Film
Majors & Minors
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Film (BFA)
Courses
ELEC 270: Costume Design
Introduction to costume design. Examination of costume and fashion as means to communicate theme, mood, and character in visual story. Research, develop, and create costumes and fashion design for characters, whether in: cinematic collaboration; staged photography; character and fashion illustration; body art/performance/sculpture; or animation and game design.
Prerequisites
None.
ELEC 304: Acting Studio
Introduction to acting. Investigate emotional and physical aspects of human interplay through variety of activities, including: neutral mask work; theatre games; scene study. Recommended for DF and CA majors to develop comic timing skills and authentic character portrayals.
Prerequisites
None.
FILM 115: Film Language
An introduction to storytelling as communicated through the visual medium of filmmaking. Incorporates the effective use of film language through story analysis and structure. Projects include written story exercises and the practice of visual storytelling using drawn and photographed images.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 124: Introduction to Filmmaking
Introduction to storytelling in motion pictures. Intensive experience focused on creation of stories and their translation into motion pictures through screenwriting, camera operation, sound recording, and editing. Examine story construction through interaction of characters, locations, and props. Use tools to capture and manipulate motion picture images and sounds. Conceive, write, and translate story into film through use of motion picture tools and techniques. Instruction in: designing visual and aural world of film; introducing and revealing story characters; creating moments that pull audience into film. Focus on conflict as essential component of storytelling in film.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 222: Editing for Film
Introduction to postproduction process in digital filmmaking. Develop basic picture- and sound editing principles and techniques. Introduction to professional non-linear editing systems and software.
Prerequisites
Open to Film Majors only.
FILM 225: Directing
Introduction to directing in digital film. Explore basics of director’s role in digital film, from planning and production through to the postproduction process. Develop practical skills, including: script analysis; creation of shot lists; storyboarding; working with crew and actors.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 229: Production Design
Production design is the visual art and craft of cinematic storytelling. It is how an empty room in 2010 becomes Watson's study, or a gamekeeper's home in Kenya, or the cockpit of a jet fighter in the future-and it does it in a way that the audience believes in its authenticity. The visualization of a film is created by the imagination, artistry and collaboration of the director (team), director of photography (team) and the production designer with the production team. Students in this course will become production design teams that research the world in which a film takes place to establish its visual sense of mood and authenticity. The production design team will interpret and transform the story (i.e. script, short story, micro fiction), characters, and narrative into designs that encompass architecture, costume, decor, environment, props, etc. As needed, the production design team uses sketches, illustrations, photographs, models, production storyboards, and constructs sets while considering budgets and scheduling. The final result is the transformation of the physical I psychological environments and characters of a narrative script into the visual reality of a completed theoretical or real film.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 231: Writing the Short Film I
Introduction to writing the short film script. Fundamentals of: research methods; story structure; character; theme; myth; genre. Develop stories; produce short treatments and screenplays. Critical analysis of own work and that of master screenwriters. Introduction to professional screenplay software. Exposure to non-traditional screenplay forms.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 232: Producing
Introduction to the role of producer in film. Exploration of all facets of film producer’s job, including: development; preproduction; production; postproduction; distribution. Topics include: structure of production team; decision-making; above- and below-the-line positions; funding and in-kind support; department structures and oversight; production management; production scheduling and budgeting; problem-solving strategies; production trends; employment opportunities.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 252: Cinematography
Advanced digital cinematography techniques and concepts. Achieve proficiency in use of advanced digital cinematography equipment. Instruction in alternative techniques in manipulation and control of camera images and equipment. Critical analysis of cinematography masterworks.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 260: Brand Storytelling I
Introduction to basic brand storytelling and scriptwriting skills and techniques. Practical writing assignments explore structure, character development, conflict, story arc, message-based writing and various screen media script formatting. The role of research and strategy is introduced while grammar and composition are reinforced.
Prerequisites
None.
