Motion Pictures Production Major

Why Major in Motion Pictures?

As a Belmont motion picture production major, you'll be able to take your love for all things film, video and creative storytelling and translate them into an exciting and meaningful career. With the explosion in scripted and unscripted television, as well as a skyrocketing demand for streaming content, there’s never been a better time to pursue a film production degree.

Plus, you can create your own journey — no two paths are the same in this field. No matter what your personality, there's a place for you. If you thrive on collaboration and high-energy environments, you might work on set in fast-paced production roles. If you prefer behind-the-scenes precision, you could be a post-production supervisor, editing in an air-conditioned room long after filming wraps.

Guided by experienced faculty, supported by the collaborative creative community in the Curb College, and connected to a robust alumni network, you’ll be prepared to enter the industry with confidence — and start building the career you’ve always imagined.

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In 2024, Tennessee’s motion picture and video production industry generated approximately $728 million in economic impact, representing a 45% growth over the past five years.
Over the last decade, employment in the sector has grown by 126%, adding nearly 1,900 new jobs across the state
Tennessee ranks 5th in the nation for motion picture and video production employment, with projections estimating another 19% growth in the coming decade

On-Campus Access & Industry Networking

Students in Belmont’s motion picture production program may gain unique access to working productions across Music City and Middle Tennessee.
Belmont hosts red-carpet screenings, film festivals and student showcases that connect emerging filmmakers with industry professionals.
Each fall, the Nashville Film Festival welcomes around 15,000 attendees, screens over 180 films and features industry panels, networking events, and pitch competitions—including Academy Award–qualifying short categories.

What You'll Learn

Student looking through camera lens Named one of the Top 20 Film Schools in the U.S. by Variety magazine, Belmont’s motion picture production program offers an immersive and hands-on education in cinematic storytelling. Housed in the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, the program gives you instant access to industry-experienced faculty, professional-grade equipment, and a vibrant creative community — all in the heart of Nashville’s growing film scene.

From your very first semester, you’ll be shooting, editing and producing original content, gaining experience in all phases of the movie making process. You’ll learn what makes a compelling story and how to bring it to life — whether you're working behind the camera, in the editing suite or leading a production team.

Through a mix of technical training and artistic development, you’ll study the foundations of screenwriting, cinematography, directing, editing, sound and production management — the essential elements of any successful film production degree.

Program Details

Curriculum

Story is the basis for all narrative filmmaking. Motion Pictures majors will leave Belmont with a deep knowledge of writing, editing, directing, sound, producing and cinematography – the skills to tell stories that matter – to them and to the world. A major in motion pictures requires a total of 128 credit hours of coursework, and can be approached via three different degree paths: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts.

BELL core requirements: 53 hours (38 hours for BFA)
BA/BS/BFA core technical requirement: 1 hour
Major area: 45-48 hours
Electives and Emphasis/Minor courses: 27-30 hours
General electives: All remaining hours

See All Program Requirements, BA and BS

See All Program Requirements, BFA

Courses You'll Take Include:

MOT 1110. Film History - Lumiere to Now
The course will provide a historical survey of American and international film industries, covering such areas as film styles, genres, national cinemas, major directors and film theory from 1895 through 2015.
MOT 1115. Art of Storytelling
The course is a basic survey course in the fundamentals of effective storytelling. Although the ultimate focus is storytelling in motion pictures, the course examines the principles of storytelling through several perspectives and includes every aspect of storytelling and all elements—sound, music, lighting, editing and performance—used in film.
MOT 1010. Cinematic Storytelling
Introduce basic grammar of Filmmaking - both visual and aural. Short, simple projects will explore how camera, sound, and editing convey story and emotion.
MOT 2110. Screenwriting Fundamentals
Study construction of short films. Emphasis on character and story structure. Students write and rewrite a short script, which can go into an online “library” for use by other Belmont filmmakers in future semesters.
MOT 2230. Editing
This course provides technical (learning HOW to edit) and esthetic tools (learning WHY and WHEN to edit) to help motion picture artists effectively communicate with their audiences by practicing editing on footage ranging from amateur to professional Hollywood studio footage.
MOT 2250. Cinematography
Explores the creative and technical role of the cinematographer from pre-production to post-production. Basics principles of cinematography are examined including filtration, balancing light and color, lens selection, and metering techniques. We will engage in equipment instruction, review of photographic principles, lighting design exercises, and examine the role of the cinematographer and the camera department in the production process.
MOT 2710. Production and Set Management
Analysis of procedures and problems in preparing a project for film or television production. Emphasis on the role of the producer, production manager and assistant directors in breaking down scripts, setting up shooting schedules, preparing budgets, and planning post-production, including all the roles and functions of the entire production team hierarchy.
MOT 2200. Directing
MOT 2310. Location and Post-Production Sound
A hands-on course in recording dialogue, sound effects, ADR, Foley. Use Pro Tools to manipulate them in a Post Production Audio suite, culminating in the final sound mix of the student’s Production I film.
MOT 2520. Production
In this class you will plan and execute a film of approximately 6 minutes. You will experience film production from the perspective of a director and storyteller. You will oversee all elements of the production of your film from start to finish. You will also serve as a crew member on other students’ films.
Senior Film Project. 6 Hours
In this year-long culminating film project, students can choose from one of four specialty tracks: Producer/Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers or Editors.

