Earn Your Minor in Film Studies on-campus in La Grande, Oregon
Gain comprehensive, hands-on experience in the art and craft of visual storytelling. Whether you are aspiring to write, direct, edit, shoot, or analyze the masterworks of cinema, Eastern Oregon University’s Film Studies program prepares you to become a skilled digital creator. Elevate your creative voice with advanced technical equipment, professional suites, and supportive faculty mentorship.
- Immersive Field Experience: Participate directly in live collaborative film sets—from screenwriting and cinematography to directing, lighting, and sound mixing.
- Top-Tier Creative Facilities: Access our professional production stage, new post-production suites, 30 modern Macs with industry-standard editing software, and advanced digital screening rooms.
- Perfect Academic Pairing: Seamlessly enhance and customize majors like Theatre Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, English, or Communication Studies to maximize your professional career versatility.
Unleash Your Inner Filmmaker in a Collaborative Creative Community
Eastern Oregon University’s Film Studies minor is designed for creative thinkers, writers, and visual artists who want to translate their passions into professional media skills. Our program balances hands-on technical training with a deep dive into the historical development and theoretical frameworks of global cinema.
- Complete Production Cycle Exposure: Learn screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design. From development to post-production, you will contribute directly to active student-run projects.
- Rich Historical and Theoretical Foundations: Study major cinematic movements, influential directors, seminal works, and groundbreaking technological advancements that have shaped global cultures.
- Expert Faculty Mentorship: Receive personalized instruction and close collaboration in small classes led by active practitioners and scholars in the field of cinema.
- A Supportive Creative Ecosystem: Join a close-knit group of peers in the EOU Film Club to screening classics, hosting discussions, and organizing collaborative film shoots.
- Program Type: Undergraduate Minor
- Location: On-Campus in La Grande, OR
- Coordinator: Kevin Roy (kroy@eou.edu)
- Core Resources: Production Stage, Post-Production Suite, Mac Editing Workstations
- Pairing Opportunities: Interdisciplinary Studies, Theatre, Communication Studies, History, Spanish, Anthropology/Sociology
Core competencies
Cultivate the analytical skills to dissect complex narrative structures, thematic content, and diverse visual styles while understanding their global and historical cultural significance.
Gain foundational, real-world experience in cinematography, multi-track audio recording, lighting design, and advanced editing to master the technical filmmaking pipeline.
Master the mechanics of dramatic pacing, character development, and visual scene-building to draft compelling screenplays ready for the camera.
Learn to function effectively within structured departments, including grip, electric, camera, and sound to manage complex artistic productions on tight schedules.
LEARNING OPTIONS & DELIVERY MODALITIES
In-Person (La Grande)
The Mountaineer Experience
Experience an engaging, student-centered campus community in the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley. Perfect for students seeking traditional classroom debates and face-to-face peer groups.
Highlights: • Small class sizes with personalized instructor feedback.• Direct access to campus libraries, research labs, and regional networks.• Participate in EOU’s on-campus clubs and quarterly speaker events.
Maximize Your Prior Credits
Turn your previous college coursework or Associate degree into a powerful, career-accelerating bachelor’s degree at EOU.
Highlights: • Flexible transfer policy — EOU accepts up to 135 credits from other institutions. • Seamlessly integrate previous credits. • Personalized advisor support to build a fast-track completion plan. • Accelerate your timeline to save money and enter the job market sooner.
Work One-on-One with Expert Cinematic Creators
At Eastern Oregon University, you will never be lost in a massive lecture hall. Our classes are intentionally small to ensure you receive direct, personalized mentorship from active makers and scholars.
Guided by Program Coordinator Kevin Roy and our dedicated technology-trained faculty, you will learn the creative techniques, business practices, and technical workflows utilized in the professional film industry today. They are deeply committed to helping you develop your unique voice, refine your portfolio, and find your footing in the creative economy.
Ready to Tell Stories That Move the World?
Join EOU’s community of visual creators and start building your filmmaking future.