Film

This introductory production class gives students the foundation for creating films. We will cover the basic use of a digital camera (Sony a6000), camera exposure for filmmaking along with the basics of camera shots, angles, and movement. Additionally, the course covers introductory levels of filmmaking for lights (3-point lighting set-ups, C-stands, clamps, flags, cutters, color temperature/gels),sound (portable recording; single & double system recording), and editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, including titles and basic effects and color tools). Students will learn chroma keying/green screen production and lighting for green screen. In the class, we create short films to demonstrate how these basic filmmaking tools are used to tell stories, influence emotions and connect to people through sound and images. Students will draw upon their experiences in Intro to Film & Visual Storytelling to craft a short individual film project (2-3 minutes). They will also work in small groups to produce a short film of any type (3-5 minutes).

The course provides a basic introduction to the world of film, including a brief history and the technology and tools that have made film possible. The course though is focused primarily on film as the arrangement of images into something we call a story. Together we examine the process of telling stories with moving images - that is how to craft a story in relation to composition, color, sound, and editing. We explore two main film genres, narrative and documentary, and discuss how storytelling is fundamental to them. For narrative film we examine dramatic storytelling aspects such as mise-en-scčne, concept, character, theme, plot, and dialog. In documentary film we explore how filmmakers can incorporate strong, often character-driven stories that also have a beginning, middle and end. We look at how they can raise issues with much at stake, offer rising tensions, and still utilize a narrative arc that keeps viewers actively engaged. We look also at experimental/avant-garde films, that is non-narrative forms of filmmaking, which focus on movement, rhythm, and composition, because ideas and techniques from this genre have and continue to influence story-based filmmaking.

In this course we analyze film style across a selection of international films from diverse regional, national and local contexts. We connect the threads of world cinema, asking students to compare and contrast a work from one time and place to any number of its geographically distant offspring. Major international films encourage us to reconsider what cinema is and how new ideas, feelings, and worlds come into being. As such, we study and analyze films from India, Canada, Sweden, Nigeria, South Korea, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, China and more. We compare and contrast styles along the way. We also explore broader questions about the usefulness of working in a globally-identifiable film style.

This course provides an introductory overview to film theory and methods of film analysis. We explore the interaction between a film’s subject and style to reach an informed analysis of cinematic aesthetics. We explore how cinema functions as a medium, art form and practice, institution, and how cinema signifies (e.g. communicates, produces meanings, and constructs itself as a language). There are a range of critical methods for the study of media texts: realism, formalism, auteur theory, theories of spectatorship and reception, feminism, queer theory, Marxist film theory, cultural studies, postcolonialism, among many others. Through analysis and examination of major areas of film theory and criticism, this course helps students become informed, critically engaged readers/viewers of global media texts and practices. Preg: FILM1025

In this course, we will explore how filmmakers across time and place have chosen to create films for social change. We will link to this and discuss as part of the Mission of La Roche University. Documentary films, immersive virtual and augmented reality, participatory filmmaking, installation films, and other creative media experiences will be explored and analyzed in this context - with special consideration of their strategic communication campaigns and in recent eras an online presence. The class will also explore important concepts relative to these products such as advocacy, bias and manipulation. Students will work in teams to create a film proposal for a documentary that advocates for positive social change, and identify relevant film festivals for submission.

This course provides a foundational understanding of the key elements of TV pilot writing, from the establishment of theme and tone, to the utilization of five-act structure and effective use of scene transitions. Through the process of story breaking, beat sheet creation, and outline writing, each participant will develop their own original pilot, culminating in the completion of a first working draft. Emphasis will be placed on character development, effective dialogue, world building, story conflict, and plot reversal.

In this course students learn more in-depth aspects of digital camera operations, including using an advanced digital camera (Sony a7iii) and learning how to produce specialty camera movements with training on a DJI-Ronin S. Students are also introduced to more advanced levels of lighting (light meters, Flex-Fill, Bounce Boards, high-key and low-key lighting), sync sound (with lavalier, camera mounted, and shotgun microphones), basics of sound design and audio mixing (in Adobe Audition), and more advanced digital editing (e.g., special effects, color correcting). Students will work in groups to create a short documentary (5-8 minutes) focused on an issue related to positive social change (applying what they learned in the previous semester in Filmmaking for Social Change). Students will also draw upon all technical skills from Film Production I for films produced this semester. Some hours will be required of students to join productions in the Film Production IV course (offered same semester). Prereq: FILM1020

UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or "drone" technology is radically expanding the range and mobility of the camera for photography and video. In this course, the student will learn how to assemble and set up a UAV for flight, learn how to fly a multi-copter type UAV, and practice shooting effective moving and still images. Topics covered will include: specific components of the UAV, cameras and camera stabilization systems. In addition to the equipment used, subject matter will include legal requirements and ramifications, flying to get the shot, and proper protocol for flying in public. Safety will be stressed throughout the semester.

