Academic Programs

Students are provided with both film and digital equipment for learning first-hand about cinematic production techniques

The major in cinema is designed for the serious student who is interested in both the history and development of film and video as art forms and the creative process of producing cinematic work.

The goals of the major are to provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of production in connection with an understanding of cinema as an art form. In this regard, an understanding of cinema theory, analysis and history is essential.

Much teaching in cinema takes place one-to-one with students outside of class.

Whether working with a student on a script or a film/video project, faculty in cinema often teach as much out-of-class as they do in class.

The cinema major and minor

To graduate with a major in cinema, a student must complete the following courses:

• World Cinema
• Elementary Cinema Production
• Video Theory and Production
• History of Cinema
• Advanced Cinema Production
• Theory of Cinema
• Elective Course in Cinema
• One course from the following:
  • Development of Dramatic Art
  • Photography I Foundation
  • Radio and Television in America
  • Audio Recording and Sound Editing
  • Philosophy of the Arts

Coursework and independent projects allow cinema students to actively participate in the creative aspects of filmmaking

What do cinema majors do after Denison?

Many career opportunities exist for our majors in:

• film and video production
• directing, design and management
• advertising and business.

Some of our majors continue their education in graduate schools.

Who are our professors?

Department Chair and Associate Professor David Bussan joined the faculty at Denison in 1987. He earned a B.A. at Denison University, an M.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts. Bussan has received many awards for his 16mm films at several film festivals.

Assistant Professor Jane M. Greene joined the faculty at Denison in 2004. She has a Ph.D. in film studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research and teaching interests include film aesthetics and analysis, gender and film, film censorship and Hollywood genres. Her current research projects include a book on censorship and screwball comedy in the 1930s and an article on trends in contemporary horror films.

Assistant Professor Marc Wiskemann joined the faculty at Denison in 2003. He earned a B.A. and a B.S. at the University of Texas and an M.F.A. at Florida State University. He teaches courses in elementary and advanced cinema production, video theory and production, and seminar courses  in cinematography and advanced production techniques. He has worked professionally in film production since 1991 on nine feature films and more than 40 shorts, commercials and music videos.

Assistant Professor Jonathan Walley joined the faculty at Denison in 2005. He earned a B.A. at Bard College, and a M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He teaches courses in film studies, elementary cinema production and screenwriting. His primary research interest is avant-garde cinema. He is currently writing a book on "paracinema," works that do not use the film medium but are nonetheless identified as film by their makers.