This year the film and media production major ushered in 39 freshmen — a record number of new students for this program.
Combined with the upperclassmen in this major as well as 10 transfers, this program now boasts 110 students.
Kathy Bruner, associate professor of film and media production, gives a lot of credit to the admissions staff for attracting many film and media students to Taylor.
She also says that a summer film camp for high school students and on-campus film events helped attract new students to the major.
“Some students would cite Taylor’s Los Angeles semester program as a draw,” John Bruner, associate professor of film and media production, said. “They’ve heard from current students that our Hollywood program can set them up for the kinds of careers they hope for in entertainment. We also benefit more broadly from the fact that Taylor draws especially high caliber, creative students who can collaborate on great work while they’re here.”
Additionally, the film and media production major at Taylor includes opportunities for students to attend film festivals, participate in freelance work and gain hands-on experience with professional equipment.
Kim Ferrell is a sophomore film and media production major at Taylor. What drew Ferrell to the program was the option to pursue a love of audio production.
“I really like that the film department at Taylor University lets us learn both video and audio because that is not something that is offered even at a bunch of the top schools around the country,” Ferrell said. “Taylor’s program lets me learn everything so that I can be a more marketable media person.”
Ferrell also believes the program has attracted more students due to the connections made by its professors, the equipment the program has to offer and the hands-on aspect of the major.
Kathy is excited to have a large number of students in the major this year.
“We are always eager to help students develop their God-given gifts for storytelling in fiction and non-fiction film, television, video and audio,” Kathy said. “We take that responsibility very seriously and now we have the opportunity and challenge of doing that with even more people.”
John is excited to expand the film major family and looks forward to being able to dream a little bigger with more students in the program.
One change Kathy said the program did have to make was the addition of more sections of some of the classes offered. Down the road, she anticipates having to add additional space, personnel and technology to accommodate a growing major.
Despite the minor necessary changes due to the increased number of students in the major, the program’s goals of helping students discover their passion and expand their portfolio have not changed.
“In our film program, you will explore what it means to be a Christian artist, reflect God’s creativity, and contribute to culture in ways that honor God,” Taylor says on their website. “As a Film & Media Production major, you’ll have lots of opportunities to take your skills further, round out your resume and have fun.”
