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 four pillars of film, animation, creative writing, and photography. Though most students major in one of these four pillars, the Media Arts curriculum offers all students courses in 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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![A cartoon owl with large round eyes, one green and one blue, looks sad or worried. The illustration style is sketchy with bold lines and minimal colors.]()
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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![Two children sitting in sunlight on a wooden floor, facing each other and holding hands, inside a dimly lit living room. Outside through glass doors, a green grassy yard is visible.]()
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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![A young girl sitting at a desk using a laptop in a classroom setting.]()
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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![A man and a woman working together on a laptop in a classroom or office setting. The man is standing and pointing at the laptop screen, while the woman is sitting and looking at the screen. There are chairs, bookshelves, and colorful organized files in the background.]()
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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![A model standing in front of a white seamless background during a photo shoot, with a photographer capturing the shot and a monitor displaying the live view of the model.]()
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/PORTFOLIO REVIEW
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.
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The Media Arts Department live audition consists of a portfolio review, a discussion of the applicant’s experience in their area of focus, and a departmental interview.
REQUIREMENTS
A project pitch for a film, animation, photography series, or writing piece. Imagine you have all the resources in the world - what would you make?Format: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva presentation, etc.
Project Pitch examples can be found by clicking here and here.
We look forward to working with you soon! Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
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For films, animations, and creative writing pieces: The pitch should include a title, artist’s name, genre, character descriptions, at least a 300 word plot summary, and mood board.
Can include, but not required: Ideal casting choice and/or soundtrack.
Examples of films they’ve worked on and their role involved
Director, writer, editor, cinematographer, etc.
Welcomed, but not required:
Additional drawings, animations, short films, writing pieces, and/or photographs.
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For photography: A 300 word project statement describing an idea for a series of photographs. A slideshow of at least 10 photographs that inspire your work. Be sure to include the artist names.
Welcomed, but not required:
A selection of the student’s own photography.
Additional drawings, animations, short films, writing pieces, and/or photographs.
Requirements by area of focus:
MEDIA ARTS NEWS
MEDIA ARTS EVENTS
MEDIA ARTS VIDEOS
