Olga Missiri, M.A., Co-Chair
Kerry
Yost, M.A., Co-Chair
Mass Media Faculty:
| Seth Ashley | BS Requirements for Digital Filmmaking |
| Olga Missiri, M.A. | Digital Filmmaking Advisory Board |
| Jonna Wiseman | DFM Course Descriptions |
| Kerri Yost, M.A. |
The Bachelor of Science major in Digital Filmmaking offers
intensive training in all aspects of filmmaking to prepare students
for the rapidly growing employment opportunities for women in the
filmmaking industry. The elements of the major will include
script writing, production (lighting, cinematography, special effects),
postproduction (editing, sound, graphics), business and history.
By the time a student has reached her senior year, and has experienced
the several areas available for study, she will concentrate her
work in one of four areas.
- Narrative filmmaking, creating a film based on the Classical Hollywood Narrative style
- Documentary filmmaking, creating a documentary film
- Commercial filmmaking, creating an entire television advertising campaign
- Corporate filmmaking, creating a corporate video
The product of the senior year's study will be a completed digital film project. The student is expected to pay for all expenses associated with her project.
Because of the rigorous nature of the major, students are expected to demonstrate a level of dedication, effort and ethical behavior consistent with that demanded within the profession. Any student who, in the collective judgment of the department faculty in consultation with the department chair, fails at any time to live up to these standards may be required to withdraw from the DFM major. Some of the courses will be taught in intensive workshops and master classes given by industry professionals.
Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking
The bachelor of science major in Digital Filmmaking requires completion of liberal arts requirements, and 54 semester hours in the major as specified below. The final capstone project must be a completed film in any one of the four areas of concentration. An overall GPA of at least 2.0 in all DFM courses listed in the major is required.
All students are required to take an internship between their junior and senior year. The internship can be taken with any company/organization within the film industry. An internship might even be taken abroad.
Students will be required to buy their own personal hard drive for storing and editing their movies. Please consult with a film faculty member before making any purchase.
Courses with MME prefixes can be found listed under Mass Media.
Required Courses
DFM 187: American Cinema/Culture (3 hrs.)DFM 188: Cinemas of the World (3 hrs.)
DFM 200: Screenwriting I (3 hrs.)
DFM 210: Screenwriting II - The Narrative Structure of Film (3 hrs.)
DFM 220: Digital Video Editing (3 hrs.)
DFM 300: Directing For Film (3 hrs.)
DFM 310: Advanced Digital Video Editing (3 hrs.)
DFM 400: The Business of Film (3 hrs.)
INT 210: Internship Development (1 hr.)
MME 101: Media and Culture (3 hrs.)
MME 104: Studio Production (3 hrs.)
MME 211: Digital Film/Video Production (3 hrs.)MME 311: Advanced Digital Film/Video Production (3 hrs.)
MME 464: Women and Media (3 hrs.)
MME 483: Advanced Internship: Case Study and Report (2 hrs.)
Chose one of the following in your senior year:
DFM 410: Narrative Digital Film Production (6 hrs.) DFM 420: Documentary Digital Film Production (6 hrs.) DFM 430: Corporate & Organizational Digital Video/Film Production (6 hrs.) DFM 440: Commercial Digital Film Production (6 hrs.)
Electives
DFM 380: Topics in Filmmaking (3 hrs.)
DFM 490: Master Class (3 hrs.)
Digital Filmmaking Advisory Board
| Rob LaZebnik | TV screenwriter and producer, "The Simpsons" , "Less Than Perfect", "The Ellen Show" |
| Ken LaZebnik | Screenwriter, "The Prairie Home Companion Movie", "Touched by an Angel" and "Providence". |
| Dawn Wells | CEO, Idaho Film Institute, Inc., actress, "Gilligan's Island" and many current stage plays around the US and Canada |
| Amy Lippman | Co-creator and Executive Producer, "Party of Five", Fox Network |
| Jonathan Mostow | Director of the features: "Terminator 3", "U-571", and "Breakdown" |
| Alex Rockwell | Vice-President, Henson Productions, Executive Producer of the children's show "Bear in the Big Blue House", Executive Producer of many Henson movies |
| Nell Scovell | Creator and Executive Producer of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and writer/producer of other sitcoms. |
| Greg Daniels | Co-Executive Producer, "King of the Hill" and Producer on "The Simpsons" |
| Martha Williamson | Creator of "Touched By an Angel" |
| Per Holst | Oscar-winning producer of "Pelle the Conquerer" |
| Suzanne Daniels | President, Lifetime Network |
Digital
Filmmaking Courses
DFM 187: American Cinema/Culture
(3 hrs.)
