Digital Filmmarking

Offered every term. Overview of the media arts and their interaction, integration and development in the creation of story beginning with the early years of photography and movie-making through the introduction of radio and television up to the digital revolution.

Offered every term. Study of the history, process and philosophy of narrative film/video editing and an introduction to Final Cut nonlinear editing software.

Offered autumn.  Media Arts majors only.  An introduction to screenwriting and visualization for media story. Focus is on developing visual writing skills and effective utilization of critical story elements.

Offered autumn. Media Arts majors only.  Intermediate study of digital video cameras, lighting, sound, and their use in specific production situations.

Offered autumn. Prereq., Media Arts Major. Intermediate level writing class devoted to short films, with an emphasis on writing camera-ready scripts for spring production. Feature film structure and techniques also discussed.

Offered every term. An introduction to the relationship between aesthetics and the emerging capacities of digital technology. The course will explore the basic evolution of hardware, system software, and the Internet and will present a brief history of the pioneers of both traditional and digital art. It will also look at contemporary and emerging trends in the artistic application of digital technology.

Offered every term. Online Course. This project-oriented design and compositing course introduces students to the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop while focusing on artistic expression in a digital technology environment.

Offered autumn. Media Arts majors only. Introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles and practices of digital still imaging in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language necessary to develop quality designs on the computer.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only.  Study of major film theories that led to the constitution of visual film language and their application in contemporary film narrative and direction.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. Preliminary study of digital cinematography including color theory, composition, lens choice, continuity, camera movement/support, lighting for film and video, and grip in both studio and location situations.

Offered autumn. Media Arts majors only.  Developing, directing and editing a five to seven minute fiction movie. In depth work on creation of shooting script, casting, work with actors and location work. Emphasis on collaborative process and diligence and preparation in all levels of production.

Offered Autumn.  Media Arts majors only. Intermediate level writing class devoted to short films, with an emphasis on writing camera-ready scripts for spring production. Feature film structure and techniques are also discussed.

Offered autumn.  Media Arts majors only. Surveying a wide range of experimental cinema (film/video) from the 1920's to the present with the central focus being artistic practice in the context of historic and cultural concerns. Students will also create projects focusing on exploring film/video both as a form of personal expression and as a medium, rather than as mass entertainment.

Offered spring.  Media Arts majors only. This course is targeted at the Digital Filmmaking student and introduces fundamental concepts, principles and practices of digital location sound recording and post-production editing to picture in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language.  

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. Production of short experimental works of non-fiction. Emphasis on pre-production articulation of ideas and goals that lead to competent dramatic footage of actual events and people. Applied concepts: personal point-of-view, metaphor as organizing principle, articulation of subject/thesis, complexity of story, embedded meanings, use of visual motif.

(R-6) Offered autumn. Prereq., Media Arts majors only. Practical application of the principles of production through work on graduate and upper level undergraduate projects, either as a crew member, production manager, designer, editor, director of photography or actor.

Offered spring.  Media Arts majors only. This project-oriented course will introduce students to the basic technical and aesthetic components of digital motion design using the industry standard software programs Photoshop and After Effects.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. Introduction to two-dimensional digital animation, focusing on character and motion design animation fundamentals including: cell animation (frame by frame), motion-tweening, working with key frames and motion paths, moving elements on a 2D stage, object choreography and text animation.

Offered autumn. Media Arts majors only. Introduction to fundamental concepts, principles and practices of digital sound recording and editing in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language necessary to develop quality audio design.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. This course is designed to help students gain the skill sets necessary to successfully create work in the constantly evolving internet environment. It covers the fundamentals of website structure, content design and navigation and focuses on directory structure, visual design, user navigation, audio/video integration and domain management.

The secret history of great filmmakers is the history of great producers working behind the scenes to give the director the freedom and the resources to focus on his or her “vision.” The director’s job is everything “in” the frame; the producer’s job is everything outside the frame. This class asks: how does one produce a film? What do producers do, anyway? Why are there so many of them (what are their duties)? Why do they do it? And most importantly: HOW do they do it? This class creates structures and techniques for students to create more viable film productions; it also invites a number of guest speakers to share their experiences and advice about filmmaking. Most of these speakers are producers, or work in the world of film production and development.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. Research and exploration of contemporary film, video, digital art and design. Focus on areas of student research both in commercial and non-commercial venues and styles.

Offered spring. Media Arts majors only. This course is intended for senior majors in Media Arts who are ready to develop their physical and online presence, readying them for a strong exit-strategy from their university careers. Students will work on strengthening their professional image through development of digital and physical portfolios, demo reels, identity/branding and personal websites. Topics will also include but not be limited to: internships, resume development, cover letters, artist statements, interviewing process, graduate school and mentorships. Guest lectures and interviews will provide insight into current industry standards, professional workflow and entering the creative workforce. Students should leave this course with all the materials they need to enter the professional world.