Bachelors (BA) in Cinematic Arts
Overview
The Cinematic Arts major offers a 45-48 semester-hour course of study that combines the liberal arts emphasis of communication arts with hands-on experiences in video, film, digital media production, and animation. An extensive selection of electives allows the student to design a program that fits individual needs or interests.
Degree Outcomes
Graduates with a BA in cinematic arts will:
- Know the history, fundamental professional practices and standards of contemporary visual media arts.
- Demonstrate creative skill sets in the production of cinematic arts projects, including writing and storytelling for media.
- Critically analyze contemporary visual media productions, practices and impacts.
- Have a greater appreciation for the various ways in which faith issues can be integrated within the cinematic arts.
- Comprehend and employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, concepts, and techniques in everyday life in relation to their discipline.
Major Requirements
Core requirements (21 hours)
Choose one of the following:
An historical examination of the moving image, including television programming and film in the United States. Employs contextual and ethical methods for illuminating the relationship of these media artifacts to modern culture, both secular and religious.
Film is a truly an international medium, stretching across borders, decades, and cultures. Students will study international films in terms of the historical, cultural, political, and economic forces that shaped them.
Complete the following:
An introduction to film as a narrative and visual medium, emphasizing the terms, methods and techniques of film analysis, as well as prominent critical theoretical approaches to understanding film.
Survey of the historical development of newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, and cinema. Analysis of the role(s) of mass media in shaping and altering opinion and values in contemporary culture.
Complete the following:
Students work collaboratively to explore story and script essentials, the technical, creative, and aesthetic elements of the video production process. Course includes professional script formatting, basic lighting, sound, camera operation, composition, and design of visual elements, producing and directing basics through lecture, classroom and supervised laboratory experiences.
Concentrating on recording, editing, and mixing multitrack audio on a digital platform. The course will look at special recording techniques for (a) human voices in speaking, singing, and dramatic performance; (b) musical instruments; (c) dramatic sound effects. Students will complete projects in editing and mixing of multitrack sound programs.
Professional techniques and artistry of writing for the screen. Students create story premises, write scripts for short films, original and spec television series and feature films. This course examines plot structure, characterization, dialogue, action, genre, and the business aspects, including agents, script sales, and the Hollywood system. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound.
An internship experience designed to give students an opportunity to practice video and film techniques and principles in an off-campus, professional setting. Students choose from a variety of options - cable, broadcast, corporate, medical, or commercial production facilities - based on the student's goals and interests. Up to 6 hours may apply to the cinematic arts major. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.
This class helps prepare students for entry into the professional realm by developing networking and marketing strategies, and by preparing a professional reel of their best work, which will be critiqued by members of the local media industry. Prerequisite: senior status. Additional course fee required.
Concentrations (24-27 hours) - choose one
Students in the animation concentration study techniques for producing 2D, 3D and stop motion animation and visual effects using a combination of creativity, aesthetics, and computer software.
Complete the following:
This course is an introduction to industry-standard graphic design applications such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Additional course fee required.
Art majors given preference. This course is a study of materials, methods, and techniques used for drawing with pencil, ink, charcoal, and other drawing media. Additional course fee is required.
This is the study of pre-production and previsualization techniques used in animation. Topics include developing story, storyboarding, concept design, and editing animatics. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisites: ARTD 110 Creative Suite and ARTS 111 Drawing I or instructor's permission.
This is an introduction to the fundamentals of animation production, from traditional hand drawn techniques to stop motion animation. In this hands-on workshop, students will produce short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
This is an introduction to 2D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Students will create character animations and short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisite: ARTD 110 Creative Suite and CINE 212 Introduction to Animation or instructor’s permission.
This is an introduction to 3D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Emphasis is placed on modeling texturing, lighting and rendering. Students will create original 3D artwork. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisite: ARTD 110 Creative Suite.
Students explore different means of producing visual effects using digital computer imaging, blue-screens, compositing, and old-fashioned movie magic. Students will also learn how to create animated text sequences and video graphics. Additional course fee required.
