Course Descriptions
COMM 212 Introduction to Digital Photography
Provides a comprehensive introduction to digital photography, including camera operation, software application, and ethical considerations. The measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course are below:
• Proficiency in digital camera operation
• Proficiency in Photoshop and Lightroom workflow
• Understanding exposure and color theory
• Communicate story through content and composition
• Ethics and the Societal Impact of photography
• Proficiency in Photoshop and Lightroom workflow
• Understanding exposure and color theory
• Communicate story through content and composition
• Ethics and the Societal Impact of photography
DFM 312 Designing the Shot
Use of design principles to better tell the story through composition, camera movement and art direction. Artistry in shot design is differentiated from other creative production components to help the cinematographer and director master the art of shot listing and develop a personal shooting style. An in-depth analysis of camera aesthetics is applicable equally to narrative and experimental filmmaking, commercials, and music videos. The measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course are below:
•Understand and identify lens choices, depth of field, and camera placement in a scene.
•Identify story beats, point of view and subtext of a scene from analysis of camera usage.
•Identify individual shots and how they contribute to the meaning of the scene.
•Recognize and understand the director’s critical choices through analysis of the use of color, light, and compositional tools.
DFM 313 Advanced Lighting for Digital Filmmaking
Advanced practical and creative issues for lighting on location and in the studio including methodology and style concepts.
The measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course are below:
•Understanding of basic electricity.
•Understanding of Lighting Units
•Understanding of the Three Planes of Light.
•Ability to create lighting that supports the emotional moment of the scene and contributes to the tone of the story.
•Ability to light the subject with motivated lighting, create day lighting, night lighting, and non-fiction lighting.
•Understanding and ability to work with color in lighting.
DFM 110 Location Shooting for the Edit
Issues of coverage and composition for short-form independent location filmmaking with special attention to considerations of post-production. Basic camera usage on location; basic storytelling; assessing/utilizing locations for set, light and sound sources; basic editing. Students will develop an understanding of the creative and technical processes required in capturing images on a digital camera. They will gain a working knowledge of the basis in story, image and sound, professional set etiquette and be able to problem solve while on location. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
•Understanding of principles of HD video camera operation
•Ability to use camera and lighting equipment to creatively tell stories.
•Ability to use sound equipment to creatively tell stories.
•Basic capacity with post-production process.
•Ability to translate the written word into a visual image.
•Knowledge of proper set etiquette and ability to collaborate effectively and professionally.
DFM 105 Introduction to Filmmaking
An introduction to the study and practice of filmmaking. Students will study the formal elements of film and complete hands-on filmmaking exercises. Students will develop a general understanding of the way movies are created and presented to the viewer and how the cinematic language can shape the way we see the world. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
•Recognize and Identify the specific formal elements that make up a film
•Distinguish between those formal elements and the content of a film
•Interpret and Analyze how formal elements make meaning in a film
•Apply these skills to view films with an active and informed appreciation
DFM 360 Postproduction
Students will acquire a sophisticated and thorough understanding of digital postproduction techniques as they relate to software interface and management, the use of special effects and aesthetic concerns and practice. Through analysis and examination students will gain an understanding of editing styles and philosophy of edit decisions. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
• Proficiency in Avid Media Composer
• Understanding of editing terms and techniques
• Ability to analyze and distinguish editing styles
• Basic knowledge of special effects within Avid Media Composer
• Understanding of editing terms and techniques
• Ability to analyze and distinguish editing styles
• Basic knowledge of special effects within Avid Media Composer
DFM 375 Preproduction
All aspects of the filmmaking process up to the production phase including script selection and editing, budget and schedule, scouting and securing locations, shot planning and casting. Students will develop an understanding of the creative and technical processes of the pre-production, production and post-production phases. They will gain a working knowledge of professional set etiquette and be able to problem solve according to their roles within the production company. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
•Understanding the five stages of production and their distinct roles in creating quality films
•Understanding of view roles within a Production Company
•Ability to plan and execute pre-production items including budgeting and scheduling
•Ability to operate camera, lighting and sound equipment on production
•Ability to set and meet deadlines in regards to the budget and schedule
DFM 376 Production
All aspects of the production and postproduction phase of the filmmaking process including shooting, editing and the creation of deliverable content. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
• Understanding the five stages of production and their distinct roles in creating quality films
• Understanding of view roles within a Production Company
• Ability to plan and execute pre-production items including budgeting and scheduling
• Ability to operate camera, lighting and sound equipment on production
• Ability to set and meet deadlines in regards to the budget and schedule
• Understanding of view roles within a Production Company
• Ability to plan and execute pre-production items including budgeting and scheduling
• Ability to operate camera, lighting and sound equipment on production
• Ability to set and meet deadlines in regards to the budget and schedule
DFM 493 Topics in Filmmaking: Experimental Film
Students will develop an understanding of the creative and technical processes in making experiment film. They will explore the theory, history and aesthetics of this unconventional style of film. They will engage in projects that demand a voice that does not utilize the structured narrative or documentary forms of filmmaking. Students are encouraged to utilize inventive formal approaches and techniques to create challenging content that will represent their point of view. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
• Basic knowledge of the history and theory of experimental film.
• Ability to translate a concept clearly through non-narrative base film techniques.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical processes to obtain the desired image.
• Develop their own creative voice and point of view while defying standard genres and conventions.
• Ability to translate a concept clearly through non-narrative base film techniques.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical processes to obtain the desired image.
• Develop their own creative voice and point of view while defying standard genres and conventions.
DFM 493 Topics in Filmmaking: Documentary Film
Students will develop an understanding of the research and technical processes in creating documentary film. They will explore the history and traditions, genres and styles, and current impact of documentary film in the digital era. Students will research and produce projects that explore a variety of components of non-fiction filmmaking from the conceptualization of an idea through postproduction. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
• Basic knowledge of the history of documentary filmmaking
• Ability to recognize and analyze documentary film genre and styles
• Ability to conceptualize and research a topic effectively
• Master interview techniques to help develop a successful story
THTR 113 Film Appreciation (Online)
Basic theories of performance arts as applied to film. Includes application through discussion and exploration of acting, directing, writing, analysis and production of film. Students will develop a general understanding of the way movies are created and presented to the viewer and how the cinematic language can shape the way we see the world. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate the following:
• Recognize and Identify the specific formal elements that make up a film
• Distinguish between those formal elements and the content of a film
• Interpret and Analyze how formal elements make meaning in a film
• Apply these skills to view films with an active and informed appreciation
• Distinguish between those formal elements and the content of a film
• Interpret and Analyze how formal elements make meaning in a film
• Apply these skills to view films with an active and informed appreciation
COMM 101 Interpersonal Communication
An introduction to the study of interpersonal communication that focuses on experiencing and expressing
emotion, listening, developing interpersonal competence and managing interpersonal conflict. Other topics include family, romantic relationships, friendship and relationships in the workplace.
UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar
Aiding academic and social transition to the University, this required interdisciplinary course focuses on critical thinking, research and writing; social issues for new students; exploration of campus resources; and community building. As students take on the increased personal responsibilities that come with transitioning to college, Freshman Seminar will develop skills to help enable students to:
• Demonstrate increased personal independence as they transition to college life.
• Foster habits that support lifelong learning.
• Take responsibility for making sound personal choices during college.
• Identify collaborative and leadership skills and engage in community-building opportunities.
• Foster habits that support lifelong learning.
• Take responsibility for making sound personal choices during college.
• Identify collaborative and leadership skills and engage in community-building opportunities.