What Is the Difference Between a BA and a BFA in Film?
You know you love all things film and television production. You know you have a passion for translating your ideas to the big screen to educate, inspire, and awe audiences. You’re feeling ready to embark on your college journey and take the next big step toward a career in the influential film industry. But should you get a BFA degree or a BA? While a BA and a BFA in film and television can both set professionals up for success in the field, these degrees have slightly different emphases and offer different experiences for students looking to create digital masterpieces.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
What Is a BFA Degree in Film & Television?
A BFA degree in film and television is a fine arts degree with an emphasis on equipping students with comprehensive training in all aspects of film and television production. Students can expect to learn about cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, and camera operations as they produce their own films designed to help them master the craft of the visual narrative. With a BFA degree, students can find careers as film/television producers, cinematographers, film editors, or production specialists.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
What Is a BA Degree in Film & Television?
A BA degree in film and television is a liberal arts degree offering students the practical production skills needed to build a basic foundation in television production and filmmaking. Students can learn about how the film and media industries operate, apply the skills they learn to the specific areas that interest them, and work on creative film, television, and media projects drawing on a broad liberal arts tradition. Students with a BA degree have the entry-level qualifications to work in the film industry as well as other media careers in the project management, digital marketing, or user experience sectors.
BA vs BFA Degrees
BA vs BFA in Film & Television: Key Differences
A BA in film and television offers a more generalized field of study for students who might be interested in other areas in the visual arts but nonetheless envision a career that allows them to storytell and convey messages through a multimedia format. In contrast, a BFA offers a more in-depth, intensive overview of all that goes into making a production, providing students with a specific set of technical skills to showcase their creative vision.
BA programs typically offer greater flexibility, allowing students to choose from liberal arts electives that may not directly be film-related. BFA programs heavily emphasize the history of film, sound production, directing, editing, screenwriting, and production design, typically culminating in a film project that allows students to display the skills they gained throughout the program.
Both the BA and BFA are typically four-year programs, but since a BFA is generally more intensive, it can sometimes take a little longer to complete compared to a BA. BFA programs may also have more competitive admissions standards, such as requiring prospective students to upload a portfolio.
Should I Get a BA or a BFA in Film?
Both the BFA and BA are widely recognized and well-respected in the film and television industry and can give you the training and transferable skills employers look for. Whether you elect to earn a BA or a BFA in film depends on your career aspirations, area of focus or specialization, and curriculum requirements.
Prospective BA students selecting a program might want to assess the faculty’s expertise and experience, how the program balances theory with practice, whether the curriculum aligns with their career aspirations, and the careers graduates commonly go into post-program.
Some considerations for prospective BFA students might include the caliber of the program’s faculty (such as whether they have experience producing and directing their own award-winning films), whether the location is conducive to filmmaking (such as whether it’s in an area that already has a thriving film industry), and whether the curriculum is comprehensive enough to allow students to build a strong portfolio of work to stand out in the competitive industry.
What Are the Benefits of a BA vs. BFA in Film?
A BA can be valuable for students who are considering a career not only in film and television, but also in creative fields like multimedia marketing, social media, advertising, or playwriting. BA students get some exposure to other fields beyond the film major, allowing for a more well-rounded educational experience. Some might pair a BA in film with another major in journalism, animation, graphic design, or marketing.
Students interested in a more rigorous film program where they can truly hone their technical skills may benefit more from pursuing their BFA. BFA students get access to diverse, real-world production opportunities designed to prepare them for successful careers in the industry. They gain leading-edge skills in producing, directing, and editing, allowing for deeper immersion into the industry from the first class they take.
Earn Your BA or BFA in Film & Television at Regent University
Ready to step into the exciting world of film and television and bring stories to life on screen? Earn either your BA or BFA from Regent University! Broaden your knowledge of cinema and sharpen your critical thinking with our BA in film and television. Or, if you want to take your production skills and creative voice to the next level, the BFA in film and television awaits. Both in-demand programs are taught on our beautiful, 70-acre Virginia Beach campus by award-winning faculty who share your passion for the art of film and are vested in your success.
Start your application today and learn about our exciting scholarship opportunities for incoming on-campus freshmen.