This is an advanced course in 3D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Emphasis is placed on rigging and character animation. Students will create short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisite: CINE 212 Introduction to Animation and CINE 312 3D Computer Animation I
In this intensive hands-on production course, students will draw on all their filmmaking skills to produce 10- to 30-minute shorts - narrative, documentary, or animated - for their portfolios and film festivals. This semester focuses on preproduction and production, including script breakdown, casting, and actual filming. Prerequisites: one of the following: CINE 310 Intermediate Directing, CINE 320 Dramatic Scriptwriting, CINE 333 Camera & Lighting, CINE 343 Sound Design, CINE 350 Editing Video, CINE 430 Producing & Directing Video, or instructor's permission. Admission to the class is a competitive process based on the student proposal and script. Additional course fee required.
Suggested Electives (not required)
Introduction to the materials, methods, and techniques used in photography. Additional course fee is required.
Practice and Theory pertaining to drawing the human figure from live models. Translating the 3 dimensional figure to 2 dimensions will be the first priority, along with exploration and study in historical and contemporary figural interpretations. Both traditional and non-traditional mediums will be explored with the intent of gaining competence and confidence in the use of figural subject content in a variety of mediums. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ARTS 111 Drawing I, or instructor’s permission.
Upper division students will be given more latitude in the creative application of the concepts stated in Figure Drawing I. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisite: ARTS 311 Figure Drawing I or instructor’s permission.
This course explores the various camera and lighting techniques used in film and digital video production. Students will focus on applying lighting techniques and camera movement to create specific visual effects. Students will apply the ideas discussed in the text and lectures to a series of in-class explorations, in addition to scenes filmed outside of class. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound or instructor's permission. Additional course fee required.
An internship experience designed to give students an opportunity to practice video and film techniques and principles in an off-campus, professional setting. Students choose from a variety of options - cable, broadcast, corporate, medical, or commercial production facilities - based on the student's goals and interests. Up to 6 hours may apply to the cinematic arts major. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.
This course continues the project started in Advanced Production Workshop I into postproduction, including editing, sound design, color correction, and DVD authoring. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 481 Advanced Production Workshop I or instructor's permission.
Students in the audio production concentration focus on audio techniques for music recording and mixing; sound design for film, video and new media and production for radio.
Complete the following:
This class explores the use of digital sound technology to record, edit, and mix audio for film and television. Students will use their audio skills to record sound both in the field and in the recording studio. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
Students will learn to record music and vocal tracks in a digital multitrack studio environment. Students will produce music, advertising, and other audio projects in this hands-on studio course. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
Theory and practice in editing the moving image. Analysis of Hollywood and avant-garde styles of editing is followed by practice exercises illustrating each concept. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound or instructor's permission.
In this intensive hands-on production course, students will draw on all their filmmaking skills to produce 10- to 30-minute shorts - narrative, documentary, or animated - for their portfolios and film festivals. This semester focuses on preproduction and production, including script breakdown, casting, and actual filming. Prerequisites: one of the following: CINE 310 Intermediate Directing, CINE 320 Dramatic Scriptwriting, CINE 333 Camera & Lighting, CINE 343 Sound Design, CINE 350 Editing Video, CINE 430 Producing & Directing Video, or instructor's permission. Admission to the class is a competitive process based on the student proposal and script. Additional course fee required.
Choose 12 hours of the following:
Up to 6 credits of CINE 475 can be applied to this requirement.
Students will learn basic techniques of songwriting, including lyrics and song structure. Students will write their own songs, which they will then produce and record. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or MUSI 180 Introduction to Music Technology or THEA 130 Stagecraft or by instructor’s permission.
An internship experience designed to give students an opportunity to practice video and film techniques and principles in an off-campus, professional setting. Students choose from a variety of options - cable, broadcast, corporate, medical, or commercial production facilities - based on the student's goals and interests. Up to 6 hours may apply to the cinematic arts major. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.
This course continues the project started in Advanced Production Workshop I into postproduction, including editing, sound design, color correction, and DVD authoring. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 481 Advanced Production Workshop I or instructor's permission.
