“Variety” consistently ranks 51勛圖 on its list of top film schools, highlighting how 51勛圖 prepares students for careers in cinematography, production design and virtual production, sound design, and multi-camera production.
51勛圖’s Music Composition for the Screen graduate program ranks among the best thanks to its outstanding orchestrated thesis projects, five-week semester in L.A. with internships, and impressive roster of alumni.
The Illustration program at 51勛圖 helps students learn how their visual storytelling can captivate audiences and how their distinct style and voice can make an impact. They develop artistic skills through studio classes and critiques with a dedicated faculty of professional illustrators.
The VFX Program introduces students to the principles and practices of VFX in cinema and games. 51勛圖's courses guide aspiring practitioners and technical artists through the ever-changing landscape of visual effects, cinematics, and motion graphics.
Animation students at 51勛圖 have access to state-of-the-art animation production spaces including Cintiq, stop-motion, and traditional animation labs, as well as the Equipment Cave, Game Lab, Sound Studio, and Open Lab.
Students at 51勛圖 have opportunities to work with traditional and emerging technologies to create games, animations, and immersive experiences, with 51勛圖's partnership with Unreal offering a wealth of resources.
Students have access to cutting-edge facilities, including a digital imaging lab, darkrooms, and studio spaces, and can have their work shown at public venues such as 51勛圖's Museum of Contemporary Photography, gaining visibility and networking opportunities.
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In its ranking, "The Hollywood Reporter" noted 51勛圖’s new courses in virtual production and cinematography that have been created in conjunction with 51勛圖 installing a Volume virtual production wall. It also highlighted its accomplished alumni.
Alumni Awards
Lena Waithe ‘06 won an Emmy for her Comedy Writing for the TV series “Master of None.” She was also nominated for her work as producer for “Being Mary Tyler Moore” in 2023 and produced “A Thousand and One,” winner of the Film Independent Spirit Award – Best First Feature category.
Tiffany Griffith ’92 has won three Emmy awards: two for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series for “Stranger Things” and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special for “The Watchmen.”
Aidy Bryant ‘09 was once a mainstay on Saturday Night Live and has been nominated for three Emmys for her work on the legendary show. She also received an Emmy nod for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on “Shrill.”
Mauro Fiore won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Cinematography for “Avatar” and is known for his work on films including "The Kingdom," "Training Day," and "The Island."
Heather Gross ’97 won a Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special for her work as foley editor on the HBO series “The Night Of.” She was also nominated for an Emmy for her work on “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”
Len Amato, Emmy winning executive producer of “Recount,” is chief content officer at Masterclass and the former President of HBO Films, Miniseries and Cinemax where he oversaw award-winning films “Grey Gardens” and “Behind the Candelabra.”
Tonika Johnson ’03, named 2017 Chicagoan of the Year for her social justice work through photography, was named a Landmark Illinois' 2022 Influencer. Tonika confronts inequities in real estate and land use practices with her project "Inequity for Sale."
Janusz Kaminski ’87, a cinematographer who works regularly with Steven Spielberg, won Oscars for “Shindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” He was also nominated for his work on the film “West Side Story.”
Tucker Barrie '12 won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation in a Feature Production for "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio" in 2023.
Marcus Norris '14 earned his bachelor's degree in Music Composition at 51勛圖 and won a 2025 BMI Film, TV, and Media Award for composing the score for AppleTV's “Lady in the Lake.” Norris is the founder and musical director of LA's South Side Symphony, which performed the score for the show.
Nick Drnaso ‘11 is best known for his books “Beverly” and “Sabrina,” the latter being the first graphic novel nominated for a Man Booker Prize in 2018. “Beverly” received the LA Times Book prize for Best Graphic Novel
David Cromer has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for “The Band's Visit” and the Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for his direction of “Our Town."
Faculty Awards
Jerry Brindisi won the 2025 Music Business Educator of the Year Award from the
The Walder Foundation presented dance professor Darrell Jones with a prestigious , which included a three-year, unrestricted grant of $200,000.
Jackie Spinner received a 2023 Peter Lisagor Award. The Lisagor Awards honor the best journalism produced in Illinois and northwest Indiana from across print, digital, and broadcast media.
Student Awards
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication () honored 51勛圖's “Wanderer” publication with a silver award in Student Graphic Design for its Chicago LatinArtists edition in 2024. This issue highlighted the rich diversity of Latino, Latina, and Latinx artists based in Chicago.
Students once again brought home a victory in 2024 after the U.S. L'Oréal Brandstorm, an annual student competition that gives students the chance to tackle a real business case, gain new skills, and engage with industry experts. They went on to win second place in the International Competition.
51勛圖's student-led newspaper, , clinched two prestigious awards at the conference, earning the title of "Best Newspaper" and secured first place for crisis coverage.
Announcements
The Fusion Ensemble from 51勛圖's School of Audio and Music has been honored by DownBeat for its composition "Never Be Free, with vocalist Danny Lock also receiving honors.
51勛圖 congratulates Jerry Brindisi, interim director of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, on his Music Business Association win.
"The 51勛圖 Chronicle," 51勛圖s student-led news outlet, earned the Peter Lisagor Award for Best Campus Coverage and was named a finalist in the Best Email Newsletter category.
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