FILM 321: Film Project
Write, produce, direct, and edit a digital film project. Utilize other students in class as crew. Engage in critical self-analysis as it relates to own project and work on other’s projects.
Prerequisites
All Sophomore film courses. Open to Film majors only.
FILM 322: Postproduction
Advanced picture editing techniques and concepts. Exposure to alternative methods for assembling scenes pursuant to specific narrative and thematic strategies. Instruction in industry standard non-linear editing software. Introduction to compositing, color correction and grading. Critical analysis of pictureediting masterworks.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 332: Writing the Short Film II
Advanced short script workshop. Topics include: story structure; character development; theme; myth; genre; research methods. Focus on: advanced script writing forms; approaches, and techniques to produce medium length short film scripts; commercial considerations for creating a short film screenplay. Exposure to non-traditional screenplay forms.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 333: Sound Design
Introduction to creative sound design in filmmaking. Emphasis on practical knowledge and skills necessary for effective audio utilization. Creation of compelling audio design through use of tools and processes of creative sound design. Instruction in: use of digital audio recorders in the field; types of microphone; signal processing; post production and sound editing of dialogue; ADR; Foley; music; effects. Exploration of importance of music, both practical and score.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 360: Branded Entertainment Project
Write, produce, direct, and edit a branded entertainment project. Learn essential teamwork and collaboration skills necessary when working as part of a film production crew. Engage in critical analysis of course projects.
Prerequisite Courses
FILM 361: Brand Storytelling II
Builds on knowledge of brand storytelling fundamentals. Advanced writing assignments explore various media and genres. Emphasis on emotion, authenticity and personal connection to make brands stand out from the crowd. Students will also gain experience in professionally pitching and presenting their writing.
Prerequisite Courses
FILM 410: Film Internship
Department
Workplace experience in the film industry. Build qualifications for entry-level jobs. Internship agreements negotiated between intern and site supervisor; approval of Department Head, Registrar, and Director of Career Services required. Requires journal and documentation of work performed, followed by oral presentation. Grading: Credit/No Credit.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 421: Advanced Film Seminar
This is a seminar course designed to address advanced topics in filmmaking and ongoing thesis production workshops. Workshops will be taught by visiting artist/filmmakers. The seminar will provide a focused learning experience designed to enhance thesis productions conceptually, artistically and technically. Students will use a colloquium as a forum for discussing important digital filmmaking issues for the future of aspiring filmmakers.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 422: Business of Film
Introduction to business of film industry. Examines roles, responsibilities, and relationships of all players and constituencies within film industry. Topics include: industry structure; production decision-making; production apparatus; distribution systems; ancillary markets; industry trends and areas of growth; employment opportunity development.
Prerequisites
None.
FILM 431: Film Thesis
First semester of required senior thesis project in film. Creation of approved senior thesis films in collaboration with fellow students; may act in both above- and below-the-line roles. Creation of full-length screenplay may fulfill part of senior thesis requirements.
Prerequisites
Open to Film majors only.
FILM 432: Film Thesis II
Second semester of required senior thesis project in film. Creation of approved senior thesis films in collaboration with fellow students; may act in both above- and below-the-line roles. Creation of full-length screenplay may fulfill part of senior thesis requirements.
Prerequisite Courses
FILM 460: Topics in Branded Entertainment
Addresses current and evolving issues in branded entertainment. Topics allow students to conduct forward-thinking initiatives and explore areas such as new media, brand engagement, brand activation, brand extensions and innovations in communication. The content of the course is flexible and defined each fall. Typically, students engage in a variety of activities which could include research, strategy, concept development, script writing, film and video production to develop advanced, portfolio-worthy solutions.
Prerequisite Courses
FILM 465: Business of Branded Entertainment
Introduction to business of branded entertainment and preparation for entry into the profession. Examines roles, responsibilities, and relationships of all players and constituencies within the industry. Guest speakers provide career insights. Topics include: portfolio/reel preparation, written communication, interviewing, industry structure, industry trends, employment opportunity development.
Prerequisite Courses