Film – Filmmaking Practices (BA)

Examines standard business and legal elements of the film and media entertainment industry, including historical, theoretical and ethical frameworks for understanding current practices.

How does an idea, an article, a novel become a film? A creative producer is responsible for finding and shepherding a story from its origins to its audience. Students learn how an idea is developed and how a creative producer builds a strategy and team to lead a project from conception through pre-production, production, post-production, marketing and distribution.

Introduces the terminology, concepts and practices of cinematography and visual storytelling. Builds foundational skills to understand the essential tools of cinematography including composition, camera settings and lighting for emotional impact.

Explores fundamental skills of script writing for entertainment industry screen media, including: standard script writing software, formatting and technical standards; exercises in character creation and dramatic conflict; and analysis and understanding of common narrative structures of feature-length, series and short-form content.

Specialized study of conventional film techniques; emphasizes the creative process through project-based, hands-on learning. Group and individual exercises cover all phases of short film production from creative inspiration to online distribution. Third in a three-part sequence.

Explores the various ways in which film artists demonstrate their unique perspective and ability, via extended analysis of noted works defined by strong artistic vision, discussion of cultural and historical values, and development of each student's creative voice.

Second of a three-course sequence. Developing a portfolio allows film majors to understand how to archive, store and showcase their artistic and professional skills in their chosen focus areas. Topics include but are not limited to: creative branding, professional presentation, personal digital profiles.

In-depth exploration of a variety of topics in ethical filmmaking from script writing to pre-production, production and distribution. Topics range from writing ethical screenplays; representation; fair wage and treatment; how to approach difficult topics such as intimacy, language and violence and other on-set dynamics; as well as ethical choices in editing.

Leads students through a process of exploration and analysis of how our knowledge of and practice of ethics within the production of film and media has changed since the advent of the moving picture. From this foundation, students can begin to effectively recognize, analyze and address ethical issues in their practice as filmmakers.

Professional (noncreative) writing skills that prepare students for a career in the entertainment industry.