At Belmont, your classroom extends far beyond campus. As a motion picture production student, you’ll find a wealth of opportunities to gain real-world experience — across the country and around the globe.

Belmont in Hollywood is a flagship opportunity for motion pictures majors. This eight-week, summer immersion places you directly inside the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Students build hands-on skills in production, editing, directing and networking while working in professional studios and attending seminars with top producers, screenwriters, cinematographers and agents. The program blends classroom theory with high-impact industry practice — helping students clarify career goals and build connections in one of the world’s top film markets.

Belmont USA offers similar industry-facing experiences in New York, Los Angeles, Oregon and other cultural hubs. Through internships, coursework and mentorship, you’ll apply your skills in real-time and learn what it takes to succeed in film, media and entertainment careers.

Through our growing partnership with Dolly Parton and CTK Enterprises, motion pictures students also benefit from Dolly U, a one-of-a-kind program that integrates academic learning with professional storytelling and production. Recent courses include editing for Dolly: The Making of a Musical, giving students access to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and professional workflows. Select students are also chosen for paid summer fellowships, working directly with Broadway producers, stage managers, sound designers and more.

And thanks to Belmont’s nationally ranked global education program, you can study film, storytelling, and media culture around the world. The University ranks 15th in the nation for undergraduate study abroad participation. Faculty-led programs span four continents, offering immersive experiences in countries like Japan, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. With more than 46 faculty-led programs and 1,000+ students studying abroad each year, you’ll develop a global perspective that enhances your storytelling and strengthens your creative voice.

Learn more about Belmont in Hollywood

Explore Study Abroad Opportunities

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Outcomes & Alumni Successes

Students work together on an outdoor film set, one speaking into a walkie-talkie while monitoring a screen, with others gathered around offering input and watching closely. Belmont’s motion picture production graduates are making waves from Nashville to Hollywood — working in directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing and post-production for film, television and streaming media. Students gain a competitive edge through early hands-on experience, industry mentorship and access to professional-grade gear.

Kayla Young (’18) got her start at Belmont and now works as a segment producer at "Access Hollywood" after four years on "The Kelly Clarkson Show." She credits the faculty support, collaborative creative community and Belmont in Hollywood experience for preparing her to thrive in L.A.

Carter Bowden (’22) directed, co-edited and co-produced "Snowflake," a short film that became a People’s Choice finalist at the KINO Studios Short Film Festival and earned honors from international festivals including Rome, Tokyo and London. Now based in Los Angeles, Carter works in camera crew, editing and storyboarding while continuing to build on the collaborative spirit he found at Belmont.

We're committed to your success

Curb College's Professional Development team helps students and graduates grow their skills and networks, preparing them to enter the entertainment industry. To support this, our team offers one-on-one meetings, weekly workshops led by industry experts, off-campus networking events, and hundreds of internships each semester. We serve as ambassadors and connectors for Curb College students and graduates through active involvement in the entertainment world.

It's no wonder that 98% percent of Curb College graduates are employed, pursuing continuing education, or enlisted in the military within 6 months of graduation and 89% of employed graduates are in positions that align with their short or long term career goals.

Learn more about Career & Professional Development

Testimonial

Mary Spaulding

Class of 2020

Motion Pictures

Exec. Assistant/Production Coordinator, NBCUniversal

"Dr. Amy Bertram, motion pictures faculty, had a big impact on me during my time at Belmont. She made an effort to get to know me as a person and showed me so much compassion while also ensuring I was challenged in her courses. Outside of the classroom, she was an active participant in extracurricular activities, hosted talks at the Belcourt Theater and sought out job opportunities for students. Although I graduated over three years ago, she still checks in consistently to provide support where she can."

Career Possibilities

As a motion pictures major, you will be prepared for a broad variety of career options, including:

A screenwriter crafts scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games.

A television, film or video producer oversees a project from concept to completion, and manages the project finances and fundraising. A producer may also be involved in marketing and distributing the final product.

A movie production relies on a director to choose a script, cast and crew, approve designs for costumes, pictures and sets, rehearse and film scenes, ensure that the production stays on schedule and within the budget and oversee post-production activities, such as editing.

The production assistant role offers a strong entry-level overview of the film and television industry. While responsibilities differ, a production assistant role covers a wide variety of non-technical tasks related to the execution of projects.

A cinematographer or director of photography (DP) is responsible for the artistic and technical decisions related to the image and gives direction to the camera and lighting crews working on a film, television production or other live-action piece.

Numerous opportunities can be found on the business side of the motion pictures industry, including publicists and social media strategists, marketers and professionals involved in the sales and distribution of video and film projects.

Learn from Industry Veterans

Our motion picture production faculty bring decades of real-world experience into the classroom, mentoring students in the art and craft of filmmaking while preparing them for careers in a fast-paced, competitive industry. Whether you're learning screenwriting from a Sundance alum, editing with an Emmy-winning sound designer or exploring directing with a CMA-nominated filmmaker, you’ll benefit from the personal, practical guidance of seasoned professionals who are passionate about storytelling and student success.