Rider University

BA in Film and Television

In addition to class projects, internships, and co-ops, students gain valuable experience in producing and directing short films, television programs by participating in student-run television and film clubs.

Program Overview

Students majoring in Film and Television have access to a wide variety of courses that carefully integrate hands-on production practice with studies in film history, theory, and the work of major film artists. FTV students are taught best professional practices through small, interactive classes in the Department’s state-of-the-art digital film and television labs and editing suites. Through class projects and internships, students gain experience in screenwriting, editing, cinematography, and direction/performance methodologies for camera and screen, honing their aesthetic and technical skills in film and television production.

To fully complement these skills, FTV students are encouraged to minor in Film and Media Studies, which is part of the Department of Media Arts. In addition to traditional three-credit courses, students participate in the Department’s innovative one-credit workshops taught by practicing industry professionals. These courses not only expose students to specialized niches within the profession but also provide students with networking opportunities.

Beyond the classroom, students can also participate in a variety of film appreciation and production clubs, such as the Alternative Film Club and R.U.N., The Rider University Network. The Department of Media Arts’ central location offers students internship opportunities throughout New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Rider’s semester-long program in Los Angeles also allows students a valuable opportunity to live, learn, and intern in one of the major film and media development and production centers of the world.

Program highlights

• Mentors take Rider students inside Hollywood: Semester in LA Program now pairs students directly with industry professionals.
• Semester in Los Angeles: Put theory into practice with the opportunity to spend a semester working professionally and studying in the heart of Hollywood, the world’s center of media and entertainment, in our semester in LA program.
• The Film Symposium - Past & Present: Each year, the department’s annual Film Symposium focuses on different filmmakers and filmmaking genres and includes screenings, presentations, a student film festival, and screenwriting competition. During the Symposium, students have the opportunity to engage with professional filmmakers and leading film scholars.
• Rider student creates docu-series on veterans: $8,000 Kickstarter campaign helps fuel creation of ‘A Two-Front War’ series
• Students in the News: Summer 2021, a production company used Rider University for locations on an upcoming movie, giving students filmmaking opportunities.
• Students Make Movie Magic: With the mentorship of industry professionals, students are involved in every aspect of filmmaking, from script writing and location scouting to shooting and acting. When completed, each student will graduate with a professional film credit to their name.

Semester in Los Angeles

The Semester in L.A. program offers students a semester of study in the heart of the film and television industries. Students benefit from small classes; participate in internships directly related to their interests; and have access to industry professionals through internships, studio visits, and as guest speakers.

Learning by doing

Rider’s film and television faculty bring their creativity and industry experience to the classroom, and build strong mentoring relationships with students, to challenge and inspire them to explore their artistic freedom and support them to take their abilities to the next level.

Film and television faculty also provide individualized support and mentorship to ensure the program and experiential learning opportunities are tailored specifically to your creative goals, and offer assistance with internship placement.