This course prepares students to utilize the tools of storytelling and visual structure to create digital content across media platforms. Looking for and creating an audience, using creative and quality means of expression, using social media for promotion, monetizing content, and evaluating products will be covered as part of the class. Students will explore different social media platforms, and analyze how to produce content for them, and pivot to new emerging mediums. Students will create a complementary platform of social media, including Instagram and a YouTube Channel as part of the class experience. Students will develop skills in media production, behavioral studies, and digital storytelling so they can develop engaging digital content for a range of platforms.

This course is designed to introduce basic screenplay structure and formatting and prepare students to thoughtfully embark on their own writing practice. Students will read, view, and discuss examples of great screenwriting from contemporary and classic films. This course will also touch on the basics of character development and plot structure and is appropriate for writers of various levels. An original full length screenplay will be completed by the end of the semester, in addition to other writing exercises and assignments.

PREREQUISITE: FILM1020 In this course, students learn audio skills in order to create and capture audio for film and the visual image. Students will additionally learn sound theory, and are introduced to sound characteristics, microphone types and usage, basic acoustical principles, basic sound design objectives. Class focuses on the elements of sound: dialog, voice-over, sound effects and music and their impact on the visual image. Through industry standard location and studio recording techniques, students are responsible for acquiring, editing, enhancing, processing, mixing, and synchronizing sound for production and post-production sound.

In this course students will uncover the essentials they need to know and understand to confidently work with or as actors in the film industry. Students will gain a basic understanding of how actors interact with other film professionals in the industry as well as how to pursue a career in acting. They will also learn some fundamentals of acting. Industry professionals will join class throughout the semester to bring relevant real-world knowledge, perspective, and mentoring to the course. Students can expect a highly interactive environment of open discussion and role-playing to help them step into their first professional film set with confidence about how to interact with actors or as an actor themselves.

In this class students will increase the production value of their filmmaking skills. Students will work more in-depth with advanced lighting (such as light a moving subject, utilize negative fill, color) and sound (including how to design atmospheric sound to enhance their storytelling). The class will also advance student editing skills with training in Adobe After Effects and include a focus on color grading. The class emphasizes the role of a Director and students will begin working with actors and produce a short narrative film (8-12 minutes) by further developing and applying skills they have learned from Film Production I & II. We will apply what they learned about film aesthetics in Film Theory & Analysis and incorporate Creative Writing both taken in the previous semester. Basics in screenwriting will be covered so we can produce a short narrative screenplay early in the semester.

PREREQUSITE: FILM3015 In this course, students will create a short "service film" for a non-profit group or organization (off-campus) or a group or program (on campus). Students should strive to find an organization that generally can not afford tcreate such media. The film should be between 2 to 4 minutes in length (exceptions are possible but must be approved in advance by the instructor).

PREREQUSITE: FILM3015 In this class students will learn production skills at an advanced level with an emphasis on learning how to be a film producer. Additionally, students will produce short films in collaboration with a non-profit partner. We will also examine dealing with stock footage and music rights, legal and ethical considerations, and distribution options. Students will draw upon all skills from Film Production 1-3 for films produced this semester.

In this course, students will conceive, research, and plan their senior capstone film projects. Students take this 1-credit course prior to the 3-credit Film Capstone Project taken the following semester. Students will develop and revise narrative scripts or documentary treatments, receiving feedback from the professor and students in the class. Students will also seek input on their project from at least 2 other film professionals. Students will plan and prepare all aspects of pre-production for a comprehensive film project.

PREREQUISITE: GCDN3046

A practical work experience in a field setting. The student receives credits for work performed.

This course allows students to design and complete a film project in an area of their choice. The film project should bring multiple elements into a substantial film and draw upon all of their courses and experiences to date at La Roche University. Film requires faculty approval and regular meetings with the film capstone committee (made up of 2 La Roche University faculty/staff and a local film professional/scholar). All graduating film major seniors will take this course together. This will allow for a workshop and critique environment, helping students further move their filmmaking forward.

The main focus of the course is to provide instruction and guidance for students as they prepare a professional film portfolio. In consultation with faculty and peers, students will revise and improve upon prior and current projects in order to develop a strong portfolio. Additionally, the course involves the exploration of self-promotion strategies necessary for success in the film profession, including how to run a small film business. Through instruction and research, students will learn techniques for effective verbal and visual presentation of their work. This course will prepare graduates for the job market and continued education.