Best Online Master’s Degrees in: Video Production

Explore a Master's Degree in Video Production

If you are more interested in the making of movies and television than you are in actually sitting in front of the big screen, a master's degree program in video production may help you pursue a career you are passionate about. Students in video production graduate programs learn the ins and outs of videography, or the processes involved in capturing moving images. This includes production and post-production methods used in corporate, event, marketing, and Internet video.

Graduate programs in this area of study can result in degrees such as Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts, and video production may even be offered as an area of specialization within a media-related degree program. Typically consisting of 36-54 credit hours, a master's degree in video production can take one to two years to complete. However, students may take more or less time to complete the degree depending on factors like a school's individual program, number of prior credits, or enrollment status.

Class Curriculum

Curriculum will focus on areas of video production like directing, production management, recording and audio, digital technology, and video editing. In courses, students learn about different shooting styles and cinematic techniques, the best techniques to use in sound and lighting design, and how to work with digital imaging and editing programs. Courses likely to be a part of video production master's programs include:

• Production and Editing. Students learn about the principles of field production including conceptual development, storyboarding, project planning and management, and editing.
  Through hands-on projects and assignments, they develop the basic skills involved in field production and editing, learn how to use editing systems, and practice applying the rules of visual composition and sequencing.
• Digital Post-Production. This course allows students to learn about the concepts and tools involved in the digital non-linear editing of video. Topics addressed include fine-cut preparation, file management, compositing, looping, multi-track mixing, and titling.
• Producing. In this type of class, students learn about all of the processes involved in producing. This includes, but is not limited to, the management, financing, promotion, and distribution of video.

Along with course lectures, students in graduate video production programs can expect to obtain hands-on experience through creative projects and assignments. This may include attending screenings, directing original videos, writing critiques, and working on production crews. Before graduating from one of these programs, students may be required to submit a portfolio of creative work or complete a creative thesis project.

Building a Career

Students graduate from video production programs with the aesthetic, conceptual, and technical abilities needed to produce various types of videos, including documentary, narrative, commercial, and Internet. They often pursue careers in media, communications, film, and television broadcasting. Possible job titles include videographer, video editor, video camera operator, director, producer, video production assistant, and more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of film and video editors and camera operators is expected to increase by 14% by 2020, with the employment of film and video editors increasing by 5% and camera operators by 2%. The median annual salary for camera operators was $40,390, while that of film and video editors was a little higher at $50,930. The BLS also reported that producers and directors earned a median annual salary of $68,440 and are expected to have an 11% increase in employment by 2020. When considering career outlook, it is important to keep in mind that these types of projections are not guarantees of employment or salary, as job availability and earning potential can vary depending on factors like professional experience, education level, location, and the economy.