Course Descriptions

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film

For a full list of all courses offered by the Department of Communication Arts, visit the course catalogue.

Course Descriptions

This lecture course serves as the entry-level course for incoming first-year students entering the Film program. The course will cover curricular issues, University culture and services, industry norms and standards, department processes, expectations, and industry standard practices.

This course traces the history of film in the American and international cinema through 1960. The invention of the moving picture, the nature of the silent era, the introduction of sound and the evolution of film will be examined. Film styles such as German Expressionism, Russian Formalism, Classical Hollywood Cinema, Italian Neorealism and the French New Wave will be analyzed.
This course examines American and international cinema from 1960 through the present. This course will chronicle the evolution of contemporary film. The diminishing influence of the Hays Code in the 1960’s, the dynamic films of the 1970’s and 80’s and the present modes of film presentation will be examined. The evolution of film standards, production modes and technology through the decades will also be surveyed.
This lecture course will provide instruction on the protocols of a professional film set, including safety, professionalism, on-set communication, equipment terminology and personnel hierarchy. Students will learn to safely handle and use current industry-standard equipment, including camera, lenses, lamps and grip gear. Students will work hands-on with a variety of camera equipment, light fixtures, dollies, track, stands, power distribution and other hardware to learn its effective and safe use.

This course focuses on non-linear digital editing with an emphasis on continuity editing. An introduction to film editing theory and editing workflows will be examined. Students will learn to use shortcuts, effects, keyframing, transitions, graphics and color grading to enhance storytelling.

This workshop course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of writing for film and television production. The focus of this course will be on learning basic narrative structure and character development, becoming familiar with screenwriting format, understanding differences between screenwriting and other prose forms of storytelling, and considering production concerns when writing for film.
This workshop course is designed to provide students with the essential tools for creating a feature-length screenplay. Students will learn to identify standard story structure elements, character arcs and sub-plots in feature-length films, while also familiarizing themselves with genre conventions. They will use this knowledge to develop their own story ideas and write an original, feature-length script.

This studio course gives students an introduction to the practical considerations of making a documentary film and exposure to various types of documentary styles and subject matter. This course will equip students with the voice, tools and experience necessary to produce non-fiction films. Emphasis will be placed on researching skills to develop strong narratives, interviewing skills, 3 point lighting setups, gathering effective b-roll and pacing strategies for engaging storytelling. Students will explore the use of HD and 4K strategies to realize their vision. 

This studio course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals and processes of film production. Coursework emphasizes proficiencies in camera operation, audio recording, three-point lighting and non-linear editing. Students will gain confidence to successfully operate and control the building blocks of a production

This studio course builds upon the concepts of Film Production I through improvement of technical knowledge and incubation of creativity. The course aims to further develop skills in crafting compelling visual narratives. Through hands-on projects, selected screenings and in-depth analysis, students will refine their artistic voice and elevate their craft. Emphasis is based on engaging storytelling.  

This studio course provides a hands-on approach to the art and technique of sound for the moving picture. This will include processes used in production and post-production. As part of expressing the student’s filmmaking voice, students will learn the creative use of sound in film. Core equipment and software will be analyzed and used to include production sound, dialogue, ADR, sound effects, sound design, Foley, music/score and mixing. Using these tools, students will produce and record sound to heighten and propel the narrative of their visual storytelling.  

This studio course explores aspects of the director’s craft, including narrative design and structure, mise-en-scene, motivated camera movement and choreographed actor blocking. The course delves into script interpretation that includes conceptualization of space, visual design and audience viewpoint and emotional response. 

This lecture course examines the role of the Producer in media production, primarily from the Production and Line Production perspective. This includes working with union and non-union personnel, securing releases, creating budgets and schedules, assessing crewing and staffing requirements, office/space needs, gathering deliverables for distribution and all relevant tasks associated with general media production. The course also explores production management in specific areas of specialization, including independent feature films, short films, long form episodic television and one-off specials, commercials and music videos.  

This studio course lays the foundation for the thesis project. It is designed to articulate and synthesize the filmmaker’s voice, research, concepts, pitches, narrative threads, scripts and look development tests. At the end of this course, students should have the conceptual base for their thesis project in FILM 4511 and 4512. 

This workshop course is designed to provide students with the basic tools for writing a television series. The course will focus on developing plots for "season-long" (multi-episode) arcs, emphasizing the ways each episode operates with its own internal plot structure while also being a part of a broader plotline. Students will generate an original show idea, develop multiple characters, write a pilot episode and compile a show bible for the course.

This course is designed to cultivate the cinematographer’s sensibility and art form. It explores advanced lighting techniques and cinematography for film. Students will light scenes that convey mood and enhance the visual narrative. The course will delve into the aesthetic, technical, and logistical choices used to realize the director’s vision. 

This studio course provides an advanced hands-on approach to the art and technique of sound for the moving picture. The course delves into the intricacies of sound design and editing for film, aiming to equip students with advanced skills in creating immersive and impactful audio experiences. Through hands-on practical exercises, selected film scenes screenings, theoretical readings and classroom discussions, students will explore advanced techniques in surround sound recording, editing, mixing and designing for various cinematic genres. This will include processes used in production and post-production. In expressing the student’s filmmaking voice, students will continue the creation of creative sound in the film and television industries. Advanced hardware and software techniques will be used to produce production sound, dialogue, ADR, sound effects, sound design, Foley, music/score and mixing.  

This studio course builds upon the fundamentals of directing while focusing on the director’s work with actors. Through detailed script analysis, including story spine, character arc, actor’s choices, interior life and playable direction, students will learn how to direct actors for genuine performances. The director’s personal and creative connection to the story material will be explored. Students will focus on translating text and subtext to the screen.

This course provides an advanced approach to non-linear editing, including analysis of masterful cuts in films, creation of motion graphics and effects, compositing, multi-camera cutting and editing for performance and story. Both narrative and documentary editing techniques will be addressed. 

This course explores the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary voices in film, focusing on directors, writers and other key creatives who have made a significant impact on the industry. Through screenings, discussions and critical analysis, students will examine the themes, styles and cultural contexts that shape the work of these influential filmmakers. 

This lecture course discusses and analyzes the business of the film industry, including business structures, sources of capital, legal and tax considerations, marketing, distribution, business ethics and other issues likely to be encountered in a filmmaking career. Emphasis will be placed on the revenue streams in the domestic and international marketplace, as well as streaming outlets.  

This course offers an in-depth study of a selected topic in film. Content will include a specific screen artist (director, producer, screenwriter or cinematographer) or a specific film genre. The course will emphasize content analysis and criticism.   

This extended studio course is the first part of a two-semester sequence designed to guide students in the creation of their senior thesis film projects. This course focuses on the development phase, where students refine their ideas, write their script, conduct pre-production planning and begin the initial stages of production. Emphasis will be placed on script development, project planning and pre-visualization. 

This extended studio course is the second part of the senior thesis sequence, focusing on the execution and completion of the thesis film projects initiated in Thesis Production I. This course emphasizes hands-on production, post-production and the finalization of the senior thesis films.