About the Program
Television and Film Arts
Buckham B112
(716) 878-6008
tvfilm.buffalostate.edu/
The Television and Film Arts (TFA) major at Buffalo State—an interdisciplinary program encompassing the Communication, English, and Theater departments—prepares students for a variety of careers in the entertainment industry, including screenwriting, producing, and directing for television, film, and streaming media.
The TFA program recognizes that creative content is essential in today’s multimedia landscape and, to that end, encourages its students to tell stories across various mediums. The program is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and cultural enrichment—providing TFA majors with a blend of criticism, theory, practical application, and real-world internship opportunities—passionately designed to help them succeed.
Required TFA Courses
This series of courses provides students with foundational skills needed for success in the TFA major. The lower-division courses emphasize the history of storytelling, screenwriting fundamentals, and basic television and film production. The upper-division courses concentrate on film criticism, collaboration across production roles, working independently as an auteur, and writing, producing, directing, and editing films exhibited in public forums.
In addition to required courses, TFA offers a variety of electives in criticism, producing, directing, and post-production.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the TFA program is highly competitive (approximately 15 students are admitted each year) and based upon a personal statement, letter of recommendation, and submission of creative work (including screenplays, short stories, and/or short films). All submitted materials are reviewed by the Television and Film Arts Admissions Committee.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. demonstrate knowledge of pre-production, production, and post-production—including all roles and responsibilities for single camera productions shot on digital media
2. evaluate screenplays, films, and television programs with an understanding of structure, character, dialogue, and theme
3. understand and create a classical, three-act structure as it relates to writing for television, film, and streaming media
4. understand the business of the entertainment industry, and be able to market themselves and their creative work to launch careers in their chosen field
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
TFA Major Requirements (42 credit hours)
Required Courses (30 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
COM312 BASIC MEDIA PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG305 CREATIVE WRITING: NARRATIVE | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG402 ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING: NARRATIVE | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA201 INTRODUCTION TO TELEVISION AND FILM ARTS | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA301 TV AND FILM CRITICISM | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA401 PRODUCING SHORT FILMS I | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA420 PRODUCING SHORT FILMS II | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA450 SENIOR PROJECT | 3 - Credit Hours
THA226 ACTING FUNDAMENTALS FOR STAGE AND SCREEN | 3 - Credit Hours
THA350 DIRECTING I | 3 - Credit Hours
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)
The elective requirement can be satisfied by completing 12 credit hours in any of the courses below.
Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
COM304 WRITING FOR BROADCAST (TV, RADIO, FILM) | 3 - Credit Hours
COM317 MEDIA MANAGEMENT | 3 - Credit Hours
COM329 INTERMEDIATE VIDEO PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
COM428 ADVANCED AUDIO PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
COM431 ADVANCED FIELD PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
COM432 ADVANCED POST-PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG205 FILM HISTORY: 1895-1950 | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG206 FILM HISTORY: 1951-PRESENT | 3 - Credit Hours
ENG303 LITERATURE IN FILM | 3 - Credit Hours
SPC326 FILM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA350 CINEMATOGRAPHY | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA460 ADAPTATION | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA470 CAREERS IN TELEVISION | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA480 ADVANCED DIRECTING/PRODUCING I | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA481 ADVANCED DIRECTING/PRODUCING II | 3 - Credit Hours
TFA488 INTERNSHIP | 1 - 12 Credit Hours
THA227 ACTING II: SCENE STUDY | 3 - Credit Hours
THA234 DESIGN FOR STAGE & SCREEN | 3 - Credit Hours
THA400 ADVANCED VOICE TOPICS FOR THE ACTOR | 3 - Credit Hours
All College Electives (39-45 credit hours)
120 Total Credit Hours