MEDIA ARTS
The Academy’s Media Arts Department introduced the first comprehensive digital motion picture program for high school students in the country.
It continues to be at the forefront of teaching storytelling through the three pillars of film, animation, and creative writing. Though most students major in one of these three pillars, the Media Arts curriculum offers courses in photography, poetry, fiction writing, screenwriting, book design, video production, and more. Above all, the Media Arts Department’s primary focus is storytelling.
“You guys are ahead of the curve. I was in college before I knew the difference between linear and non-linear films. This is an exciting high school. When you study the arts, you study life.”
YOUR MEDIA ARTS TEACHERS
YOUR MEDIA ARTS CLASSES
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Animation Essentials
Students learn foundational animation techniques through the 12 Principles of Animation and explore experimental methods as they advance, creating works from flip books to motion graphics.
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Film Aesthetics
This course deepens students’ understanding of cinematic language, examining films by era, director, and movement. Students analyze technical and aesthetic elements—such as sound, editing, and cinematography—while learning key cinematic terms and concepts. Thumbnail by Guneş Göker (‘25).
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Video Production
This course covers video techniques, editing software, critique skills, and pre-production essentials. Students explore various filmmaking genres, mastering camera functions, lighting, sound mixing, and collaboration to create both traditional and experimental films
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Screenwriting
This course teaches screenwriting as both literary form and visual blueprint. Students begin with a collaborative adaptation and then write original scripts, honing skills in pitching, revising, and analyzing screenplays and films.
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Studio
Studio time offers students unstructured work periods for projects showcased in biannual premieres. Guided by faculty, students can focus on both creative production and academic work.
MEDIA ARTS AUDITIONS
We are thrilled that you are auditioning for The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Please remember: our number one goal is for you to be successful. That means that when you have questions, please ask them!
You can email Media Arts Chair Sarah Hiatt at any time for more clarification.
Applicants must create an Online Application to submit their preliminary audition.
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Applicants must create an Online Application to submit their preliminary audition.
Student Introduction Video: (30 seconds - 1 minute)
Name, Grade, Current School.
Why are you applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts?
Brief explanation of previous artistic experience.
Project Pitch
Pitch an idea you have for a future project. Applicants should include original drawings or photographs of locations, character sketches, color schemes, and other details to be included in an ideal project. Consider if this final project is a film, an animation, a radio play, a photographic series, or a longer piece of writing. We recommend that you create your project as a PowerPoint or Google Slide Presentation and upload it to your application as a PDF.
Project Pitch examples can be found by clicking here and here.Portfolio Requirements
Students applying for Animation should submit 4-5 pieces of work related to animation. Examples include storyboards, drawings, comics, animated clips, etc.
Students applying for Film should submit 4-5 pieces of work related to film. Examples include screenplays, short films, photography, short stories, etc.
Students applying for Writing should submit 4-5 pieces of work related to writing. Examples include short stories, poetry, essays, screenplays, etc.
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Applicants who pass their preliminary audition are invited to attend a live audition. Media Arts applicants should be prepared to discuss their work, discuss their experience in their medium of interest, and list influences and inspiration. Portfolios are considered based on both creative output and completeness.
We look forward to working with you soon! Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
MEDIA ARTS VIDEOS
