Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT)
Program Details
As a student in the Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) major, you’ll master the art of visual storytelling while exploring the latest in digital media production and technologies. Here, you’ll gain experience through internships, paid work opportunities and community service and graduate ready for a career in creative/corporate film, television, broadcasting, producing, multimedia or content creation.
Ranked as the #9 Top Scriptwriting Program and #20 Top Film and Video Program at the BEA Festival of Media Arts for 2024, Xavier's Digital Innovation, Film and Television program promises excellence in honing your digital media production skills. With an impressive #40 ranking in the Top Overall Program category, Xavier offers a dynamic environment where you can thrive and explore your passion for visual storytelling.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation, Film and Television
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift 210: Art of Film............ 3cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100: Introduction to Ethics............ 3cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
Spring
- Mathematical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Social Impact Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
- Theology 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- English 101: English Composition............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 213: Non-Fiction Film............ 3cr.
- Communication Arts 206: Writing for the Media............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 0cr.
Spring
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift 215: Aesthetics and Technology in Post-Production............ 3cr.
- English 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 250: Screenwriting and Story Craft............ 3cr.
- Dift 254: Intro To Video Production............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Dift 354: Field Production and Story Telling............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Dift 459: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- Dift 460: Senior Seminar Electronic Media: Advanced Production II............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- Dift Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the Digital Innovation, Film, and Television major curriculum:
- Screenwriting and Story Craft (DIFT 250) - This course delves into the conceptualization, design, and communication strategies essential for crafting compelling narratives. Explore the fundamental components of storytelling, including drama, character development and literary techniques, while honing your skills in scriptwriting and scene construction.
- Advanced Video Editing (DIFT 454) - This course immerses students in the intricacies of the AVID non-linear editing system, equipping them with essential skills in aesthetics and effective editor-client interaction.
- Aesthetics and Tech Post (DIFT 452) - This course covers the rules and principles governing the intricacies of cinematic grammar and storytelling techniques in video editing. Through hands-on instruction and practical exercises, you'll explore various strategies to enhance your skills in crafting compelling visual narratives.
- Senior Seminar Advanced Digital Production I & II (DIFT 459 & 460) - This capstone experience builds upon foundational knowledge acquired in previous courses, focusing on producing individual documentary or narrative films with socially significant themes, alongside a collaborative group narrative project. Dive into industry-standard practices across pre-production, production and post-production phases.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the Digital Innovation, Film and Television major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
Top Jobs: Content creators, producers, multimedia journalists, editors, videographers, filmmakers, freelance production, social media marketing
Student Job Placements (all Communications majors): Procter & Gamble, ESPN, Fifth Third Bank, NCAA, Macy's, Amazon, Four Entertainment Group, Total Quality Logistics, Mercy Health, ABC
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshops and maintaining an employer database. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.
Student Clubs
Xavier Film and Television Club (FTC)
Film and Television Club is one of the most valued media outlets at Xavier University, and it is run solely by students. FTC engages in film events, competitions, podcasts, trainings and supports a weekly news broadcast, which includes a sports segment, entirely produced by students. The broadcast takes place in conjunction with the Digital Innovation, Film and Television program, in the Film and Television Studio. The FTC is a multidisciplinary club bringing students together to build community, collaborate on projects and share the love of Film and TV. Students receive hands on experience working in a digital film and television studio and the programing provides niche content in the greater Cincinnati area.
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Kickstart Your Film and Television Career in Cincinnati, Ohio
Xavier's location in Cincinnati, Ohio centers students in the middle of a vibrant film industry, supported by a growing network of production companies, studios and film professionals. Here, you'll get valuable hands-on experiences through internships, networking opportunities and more.
Gain Expertise in Our On-Campus Film and Television Studio
Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences at the on-campus digital film and television studio, where you'll gain practical skills needed to succeed in the film and television industry. The studio and supports a weekly news broadcast, which includes a sports segment, entirely produced by students.
Experience a Transformative Education
With a focus on social justice and ethical decision-making, you'll not only develop your creative skills but also learn to use media as a tool for positive change. Engage with a supportive community that encourages critical thinking, empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Digital Innovation, Film and Television (DIFT) Major at Xavier University
Digital Innovation Film and Television is an academic major in which students learn the fundamental components of telling stories visually. The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Innovation Film and Television is a four-year program designed to not only teach students what it takes to be successful as professionals in digital media and production, but also how to apply the skills and principles they learn in the field. Explore all facets of the industry, including foundational technology skills, writing for production, video editing and more to take your credentials to the next level.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."