Return to Mass Communication and Theatre | Courses Index

[1] Courses in Digital Filmmaking (FILM)

1305 INTRODUCTION TO FILM A required course for majors in digital filmmaking and a prerequisite for all Digital Filmmaking courses. The course introduces students to basic concepts of cinematic form and genre; stylistic techniques of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound; and aesthetic consideration of form, genre, and style. Lectures, readings, and screenings. Prerequisite: None. Fall, spring.

1310 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL STORYTELLING A required course for majors and minors in digital filmmaking. The course introduces students to filmmaking fundamentals of visual storytelling, storyboarding, visual design, and best practices using digital filmmaking technology. Lecture. Prerequisite: FILM 1305.

2300 FILM APPRECIATION General education curriculum option for the fine arts requirement. Promotes understanding and appreciation of the art of cinema through study of film style, film history, film genres, and the cultural impact of films. Examines both the theory and practice of filmmaking. Lectures, readings, screenings. Fall, spring.

2310 SCRIPT ANALYSIS A required course for digital filmmaking majors. The course covers analysis, formatting, structure, and construction of the motion picture treatment and screenplay from scene to act level. Character creation and motivation are also addressed. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305. Fall, spring.

2466 DIGITAL FILMMAKING 1 A required course for digital filmmaking majors. Techniques of digital video production, terminology, and operation of digital video cameras, lenses, lighting, audio recording, and digital editing. Production. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305. Fall, spring, summer.

3305 PRODUCTION DESIGN An elective course for digital filmmaking majors and minors. The course introduces students to production design and art direction for digital filmmaking. Topics include understanding basic visual components, the design process, visualization techniques, implementing scenery and costumes, and the profession of designer. Students are introduced to the impact scenery, light, costume, elements and props have in a completely designed production. Lecture. On demand.

3315 CLASSICAL FILM THEORY A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. A survey of the literature and films associated with what is now considered the classical era of film theory (1916-1958). The course will consider the questions early film theorists asked about the (then) new art form as well as what they offered as answers to their questions. Lectures, readings, discussions, and screenings. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305. Fall.

3316 FILM THEORY SINCE 1960 An elective for majors in digital filmmaking. The course is a historical account of theoretical writings about film from the mid-twentieth century to the present, including semiotic, psychoanalytic, Marxist, feminist, and cognitive theories of film. Lectures, readings, discussions, and screenings. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305. On demand.

3320 FILM EDITING This is a project-oriented lecture course in non-linear film editing, with an emphasis on classical, continuity editing as a storytelling device. Topics include history, aesthetics, techniques, and technical aspects of editing. Prerequisite: FILM 2466. Elective course. Spring.

3321 DIGITAL FILMMAKING INTERNSHIP Internships provide qualified students an opportunity to integrate professional experience in the filmmaking industry with traditional academic study. Successful internships will expose students directly to professional camera work, editing, writing, producing, and/or sound recording and design, a well as allow students to develop potential career contacts and strengthen his or her resume (3 hrs.). Internships require 120 work-experience hours to be completed and verified. May be repeated for credit. Minimum GPA 2.5. Prerequisite: FILM 3456. Fall, spring, summer.

3322 DIRECTED STUDY IN DIGITAL FILMMAKING Students will engage in a digital filmmaking project or course of study of their own creation. Because there are no scheduled class meetings, students will work independently in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Enrollment requires the consent of the faculty supervisor (3 hrs). Prerequisite FILM 3456. May be repeated for credit. Fall, spring, summer.

3350 CINEMA HISTORY 1 A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. History of the motion picture in the silent and early sound era. The events are presented chronologically with screenings of representative films from each decade. The course is international in scope with attention paid to major contributions to cinema from several countries. Topics discussed include the origin of the movies, the acquisition of sound and color, the development of the studio system, as well as trends, movements, and influences. Lectures, readings, discussions and screenings. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305. Fall.

3351 CINEMA HISTORY 2 A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. History of the motion picture in the contemporary era. Relevant events of this period are presented chronologically with screenings of representative films from each decade. The course is international in scope with attention paid to major contributions to cinema from several countries. Topics discussed include changes in the national studio systems and the role of independent producers, as well as trends, movements, and influences. Lectures, readings, discussions, and screenings. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300, FILM 1305 and FILM 3350. Spring.

3355 VISUAL EFFECTS COMPOSITING An elective course for digital filmmaking majors and minors. This course introduces the student to the art and science of visual effects compositing for digital filmmaking. Topics covered include the visual effects workflow, video and imaging technology, image processing, matte creation, tracking, re-timing, 2D animation, and 2.5D virtual scenery. Lecture. On demand.

3356 ANIMATION FOR VISUAL EFFECTS An elective course for digital filmmaking majors and minors. This course introduces the student to the art and science of 3D computer animation for pre-rendered and real-time applications. Topics covered include an introduction to planning, modeling, surfacing, lighting, animation, physical simulation, rendering, and compositing 3D renderings for use in film visual effects. Lecture. On demand.

3363 AUDIO PRODUCTION AND DESIGN FOR FILM An elective course for Digital Filmmaking majors and minors. This is a course using audio to support digital filmmaking and storytelling. Students will study and implement the elements of sound design to create full soundtracks for film projects. Students will also learn to record and mix production audio using different types of microphones and recording equipment. Lectures, discussion, practical exercises. Prerequisite: FILM 2466. Fall.

3373 DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION An elective course for digital filmmaking majors and for mass communication majors with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. An advanced production class on documentary films and documentary filmmaking. Students will be exposed to a variety of documentary films encompassing different subjects and styles and will learn the production process used in the planning, execution, and construction of short format documentary. Lecture/Production. Prerequisite: FILM 2466. Spring.

3456 DIGITAL FILMMAKING 2 A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. The course provides students with higher-level aspects of the digital filmmaking process from both technical and narrative points of view. Specific skills learned include computer aided pre-production, exposure control, shot design, three-point lighting technique, digital audio recording, and professional level non-linear picture and sound editing. The focus throughout will be on the use of these skills in narrative story construction. Production. Prerequisites: FILM 2310, FILM 2466, completion of 60 credit hours. Fall, spring.

4356 DIGITAL FILMMAKING 3 A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. The course provides students with advanced instruction in narrative construction, production pre-visualization, production planning, and production management. Primarily through project participation and execution, students will learn the procedures and skills necessary to collaborate on the planning and management of a digital film production. Prerequisite: FILM 3456. Fall.

4357 DIGITAL FILMMAKING 4 A required course for majors in digital filmmaking. The course provides students with advanced instruction in film production, editing, sound design, color correction, marketing and promotion, and film financing. Primarily through project participation and execution, students will learn the procedures and skills necessary to collaborate on the filming, post-production, and marketing of a digital film production. Prerequsite: FILM 4356. Spring.

4380 SEMINAR IN FILM STUDIES An elective course for digital filmmaking majors. Various topics relevant to non-production filmmaking topics and filmmaking careers. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: MCOM 1300 and FILM 1305 and consent of the instructor. On demand.

4392 TOPICS IN DIGITAL PRODUCTION An elective course for majors in digital filmmaking. Special topics in advanced issues of digital productions, including but not limited to pre-production, digital cinematography, directing, and editing. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: FILM 2466. On demand.