Introductory work with technological resources basic to work in the music field. Includes hands-on experience with MIDI and sequencing, music notation programs and desktop publishing, digital sound formats, audio recording, and basic Web authoring. Students will also explore basic self-promotion skills such as marketing and portfolio development.
OR
Up to 15 semester hours of coursework at the Contemporary Music Center Program in Nashville.
The study of the moving image incorporates cinema history, media criticism and elements of hands-on film production.
Complete the following:
This course explores the various camera and lighting techniques used in film and digital video production. Students will focus on applying lighting techniques and camera movement to create specific visual effects. Students will apply the ideas discussed in the text and lectures to a series of in-class explorations, in addition to scenes filmed outside of class. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound or instructor's permission. Additional course fee required.
Theory and practice in editing the moving image. Analysis of Hollywood and avant-garde styles of editing is followed by practice exercises illustrating each concept. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound or instructor's permission.
In this intensive hands-on production course, students will draw on all their filmmaking skills to produce 10- to 30-minute shorts - narrative, documentary, or animated - for their portfolios and film festivals. This semester focuses on preproduction and production, including script breakdown, casting, and actual filming. Prerequisites: one of the following: CINE 310 Intermediate Directing, CINE 320 Dramatic Scriptwriting, CINE 333 Camera & Lighting, CINE 343 Sound Design, CINE 350 Editing Video, CINE 430 Producing & Directing Video, or instructor's permission. Admission to the class is a competitive process based on the student proposal and script. Additional course fee required.
Choose 15 hours of the following:
This is the study of pre-production and previsualization techniques used in animation. Topics include developing story, storyboarding, concept design, and editing animatics. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisites: ARTD 110 Creative Suite and ARTS 111 Drawing I or instructor's permission.
This is an introduction to the fundamentals of animation production, from traditional hand drawn techniques to stop motion animation. In this hands-on workshop, students will produce short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
This is an introduction to 2D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Students will create character animations and short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisite: ARTD 110 Creative Suite and CINE 212 Introduction to Animation or instructor’s permission.
Students will learn basic techniques of songwriting, including lyrics and song structure. Students will write their own songs, which they will then produce and record. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or MUSI 180 Introduction to Music Technology or THEA 130 Stagecraft or by instructor’s permission.
Working with classmates as crew, students take turns directing scenes from Hollywood movies in this hands-on directing workshop. Beyond storyboarding and shot planning, this class focuses on working with actors, working with crew, and other skills required for balancing the technical and the artistic aspects of directing. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound or instructor's permission.
This is an introduction to 3D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Emphasis is placed on modeling texturing, lighting and rendering. Students will create original 3D artwork. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisite: ARTD 110 Creative Suite.
This class explores the use of digital sound technology to record, edit, and mix audio for film and television. Students will use their audio skills to record sound both in the field and in the recording studio. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
Students will learn to record music and vocal tracks in a digital multitrack studio environment. Students will produce music, advertising, and other audio projects in this hands-on studio course. Prerequisite: CINE 243 Introduction to Audio or instructor's permission.
Students explore different means of producing visual effects using digital computer imaging, blue-screens, compositing, and old-fashioned movie magic. Students will also learn how to create animated text sequences and video graphics. Additional course fee required.
The documentary filmmaker must juggle a multitude of skills while maintaining a relationship with their subject in an ethical manner. Students will explore the historical, critical, and ethical aspects of the documentary while studying the steps taken during preproduction. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 230 Storytelling, Moving Images & Sound.
This course continues the documentary experience started in Documentary Production I. Students will apply their understanding of documentary filmmaking while exploring the aspects of production and post-production. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CINE 371 Documentary Production I.
This is an advanced course in 3D computer animation using industry standard software and techniques. Emphasis is placed on rigging and character animation. Students will create short animation projects. Additional course fee required.
Prerequisite: CINE 212 Introduction to Animation and CINE 312 3D Computer Animation I
An advanced course in video directing and producing. Students explore the preproduction, production, and postproduction of original short feature videos for the Fox Film Festival. Prerequisite: CINE 350 Editing Video. Additional course fee required.
OR
Up to 15 semester hours of course work at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center