Film 380: Directing: The emphasis of this course will be on the art of communicating and collaborating with both actors and crew members to produce a fully envisioned film. We will use a hands-on approach through class exercises (script breakdown, scene analysis, rehearsals, improve, etc.) while also working individually to direct a final film from start to finish. Students will learn to confidently bring their vision to the screen by effectively collaborating with actors and crew.

FILM 203/380: Music Video Production: In this course you will study the history of music video and contemporary approaches while fully engaging in the entire music video production process – from generating and pitching ideas to producing a music video for promotional and marketing purposes.  We will discuss/analyze different genres and directors, and learn about ways of storytelling and promoting songs/artists.  Each student will produce her or his own music video with a local artist/band.

FILM 203/380: Mumblecore: Foundational Cinema: This course examines conventions of realism and the use of available means in DIY (do-it-yourself) Filmmaking. We’ll look at work by early independent filmmakers (directors such as John Cassavetes, Lars von Trier, Jim Jarmusch, and others) as well as filmmakers of the more recent “Mumblecore” movement of the early 2000’s. Students will learn how to work with small budgets, non-professional actors, and eliciting naturalistic performance and dialogu — then use these strategies and techniques to create a 3-5 minute video or film.

FILM 203/380: DocuFiction: This production course examines documentary filmmaking and “DocuFiction” – which is a film genre that combines documentary filmmaking strategies with fictional elements. Students will learn the basics of this kind of cinema’s concerns such as finding a subject/story, working with non-professional actors, and eliciting naturalistic performances. We will look at the work of DocuFiction and Documentary filmmakers while students use these strategies/techniques throughout the semester to create a DocuFiction video or film.

FILM 118: Sound and Image:  A timebased media arts production course incorporating preceding core Film courses (Film 114, 116, 117), furthering skills and imagination in the integration of image and sound.

FILM 117: Filmmaking Technologies and Techniques: In this introductory level course, students learn the fundamentals of still and motion picture techniques in cinematography, lighting, sensitometry, and editing utilizing both digital still cameras and a 16mm Filmo DR-70. The course includes weekly team or individual shooting assignments, reading assignments and periodical quizzes as well as a final project edit of their 16mm film assignments. No prerequisites needed.

FILM 231: Concept Development for Film Practice: This class will focus on developing students’ skills as creative writers and thinkers; in particular, the awakening of an idea and the ability to represent it in written form. Anyone can learn the script form (what goes where, and in what font), but the conjuring of interesting themes and content that function as the backbone of a project (and all of its ancillary details) is hard won indeed, and demands much practice. With the objectives listed above in mind, each student will produce several short writings and as the semester progresses, develop a synopsis, outline, and script for a short film.

FILM 222: Introduction to Digital Filmmaking: Course Goals: To introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques of digital camera and audio work, shooting and lighting for video, and the essential steps of editing. You will participate in all aspects of video production, including proposing, planning, and shooting a video project, learning creative problem solving by viewing and critiquing your own footage and editing as well as that of other students, and negotiating the most imaginative path toward the completion of a final video project.

FILM 509: Senior Project I: Pre-production/production of individual media arts projects facilitated by critiques and work sessions.  Prereq: min 12 cr of upper-level film/video/animation/new genres electives, including 3 cr. of Portfolio Production electives; or cons instr.