(Open to all students)
This course examines twentieth-century American culture and society
through film. The primary text for this course will be American
films. We will critically analyze how American cultural and social
conflicts are portrayed and worked out in popular films. By watching,
discussing, and writing about these films, we will examine how motion
pictures create a window into modern American society. Students
will learn how to read American films as cultural text that help
us better understand our history and culture.
DFM 188: Cinemas of the World
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: DFM 187 or permission of instructor.)
A continuation of American Cinema/Culture I with a greater emphasis
on Foreign films, mise-en-scéne, cinematography, editing,
sound, narrative film, documentary and experimental films, genres.
DFM 200: Screenwriting I
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisites: DFM 187, DFM 188, MCO 104 or permission of instructor.)
This course will focus on the fundamental structure of the screenplay.
Principles of character, conflict, visual storytelling, dialogue,
and plot will be studied. Students will learn the skills of
professional screenplay analysis, including writing a concise plot
synopsis, evaluating a script based on structure, character, theme,
and marketability, and developing a detailed plot outline.
Professional formatting will also be introduced.
DFM 210: Screenwriting II - The Narrative Structure of Film
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisites: DFM 187, DFM 188, DFM 200 or permission of instructor.)
This course will focus on the development of a feature film screenplay,
beginning with an original concept, students will outline the story,
develop characters, write a treatment and complete a first draft.
Writing techniques and formats required for television, non-fiction
film and multi-media will also be studied.
DFM
211: Digital Film/Video Production
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 104, cross-listed with
MCO 211; lab fee charged; )
Introduces the student to the planning, execution and editing of
video/television programming involving field and studio production.
Includes practical experience in operating a variety of audio and
video field equipment, as well as additional experience in operating
studio and post-production editing equipment. Students are also
involved in production of a weekly video magazine. Offered every
other year - fall semester only.
DFM 212: Introduction to Writing for Performance
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: Open to all students; cross-listed with ENG 212)
This course is designed as an introduction to Writing for Performance
in which students will explore a variety of ways to creatively express
themselves in dramatic form. The emphasis of this course is
on both the creative craft of the writing process, culminating in
written projects as well as learning the basic, traditional structure
of story and character.
DFM
240: Cinematography and Lighting
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisites: DFM 104, 107 or permission from instructor.)
This course explores elements that enhance storytelling, such as
digital lighting, shading techniques and camera composition.
DFM 300: Directing for Film
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: MCO 311 or permission of instructor.)
Students will gain hands-on experience by directing, shooting, and
editing a series of exercises designed to transform scripted text
into visual storytelling. Casting and working with actors
in preparation and execution of scripted scenes will be the focus
of the course.
DFM 310: Advanced Digital Video Editing
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisites: MCO 311, DFM 300.)
This class is a study of picture and sound editing using Final Cut
Pro. Editing dialogue, music split tracks, and use of change
and cue sheets will be explored.
DFM
311: Advanced Digital Film/Video Production
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in DFM/MCO 211 or permission
of instructor, cross-listed as MCO 311; lab fee charged)
Continuing practical experience in field and studio production.
Focuses on the planning, pre-production, production and post-production
of television programs with emphasis on the separate roles of the
producer and director. Students are involved in producing programming
to air on cable access. Offered spring semester only.
DFM
380: Topics in Filmmaking
(3 hrs.)
Topics may include such areas as the art of film, experimental film,
film genre studies, career studies of famous women directors, and
pre-code women in film. Each topic will be women-centered.
DFM 400: The Business of Film
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: must be a DFM major with junior standing.)
A study of the business of film including film financing, business
strategies, audience analysis, distribution strategies, preparing
a business plan.
DFM
406: Acting on Camera
(3 hrs.)
(Prerequisite: 3rd year theater students and film students
who have taken Directing; or permission of instructor.)
Acting on Camera will teach actors basic techniques and vocabulary
of film acting and give them an opportunity to learn how to shape
a performance on film. For film students, directors will learn
how to effectively work with actors to create a vivid performance.
By the course's end, the actors will have assembled a reel of material,
directed by both faculty and film students.
DFM 410: Narrative Digital Film Production
DFM 420: Documentary Digital Film Production
DFM 430: Corporate and Organizational Digital Video/Film Production
DFM
440: Commercial Digital Film Production
(6 hrs., 3 hrs. each semester)
(Prerequisite: finished all courses in the digital filmmaking major
prior to capstone)
This extensive, full school-year production course constitutes the
capstone courses in this major and requires completion of a short
narrative film, or a documentary film, or a corporate video or a
television commercial campaign to include one for theatre showing.
Students will write, produce, and direct their film in the fall
and do post-production in the spring semester. Finished films
will be exhibited at the end of the semester.
DFM 490: Master
Class
(3 hrs.)
Visiting industry professionals will become an Artist in Residence
for a semester and teach in different areas of filmmaking.
