Variety’s Education Impact Report names DePaul University as a top school for film and TV storytelling and innovation. The School of Cinematic Arts’ curriculum, built around experiential learning, offers students the opportunity for hands-on learning experiences that mirror professional workflows.  

“This recognition in Variety’s Education Impact Report reflects the innovative work unfolding every day in our classrooms, studios, and labs,” says Anuradha Rana, director of the School of Cinematic Arts. “Supported by a robust group of mentors who actively guide students’ creative development, we are committed to nurturing each student’s distinct voice, preparing them to create bold, authentic stories that resonate around the globe.”

Students can work in the DePaul Cinespace soundstages, just doors down from projects such as “The Bear” and “Chicago Fire.” DePaul’s facilities hold six shooting stages, several editing suites, a greenscreen cyclorama, hair and makeup stations and a virtual production stage.

Variety also noted DePaul’s annual AI in Film Education conference, which brings together filmmakers, technologists and educators “to explore how these tools are being used in professional workflows and how that should inform film education,” says Daniel Klein, co-chair of the Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Directing and director of Industry Engagement.  

The second annual conference explored how artificial intelligence is influencing creative practice and the future of media production. Featured guests – including Aramide Kehinde, Artificial Intelligence Lead at Amazon Web Services; and Matt Hanna, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Quickture – provided students insights into how these tools are influencing the film landscape they will enter upon graduation.  

To support every student’s career goals, DePaul works to connect them with the tools and communities to succeed.

“Fueled by Chicago’s rich diversity and creative community, our program offers an immersive learning environment shaped through collaboration with local communities, across the university, through virtual and global exchanges, in Los Angeles through LA Quarter, and alongside our faculty and staff as practicing artists and industry professionals,” says Rana.  

To learn more about DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts, visit the website.