of courses in related areas approved by the program. Electives in cognate fields are selected from among a large number of courses approved by the department. For more information about the concentration and degree requirements, contact us at:
Department of Film, Television, and Media
6330 North Quad, 105 S. State
734-764-0147
www.lsa.umich.edu/ftvm/
Newnan Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
734-764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest you, create your own LinkedIn account:
www.careercenter.umich.edu/article/getting-started-linkedin
To identify internships or job opportunities, visit Handshake:
umich.joinhandshake.com
Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize
On-campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at:
https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx
The Career Center
3200 Student Activities Building
734-764-7460
www.careercenter.umich.edu
www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich
http://twitter.com/careercenter
The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2011 Regents of the University of Michigan