Department of Media Arts

• Award-winning faculty: filmmakers and video producers who have worked in all facets of production and for networks and studios including Netflix, A24, Adobe, SIGGRAPH, HBO, Sundance, Universal, Microsoft, PBS, and The Discovery Channel share practical, real-world techniques.

Our unique internship program gives you access to studios and production companies at the local, regional, and national level. Our Internship Director in the School of Communications ensures that all students who are interested in pursuing an internship are best prepared to “get the job.” The director of the internship program also ensures each internship has structure and definitive learning outcomes.

We have a full-time staff member in the School of Communications who is dedicated to finding and securing internships for our students. Each year, we have an Internship Expo on campus attended by several companies and organization looking for interns. These internships may be paid or unpaid depending on the student’s arrangement with the employer.

Interactive Digital Media majors have interned at businesses and organizations around St. Louis as well in other states in countries, including Integrity Media, Momentum, 963 Collective, Websanity, FleishmanHillard, Twist, Coolfire Media, and C3 Presents (Austin, Texas).

Interactive Digital Media Majors

We strongly encourage our students to study at one of Webster’s international campuses. The tuition is the same, and because you will be studying at a Webster campus, you will not need to transfer any credits when you return. Also — if you are a full-time student in good standing and choose to study abroad for at least 8 weeks, the University will fund your plane ticket to and from any of Webster’s international campuses. Working closely with an advisor, many interactive digital media transfer students have been able to incorporate international experience during their two-year tenure at Webster.

Film, Television and Video Production Majors

You will have the opportunity for studying international documentary production and film studies at our campuses in Leiden, the Netherlands; Cha-am/Hua Hin, Thailand; Geneva, Switzerland; London, England; and Vienna, Austria.

Animation

Webster University provides access to industry-level software and hardware, including cintiq workstations and motion-capture technology.

Film, Television and Video Production

Our state-of-the-art equipment packages include ARRI Alexa Mini LF, Sony FS-5 and A7, Blackmagic Pocket 4K Cinema Cameras, Aputure LED, LiteMat, Pavotube, KinoFlo, ARRI Tungsten and M18 HMI Light, and more. We also preserve 16mm film equipment that is taught as a special topic.

The updated post-production facilities let students engage in industry standard software including, but not limited to: Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Davinci Resolve, Avid, NUKE, Cinema 4D, and Maya.

In its 14th year, the Kinematifest is a student initiative created for and by Webster University students. Our mission is to inspire and innovate Webster University students to grow as artists through motion pictures; to draw attention to rising filmmakers and animators; to give students a chance to present their work; to encourage dialogue with the community.

The Festival is an event designed to promote student work. We want to allow students and the greater community to enjoy art in an all-encompassing virtual event. With independent films and animation, professional speakers, and local companies we will provide a day full of exploration and entertainment in the world of film. The three core outcomes of the festival are competitive success, inspiring creativity, and creating a strong community network.

There are nine categories: Documentary, Comedy, Drama, Horror, Experimental, Music Videos, Experimental Animation, Animated Shorts, and Animated Clips.

Learn More about Kinematifest

On campus, student work often is display in the Kooyumjian Gallery. The Gallery was established in 1988 and remains one of the few spaces in the St. Louis area dedicated to showing a wide range of photographic work. It hosts the Annual Juried Student Photography Exhibition, a competitive and respected event.

Webster University hosts the Webster Film Series, a nationally recognized, year-round film exhibition program. This year-round program prides itself as the most comprehensive alternative film series in the St. Louis region, Webster University is known for encouraging film artists to display their work within the community. The Webster Film Series offers a premiere film almost every weekend and frequently screens classic cinema on weeknights. Past visiting filmmakers include documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and writer/director John Waters.

Past visiting animation artists and historians include Floyd Norman, Rich Moore, Byron Howard, Bill Plympton, Emily Hubley, Faith Hubley, Brad Schiff, John Canemaker, Jerry Beck, Will Vinton, Ray Harryhausen, Kathy Rose, Deanna Morse, Ari Grabb, Chuck Jones, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston.

Past visiting game designers include Connor Brown, senior-level designer for Last of Us Part 2 and God of War.

Past visiting filmmakers include Ken Burns, Spike Lee, Jason Reitman, John Waters, Evan Adams, Adam Neil, Geena Davis, David Skal, and Jin-won Han.